I dont have a data plan on my phone

[GorillaMunch]

Hello i downloaded the free "Groundspeak" app. But i noticed that it only seems to work if you r connected the the web. Am i doing something incorrectly? Or do i need a different app? I have a android phone. Any recommendations? Thanks. Ps my kids like to hike, but they love it when i combine "treasure hunting" at the same time. So i would like to have an app they could use as well (6 to 8 years old)

[Andronicus]

I don't have too much experience with the Groundspeak app. I use CacheSence and NeonGeo.

 

However, there should be an offline mode where you can download caches and maps via wifi. You should then be able to use the app offline.

[+kunarion]

Hello i downloaded the free "Groundspeak" app. But i noticed that it only seems to work if you r connected the the web. Am i doing something incorrectly? Or do i need a different app? I have a android phone. Any recommendations? Thanks. Ps my kids like to hike, but they love it when i combine "treasure hunting" at the same time. So i would like to have an app they could use as well (6 to 8 years old)

The free Official "Geocaching" App is an "Intro", formerly called "Intro" (go figure ). It's going through a lot of changes, so it's a little tough to keep up with, this month . But for now it's still the Intro App, designed to allow you to see how your phone works with it, just like most every "Demo App" on the market.

 

I have a similar issue to you... no data subscription. So I use the App as a last resort, or to quickly load one cache and go. If you have a wifi connection and a GPS connection (you're at a Hotspot outdoors or whatever), you can select one nearby cache, review the info (including hint, photos, and logs), tap Start, tap the Compass icon, and go find the cache. Don't shut off the phone. Once you leave the wifi signal, no new data will load, but the distance and bearing will get you there anyway.

 

If caching with kids, you'll be selecting caches especially for them, and this may mean only one or two suitable caches in any given park, so the plan to load one at a time may work out for you.

 

The paid App, now called "Geocaching Backcountry" (and called merely "Geocaching" on the 'droid) will allow you to save cache info (GPX files) and even save some map tiles along with the cache, so you may get more than one cache at a time. But these kinds of Apps are for connected phones, so they fail in various ways upon losing the connection. I must remember which button to not tap, and almost always don't remember.

 

I can't justify the expense of a data plan, so I just have a mobile phone that's a "phone". Since I'm saving... Wow... ever calculate a "data plan"?... I can therefore justify the purchase of a pretty decent handheld dedicated GPS to load caches into .

Edited May 19, 2015 by kunarion

[+kunarion]

Double post, sorry.

Edited May 19, 2015 by kunarion

[+on4bam]

Hello i downloaded the free "Groundspeak" app. But i noticed that it only seems to work if you r connected the the web. Am i doing something incorrectly? Or do i need a different app? I have a android phone. Any recommendations? Thanks. Ps my kids like to hike, but they love it when i combine "treasure hunting" at the same time. So i would like to have an app they could use as well (6 to 8 years old)

 

You could try GDAK (android). You can import GPX files so you'll have a list of caches available and you can get free maps for 100% offline caching. The app is free too. There are instructions on the developer's website on how it works and where to get the maps.

[+kunarion]

Hello i downloaded the free "Groundspeak" app. But i noticed that it only seems to work if you r connected the the web. Am i doing something incorrectly? Or do i need a different app? I have a android phone. Any recommendations? Thanks. Ps my kids like to hike, but they love it when i combine "treasure hunting" at the same time. So i would like to have an app they could use as well (6 to 8 years old)

 

You could try GDAK (android). You can import GPX files so you'll have a list of caches available and you can get free maps for 100% offline caching. The app is free too. There are instructions on the developer's website on how it works and where to get the maps.

I'm testing the free demo of "GDAK", and it does seem to have improved! Getting the App set up the way I like was a little tricky, since the instructions are in English interspersed with non-English. But I already had some free map files, and GDAK accepted the one I loaded (one whole state), no problem. You can load one cache, or one area, or a whole PQ while online, then go caching without worry that features may not be available once you lose wifi. Make a cache log, and it's saved as a Field Note, which is great! GDAK accepts the "Radar" compass just as the Official Geocaching App does. So load the free "GPS Status" App to get "Radar" for a nice big compass for the kids.

 

GDAK is good for people who have a 'droid, who can't or don't want to have a constant data signal. Other Apps can work offline, but this one seems to be designed to work offline. Pretty cool!

[+on4bam]

Other Apps can work offline, but this one seems to be designed to work offline.

 

It is.

[Andronicus]

Sounds like you guys need to ditch the Groundspeak offerings and switch to one of the partner apps. CacheSense is my favorit. NeonGeo works well as well. Both offer offline maps and caches, and the ability to import GPX files.

[+kunarion]

Sounds like you guys need to ditch the Groundspeak offerings and switch to one of the partner apps.

GDAK was mentioned.

 

CacheSense is my favorit. NeonGeo works well as well. Both offer offline maps and caches, and the ability to import GPX files.

