+Hidey-Rob Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I am using an etrex20 GPSr. Is it possible to download a new geocache symbol that always displays as a 528ft radius circle? This would then turn the GPSr display into a real time planning map, where it would be possible to walk around an intended hide area, avoiding the red circles. There are lots of ways to avoid 528ft clashes, but this would be a really nice way if it is possible. Thanks in advance for any useful help. Quote Link to comment
+JohnCNA Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 No. The symbol sizes are fixed. What you want can be done with several of the phone apps. CacheSense (Android) and Geosphere (iPhone) have a display option to put proximity rings around the caches on the map. I have used that feature a few times during cache placement and once to locate a possible puzzle solution. Quote Link to comment
+Hidey-Rob Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Hi John. Thanks for the quick reply, which is as I suspected. I just need it as a cache placement tool, and would rather not use a smartphone or other form of handheld pc, other than the GPSr. I am already succesfully using other methods, but they mean to and froing between the hides and home which adds to the fun and keeps me fit, or checking the distance to all the local caches whilst positioned at an intended hide but this can be a slow process. Quote Link to comment
+Hidey-Rob Posted March 30, 2015 Author Share Posted March 30, 2015 Hi Sussamb. Thanks for that. It has been a while since I read the etrex20 manual, so perhaps I need a refresher as I didn't realise that I could do that. Setting circles for individual caches, as long as they are visual, not just audible, would be a good compromise, as I would only be interested in doing the ones that are likely conflicts for the hide I am looking for at the time. Changing the geocache symbol was an overkill, but easier if it was possible. I'll have a read later, as I am catching up on some gardening at the moment, but it was good to see your reply in a coffee break. Quote Link to comment
+JohnCNA Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 .... I just need it as a cache placement tool, and would rather not use a smartphone or other form of handheld pc, other than the GPSr. Oh, I totally agree. I use a handheld for 99.99% of navigation and 100% of placement. But the phone app nicely augments the handheld in numerous ways. An instant visual on the map is just one. I get the biggest kick out of the never-ending "which is better?" discussions, which to me is like asking which is more important, the engine or transmission. I need and use both. Quote Link to comment
+JohnCNA Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 sussamb, If you load a GPX file as a POI file and set proximity on the file, will it show the circles on all of them? I only experimented with loading a PQ as a POI file once, but I did not set proximity when it loaded, though. Quote Link to comment
+Timpat Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 sussamb, If you load a GPX file as a POI file and set proximity on the file, will it show the circles on all of them? I only experimented with loading a PQ as a POI file once, but I did not set proximity when it loaded, though. I can answer that one. You will not see a proximity circle, but will get an alarm when entering or leaving the proximity limit set. Quote Link to comment
+Hidey-Rob Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 Hi all. I tried what Sussamb suggested, setting 0.1 mile proximity circles around 6 geocaches which had been downloaded as a 622 PQ batch. Hey presto, nice proximity circles around all 6. The circles only show on scales down to 200ft/cm, zoom any closer and they don't display. The circles display as a thin yellow line, as shown in Sussamb's photo, which can be difficult to see, and I can't find a way to change the colour, but it is still a really useful facility when squeezing an extra geocache into a busy area, and saves me having to buy a smartphone, or keep trundling to and from home. Many thanks for the help. It was also good to revisit the manual, as it's easy to forget what is in there. Quote Link to comment
+JohnCNA Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Yes, this was an informative thread. I knew we could see proximity alerts but did not know it would draw a circle. Most helpful when evaluating a potential area. Now if only BaseCamp would do that... Quote Link to comment
+Timpat Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 ... Now if only BaseCamp would do that... Baseamp will create and display proximity circles... in Basecamp... but if you upload the points the circles will not display on your unit. Quote Link to comment
DavisonDave Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 The circles display as a thin yellow line, as shown in Sussamb's photo, which can be difficult to see, and I can't find a way to change the colour, but it is still a really useful facility when squeezing an extra geocache into a busy area, and saves me having to buy a smartphone, or keep trundling to and from home. Many thanks for the help. I don't know a way to change the color however you can set tones for the Proximity alarm. That way you won't need to watch the yellow circles full time. After you look at them to get an idea where they are you can start walking and will get a beep if you get into one of them. Quote Link to comment
+JohnCNA Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 ... Now if only BaseCamp would do that... Baseamp will create and display proximity circles... in Basecamp... but if you upload the points the circles will not display on your unit. It appears BaseCamp will only set proximity on Waypoints and not Geocaches. Or am I missing an option somewhere? Quote Link to comment
+Hidey-Rob Posted April 4, 2015 Author Share Posted April 4, 2015 I was able to put this to a practical test today, walking the free ground bordered by the circles of 4 intersecting geocaches. Only a small, but awkward shaped area, and easy to cross the boundaries if working blind. With the proximity alarms entered on the etrex20, which was easily done, the task was a doddle. The yellow circles were easier to see than I expected, and I also had audible as well as visual warnings when approaching circles, entering circles, and leaving circles. I wish I had posted here sooner, or read the manual more frequently, as it makes finding viable hides in confined spaces much easier. All my geocaches are 1.2L lock-n-locks in 4L camo bags, so are difficult enough to hide, without the burden of the 0.1 mile rule, but life has just become much easier. Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment
+Hidey-Rob Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 To get the circles to show up far better, manually switch the etrex20 to display night mode. Quote Link to comment
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