Could someone briefly explain how paperless caching works? Can you somehow download the text from a cache page to a PDA?
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Could someone briefly explain how paperless caching works? Can you somehow download the text from a cache page to a PDA?
If you are a paying member of gc.com, you can download individual cache pages in a GPX format, which includes The cache coordinates, description, hints, And the last 5 logs.
As a member, you can also download Pocket Queries (Again, in GPX format). You are allowed 5 queries per day, and each query can include up to 500 caches. These files contain all information mentioned before, plus any logs you have made to the cache page.
From there there are several options depending on what you are using for paperless hardware. I have a palm, so I use a program called cachemate ($7) which will convert the GPX file to a format the palm can use.
Paperless caching is great! I get two pocket queries - one of my found caches, and one of my unfound Maine caches. If i ever get side tracked (which happens often!), I always have all Maine caches loaded in my PDA.
If you use a Laptop, you can use a program like Watcher to view the GPX files.
There is also an alternative tutorial on paperless caching at Geocacher University
We have an old Gateway P2 laptop that works great with Watcher. As brdad mentioned, you can do queries with numerous filters, up to 5 a day, and store them on the laptop. We still need EasyGPS to download the waypoints, but it is much faster in bulk. You have all the info on the cache page, including the last 3-4 logs. This has already saved us from wasting time on a cache that had been removed. We bought an ac/dc power inverter for the car so we don't have to worry about the battery going dead. You can make and store notes for each cache for reference later. You can sort in many different ways...especially sorting in distance from a particular cache can be helpful. Multi-caches can be a problem...you either have to make notes or print these out beforehand if you know you are going to do them. We definitely prefer it on a road trip.
I just started paperless this past week and boy do I like it. I have cachemate on my Palm Zire 71 that I got from Smittyware.com for only 7 bux, well worth every penny.I get pocket queries that I just hotsync into my palm and I'm all set to go. I do have both Watcher and GSAK on my home desktop but I really don't use it or havent seen any need for it right now.Going down the road I just look for nearest cache and look it up on my palm and head right for it,well with a little help from my Maine Gazetteer.Pretty cool if you ask me and it helps save a tree or 2 also.
I use Plucker on my PDA...I can't see how to do searches like you describe Haffy...How do you sort the list so you can get nearby caches. It seems I can only sort by cache name (alphabetical) or my cache ID. Is it a limitation of plucker?
Well none of my caches are nearby for me now...lol I have an idea which direction I am heading and then watch my GPS in the car and nearest caches and just go from there.
I think Haffy uses his GPS to see the nearest, then looks it up on the PDA.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluegrass Gyrl
But with cachemate, you can sort from a cache or from coords you enter. It takes a minute to do the calculation, but I've used the sort function a few times and it's real handy! I don't think plucker can do that, but I never played with it much.
Yep that's how I do it.
This may sound really dumb....I only input waypoints on my way to caches...therefore the waypoints stored on my GPS are usually only found ones. Can you upload a whole PQ to your gps? how?
with easy GPS or expert GPS software. You can do a batch upload. I will change the alpha-numeric waypoit name to a close resembilance of the cache name. Then when I'm out I can do nearest waypoint. Then I can check the PDA for the description. Viola...paperless. If you put a big enough area in you can go caching where ever you happen to be. I run PQ to only give me new caches so when I convert them for cachemate it'll only be the new ones.
All this technology and you're punching in waypoints one by one? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Bluegrass Gyrl
Assuming you have a cable for your GPS, there are several ways. The simplest is probably to use EasyGPS.
I usually sort my PQ and just enter my unfound caches into my GPS. Then I try to remember to delete the waypoint after I get back to my car (But anyone that has noticed what my memory is like knows that doesn't happen all the time).
Paperless caching is the best thing since….well you know.;)
Seriously, you will never go back once you’ve tried it. A good friend and legendary geocacher icon from Upstate NY (Rusty O Junk) introduced me to paperless caching. He showed me his setup and within 2 weeks I had ordered a PDA and have to say its one of the best investments you will ever make (from a geocachnig point of view). I use GPX Sonar and Mapopolis on my PDA and I find that those are the only two programs I need and they compliment eachother.
If you are a premium member you can download pocket queries with up to 500 waypoints per querie.. I have a separate querie for each of the states I cache in. VT, NH, NY and (soon to be) Maine :) and also a separate querie for all my found caches. I have them scheduled to be delivered at the end of the week so that I always have the most current /updated information.
