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Offline Functionality


Jayme H

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Hey there!

 

For the folks that use a smartphone to cache, the Product Development Team is curious to learn more about how you use offline functionality. It’s a tricky thing to balance data bandwidth/space constraints, performance/speed, and access to the information that you need to have fun playing the game. Your feedback will help us to find that balance in our apps. Thanks!

 

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GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
    • basic content (description, hint)
    • map tiles
    • logs
    • cache photos
    • log photos
    • waypoints

    [*]Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?

     

    [*]What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?

     

    [*]How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?

 

MAP TILES:

 

  • How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)
     
  • Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?

 

LOGS:

 

  • Do you read logs while caching offline?
     
  • How many logs do you read?
     
  • Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

 

IMAGES:

 

  • Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?
     
  • How many images do you usually save?
     
  • Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

 

This thread will remain open for 2 weeks and close on March 7th.

 

Thanks for taking part in this conversation!

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For the folks that use a smartphone to cache, the Product Development Team is curious to learn more about how you use offline functionality. It’s a tricky thing to balance data bandwidth/space constraints, performance/speed, and access to the information that you need to have fun playing the game. Your feedback will help us to find that balance in our apps. Thanks!

 

I use a GPS for caching BUT I have GDAK on my tablet. Bandwidth is no problem loading all info as it's done via WiFi on the home network with the occasional refreshing of a cache in case we run into problems.

 

GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
    • basic content (description, hint)
    • map tiles
    • logs
    • cache photos
    • log photos
    • waypoints

 

All of the above + attributes.

We have a 3GB file containing about 25000 caches + a directory with about 1000 images.

 

[*]What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?

 

None. ALL info available on the website is available offline.

 

LOGS:

 

  • Do you read logs while caching offline?
     
  • How many logs do you read?
     
  • Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

 

As many logs as possible. We read logs when we run into problems. The amount of logs depends on finding relevant info in them. We might go back 50 logs or more.

 

IMAGES:

 

  • Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?
     
  • How many images do you usually save?
     
  • Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

 

 

We have ALL cache images available offline and sometimes also have log images however we mostly don't "need" them.

 

Suggestion to improve the gc apps: take a look at what's available from other sources

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For the folks that use a smartphone to cache, the Product Development Team is curious to learn more about how you use offline functionality. It’s a tricky thing to balance data bandwidth/space constraints, performance/speed, and access to the information that you need to have fun playing the game. Your feedback will help us to find that balance in our apps. Thanks!

 

I use the paid geocaching App on an iPhone - I had previously used a free version of a commercial app on Android x:xxx - I have used these extensively for urban and roadside caches across Africa, Middle East and Europe

 

GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
    • basic content (description, hint)
    • map tiles
    • logs
    • cache photos
    • log photos
    • waypoints

 

> Basic content - ESSENTIAL - including D/T : hint : owner (as this often gives a clue to type of hide)

> Map tiles - not essential (nice to have) - but COMPASS / Distance from caches is essential - would also be good to have a google earth image as an alternative (for photo view of location)

> logs - a good reference- and used about 50% of time - useful to have

> Nice to have - especially if hints/spoilers given

> Not essential - a backup in case of really being stuck -

> Yes - essential - and app needs to be able to navigate to them - AND A BIG DOWNSIDE OF THE GC.Com app currently - is the fact for puzzles and multis -it is very difficult to add new waypoints / change waypoints to integrate them into the cache page/listing similar to say a armin handheld does (the commercial Android app also has an easy interface and uner friendly option for this). A real benefit for those caches with hidden waypoints - or numerous waypoints.

 

[*]What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?

 

Street view link (link to Google Earth) - ability to change waypoints for multis/puzzles - option exclude photo downloads

 

LOGS:

 

  • Do you read logs while caching offline?
     
  • How many logs do you read?
     
  • Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

 

Yes - as mentioned above - I do read logs if I get stuck - would be good to be able to download them in a customisable manner (and exclude photo downloads too if needed.

 

IMAGES:

 

  • Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?
     
  • How many images do you usually save?
     
  • Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

 

 

Usually only the hint/spolier ad cache page images

 

Selection of multiple caches in an area to download (e.g. by a list and tickbox) would be great - or a searchable option (similar to a PQ) would be awesome in preparing which caches to download - while I'm still on WiFi and needing to prepare for my caching trip.

 

I have become very reliant on my mobile smartphone for caching - and many around me have too - old style GPSr seem to be the norm now for off roading / out of town and hiking type caching only now. Cell phones even work in many wilderness areas. So it would be great to see the functionality of any app be vastly improved - especially to have an easy / logical user interface that is both intuitive and easy to use with sweaty/dirty hands on a touch screen.

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It’s a tricky thing to balance data bandwidth/space constraints, performance/speed, and access to the information that you need to have fun playing the game.
The apps I've used include various configuration settings that allow the user to adjust the balance of these various constraints.

 

 

The following are critical to me when using my apps offline:

basic content (description, hint, cache name, CO name, GC code, size, D/T ratings, etc.)

waypoints (including formulas in descriptions of waypoints)

bookmark lists (in the form of PQs, a separate label for each PQ/list)

solution coordinates for solved puzzle caches

 

The following are not really critical to me, but I do use them:

logs

map tiles

personal cache notes

bonus info from coordinates checkers for solved puzzle caches

 

I never (or almost never) use the following when using my apps offline:

cache photos

log photos

posted coordinates for solved puzzle caches

 

I sometimes wish I had access to the following offline:

trackable goals (because they don't all have passports or tags listing their goals)

 

  • How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?

