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Thread: Paperless caching

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Hallowell, Maine
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    37

    Default Paperless caching

    Could someone briefly explain how paperless caching works? Can you somehow download the text from a cache page to a PDA?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Bangor, ME
    Posts
    6,343

    Default

    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Bangor, ME
    Posts
    6,343

    Default

    There is also an alternative tutorial on paperless caching at Geocacher University

  4. #4

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by brdad
    I get two pocket queries - one of my found caches, and one of my unfound Maine caches.
    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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Standish, Maine
    Posts
    140

    Smile

    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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Bangor, ME
    Posts
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pooh and friends
    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....
    Last edited by brdad; 07-01-2004 at 11:02 AM.

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pooh and friends
    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.
    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.

    I think the only way to get something like that is do this is to do what brdad does and do it yourself.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Central, Maine
    Posts
    604

    Default

    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.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Gainesville, Georgia
    Posts
    3,893

    Default

    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.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Brunswick, Maine
    Posts
    54

    Default

    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?

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