I carry my PDA and GPS with me when I travel. I will look up on Mapopolis where the nearest caches are and then switch over to GPX Sonar and get cache information. Most all the important info on the cache page will show up on your PDA including the hint which can be decrypted (should you need it) by just selecting the text. It will also show you if any TB’s are in the cache and will give you the last 4-5 log entries.
It really is wonderful and you will love it. I think Rusty has sold about 4 people and (maybe more by now) on this latest technology. If he got a commission he could give up his fulltime job and geocache fulltime instead. ;)
That's a great idea. I can't believe I never thought of that. I've been getting 2 files, one with all the nearest caches I haven't done and don't own and one with all the nearest caches.Quote:
Originally Posted by brdad
My idea of paperless caching is when I forget the print out at home. I have used EasyGPS but find myself more often than not just punching in the cords by hand like Bluegrass Gyrl, on the way there. What I would like to see is something like a Delorme Maine Atlas "special edition" with all the caches in it and info on each in the front or back.
I actually mark a Delorme atlas with all the caches, and highlight them when I find them. But I still need the cache info in my Palm. Some people say I'm addicted, but .... oh wait, there's a new cache to mark....Quote:
Originally Posted by Pooh and friends
Boy, something like that would be outdated the minute after it was printed. I have trouble just keeping my PDA & GPS updated with the newest caches.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pooh and friends
I think the only way to get something like that is do this is to do what brdad does and do it yourself.
I just create a file,lets say I call it Maine caches.All my queries go into this file and when I open up CM Convert, I drag this file into it and cachemate downloads all of them at once the next time I do a hotsync. I think we ought to have someone at the next event give us all a demonstration of the different ways that we can go paperless. Maybe someone could bring in their laptop and PDA and such and we could see how easy it really is. I am still a newbie to all this but am starting to get the hang of it slowly but surely. I see Parmachenee and The "G" Team have laptops and maybe they could give us a demonstration. What does everyone think? Myself, I learn better if I see it done once or twice than trying to figure it out on my own or through instruction booklets,but thats just me. That probably doesnt make much sense but thats the best I could do. Haffy6
I will put together a little demo of PQ, GSAK, Streets and Trips and MapSend. Hope the have the "Caches along a route" thing totally figured out soon. Also, have a new HP iPaq coming so will be learning that too.
Michael
Anyone take a laptop with them on long caching trips? Anyone use a cellular modem with their laptop? I've taken it with me on a couple of trips where I was able to plug the laptop into the phone at a motel, but we're going to be doing a lot of camping this summer and in the future, and I want to be able to use the laptop...
Comments?
You might want to check with Parmachenee and the "G" Team cause they use their laptop in the car I think ?
We really haven't done any long trips. I download all the PQs to the laptop--since you can do up to 500 caches in a PQ, you can have pretty much every cache in the state in one file. GSAK gives you all the cache info and you can download waypoints to the GPSr, if you want.
You could generate PQs for the areas you will be traveling in--the only danger would be that the info might get out of date.
I have never looked into cell modems, but have a feeling they (and/or the service) is cost prohibitive.
A better plan, IMHO, is to have a wireless (WIFI) card in your laptop. There are "hot spots" in just about every town/city where you can jump on the Internet (do a google search for "wardriving" for more info and tools). Note that this may not be 100% legal, depending upon whose signal you are catching.
Many hotels, coffee houses, etc. have free wireless--many businesses and individuals have (purposely or foolishly) non-encrypted wireless routers. A quick jump on the Internet to check email and new caches, and you're good to go.
Oh yeah, do remember that if you can see *their* network, they can see *yours*--disabling file sharing on your HD (if you've enabled it for a home network) is a good idea before using public networks. Also, folks with "packet sniffers" can grab usernames and passwords from your transmissions (though they can do that in wired networks as well). :eek:
That's my .02
Michael
"Wardriving" really sounds interesting, but it may be a little technical for this old grey head. It sure looks like it would be good for a trip like the one we're planning for theLewiston area this week - there must be hotspots there.
We have mainly done day trips with our laptop...doing our PQs just before leaving so we have the most recent data. I do queries for certain areas and if I want a larger area I just merge them, one of the features of Watcher. If we are staying overnight, I have an AOL account, which I don't actually use much, but maintain for my children. It allows you to dial up from anywhere you can access a phone line though. We just finished a day trip through NH and picked up a couple of caches we would have missed without our laptop. I can't imagine going back to paper...except, of course, using the old, rainsoaked, marked-up Delorme. :)
OK - lets take this a step further.