I haven't used Groundspeak's paid app in years. I've playtested the free app recently, but it doesn't handle PQs or field notes, so I use it only when I've got time to playtest it, with no expectation of using it for actual geocaching.

 

But based on distant recollections, I think users need to explicitly save geocache data for offline use. None of the apps I've used work that way, it would drive me nuts. I'm used to downloading cache data when I'm online (via PQ or via "nearest") and then I automatically have it when I'm offline.

 

How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)
Some of my PQs cover dozens of miles, but include only very select caches (e.g., solved unfound puzzles). Usually, my PQs for specific trips are limited to a few miles (and even then, usually include only select caches).

 

Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?
Yes.

 

If I've got the room and there aren't too many caches in the PQ, then I like the approach used by at least one of the apps I've used. Load the handful of zoom=(n) tiles you need to show all the caches in the PQ (with each cache in the middle of the screen and no missing tiles on the screen). Then load the zoom=(n+1) tiles using the same criteria; there will be more of them. Then load the zoom=(n+2) tiles; there will be still more of them. Lather rinse repeat until you've used the space allotted to the map tile cache, or until you've zoomed in as far as the preference setting specified.

 

  • Do you read logs while caching offline?
  • How many logs do you read?
  • Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

I don't read logs very often at all. And when I do read logs, it's usually just a few of the most recent ones. And yes, customization is a good idea. When I'm online, I keep the default number of logs low, and load as many as the app can get if I need more than that. When I'm offline, the low default number of logs is almost always more than enough.

 

  • Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?

I almost never look at images when caching offline. I'd cache more map tiles before caching any images.
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Hey there!

 

For the folks that use a smartphone to cache, the Product Development Team is curious to learn more about how you use offline functionality. It’s a tricky thing to balance data bandwidth/space constraints, performance/speed, and access to the information that you need to have fun playing the game. Your feedback will help us to find that balance in our apps. Thanks!

 

GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
    • basic content (description, hint)
    • map tiles
    • logs
    • cache photos
    • log photos
    • waypoints

    [*]Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?

 

 

Based on the order in which I've added functionality to the geocaching app I'm developing:

 

  1. Distance and bearing to the cache
  2. Difficulty/Terrain/Size
  3. Short description
  4. Long description and hint
  5. Travel bug inventory
  6. Presence of recent DNF/needs maintenance logs
  7. Waypoints

The rest of it, I've never felt a need for. In particular, most of my caching has been done without a map, or with only a paper map.

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I reply to 'Offline Functionality - What information is important while caching offline?' although I don't use the offical app because of its limitations, but another android app that is an API-partner and has an enourmous range of features.

 

Offline functionality is most important to me when abroad and also in my country as the network coverage includes indeed nearly all of the population, but the area of permanent settlement is only 39% of the country, mostly basin landscapes and valleys. The interesting parts for hiking and geocaching, alpine grassland, barren, lakes and woodland and are covered too, but only partly and unfavourable reception conditions can leave you without network suddenly where you never expected it.

 

Maps: I use vector maps based on openstreetmap as first layer, this allows me to carry a map of my country and maps of the neighbouring countries without thinking about cell coverage or roaming fees.

Online Maps (partly preloaded): In addition I use various online maps like the Austrian OpenGovernmentData basemap (orthophoto and high-dpi) and various hiking maps and elsewhere sometimes mapquest.

 

Offine geocache information: I use GSAK database, works with my app, whole country - no photos, but everything from description, hints and as many logs as are stored in GSAK and all waypoints. And/or load pocket queries into my app for the actual place I'm planning to go.

 

Logs: If I can't find a cache, (with all that TFTC only and uniform logs unrelated to the specific cache) I read as many logs as are available until something helpful appears, all of found it, DNF, NM etc.

 

Images: Most important to me are pictures in the description that are necessary for following the cache story to get the final coordinates for non-traditionals and owner spoiler photos. As my average find rate is 1.5 caches/day I generally really don't need all pictures of all caches in an area. That would need far to much space and data volume and most of the caches I will never visit anyway. I could use the function Geocaching (Image) Offlinizer of my app for imgages in description and/or spoiler pictures in advance for selected geocaches for areas without cell phone reception if I would not forget to. Quite a few times I was in the field and after searching for a while read the hint saying 'see spoiler picture' and no cell reception available. For caches like Standpunkte / Points of View that require finding the 16-40 imgages shown in the description and assigning values to them, paperless caching is very difficult anyhow, so I use a printout for them. Or at least look at the webpage in my mobile browser, not very enjoyable.

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GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
    • basic content (description, hint)
    • map tiles
    • logs
    • cache photos
    • log photos
    • waypoints
       
      The coordinates are the most critical. The description, a basic map, and waypoints are the remaining critical pieces. Logs and photos can be helpful, but not as often.

    [*]Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?

     

    I have used it all, but I very rarely look at photos offline and could live without it.

     

    [*]What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?

    I sometimes don't have closeup satellite view available, and even a statis closeup view of the cache location is very valuable.