I tried CacheSense and bought NeonGeo. Tried a bunch of other Apps as well, none seem as offline-friendly as GDAK. Or else the workflow wasn't right for me in the others -- where I seem to always select the wrong button and have to wait for the App to finish attempting to "connect". So I'd recommend GDAK in the odd case where someone has an android device and no data plan. One issue with a tablet (I don't have a smartphone) is the screen image washes out in sunlight. It could have the best App in the world, and there's still the issue with a tablet being not ideal for caching, for a host of reasons. I guess phones aren't afflicted with the invisibility thing.

Edited May 21, 2015 by kunarion

[Andronicus]

I really like using NeonGeo for offline caching. It automaticaly caches map tiles (when the settings are correct), and when you view a cache listing, it is also saved and can be used offline. The trick I use it to set the map to "Managed Map" rather than "Live Map". Also, under settings, unselect "Online". The app will stop trying to get anything from internet.

 

And again, it can very simply downlode your PQs or GSAK gpx files.

[+kunarion]

I really like using NeonGeo for offline caching. It automaticaly caches map tiles (when the settings are correct), and when you view a cache listing, it is also saved and can be used offline. The trick I use it to set the map to "Managed Map" rather than "Live Map". Also, under settings, unselect "Online". The app will stop trying to get anything from internet.

Awesome! I've used NeonGeo a few times, and once set it up specially to track a caching group traveling cross-country so we could meet.

[+geodarts]

I recently obtained an android tablet for offline use. One of the nice things about the platform is the number of trial or demo versions, to find something you like. Thus far, GCDroid works the best for me. But with third party apps, it helps to be a premium member.

Edited May 22, 2015 by geodarts

[GorillaMunch]

Ok Thanks, I'm 1st trying with neongeo. But I tried to search for basic commands / help. my main issue is getting maps downloaded so we can search offline. how do I manage these maps on my phone (ie delete them when no longer required). Not to mention somehow I populated my geocaches list to 305 items???

[+niraD]

You might be able to use the wayback machine at archive.org to view old versions of the wiki pages at www.neongeo.com but the wiki and forums are dead. Neongeo appears to be abandoned, which is unfortunate. It worked really well for me for a long time, but recently I started having problems with it, and ended up switching to CacheSense, which I've been happy with.

[+kunarion]

Ok Thanks, I'm 1st trying with neongeo. But I tried to search for basic commands / help. my main issue is getting maps downloaded so we can search offline. how do I manage these maps on my phone (ie delete them when no longer required). Not to mention somehow I populated my geocaches list to 305 items???

If you try "GDAK", I figured that one out . I got maps for a couple of states here. Keep an eye on available phone memory when installing maps. The ".map" file goes into the "GDAK" folder directly (and the folder is selectable if you have other Apps using the map files). To manage files and folders in Windows, plug the phone or tablet into a USB port, and treat it as a USB drive.

 

I was able to install the map in GDAK, switch to offline use of maps, and I'm uploading a fresh Pocket Query when needed, at a Hotspot. I haven't yet tried sending field notes. I don't use the Android tablet for Geocaching except in special circumstances.

 

I guess support ceased for NeonGeo about the time I bought it . I probably won't bother with its settings, and may delete it again. NeonGeo was one of many Apps that just was too "online" for my needs.

Edited May 24, 2015 by kunarion

[+on4bam]

I was able to install the map in GDAK, switch to offline use of maps, and I'm uploading a fresh Pocket Query when needed, at a Hotspot. I haven't yet tried sending field notes. I don't use the Android tablet for Geocaching except in special circumstances.

 

You can select a cache and the mark it found in GDAK. You can then write a log immediately or edit it later and when you have internet access just "send logs". It uses the API so make sure you have a valid token to use the gc api.

[+kunarion]

I was able to install the map in GDAK, switch to offline use of maps, and I'm uploading a fresh Pocket Query when needed, at a Hotspot. I haven't yet tried sending field notes. I don't use the Android tablet for Geocaching except in special circumstances.

 

You can select a cache and the mark it found in GDAK. You can then write a log immediately or edit it later and when you have internet access just "send logs". It uses the API so make sure you have a valid token to use the gc api.

Cool! I see a similar thing in the Official Geocaching App: The ability to edit a previously typed field note. Can't do that on a Garmin , so my process has always been "type field note, and if I want to change the text, type another field note". I also like the ability to either save or send. On my Garmin Oregon, I have to wait til I'm home and plug it in (of course), so having a little more connectivity available is cool. On a wifi-only 'droid, I'm always scouting for Hotspots while caching.

 

I'm already browsing the GDAK Forum. The OP should review which potential Apps have the most helpful support. The "Cache Log" info for GDAK is not exactly right, so it took me a lot longer to figure it out than it probably should have. But I expect that, since every App has a completely different process for caching, nested menus for things I'd like in view, and entirely different methods or terms for "Go" to find the cache.

Edited May 24, 2015 by kunarion

[Andronicus]

Ok Thanks, I'm 1st trying with neongeo. But I tried to search for basic commands / help. my main issue is getting maps downloaded so we can search offline. how do I manage these maps on my phone (ie delete them when no longer required). Not to mention somehow I populated my geocaches list to 305 items???

I don't have my phone in front of me, but essentialy, from the main screen you hit Info, then the (I think) data or map tab, then you can delete the maps you chose.