With today’s updated release of Groundspeak’s geocaching app for smartphones, one can now save caches on the app for offline use, but not the map tiles that generally go with it. Here’s my observations of current status and issues:
1. There used to be a fully functioning premium geocaching app ($9.99) and an intro to geocaching app (free). The introductory app had limited functionality.
2. A free “upgraded” app was introduced earlier this year, simply called “Geocaching,” that is intended to be the replacement for both the premium and the free previous apps. The premium app (nicknamed “classic” app) will no longer be supported as of June 2016, and the “intro” app has been discontinued.
3. The classic app has been pulled from the app store, although those who have it can still use it (for now).
4. Today 3/30/16 the new, one and only “geocaching” app has received additional functionality. One can now save cache listings on to the phone for offline use.
Here are the issues that for me are still unresolved or lacking with Groundspeak’s new geocaching app:
1. Unlike the classic app, there is no longer an option for field notes. I use this feature almost every time I am geocaching. It allows me to have my found or DNF notes waiting for me online when I get home so I can write a decent log instead of a quick TFTC online while out in the field.
2. Cache listings can now be saved to your phone for offline use, but unlike the classic app, the map tiles & pictures cannot be saved. So if using your phone “offline” to get to a saved cache, all you will see is a compass, but not the streets or satellite view, so you’re navigating blind.
3. Although you can see your lists of caches that have been saved in pocket queries and bookmark lists, you cannot see them on a map to determine what is near or best routes. All you have is a list view.
4. Unlike the classic app, one cannot save caches to an offline list from within the app. One would have to save them first while online at the geocaching website.
5. Cannot bulk log/visit trackables at a cache. (That’s actually fine with me. I’m not a fan of “dipping”/visiting trackables anyway).
6. For mystery caches, the solved coords that have been saved online do not show up on the map anymore, but if you dig into the cache on the app, it will list your solved coords, so you can then manually re-enter them on to the map.
7. Attributes are not shown for caches.
8. Maps other than Google are no longer able to be selected in the map view. I would often switch to OpenCycle map, which shows most trail maps in addition to street maps. That option is no longer available.
9. The pocket queries tab is gone, but active pocket queries are now able to be seen with bookmark lists, all grouped together in a tab called “My Lists.” A bit inconvenient for me, since I have dozens of saved bookmark lists (often required for posting with completed challenge caches) but usually only one or two active pocket queries at any one time.
10. There is no longer a “Settings” tab, so we’re stuck with the app defaults. With the settings tab I was able to have it set up to NOT show caches that were already found by me, or were disabled, or were on my ignore list, or were my own placed caches. Now, every time all of those caches will show up as well, until I go to a filter tab to uncheck those items, every time. Your preferences cannot be saved.
11. The search feature is limited compared to the classic app. One can still search by GC code or location, but no longer by “cache name” or “hidden by.”
It appears that this app is a work in progress. I’ve noticed that some have expressed frustration for what they see as the developers putting out an app that is incomplete and introducing revisions over time rather than waiting until complete and then making available the upgrade. It’s actually significantly better than the previous “intro to geocaching” app, so I can see why they introduced when they did. It’s just a step back however for those who use the paid classic app. For now. I intend to use the “classic” app, which is complete in every way, as a supplement to my Garmin GPSr, until it can no longer be used or until the new geocaching app is able to match the functionality of the classic app.