     

    [*]How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?

    I have not found the offline functionality of the paid geocaching app very helpful and have used C:geo for a few years. Offline maps is key.

MAP TILES:

 

  • How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)
     
    I have a lower quality offline map of the entire USA. I usually try to have offline satellite views of each cache location.
     
  • Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?
    Ideally, a lower resolution map with high resolution satellite view of GZ.

LOGS:

 

  • Do you read logs while caching offline?
    Sometimes, if I have trouble finding the cache.
     
  • How many logs do you read?
    It really depends. I keep going until a log is helpful. That could be a few or 20.
     
  • Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)
    Probably the last 10-15 found logs would be more helpful that DNF logs. However, if there are several recent DNF logs, that would be helpful too. I usually go through those when making the list.

IMAGES:

 

  • Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?
    Not very helpful.
     
  • How many images do you usually save?
    I don't save them.
     
  • Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?
    Cache owner images, but they aren't always helpful either unless it's an Earthcache.

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When caching, I switch between Windows Phone 10, Android Marshmallow, and my Garmin GPS. I almost always go caching offline (i.e. Windows Phone app and Garmin), but use the free app on my Android when I have some spare time and didn't expect to go caching. If it had better offline functionality, I might use the Android app more. I haven't yet got the paid version of the app. I think £7.99 is a bit too much to pay for an app.

General Offline Functionality:

 

What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?

  • basic content (description, hint) - Would not be possible to find some caches without them.
  • map tiles - Very useful. When I had my Etrex 10 (no maps), I often found myself on private land or taking the wrong path. Maps are almost essential.
  • logs - Almost as critical as the hint. If downloading, it would be nice to have the option to download a selected amount of logs.
  • cache photos - Have never used these. Over 1000 finds and have only ever looked at these on a desktop PC.
  • log photos - Have never used these. Over 1000 finds and have only ever looked at these on a desktop PC.
  • waypoints - Critical information. That's how I find out where to park.

It might be a nice touch to have the option for what information to download.

 

Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?

Using my Windows Phone app, I use everything but the photos.

 

What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?

Maps (either OpenStreetMap or Ordnance Survey)

 

How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?

I don't use the paid Android app, only the free ones on Android and Windows Phone.

Map Tiles:

 

How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)

On my GPS, the entire country (UK). On the free apps, not possible.

 

Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?

I use vector maps when possible. They can be zoomed in and out without any changes in resolution.

 

Logs:

 

Do you read logs while caching offline?

Yes, It's a good way of finding extra clues.

 

How many logs do you read?

On my GPS, I usually only download the five most recent.

 

Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

Definately. I usually choose to download five logs using a Google Chrome extension to get a GPX file for my GPS.

 

Images:

 

Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?

Nope. I connect to the internet if I need something.

 

How many images do you usually save?

Erm... zero.

 

Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

For some caches that I've found online, the images on the cache page are requires to find the cache (I haven't found one of these ones yet). These may be essential for some caches.

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GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
    • basic content (description, hint) Yes
    • Map Tiles No
    • logs Yes
    • cache photos Yes
    • log photos No
    • waypointsYes

    [*]Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use? - Map tiles, I prefer to use my own mapping. Log images, they would waste too much space, bandwidth and time and are not useful to me.

     

    [*]What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline? Can't think of anything

     

    [*]How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App? I don't use the Groundspeak app, and have no plans to use it, I use Cachesense.

 

MAP TILES:

I use my own mapping (OpenStreetMaps) this allows me to have maps for the the whole of the UK and any countries I would visit, I would rather have an app that can use other maps rather than supplying it's own tiles.

 

  • Do you read logs while caching offline?
    Yes, regularly
     
  • How many logs do you read?
    I keep the most recent 20 logs on my GPS
     
  • Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)
    yes this wouldbe a useful feature
     

 

IMAGES:

 

  • Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?
    No
  • How many images do you usually save?
     
  • Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?
    The only images I would want to download are those which are part of the cache page or are posted by the CO, not log images

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Let me start by saying that I frequently cache offline in a foreign country. I live in Canada and cross the border virtually every weekend. In order to avoid roaming charges, I turn my Data service off for most of those trips. I most frequently geocache with the GCDroid app, which uses the API to fetch data, and download pocket queries. My notes are in bold following the framework provided by Jayme.

 

GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
    • basic content (description, hint) - I use these for virtually every cache. I don't always read the full description, but it's nice to have in case the CO embeds a hint in the description instead of using the hint field
    • map tiles - I usually use Open Street Maps (as GCDroid provides a downloadable copy for offline use). If I think of it ahead of time though, I visit the areas I'm planning to go geocaching while in OpenCycleMap mode - this usually provides the trails I need along with the topographic data so I know how steep the trail will be!
    • logs - As I usually download pocket queries in GCDroid, they come with 5 logs. It would be really nice if they came with 10 logs as I often find I need to go back to the next 5 logs for additional hints that may be in those logs. It would be nice if the API provided a method to refresh an entire pocket query worth of caches at a time - then the app developer could implement that feature and I would be able to get more logs for every cache more easily.
    • cache photos - These are nice to have - especially if the CO posted a spoiler photo. But they don't come with the Pocket queries, so I would have to manually refresh each cache at the moment to get this information. Again, an API call to retrieve these would enable the app developer to fetch them for me.
    • log photos - Probably not necessary. There's been a few occasions where I was able to see someone's GZ cam view, line up the trees, turn around and make the find from where they took the photo...
    • waypoints - Additional waypoints are extremely valuable! Parking, trailheads, trail junctions etc....must have!

