New meaning of paperless...

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:35 pm

I used to use my Palm Pilot to go paperless caching. Now that I bought a new computer I can't get it to hot sync with my Palm for some reason. So now I am back to using paper - ech! Razz

Does everyone now use their smartphones for caching or what? If so, what program do you use? I tried the one free app - cgeo, but it was slow, ate up my battery and not very accurate. Suggestions?

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:37 pm

I have an Android phone with both the official Geocaching app and c:geo, plus I've tried some others, but I still prefer my GPS. I have an Oregon so get the description, logs, hints, etc. right on the GPS. The regular GPS is much more accurate than the smart phone, whether using the official app or c:geo. I used to prefer c:geo to the official app, but they've made improvements to the official one so now it's pretty much a wash (IMO). Both are slow, both sometimes hang on me, but they both work if I need them. If I had to choose one I think I still prefer c:geo.

WGA Member Joined: 2009-07-04 Posts: 410

Pay the $9.99 and get the geocaching app. I used it all of the time to check attributes and more logs than I can get on my Oregon. Shows description, size, hints, etc.

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 12:33 am

L Dove there is an event coming up Sunday the 15 at the City of Greenfield Community Center. the Event is called Geocaching Continuing Education GC3EJ25. they have a bunch of different events there everything from caching hiding to Gsak even an apps class everything from C:geo and Geocaching.com app it should be a lot of fun and a lot of information. everyone is welcome to come to any of the classes look at the event page to see times and stuff.

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 8:34 am

Thank you all for your replies. I have not been to a "class" since Marc's first one years ago that taught paperless on the Palm. I have used that without difficulty until this recent boggle. I did not even realize the Oregons gave you cache info. I may look into one, if they are not too expensive. Are they worth the money? Confused

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:19 am

I use Geosphere on my iPod Touch to track all the "paperless" info. Works great and I enjoy being able to see both simultaneously if needed.

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:20 am

We had to ditch our Palm with the purchase of a new computer, too. It seems Palm and Windows7 don't see eye to eye (not sure if that's changed now). Anyway, we use the Geosphere app on an iPod Touch and love it. We recently added a Magellan Toughcase ($99) to give the Touch GPS functionality and it actually works quite well.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-02-03 Posts: 2209

LDove wrote:

Thank you all for your replies. I have not been to a "class" since Marc's first one years ago that taught paperless on the Palm. I have used that without difficulty until this recent boggle. I did not even realize the Oregons gave you cache info. I may look into one, if they are not too expensive. Are they worth the money? Confused

The new Garmin Etrex series start at $120 and offer paperless caching. Garmin, Magellan and deLorme all have units under $200 that offer paperless caching. These are not touch screen. You can get a Garmin Dakota 20 touchscreen for $200 that will give you paperless caching.

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:34 am

Looks like Palm Desktop 6.2 might help extend the usefulness of your Zire with Vista or Win7, but it looks like it's putting off the inevitable. Might want to play with it on a snowy day. Smile

HP bought Palm's WebOS, and then abandoned it.

http://kb.hpwebos.com/wps/portal/kb/common/article/35713_en.html

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:55 am

Oh such great info folks thank you! I don't have an I phone, but I do have an android. I will check into all the info you were helpful enough to provide and see what works best. I plan on having an awesome geocaching summer so hope I can find a system that works again! Thank you!!!!! Very Happy

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 11:20 am

I think Todd300 uses GDAK on the android platform. This might be an option for you.

Joined: 2009-06-05 Posts: 2150 Location: Menominee, MI

I do. But GSAK on the computer is required for it. Basically one can put his (or her) entire GSAK database on the phone then look up the info on the phone. It can hold up to 32000 caches per database and you can put several databases on the SD card. Took me a day or two to figure it out but now I love it. Like all other apps, GPS navigation is very spotty but I didn't get it for that. I got it to have cache information on hand to go with my very basic Garmin Etrex Venture HC, which only gives me GC code, cache name and the coordinates.

WGA Member Joined: 2008-09-10 Posts: 232

If you are looking for a new gps Cabelas have most of the Garmins on sale right now. The Oregon 550T is on sale for $350

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:52 am

Oh boy... wonder if I can sneak over there and nobody would miss 350 outa the checkbook... Shocked

I REALLY WANT ONE! Dumb question tho - Embarassed

embarrassed to ask, but how does it get new caches? Do you have to upload them in pocket queries or does it just "do it on its own?"

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:53 am

It works just like your current GPS. You load the PQ, but it doesn't only get the coordinates, but instead gets all the cache information in the GPX file.