View Full Version : Pocket Query & Watcher



bmeserve
05-08-2008, 03:14 PM
I have read a few topics under Pocket Queries and haven't really gotten the answer I wanted....and I'm not sure that my question is even valid HA

Anywho...I'm still VERY new to this and just became a member at GC.com (this one is next probably in a week or so) and I was able to do the Pocket Query you all talk about and I got one with results and even downloaded it to my computer in the .gpx format...then they said I had to download some utility to read it so I downloaded "watcher" I was able to open it in watcher and view the queries I downloaded...but how do I get it to my gps? Or do I not? I thought Pocket Queries could be downloaded into the actual GPS?

But then again I could be COMPLETELY wrong in this.

So if anyone has any luck in using watcher or just some information on pocket queries I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank You


GPSmap 60CSx

Mainiac1957
05-08-2008, 03:26 PM
You use watcher don't you?:confused: Many of us use GSAK and really like it. It will load to GPS unit and much more. Such as PDAs and mapping software.

TRF
05-08-2008, 04:13 PM
I know nothing of "Watcher" so i google it and this was the first link I came across. The last line is the one I think is of interest:

Watcher is a tool for Geocaching, that allows you to import and manage your GPX files. It displays detailed information for each cache, including cache type, name, distance, ID and more. You can also mark and ignore caches, filter the display list, customize the columns to display, view offline cache information and more. The program does not interact with GPS units. I found the link here (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/cjwatcher.html).

bmeserve, You may need to try another software to load waypoints into your GPS or see if Watcher will export to Mapsource, if you have that.

brdad
05-08-2008, 04:57 PM
I was a tester for Watcher when it was first being developed. At the time, it worked well and was very user friendly. Unfortunately, the cacher who developed Watcher has been busy with other ventures, so Watcher has fallen below a level of usability for most.

The only free option I know of is EasyGPS (http://www.easygps.com/). You can easily upload your PQ files to your GPS with it. However, it is not so easy to further filter the PQ - by type, distance, size, etc.

From there you go to GSAk (http://www.gsak.net/) as stated in a previous post. IMO it is still not as user firendly as Watcher was, but it's capabilities are much greater, including uploading to GPS and Exporting to many formats, including those like cachemate, for paperles caching capability. Don't be afraid of it - it is worth the price, and you'll get used to it quickly enough and consider it an invaluable tool.

Much of GSAk is based on GPSBabel (http://www.gpsbabel.org/), which is a free command like program. It too is very capable, but not as user friendly unless you are comfortable with command line programs.

Hiram357
05-08-2008, 05:16 PM
one word, GSAK :D (well... ok, it's 4 letters...)

JamieoftheNorth
05-08-2008, 07:10 PM
I've been using CacheMagnet, (http://cachemagnet.googlepages.com/) which is a free, open source software that exports coordinates to the GPS. A huge bonus of the program for me is that it also exports cache descriptions, hints and logs to the notes section of my iPod, so no printouts needed.

If you're a visual learner like me, here's a youtube video that gives a great demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsHYQweqgJw

In the video, you'll see how to load pocket queries.

Best of luck!

bmeserve
05-09-2008, 09:02 AM
Thank you all very much!!! Surprisingly no where (that I saw) on the site I got watcher from did it have the same description that you found TRF ... otherwise I wouldn't have downloaded it!

I will now download GSAK as I want to be like everyone else haha

Thanks again for your help - you are all awesome!

Hiram357
05-09-2008, 12:01 PM
Thank you all very much!!! Surprisingly no where (that I saw) on the site I got watcher from did it have the same description that you found TRF ... otherwise I wouldn't have downloaded it!

I will now download GSAK as I want to be like everyone else haha

Thanks again for your help - you are all awesome!

another nice thing about GSAK is the tech support you get from clyde about it! (and if you can't reach him in time, there's plenty of people around here that know that program just as well as the guy that made it!) :D

firefighterjake
05-09-2008, 12:44 PM
. . .
I will now download GSAK as I want to be like everyone else haha



You will be assimilated . . . resistance is futile.;):D

Hiram357
05-09-2008, 12:50 PM
You will be assimilated . . . resistance is futile.;):D

go back to work jake... :p

bmeserve
05-09-2008, 01:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by firefighterjake http://www.geocachingmaine.org/forum/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.geocachingmaine.org/forum/showthread.php?p=42096#post42096)
You will be assimilated . . . resistance is futile.;):D

go back to work jake... :p

*******

HeHe that made me laugh ... Downloaded it and put it on my GPS and we're good to go!

Thanks a bunch ... can't wait to find time to get back out! I'm lucky to live in an area where just about 400 out of the 500 I downloaded seems to be around here! LMAO

firefighterjake
05-09-2008, 03:09 PM
go back to work jake... :p

Work? What is this strange word that you speak of . . . I do not believe I know what this word is. . . .;):D

Mainiac1957
05-09-2008, 03:13 PM
I think both Aaron AND Jake work WAY too little.:p:D:rolleyes::)



And I am WAY WAY Jealous :rolleyes::p:D;):cool:

Mainiac1957
05-09-2008, 03:15 PM
It's beer thirty here in Bangor. :cool:

Hiram357
05-09-2008, 03:25 PM
I think both Aaron AND Jake work WAY too little.:p:D:rolleyes::)



And I am WAY WAY Jealous :rolleyes::p:D;):cool:

Don't worry, I'll probably be working even littler in about 58 days...



It's beer thirty here in Bangor. :cool:

well, come pick me up already!?!?!?! :p

firefighterjake
05-09-2008, 03:35 PM
I think both Aaron AND Jake work WAY too little.:p:D:rolleyes::)



And I am WAY WAY Jealous :rolleyes::p:D;):cool:

Again, what is this word "work" . . . I am not familiar with this word. ;):D

firefighterjake
05-09-2008, 03:36 PM
It's beer thirty here in Bangor. :cool:

I think sometime a bunch of us should get together after work some Friday at Paddy's or one of the other fine Irish establishments downtown . . . I suspect Hiram would like Paddy's.

firefighterjake
05-09-2008, 03:37 PM
Don't worry, I'll probably be working even littler in about 58 days...




well, come pick me up already!?!?!?! :p


For some reason I suspect I should know the answer to this one, but I don't . . . what happens in 58 days?

Hiram357
05-09-2008, 03:45 PM
For some reason I suspect I should know the answer to this one, but I don't . . . what happens in 58 days?


I'd tell you, but I'd hafta kill you... :cool:

HappyTogether
05-09-2008, 04:53 PM
I think sometime a bunch of us should get together after work some Friday at Paddy's or one of the other fine Irish establishments downtown . . . I suspect Hiram would like Paddy's.


Since the thread is already well off the track.....Whig and Courier is good. :D

Hiram357
05-09-2008, 04:56 PM
Since the thread is already well off the track.....Whig and Courier is good. :D

it's not off track, it's on the fast track to enlightenment. :D

Mainiac1957
05-09-2008, 05:22 PM
Jake, 6:00 tonight at Geahgan's