Geocaching with laptop

[eitri]

Complete newbie here. I'm looking for recommendations for a decent GPS receiver and software package to use on a Win7 laptop. Thanks in advance!

[+ngrrfan]

Complete newbie here. I'm looking for recommendations for a decent GPS receiver and software package to use on a Win7 laptop. Thanks in advance!

Whoa, hold it. What are you trying to do?

 

I could say that GSAK is a great software package and the Garmin Etrex 20 is a great GPSr, but maybe it wouldn't work for what you are trying to do.

So tell us what you want to do and then see what answers you get.

 

BTW... You're gonna get umpty-'leven different answers, all saying they're the best.

[+The A-Team]

Whoa, hold it. What are you trying to do?

That's what I'm wondering, too. Is the plan really to walk around with a laptop to look for caches?

[eitri]

Ha, shows how little I know, guess I should be a little more specific:

 

Yes, the plan is to walk around with a laptop and look for caches. I know that it's going to be awkward to manage, but I'm trying to help someone out who has some vision problems and can't really use a handheld GPS. I'd need a software package that allows us to store maps locally on the laptop, but I'd imagine that's pretty standard.

 

I really have no idea what's available or what price ranges are reasonable. I'm hoping to spend $100-200 on the receiver and software if possible. (Lower is better, I don't think we need anything particularly high-end or fancy).

 

Thanks!

[+whh0]

I do think you need to forget the idea about walking round with a laptop trying to geocache. How suspicious are you going to look wondering around with a laptop, also it doesn't have GPS capabilities and the wifi will only work when you are in a wifi hotspot so most maps will be pretty useless. Does your friend have any magnifyers or low vision aids that they use with print that they could use with a GPS. Many caches are tiny and pretty hard to find even with 20/20 vision.......... I would suggest going to a specialist shop with a large range of GPS units in stock and take some advice on any which may have large icons that your friend may find easier to see.

[eitri]

whh0, thanks for the reply. I understand that using a laptop is not an ideal situation, but I don't think there's another option. For the sake of argument, lets just assume that a handheld GPS or phone is not an option.

[+whh0]

No problem, happy to try and help. Although geocaching is not a secret one of the aims of the game is to use stealth when retrieving caches and not to draw attention to yourself so that those with intent to harm do not come and investigate and destroy caches that others have placed out - that will be pretty tricky when you are wondering around with a laptop, you may also draw the attention of police/law enforcement. I am still a little unclear as to how a map on a laptop will help you with finding a geocache. A map will take you to a the general location of a geocache but bear in mind some of the things you will be looking for will be the size of your fingernail. I know people that have used Google Earth to find the location of caches but it will only take you to an approximate location, then you need a GPS be that on a phone or handheld GPS unit.

[+hunter259]

Would an Ipad work instead?

 

Just my 2 cents.....

[eitri]

whh0: I know that they make USB GPS receivers (e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0R2-001Y-00005)but I'm not clear on whether they'll work for this purpose, and alternately what software is needed to interact with the receiver. I've seen references to both Microsoft Streets and Trips and Delorme Topo, but haven't yet found anyone reporting real-world experience

 

hunter259: I've considered an iPad or other tablet, but I'm not sure how that would work with offline maps -- do you have any experience with this? I'm not looking to sign up for 3g/4g cell service if I can avoid it.

[+hunter259]

whh0: I know that they make USB GPS receivers (e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0R2-001Y-00005)but I'm not clear on whether they'll work for this purpose, and alternately what software is needed to interact with the receiver. I've seen references to both Microsoft Streets and Trips and Delorme Topo, but haven't yet found anyone reporting real-world experience

 

hunter259: I've considered an iPad or other tablet, but I'm not sure how that would work with offline maps -- do you have any experience with this? I'm not looking to sign up for 3g/4g cell service if I can avoid it.

 

No, I don't really have much experience here. Sorry... and yeah, I get why

[+whh0]

Right then, now I see where you are coming from. Can't say I have ever heard of these before and from other posts neither has anyone else. An ipad would be no good as it does not have a usb hub. I'm afraid I have no idea if any geocaching software would work with it through the laptop but now we know what you have in mind some others may have some suggestions.

[+ngrrfan]

OK.... it would be possible, and here's how I could see it being done.

 

Laptop with a GPSr connected to it via USB or serial port. Software such as MS Streets and Trips or DeLorme Street Atlas or one of the National Geographic TOPO programs. All have interface for GPSrs. No need for wifi or phone or any other network connection while out hunting.