    [*]Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use? - I've used pretty much everything available via a Pocket Query while I've been out geocaching. I can't think of anything I don't use

    [*]What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline? - As I mentioned above, I would love to have cache photos available (not log photos). I would also love to see Favorite points included in Pocket Queries as well as a configurable amount of logs per cache (up to 30, say) to be included in the Pocket Query file. I would really, really, REALLY love to see Open Cycle Maps for offline use made available. In the Geocaching Map, there's two choices Thuderforest OpenCycleMap or Thunderforest Landscape which would suit my needs perfectly!

    [*]How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App? I haven't used the paid geocaching app for so long, I don't even know what it does anymore.

 

MAP TILES:

 

  • How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km) - I geocache primarily in BC, Canada, and Washington State. I keep both regions available in offline map mode in GCDroid - there's an OpenStreetMap download available per state in that app. As I've mentioned, I'd love to see a way to download regions with OpenCycleMaps or Thunderforest Landscape for similar regions.
  • Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download? - I prefer tiles with sufficient detail to be useful while out hiking in the mountains. Ideally, the most detailed zoom level available for each map type.

 

LOGS:

 

  • Do you read logs while caching offline? - Yes - usually if I'm looking for a hint on a tricky find.
  • How many logs do you read? - Sometimes the 5 that come in a pocket query are enough. Other times, 30 isn't enough.
  • Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs) - YES Please!!! Up to 30 would be nice.

 

IMAGES:

 

  • Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline? Periodically I run into a harder find that has spoiler photo(s). I would love to see those automatically downloaded with the option to view them if I need them
  • How many images do you usually save? - None. I usually forget to look to see if there are any. I would like to have all images uploaded by the CO to the cache page available.
  • Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images? - Log images are rarely needed to find a cache

 

 

OTHER POINTS:

  • Logging - I want to be able to store logs offline for later submission at home via GSAK. GCDroid lets me export a geocaching_visits.txt file which I can import into GSAK. I don't want to write a log while I'm in the field, especially if it's raining (as it often does in the Pacific Northwest). An option in the app to save logs instead of immediately submitting would be AWESOME. I haven't tried the official app for some time, but I believe that if you tap "Found it", you immediately go into the log submission process. Which means I need to keep a separate record of my finds to be able to log them when I get home. This is the #1 reason I don't use the official app. There MUST be a way to "Share" or "Export" my list of finds from the app.

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Well, I don't use a phone app at all -- in fact I don't even have a device to run one. But that means that all my geocaching is offline, using a combination of what I can load into my older GPSr, and printouts when I absolutely need more info -- so the question "what do I need offline" is totally applicable. At one time I used a Palm PDA to carry more text. Eventually I will move up to something that can store more information.

 

Replies already are good, especially that from on4bam. In the field (and therefore offline, for me), I need description, hint, and logs (and of course the basic info like coords, size, type, D/T, owner). As many logs as possible -- for the remote caches I often seek (and the help I often need!), clues may be many logs back. Photos seldom help; I only want them (and at the moment, print them) for caches which specifically require their use. Currently I have no caching-specific maps, just old paper maps, but would love to have topo maps integrated with caching information.

 

Edward

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I geocache 99% of the time with a Droid, and have to store caches for offline use.

 

GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?

basic content (description, hint) Yes.

map tiles. No.

logs

cache photos. Yes.

log photos. Yes.

waypoints. Yes.

 

 

LOGS:

 

Do you read logs while caching offline? Yes.

 

How many logs do you read? Last few.

 

 

IMAGES:

 

Do you save images when you cache offline? Yes.

 

How important are images while caching offline? Very important.

 

How many images do you usually save? Lots of them. I am also active in Waymarking.

 

Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images? Cache log images.

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My thoughts on offline functionality - firstly, i would be lost without it as I cache across borders regularly and data roaming fees are not my friend!! Also useful when in the woods/mountains with absolutely zero phone signal .

 

What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?

Description, hint, maps

 

basic content (description, hint) - Absolutely essential

map tiles - not essential, but nice to have

logs - at least the last 5 -10 logs is useful in case of DNFs or comments about terrain or a multitude of other possibilities

cache photos - photos on cache description, no but photos uploaded by owner to the gallery (as in spoilers) very useful as they're usually only uploaded if absolutely necessary

log photos - not essential but nice to have if stuck

waypoints - definitely essential for multis and parking, trailheads etc

 

Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use? I can't think of anything I absolutely never use

 

What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline? N/A

 

How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App? N/A

 

MAP TILES

 

How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)

Usually about 10 miles, but it depends on the trip

 

Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?

 

No preference

 

Do you read logs while caching offline? If having issues finding the cache, absolutely yes

 

How many logs do you read? Last 5 - 10 logs

 

Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

 

IMAGES

 

Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline? If going abroad, yes absolutely. If you are having trouble and in a country with a language you don't understand, photos are the only hints you might have

 

How many images do you usually save? I didn't think there was an option to limit the number of photos so if i download 50 caches, i'll just choose to download the images. So my answer is: whatever the default option is.

