This topic contains 13 replies, has 10 voices, and was last updated by 
Barry Butrymowicz 14 years, 1 month ago.
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Has anyone upgraded or otherwise purchased GSAK version 8, and/or have any comments regarding pros/cons?
Expect we will make the leap, but trying to see if there is anyone with advice to share, so we don’t do it blindly.
Thanks! 🙂
I upgraded last night, other than changing the look of the bottom screen I can’t tell the difference. Although I really haven’t played with it yet. Been caching all day and logging my finds. 🙄 Maw
I’m going to be buying the upgrade.
A) It’s a pretty cheap upgrade for a piece of software I use every day.
B) User defined data fields sounds awesome for tracking things like “LCG”, “Solved”, etc.
C) The new functionality from the “Live” interface is awesome and provides some things that were never possible before that can be used for some interesting stats.
D) It’s good software so why not support them. 2 years and it’s the first “pay” upgrade, so that equates to less than 1/2 of what GS.com charges me and this software is way more useful (IMHO).I’m just gonna stick with 7. Nothing really in 8 that I need. I just use it to load my GPS, run FindStatsGen, and off I go.
Version 8 is pretty awesome. The biggest improvement is ability to connect directly to geocaching.com. This means that you can do things like:
1. Update all the caches in your database automatically (even if they are archived). No more manually going through your database to decide whether a cache is disabled or just no longer in the closest 500 caches.
2. Get a set of caches for a particular area, just like doing a pocket query, but instantly. Also, you can filter by “caches not found by” a list of up to 5 other players, use a “bounding rectangle”, choose to exclude certain peoples hides, and a few other neat choices. Unfortunately, you can’t filter by state, which makes it a little less useful for me as a reviewer and LCG admin. Note that both 1 and 2 are limited to 6000 caches per 24 hours for premium members (2 per day for nonpremium members), and item 2 is limited to a 50km radius.
3. Take a filtered database and automatically upload it to a bookmark list. (You can’t imagine how much time this is going to save me.)
4. Update just the logs of the caches in your database, or status check the caches in your database without limit.
5. Greatly improved automatic logging functionality, for you number hounds.
6. Download your pocket query directly through GSAK, without bothering to open a web browser. (Ok, this isn’t so wonderful, but I do use it.)
7. Favorites support – Whenever you download caches directly from gc.com (instead of using a PQ), the Favorites field in the database is filled with the current favorite rating. Note that this information is NOT in the pocket query yet. (It will also populate the County field automatically if you want. So far, you still have to use a macro to get the Delorme page, but I suspect this will be added soon. )
For me, I would pay for this just to get the Favorites support. Note that if you are a user of version 7, you are eligible for a discount. The discount depends on when you purchased it. The upgrade cost me $20, and I have been using V7 since it came out, so your price should be $20 or less. If you are still on V6, you can get a $5 discount. This is only for a limited time.
We’re sold! Appreciate all the guidance and details! Was $15, for us, and have already taken advantage of a few of the features you’ve noted. Have been wishing for the ‘refresh’ feature for a long time, and like how the API simplifies operations between GSAK and GC.com.
Thanks again! 🙂 🙂
I’m not a data freak like some of you. I no longer go on long runs due to high gas prices and other expenses that I have to pay for these days.
My geocaching nowadays is limited to caching when I’m in a particular area for another reason anyways. I even passed up 2 FTF’s last night because both were 10 miles away and I didn’t want to waste 20 miles worth of gas. So I’ll get them the next time I’m in that area for another reason.
With the limited amount of geocaching I do these days, I’ll wait to upgrade to version 8.
Thank you, Deejay, for pointing out the great features of V8. But Those are features I don’t need right now. But glad to know Clyde is still working on GSAK. I thought he was done at 7.7.
@Team Deejay wrote:
3. Take a filtered database and automatically upload it to a bookmark list. (You can’t imagine how much time this is going to save me.)
When I read about this feature I thought about you and the “current” process. I’m glad this process is now much easier.
I upgraded a while ago.
It took a little bit to get my custom split screen working again, but loving all the new “stuff”.
I especially like being about to download existing PQs right from within the program.I have been using version 7 for awhile now and I plan on upgrading to version 8 this weekend. I am still looking for someone to teach me all the cool stuff you guys have been talking about. So if there is anyone interested in becoming a teacher to me my Yoda per say let me know. sweetlife showed me some stuff but i would like to learn as much as i can about gsak i know there is a tone of cool stuff you can do and I would like to learn it.
Scout
Best way I’ve ever learned new software is to walk through the menus and play around. Gsak has a wonderful help system so don’t be afraid to use it.
Just upgraded today. (Had to wait for the paycheck!). I absolutely LOVE it! Even if I didn’t have a discounted price, I would gladly have paid the $30.
Love the ability to update the status of caches automatically. With a puzzle database of nearly 3000 puzzles, it was a a chore to go through and manually see what was active or not. v8 updated all of them within a few minutes. Sweet!
Now to find time to play around and learn the other cool features. 😀
Ditto what AstroD says. I downloaded this AM and paid my $15 upgrade price. Still playing with the new features but it seems pretty cool and well worth the investment.
just upgraded, now just got to play around with it and figure out all the new stuff
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