 

Now the reality is that the laptop battery won't last for a long time without being recharged, and the overall accuracy of the combination may not be the greatest.

 

Before the low cost introduction of dash GPSrs, I use a Garmin GPS II+ connected to an older Toshiba Tecra 8000 running Street Atlas 9 software for traveling. Worked great, easy to read, and warned of upcoming turns.

[+T.D.M.22]

I really don't see this as being doable. Aside from the negatives of using a laptop-which I think you realize- it would probably eat up battery life. The only such thing I have seen( a GPS reciever on a computer) is a professional setup, such used in surveys. This equipment, I would imagine, would cost way to much, and you would need bulky equipment.

 

Now I can see not using an Iphone. An option would be Ipad if possible. OR a better option would be a GPSr.

 

Now this brings up two things-if you can't see a phone screen, or GPSr screen, is geocaching really a good idea? Even the larger caches may require decent eyesight.

 

But for the sake of helping you I would use a GPSr-Not a handheld Etrex or anything like that, but an automotive GPS. I think you can use the Garmin Nuvi. Some of these have fairly big(for what they are) screens. I would try using one of these, and they are within your price range..

[+The A-Team]

The only such thing I have seen( a GPS reciever on a computer) is a professional setup, such used in surveys. This equipment, I would imagine, would cost way to much, and you would need bulky equipment.

See post #10. The OP posted a link to one that costs only $38.50 and is only about 2.5 inches across.

[+kissguy&frannyfru]

Streets and trips,it comes with a usb gps dongle.

[+ChileHead]

So it seems what you're after is a larger screen?

 

Some people cache with auto GPSs. Would using an auto GPS with a 7" screen like the Garmin Nuvi 2757LM work? That would have all the maps on it, and might be big enough for what you're looking for. I don't know if this particular unit would be appropriate for geocaching. Most should allow for entering of coordinates, but you should make sure that it allows you to go in "off road" mode so it doesn't try to keep you on a road.

 

This may or may not work for what you are looking for, but I thought I'd suggest it since I know people who cache with Nuvi's. Battery life can be a problem, but you can always get an external USB battery pack. That seem easier than lugging a laptop around.

[+eccentric_]

First that's pretty awesome you guys/girls are going out there caching! And good for you for helping!

 

How poor is their vision? Do you need they need magnifiers or text-to-speech?

 

It's over your budget but a Nexus 10 tablet is a good option it has GPS+GLONASS (better than most of the cheaper GPSr)

 

It's hassle free because you can just download one of the many android geocaching apps (I recommend LocusPro you can scale maps/icons so the are large on screen for better visibility)

 

It's easy to create offline maps using MOBAC (Mobile Atlas Creator) and if you want to up your geek level Tilemill might be useful for creating higher contrast maps depending on how poor their vision is...

 

Tablets have much larger batteries than phones it shouldn't be an issue (Nexus 10 is usually quoted at having 6-10hr of screen on time depending on usage which most of the time it will be standby so it should be good for a whole day)

 

Find one used (Craigslist?) or make friends with someone with one and all 3 of you go caching! Sam's Club has a 90-day return policy if you wanted to try it out...

[+eagsc7]

Quite simply, Find a Android Tablet with an integrated GPS reciever. Download c:geo free and go caching! In c:geo there is an option to store maps offline. Have FUN!

[+kunarion]

whh0, thanks for the reply. I understand that using a laptop is not an ideal situation, but I don't think there's another option. For the sake of argument, lets just assume that a handheld GPS or phone is not an option.

Here's a little article on how to turn a PC into a GPSr:

http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/tutorial5

 

I haven't tried it, it's just an example.

[esharks]

This is frustrating - if someone asks "what's the best way to do geocaching on Win7 with a GPS device", please don't try to sell them an iBook, iPad, a Winphone, an Android device or other irrelevant "solution" to their simple request.

 

I have enough portable devices, but sometimes in the wild (far from muggles) my laptop's battery is much more dependable than mobile phones - yesterday I hit a trifecta - and sometimes it's just nice to have a 13-15" screen to work with for offline content. So I come to this discussion to get a simple recommendation, and instead it's anything but "best Windows 7 + GPS geocaching setup".

 

I've got 4 Windows laptops sitting around and a $30-$50 USB GPS dongle makes a simple additional backup geocaching device with the right Win7 app. So what app's the best? Shame this question wasn't answered a year ago.