 

Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images? Cache owner images essential as there could be a deliberately uploaded spoiler.

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GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
    • basic content (description, hint)
    • map tiles
    • logs
    • cache photos
    • log photos
    • waypoints

    Basic description, map tiles, recent logs are critical; cache photos and waypoints are important.

    [*]Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?

    log photos

    [*]What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?

     

    [*]How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?

The most inconvenient change made to the paid app was eliminating the ability to upload a custom GPX file for use in the app. My pocket queries are organized by date range so opening a pocket query is not useful at all. So, to use a custom cache list offline, after filtering in GSAK I need to do the extra steps of adding all the caches to a bookmark list and then creating a pocket query based on that bookmark list. Please restore that removed functionality. Saved, offline lists plus field note capability are the only reasons I continue to use the paid app instead of the intro app.

MAP TILES:

 

  • How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)
    The entire area covered by my bookmark list, which can be anything from a single US county to a wide array of maps covering a route across three foreign countries.
  • Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?

I'd rather have the lower-resolution maps. If I need better maps I can turn on my handheld GPS.

LOGS:

 

  • Do you read logs while caching offline?
    Yes, whenever I'm having trouble finding the cache, I will scroll through past logs. Using GSAK, I screen out caches with lots of DNF and Needs Maintenance logs before creating my offline bookmark list - this saves reading old logs only to discover that the cache is likely missing.
  • How many logs do you read?
    As many as it takes to uncover a helpful hint or a comment on the accuracy/inaccuracy of the coordinates or to conclude that I just suck at finding that cache.
  • Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)
    For offline use, I generally can get by with the ten most recent logs. As a wishlist item, it would be nice to have an option to see ALL logs by the cache owner and all prior logs by my account (last year's DNF, etc.)

 

IMAGES:

 

  • Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?
     
  • How many images do you usually save?
     
  • Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

I only care about images posted by the CO (voluntary spoilers, historic photos showing what the area looked like in 1897, etc.) If I could save just those it would cut way down on the time it takes to prepare for an offline caching adventure.

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Offline caching is important to me, since I often find myself outside of cell phone range. My primary caching app is geosphere on the iphone. In the past, I have used both of the Groundspeak apps, looking4cache, geobucket, and cachly. I also have an android tablet with gcdroid installed -- although I also tried cachesense. I generally cache with the iphone, however, and geosphere is the only caching app currently installed on my iphone or ipad.

 

GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

What information is critical for you to access while caching offline? The offline process is pretty seamless, it is sometimes hard to tell whether I am caching offline or online, but I rely on the full cache description (including the photos on the cache page itself), the hint, and past logs.

 

I generally do not use waypoints unless they are part of the cache itself -- such as an earthcache with multiple waypoints to observe. They can be toggled on or off within the app, but I generally leave waypoints off until or unless they are needed.

 

I do not download images from the cache logs.

 

Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use? Attributes, log photos.

 

What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline? I have everything I need.

 

How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App? There are several reasons why the offfline functionality of the Groundspeak app did not meet my needs.

 

I wanted the ability to link to other offline maps for voice routing, topography, or trail mapping. A push of a button on the cache page in geosphere allows me to transfer the coordinates to Navigon, Pocket Earth, GaiaGPS or other offline mapping apps. This system works so good when traveling that I add waypoints of noncache locations I want to visit so I can see everything on a single map and have voice routing to where I want to go.

 

I want to be able to import gpx files from other sources and export offline gpx files so that I can transfer them directly to my Oregon 600 (should I want to use that). I have done the latter without cellular data in the field and it can be helpful when plans change. It is also handy to be able to export gpx files to dropbox or send them as email to transfer them from my iphone to my ipad or android or to serve as a backup.

 

I rely on the ability to merge different groups (lists or pocket queries) of caches that are saved offline, filter the results, edit individual caches for content or location, look at the page source (if necessary), and add waypoints with a unique icon or pin that are not directly associated with a geocache to help better plan out our trips. All of this helps to make sure that I have the caches offline that I might want to find.

 

I tend to be very selective of the way that I cache and use the app as a mini-gsak to save various types of caches, solved puzzles, or completed challenges - to identify the caches that I want to do from a number of different sources. Merging and editing offline caches (or caches while offline) is important. The caching app I use, and others that I have tried, provide greater flexibility for offline caching than the Groundspeak app did.

 

I also like having an ignore button for offline caches within the app itself. There are various reasons why I sometimes want to ignore a cache that I have saved in an offline group rather than to have it appear on the lists or map. Having an internal ignore feature allows me to still have the information in my offline list of caches, but turn it on or off depending on the situation.

 

I also like to use an internal feature for adding personal notes when online. Perhaps the Groundspeak app now supports this, but it helps keep information together as an alternative to field notes.

 

Being able to highlight specific caches while offline is also nice, just to identify particular caches that might be on a "must do" list or otherwise make a particular cache stand out.

 

MAP TILES:

 

I tried this when I had the Groundspeak App on my phone, but as a practical matter it always seemed slow and cumbersome I have tried apps (looking4cache, geobucket, gcdroid, cachesense) that directly support larger regional offline maps, which seemed like a better system. But when I have taken these apps with me during foreign travel, I have not used them because the way that Geosphere works has met my needs.

