Switching from iphone

[+leapnlizzy]

2"]

 

Hi, i have been gechaching for several years. I had a Garmin Oregon, but found it very frustrating to load the caches on it (believe I used a program called swiss army knife) I have since moved from MN to florida, and of course for the life of me cannot find the GPS unit anywhere. Not that big of a deal, since I had mostly been using my iPhone anyway. Now my interest is picking back up, but cell service going inland is spotty at best I realize i need to once again consider a handheld gps device. The though gives me sweats of sitting in front of the computer trying to load stuff on it though. I see that there is a new program call open caching, I am hoping this will solve some of my tech problems....(praying actually)[/size] So, I am hoping someone will tell me exactly what to buy, I only will use the gps for geocaching, thats it, nothing else. I just want easy, easy, easy. I want paperless caching. Basically, i want my iphone to work everywhere, but since it doesn't, i want a gps that I can load the caches onto without having to have a degree in computers and need to drink a bottle of wine to figure out how to do it. (an please no smirking at my lack of tech ability!) Suggestions?!?!

 

Leapnlizzy

[+Bear and Ragged]

Open Caching programme?

 

There are two Open Caching web sites, both NOTHING to do with Groundspeak.

Both have far fewer caches listed than Groundspeak...

 

IF you get a new GPS with Paperless Caching abilities, as a Premium Member most GPSs only need you to add the Pocket Query file to the GPS unit. (Garmin are certainly 'drag and drop')

 

One way with the phone, in an area without phone coverage, is to use a PQ and download it while in phone coverage or with wifi access.

 

A new GPS could also get you 30 days premium trial... http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=183

[+kunarion]

I had a Garmin Oregon, but found it very frustrating to load the caches on it (believe I used a program called swiss army knife)

The Garmin Oregons are nice for Geocaching. But Garmin's factory settings are a little bit unsuitable for actual Geocachers, so a little customizing goes a long way.

 

There's a decent process to manage huge lists of Geocaches on a hiking GPSr. You'll make a "Pocket Query”, download and unzip the files, place them onto the GPSr, and go. Maybe the following week, delete the old files, place new ones. It's not hard, just takes a little practice. No special software is required to load a Pocket Query.

[+Red90]

You can continue to use your iPhone if cell reception is your only concern. Install the Groundspeak app. You can download pocket queries to it or download caches and maps in advance using the app. Cell reception is not needed.

 

If you could not figure out the Oregon, none of the newer models are any easier...

[+RTechS]

You can continue to use your iPhone if cell reception is your only concern. Install the Groundspeak app. You can download pocket queries to it or download caches and maps in advance using the app. Cell reception is not needed.

 

If you could not figure out the Oregon, none of the newer models are any easier...

 

After you load the pocket query/store static maps, will you then have all the detailed info., such as maps/turn by turn navigation/etc. when you are out of cell range?

[+Red90]

Yes, other than turn by turn navigation as the Groundspeak app does not do that. There are many other apps that will do that for you, with offline maps, if you like.

[+geodarts]

Garmin Oregon's are as easy to load as any GPSr on the market - as a premium member the OP can simply transfer a .gpx file from a pocket query to the garmin/ GPX folder on the unit or sd card. Most garmin units will load caches in the same way, whether it be the current Etrex lines, the 62/64 series, or the Oregons. These days, I generally transfer caches to my gpsr from the iPhone or iPad, but whatever method you use, once you get a system down, transferring caches should not not make or break your decision

 

As others point out, if you are happy with the iphone, there is no reason to switch to a gpsr. I use Geosphere to easily search for caches and save them for offline use or import pocket queries. It has powerful filters so I can search for caches I might want to find and store databases like a mini-GSAK. It links directly to Navigon and other offline maps (like pocket earth) for routing. I have not found any app or GPS that displays cache information as well as Geosphere . Regardless of your preference, though, any of the caching apps will save information for offline use.

 

Still, there are times when I like having a handheld, particularly for special uses like kayaking or biking - or the occasional chirp cache. There are also caches - earthcaches, letterboxes, picture puzzles - where a complete display on the iPhone is helpful - not to mention the Wherigo app. Having both can give you a lot of options in a lot of different type of conditions, but it really depends on the type of caching you do. For now, I would focus on learning about all that the iPhone can do within this game and see if you need more.