What PDA units are you using? I have an old Palm VII that I've generally stopped using because I always forget to charge the battery - I keep losing my data..
Is this too old for some of the software I've seen mentioned - Mapopolis, etc?
I have a used Palm Vi I replaced the digitizer screen on, I just have cachemate on it for caching software, but works great and lasts about 3 days of caching before needing recharge.
I wouldn't want anything too fancy because A. I'm rough on equipment B. I'm clumsy.
I have been using a Palm Zire 71 for about 8 months. I really fills all my needs well. I have the registered version of Cachemate to use with PQ's. I bought DeLorme's Street Atlas Handheld ($39.00) and an expantion card to hold plenty of maps. I link the PDA and my E-trex Vista together with a cable I bought online and this gives me both moving maps as well as the ability to mark a location ( such as a cache waypoint) on the map thus giving me a road to get to a cache. Many times in unfamiliar territory I didn't know the roads well enough to get close without going around in circles. This took care of the problem. The Zire 71 also has a built in camera, letting me get a snapshot of the cache in a good size to post in my gallery. The Zire 71 has been replaced by the 72, but I'm sure many place have 71 on clearance. Making it a great time to buy. The lithium batteries onboard seem to have a really good lasting time. If turned on accidently they will eventually kill it. All in all I've had great luck with it. The avatar of my dog Jock was taken with it. It's been cropped way down so it does appear a little grainy. Still not too bad.
God, I love my Zire 71. It's a cachers bestfriend. I know Haffy has it too, and I think ~NIMH~ had one too. So that's atleast 4 of us, just in Maine that use it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mainiac1957
Hmmm... Lets see... Zire 71 now going for $129 on eBay... Time to use up that cash I've got sitting in my PayPal account? :p
I wish I had only paid 129 for mine. I paid 229 and that was a deal at the time.
I'm lucky.. mine was free. I got it for Xmas. Course I spent $350 on an iPod for hubby.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mainiac1957
I have been watching eBay and the cheapist I have seen one gor for is about $179 so far for a winning bid. Be careful when you bid though. I bid on one and won it for $125 then found out it was not American money and I am still trying to iron it out with the seller.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhereRWe?
Well, the Zire 71 is in the mail.Quote:
Originally Posted by attroll
The Palm website had a special on "open box" units for $148, with free USB cradle. I'm a sucker for "refurbished" and "factory inspected" stuff, and I'm a regular at Mardens and Caswell's. I've also been known to fight off other shoppers at the "reduced for quick sale" meat counter at Shaw's and Hannaford...
Here's a link is anyone is interested:
http://store.palmone.com/product/ind...ductId=1818438
:D I hope to see you at " A Good Day for Good Wings" (shameless plug) where I can unload my infinite knowlege base on Zire workings upon you :rolleyes: .
Make sure you get Cachemate software for it also. You can get it at www.smittyware.com, you won't regret it.It's only 7 bux and worth every penny. I think you can get a trial of it at the website. Great price! I got mine about 4 months ago for about 160 bux with the cradle and 2 wallets for it,one that has a belt loop not too bad but not as good a price as you got it for.
I fully expect to be there, and will welcome your help! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Mainiac1957
Well, I did my first few "Paperless Geocaches" yesterday. It was nice having all the info right at my fingertips. It'll be nice if I'm ever off the beaten path and want to see if there are any caches nearby. I did pretty well, just need to get used to not having the paper at hand and doing everything with the PDA.
-RanMan22
Same here... we did our first two paperless caches yesterday, and I love it! I picked up a PalmIII on eBay for $11.50 (my old one was on the blink), and I'm using the trial version of Cachemate right now. I'll pay the $7 soon because this is really the way to go. I think a laptop would be even more cool, because I could have my USAPhotoMaps data for topos and aerial photos, and also Street Atlas USA for directions. I should be buying stock in Duracell. :)
We did our first paperless cache last weekend. It was great not having to carry the papers with you. We did not find the cache but it was still great not having to carry a folder around.
We did Old Speck Spectacle and looked in every hole and crevice and could not find the cache. I would like to know if it is still there. But now all I can do is wait to see if the next person finds it.
Ohhh! You guys make it sound so simple...I just need to try it. I was thinking that I would need to have this big expensive pda, all these cords, a super duper gpsr..and blue teeth!?!?!?!?! Yuck! :p he he hehQuote:
Originally Posted by Cache'n Jacksons