 

LOGS: I will update offline caches before I go out to be sure that the logs and cache status are recent. But 5-10 logs is usually all I want at any one time.

 

IMAGES: Images on the cache page itself are absolutely essentially (as well as html formatting). I do not bother with images in the logs.

Edited by geodarts
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Although I've been caching for over ten years now, I've never used a traditional hand held GPSr. I started out with a Palm Tungsten PDA, Cetus GPS software and a bluetooth GPSr, then gradually moved to using mobile phones as the apps and built-in GPS receivers got better. All this was basically offline paperless caching. For the last four or five years I've been using Android smartphones with various free apps. While these are normally connected to the net, I often use them offline too, either because I'm caching in areas with poor reception, or because I'm abroad and data charges would be too expensive. I haven't used the paid Groundspeak app.

 

GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
    • basic content (description, hint)
    • map tiles
    • logs
    • cache photos
    • log photos
    • waypoints

    [*]Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?[*]What information do you wish you had access to, but don't currently, while caching offline?[*]How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?

I'm assuming the coordinates are a given, but the other basic content is pretty critical too for any non-traditional cache, as are waypoints (or at least the ability to generate them). Logs and photos are very helpful, but not critical. Offline map tiles, I don't generally use on a per-cache basis - but see below...

 

I don't normally find myself wanting extra information to be stored for offline use. The things I tend to find myself going back online to find are recent log entries (to see if a cache has gone missing since I downloaded the info), and alternative map views (when I think that a different type of map will help, that I don't have available on my device).

 

MAP TILES:

 

  • How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)
  • Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?

I use vector maps rather than bitmap tiles, so I normally have a detailed map available of the whole country, or at least the region I am travelling in. While this might be a 500MB+ download, I don't update them frequently, and once the maps are installed, I don't need to faff about downloading sets of tiles for each cache, then finding I haven't got the ones I need if I change my route. The map files are from OpenAndroMaps.org, and are in a standard format that can be used by various different caching and navigation apps. The same map data can also be rendered using different styling to suit different activities (walking/cycling/driving) or locations (urban/rural).

 

LOGS:

 

  • Do you read logs while caching offline?
  • How many logs do you read?
  • Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

I often read logs to check that a cache has been found recently. If I'm travelling and in a hurry to catch a train, I don't want to be searching for a cache that's gone missing, or become much harder to find than the difficulty rating would imply. For this purpose, I'd like to see up to about 5 recent logs (because some people still log a find, even when the cache has gone and they just find some left-over litter).

 

I also read the logs to look for clues when I'm having trouble searching. For this purpose I'd like to see more logs, to improve the chances of finding something useful. However, I would like to be able to filter out the logs that just have a smiley or "TFTC", and concentrate on the ones with some information content. It would be good to see maybe 10 logs of over 50 characters, with just the find/dnf icons of any shorter logs that come between them (NB having the order of finds/dnfs is more helpful than just the count).

 

IMAGES:

 

  • Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?
  • How many images do you usually save?
  • Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

I don't normally store images for offline use, although I may save one or two for particular caches. Owner and log images are equally important.

 

Reading the question a different way, I often take pictures on my phone while caching offline, which I later upload to the website. It would be handy to have some functionality to automatically add them to logs - perhaps allowing some review and basic editing (crop, rotate) before posting to the site.

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What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?

basic content (description, hint)

map tiles

logs

cache photos

log photos

waypoints

 

I use everything listed from time to time. Description is critical as there may be very important information contained in it. The rest is also helpful on an as needed basis.

 

Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?

I use everything.

 

What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?

It would be nice if find counts were included with the user names on the previous logs. I give more weight to a more experienced person's DNF than a new geocacher with 5 or 10 finds. When I'm in the field, there isn't any easy way to check if the person is new or experienced, unless I recognize the name.

 

How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?

Everything is pretty good the way it it is. I don't want to see the offline lists function of the paid app taken away from non-premium members. That function is the only reason I am currently a paid premium member. I liked the lists, but I wanted more powerful control over how the lists are generated.

 

MAP TILES:

 

How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)

I save what the iPod paid saves by default.

 

Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?

I think neither. I'd rather see the ability to import a large area map independent of the geocaches, so I could spend time downloading a large map once, and then I wouldn't have to worry about redownloading any maps in the future. Downloading the map tiles onto onto my iPod currently is the longest part part of saving a pocket query. I can download just the geocache information for a 750 geocache pocket query in 10-15 min, but then the map tiles take another 30-40 min. It's fine to do this once, but if I clear a list to remove old archived caches and caches I've found, all that download time has essentially been thrown away.

 

 

LOGS:

 

Do you read logs while caching offline?

If I'm having trouble finding a cache I will read the logs.

 

How many logs do you read?

Usually all 5 of the available logs, unless there is a good explanation in one of the first logs.

 

Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

I would like adding the ability to include additional logs, sometimes 5 logs are not enough.

 

IMAGES:

 

Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?

Images can sometimes be helpful. I've stopped saving them because of the bug with the paid iOS app that prevents viewing them, which is kind of annoying.

 

How many images do you usually save?

Right now none, but I would probably save 5 or 6 of them, if I could view them.

 

Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

Probably both, since it a lot of times it depends on the cache and the owner.

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What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?

