This topic contains 31 replies, has 16 voices, and was last updated by 
Team Black-Cat 16 years, 7 months ago.
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I was hesitating to reply to this post, since am as dumb as or dumber than Pharmgirl. We started caching with Etrex Legends because the first one was a gift. We’ve since purchased two more, but will probably upgrade someday. Finally got a Garmin for in the vehicle last summer, should’ve done it sooner. Found our first 1200 caches with dial-up, got broadband in December. In my defense over Pharmgirl, at least I’m old and it takes me longer to adapt. Paperless caching is something we would like to get into, but I haven’t a clue what’s involved except for what we’ve seen when out caching with friends that do it. It sure would be nice if the WGA or someone nice (like Marc) would offer a class on the basics. We would definately be interesed and a youngster like the Pharmgirl definately needs help before she runs out of money.
I use a Palm Z22 along with GSAK and Cachemate. It is very easy to use and the Palm cost about $100 and much cheaper used on Ebay.
Here is site that might answer some Cachemate questions. Also if you scroll down to the bottom of the page there is a whole bunch of links.
http://ctcachers.com/wiki/index.php?title=Cachemate_(PalmOS)
@thepharmgirl wrote:
It’s too confusing. I already downloaded the Cachemate this morning, before I found out it apparently doesn’t work with my PPC 2002. Well that’s terrific. The cachemate site has ZERO instructions for a stupid person like me who doesn’t intuitively know how to use their product. So now CacheMate is on my PPC 2002. I can’t register it for some reason (my codes don’t match), and I have no idea how to get my GPX files loaded into it. I give up. I hope the people at Cachemate are happy with my $10 donation. I read Jeremy’s post about the Cacheberry, and I tried to get the 30-day trial of that, but I couldn’t figure out how that worked either. 👿 I’ll go back to my 2-hour process of writing down all the cache information. Or maybe I will buy a Colorado or Oregon. 😀
I’d check out the used or refurbished Palms or PPCs on Ebay or Craigslist. You can get some pretty good deals for $25.00. I’m sure some technically brilliant person could help you pick one out. Or then again you spoil your self and get a Colorado or Oregon and have everything in one device.
Paperless?
Bring GPS, go caching. No paper required. 😀
@Mister Greenthumb wrote:
It sure would be nice if the WGA or someone nice (like Marc) would offer a class on the basics. We would definately be interesed and a youngster like the Pharmgirl definately needs help before she runs out of money.
Surely you aren’t referring to marc_54140 when you say you want help from someone nice?! 😀
Seriously, Marc, if you are willing to share your paperless presentation materials, we can get them posted here. They may help some people who are stuck.
I believe Marc’s classes are only geared towards Palm devices, so they wouldn’t help some of the other cases (PPC, Blackberry) we’ve been discussing here. And everyone usually has their own unique gotcha or two to overcome (like dealing with HotSync and Vista problems, running out of Palm application memory, computers crashing when generating the CacheMate file, having a memory card that won’t work because it wasn’t formatted… just some of the problems I’ve encountered).
It is sort of like downloading waypoints to a GPS unit… there are so many different device types, cables, and ways to do it, that “simple” / “one-size” tutorials just don’t cut it for everyone. The good news is once you get all the bugs worked out and have a process down, loading cache info (and logging found caches) by repeating that process is a breeze.
@jeremy wrote:
@Mister Greenthumb wrote:
It sure would be nice if the WGA or someone nice (like Marc) would offer a class on the basics. We would definately be interesed and a youngster like the Pharmgirl definately needs help before she runs out of money.
Surely you aren’t referring to marc_54140 when you say you want help from someone nice?! 😀
I only met Marc once, so it must have been on one of his good days.
I would be interested in any info that would be beneficial before investing any money. We’re not the smartest when it comes to technology, so we’ve treaded slowly. So far everything that we’ve done to upgrade has been in the areas of accessability and now we’re turning towards convenience.
I have thought about posting some info here to help others to get going paperless, but …..
Over time I have come to recognize there are so many variables, that is it difficult trying to describe a process.
Different equipment – palms, pocket pcs, even computers.
Different software – or even different versions
Different people – not everyone follows the same thought process
I think the best for anyone interested in going paperless to to connect with another cacher, and have a one-on-one session, in person, with your setup.
@marc_54140 wrote:
I think the best for anyone interested in going paperless to to connect with another cacher, and have a one-on-one session, in person, with your setup.
For once I agree with Marc. 😉 A class or online materials can describe the basics of going paperless and may work for some people. But for others it really takes a little personal assistance. Without some one on one work, likely many people who attend a paperless class either would try it and get frustrated because of issues, or not even attempt it at all.