 

basic content (description, hint)

Yes very much so

map tiles

yes

logs

yes

cache photos

not usually unless really stuck photos take up too much space so I opt out usually

log photos

not sure

waypoints

yes

 

Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?

I pretty much use all the features of the Paid App

 

What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?

My most wanted thing is to be able to see what is in my saved files that I save offline on my computer. I like to log my caches after I get home and it would be able to access them on my computer. I have had the Paid App crash and I lost all my saved files including all the puzzles that I had solved and challenges I had signed. Impossible to retrieve them.

 

A better way to visit your travel bugs within the app.

 

Way to rearrange the order of your saved files.

 

Mass delete caches in saved files. I like the file I use the most on top for my routine caching but hate having to clear it out one at a time.

 

Refresh the entire saved file instead of one at a time.

Distance to cache with more accuracy example. .15 or .19 instead of just .1 Like android app does Distance is usually further than what it states

 

How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?

Search results larger than 30

 

MAP TILES:

 

How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)

I save sometimes 100 miles or more it just depends if it is local or road trip.

 

Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?

I like the high resolution because I usually save my offline caches before I leave home. I never know what the phone reception is going to be where I am going.

 

LOGS:

 

Do you read logs while caching offline?

Yes a lot of the time, especially when I get stuck

 

How many logs do you read?

Sometimes all of them if that is what it takes

 

Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

 

Customize might be nice but with the option to change it on the fly

 

IMAGES:

 

Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?

I don't usually only because of the time and space they take up, but will try to pull a few up if the reception is good

 

How many images do you usually save?

None see reason above

 

Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

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What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?

basic content (description, hint) Yes

map tiles Yes

logs Yes

cache photos Not often, but sometimes

log photos Not oten, but if I'm looking for spoilers :P

waypoints Yes Yes Yes! Corrected coords on Mystery caches are a problem (I'll expand below)

 

Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?

 

I'm not sure, I use what I use and couldn't say what else is available

 

What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?

 

Corrected coords. I can have a cache loaded with the coorected coords, save it to offline. All good. I get out in the field, bring up the saved cache page and the corrected coords are there, great. If I then back out of navigation, say to check the cache description of previous logs, the corrected coords disappear and only come back if I refresh the cache details - requiring ONLINE access. A couple of days ago I was maintaining a cache of my own (I have an offline list saved as it saves time finding my own caches). I needed to update the coords so took several readings to average later. Added new waypoints for all, saved to offline list. Got home and opened the page... nothing there! Thankfully it wasn't the one requiring a 3 hour drive.

 

How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?

 

The main (only?) things I would change is around mystery caches. First is as per my previous answer regarding disappearing corrected coords and added waypoints. The second would actually apply online, too. It would be a massive help if mystery caches (and maybe even multis) with corrected coords showed up on the map at the corrected coordinate GZ. Currently the ? symbol shows at the published coords and you then need to go into the cache page to find the corrected coords. It can be frustrating to find you were in the area earlier but would now need to backtrack.

 

MAP TILES:

 

How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)

 

I didn't realise you could choose. I'll have to look.

 

Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?

 

I'm happy with high res.

 

LOGS:

 

Do you read logs while caching offline?

 

Yes, if I am having trouble finding the cache I'll look at the last few logs for hints of cache-creep or inaccurate coords

 

How many logs do you read?

Usually only 5-10, unless it's a real nightmare of a hide, then maybe more. :D

 

Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)

Yes, I could see that working. Maybe 5, 10, or 20. I'd get no value from only DNF or only found, you need to take them together to get an accurate picture.

 

IMAGES:

 

Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?

 

Yes. I don't always need them, but if I did, and hadn't saved them, and I couldn't get a signal I'd be pretty annoyed with myself.

 

How many images do you usually save?

 

I didn't know I had a choice. I thought I just had "save images" selected when saving offline. Assumed that meant all images.

 

Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

 

I find cache owner ones less important (except for a couple of mystery caches where you need to match the view to find the cache). Cache log images can be helpful for spotting inadvertent spoilers.

 

All in all I'm pretty happy with how my offline solution works, with the exception of the disappearing corrected coords/added waypoints. I like being able to load a PQ to my phone and then save it as an offline list. I do this often when planning a trip, (I have a suggestion for a new filter for PQs, but this isn't the place ;) ).

 

Thanks for this thread, it's nice to know there's a way to get our ideas heard.

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This is a subject I've been thinking about a lot, and have mentioned in other threads here in this forum, and elsewhere.

 

I would just like to start by saying that offline functionality is THE single most important thing about the geocaching apps. I would say that I do three quarters of my caching in places where there is no signal, and without offline functionality I wouldn't be able to cache. Out in the countryside where there's no signal, in other countries (especially in Europe) where I don't have data, etc. Even in my home city (London, UK), there are plenty of places where signal is blocked (high buildings, etc), or where there is just no signal at all. London is much bigger than just the tourist areas in the center, and I'm sure that is true of most other cities too.

 

Also:

There MUST be a way to download (and generate) Lists and Pocket Queries into the phone app. I use this feature on the paid app all the time. I know that the paid app is being discontinued at some point, and there will only be the free app. Please carry over the ability to download Lists and PQs onto it. Without that ability, both the App and Lists/PQs are useless.

 

Basically, it doesn't matter what else the app does, if you can't use it offline.

I like the way the free app looks, and it's frustrating that I have to ignore it. It doesn't allow offline functionality or lists, so it's useless to me.

 

Now some specifics... :D

 

GENERAL OFFLINE FUNCTIONALITY:

 

  • What information is critical for you to access while caching offline?
  • basic content (description, hint)
  • map tiles
  • logs
  • cache photos
  • log photos
  • waypoints
     
Yes, I use all of those, and consider them to be critical information. I don't consider these to be different things. I would say all of the things in the list above are part of the "basic content" of the cache page.
 

Of all the current information available offline, what do you never use?
I can't think of anything. I use all of the current functions of the paid app.
 

What information do you wish you had access to, but don’t currently, while caching offline?
I wish I had offline access to my profile page, statistics page, and trackables.
 

How would you do things differently than the current offline functionality on the Paid Geocaching App?
It would be nice to be able to sort offline lists on the app by "Date Hidden" (especially for events, so you can see when the next one is going to be). It would also be nice to be able to change the order of a list manually, rather than sorting.
 

MAP TILES:
 
How large of an area do you usually save for offline caching? (10 miles/km, 100 miles/km)
This would really depend on where I was caching. If I'm visiting a city, even just a few hundred yards/meters would be enough, but out in the countryside it would have to be a much larger area (a few miles/kilometers), and if I was visiting the rural part of a new country, maybe even larger (tens of miles/kilometers).
 

Do you favor high resolution map tiles that take more space to store and longer to download OR lower resolution map tiles that take less space to store and are quicker to download?
I think both are important. A large area map that gets you to the area you need to be in, and then a high resolution small area map to help you find the cache.
 
Also very important on the current paid app is its ability to download OpenStreetMap and OpenCycleMap for caches. There are plenty of footpaths, etc, that don't show up on the basic map. Here in the UK all land is owned by someone, so it is VERY important to know which way you are allowed to go, and which routes are impassable.
 

LOGS:
 
Do you read logs while caching offline?
Yes, definitely. Not always, but for many caches it is important to see if they have had many recent DNFs, when it was last found, etc.
 

How many logs do you read?
Usually only the last 5 to 10, but sometimes further back.
 

Would an ability to customize the amount of logs you have access to help? (Ex: 5 or 10 most recent logs, the first and last few logs on the cache, only Found or DNF logs)
Not really. The ability to say how many logs you would like to download would be nice, but other than that you never know what type of log would have useful info. I'd hate to miss something useful because I told it to only download a certain type of log.
 

IMAGES:
 
Do you save images when you cache offline? How important are images while caching offline?
 
How many images do you usually save?
 
Which images are more important? Cache owner images or cache log images?

 

Images are pretty important, but it depends. I would definitely want the ability to choose whether to download images or not, and how many.

 

When I am going on a caching trip, I usually make two offline lists. A short specific list of "must do" caches that I download images, OpenCycleMaps/OpenStreetMaps, etc, and a general pocket query list for all caches in the area where I only download the basic map and no images (to save storage space).

 

There are some caches where downloading images is essential: many mystery, EarthCache, Multi, and Virtual aches are not doable at all without images.

 

OTHER OFFLINE FUNCTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE:

 

  • TRACKABLES: Not just the ability to log them; also to activate new trackables, look up activation codes, look at your trackables collection, etc. Also have the trackables info very prominent so that new cachers see it immediately, explaining what trackables are, that they aren't loot to be kept, how to log one, etc. Maybe that would lessen the amount of trackables going missing and we could start releasing trackables into the wild more.
     
  • USERS: The ability to look up another user (like on the website), and see their user profile, geocaches they've hidden and found, etc. Also the ability to email people (not just message them on the message center).
     
  • STATISTICS and SOUVENIRS: The ability to see my own and other users' statistics and souvenirs on the app.
     
  • LISTS and WAYPOINTS: The ability to add waypoints directly to the main map of a list of caches (not to a specific cache map), for example: "the car is parked here", "this is were we're stopping for lunch", etc.
     
  • SYNCHRONIZE OFFLINE LIST: I generate many lists on the gecaching website, and then use them to generate pocket queries to send them to the app for use offline. It would be great to be able to synchronize them instead. I mean have them so that instead of having to generate a pocket query they reflect each other, and if you make a change to a list on either the app or website, the change shows up on both (the next time you go online and look at the list on either).
     
  • SEND OFFLINE LIST: I mean that once you have generated a list, the ability to send it to another specific user (without making it public to everyone). One of my favourite things about caching is the social aspect, caching with friends. It's difficult currently to share which caches you'll be doing on this trip.
     
  • LAB CACHES: I love mega events, and the lab caches there are great. I'm really hoping that in the future they will be expanded to allow more functionality, to allow more things to be done, and to allow normal event hosts to use them as well as mega events. It's currently difficult to find lab caches when offline, and a lot of megas are in other countries where we don't always have data access. Most megas are having to resort to just giving you them on bits of paper, which then takes ages to plug into the app as waypoints, and then you don't have any of the info you need in order to actually do them... Plus the mega may well be in a country where the main languages spoken are not the same ones the attendee speaks.
    Please give us the ability to do lab caches on the app and save them offline.

 

Thank you for letting us contribute to this.

:D:antenna:

 

Pan

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