This is a lot like teaching a beginning geocaching class. You can spend a lot of time trying to describe what geocaching is, what a cache container looks like, how to use a GPSr (you can only talk in generalities because they are all different), etc. This is enough for some people. But a lot of people I’ve encountered at classes didn’t have the “little lightbulb go off” and truly understand geocaching until a GPS unit was put in their hand and they used it to find a cache or two.
Personally I prefer having some paper around and a notepad to write in. But alas I am a techie so I have tried and do use a palm on occasion especially when I plan on going where I haven’t cached much before and am trying to get a bunch of finds under my belt in a day.
I try to bring as little as possible with me when I cache. It’s usually me, my GPS’r, and my walking stick. On long days I’ll take a waist pack with some essentials, and if I’m with the whole crew, the backpack comes out.
Just got shot down last week when I told the wife I wanted to get a used PDA to go paperless. I told her it would be great for spring break in Utah this year but she doesn’t want to spend that much time geocaching while we are there.
Some people just don’t understand.
When I first started paperless, I bought a used Palm (Palm III if I remember correctly) for $8 off Ebay. I probably saved that cost in paper over the first couple months. I’m now using a Z22 (which I don’t recommend), but that was under $100 new.
Annie:
Send me a PM, and we can get your 2002 to run Cachemate just fine… When you pay the 8 bucks for Cachemate, you can actually register Five devices of Palm, or PocketPC, your choice. I Use PocketPC Cachemate Extensively, and I love it.
We’ll get you going no problem.
One of the Nice things about Cachemate for PocketPC is that if your PocketPC has WIFI, or you have a WIFI Expansion card, you can check your email on your PocketPC, Download the GPX file, and plunk it into cachemate. No syncing Needed.
Actually, Jeremy made a personal house visit and got me all set up with both the Cachemate on my iPaq Pocket PC and the Free 30-day trial of Cacheberry on my Blackberry Pearl 8130 Smartphone. I also tried the 30-day trial of the Trimble Geocache Navigator on my phone. I had a chance to play around with each application and here’s my review:
Quick summary: I prefer CacheMate on the Pocket PC over the Cacheberry on my Smartphone, mostly because the screen size is twice as big which makes it easier to read (less scrolling) and all the cache page info I want (description, hint, past logs) is on ONE page instead of clicking from various menu choices. Also, I can make logs and voice notes for caches and keep track of trackables (dropping, retrieving, and discovering them in caches so I don’t forget). Geocache Navigator was convenient because you don’t have to load anything into it, but the GPS/compass/map never really worked, it doesn’t list trackables, and it’s REALLY not worth the mega-money, IMHO, so I’ll barely mention it.
Price:
CacheMate $10
CacheBerry $15
Trimble Geocache Navigator $40/year (can you say rip off?!)Main List Display:
CacheMate – Simple and easy to use… very similar to CacheBerry. However, I found it is more flexible which is nice. The columns can be edited to include or not include whatever categories you want (distance, cache type, container, name, notes, etc) and moved around the screen according to personal viewing preference. You can sort and filter caches by any of these column headings. Cache types are simply listed using the letter “T,” “M,” “U,” etc, and Disabled caches are marked with an “X”. Caches you found show a green checkmark, DNFs show a red note. Normal notes are yellow. It marks trackables with the same symbol whether it is a geocoin or travelbug (so you must view the actual cache page for specifics).
CacheBerry – Most similar-looking to GC.com pocket query list, with actual colored icons for cache type (trad, multi, unknown, etc). It lists both geocoin and travelbug icons. Disabled caches have the (-) icon and are crossed out, and it marks notes and found caches as well. Columns can be added or deleted, but cannot be moved around, and you cannot scroll over to view the whole cache name if it is cut off. You can sort and filter.
Individual Cache Page Display:
CacheMate – My preference. The cache description, hint, and past logs are all on one page. Only the 5 past logs are shown. You can click on “edit log” and post a note about the cache, mark it found or DNF, record the time it takes to find the cache, record a voice note, or view the specific trackable items in the cache. You can then grab, drop, or discover them. All the notes and logs can be retrieved later. If you have internet access, you can link to the cache page online.
Cacheberry – This is somewhat annoying on my little Blackberry Pearl because it’s a smaller phone, so I have to scroll a really long time to read the cache description. Also, you have to click on a separate page from the dropdown menu to view the hint, and a separate page on the drop down menu for the past logs (max 5 logs). You can post a field note about the cache, but there was not a voice recording option. You can view the trackables in the cache, but there is no option to drop/discover them. You can connect to the online cache page with internet connection, and you can view location on the Blackberry Map.
I hope that helps. I guess everyone is right though… it’s easiest to just try it out yourself (once you bribe a super-smart guy to set it up for you 😉 ).
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