Edited October 5, 2014 by esharks

[+kunarion]

Shame this question wasn't answered a year ago.

I answered this question a year ago.

 

OK, the question a year ago was how to have a laptop GPS system with under $200 total, NOT "which app is the best".

 

You will need real-time navigation software, here's some: http://www.fugawi.com/web/products/fugawi_global_navigator.htm

You'll need the maps for it. If you're caching at a park, whatever basic map the software requires is OK. If you're climbing Everest, you need Topo and more. In which case, you also need a cover or case for the laptop to protect from shock and environmental issues.

Unless you also have a data connection on the laptop (and in a service area), you'll need Easy GPS, GSAK, or some other Geocache database software, and pre-load all the caches. However, many cache pages must be viewed from a web browser to properly show all the info.

 

The dongle has no built-in compass, so you need to be moving in order for the laptop to show compass bearing. But if you go to a park, set up the laptop, have it show the relative direction and distance to a cache, and you stick to caches that have great hints, just walk "100 feet NW from your current position" or whatever the laptop Nav shows, and "look in the stump" or whatever the page says. In that specific situation, print some select cache pages with satellite maps in advance, and leave the laptop at home (or save those static pages and bring the laptop to view them) without any special hardware or software.

Edited October 5, 2014 by kunarion

[+Trucker Lee]

Just a quick note in case someone else with this question stumbles across this thread. Microsoft will no longer support Streets and Trips. Delorme's Street Atlas is a very similar program, better in many ways and at the same price. It too will support plugging a GPS into the USB.

[+kunarion]

Just a quick note in case someone else with this question stumbles across this thread. Microsoft will no longer support Streets and Trips. Delorme's Street Atlas is a very similar program, better in many ways and at the same price. It too will support plugging a GPS into the USB.

Does it allow off-road routing and waypoints? It would be pretty cool if it navigates roads til you arrive, then can go off-road. A laptop may be a little cumbersome in a car for driving directions, but that's what this thread requests.

Edited October 5, 2014 by kunarion

[+BAMBOOZLE]

OK.... it would be possible, and here's how I could see it being done.

 

Laptop with a GPSr connected to it via USB or serial port. Software such as MS Streets and Trips or DeLorme Street Atlas or one of the National Geographic TOPO programs. All have interface for GPSrs. No need for wifi or phone or any other network connection while out hunting.

 

Now the reality is that the laptop battery won't last for a long time without being recharged, and the overall accuracy of the combination may not be the greatest.

 

Before the low cost introduction of dash GPSrs, I use a Garmin GPS II+ connected to an older Toshiba Tecra 8000 running Street Atlas 9 software for traveling. Worked great, easy to read, and warned of upcoming turns.

 

We did the above years ago...a serial connected Magellan Platinum did the work.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

In this case I would go with one of the new phones with really big sunlight readable screens.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Would an Ipad work instead?

 

Just my 2 cents.....

 

I wasn't thinking of an ipad specifically, but one can get a bluetooth GPS and perhaps use it with a small tablet. There are a few tablets with a built-in GPS as well. There are also a few auto-navigation GPS receivers that have large screens.

[+wmpastor]

This is frustrating - if someone asks "what's the best way to do geocaching on Win7 with a GPS device", please don't try to sell them an iBook, iPad, a Winphone, an Android device or other irrelevant "solution" to their simple request.

 

I have enough portable devices, but sometimes in the wild (far from muggles) my laptop's battery is much more dependable than mobile phones - yesterday I hit a trifecta - and sometimes it's just nice to have a 13-15" screen to work with for offline content. So I come to this discussion to get a simple recommendation, and instead it's anything but "best Windows 7 + GPS geocaching setup".

 

I've got 4 Windows laptops sitting around and a $30-$50 USB GPS dongle makes a simple additional backup geocaching device with the right Win7 app. So what app's the best? Shame this question wasn't answered a year ago.

 

This bears repeating. They don't want to let you out in the field with your laptop, do they?!

 

I guess you have to get tougher with this crowd and tell them this thread is about laptop caching, NOT about alternatives to laptop caching!

[+ras_oscar]

To the OP: I have been using Microsoft Streets and Trips for about a decade now. One of the earlier versions I purchased included a GPS reciever that allowed the laptop to act as a navigation GPS in a car. However, it was designed for street navigation and does not zoom in far enough to be useful at GZ. I believe the current version still supports the GPS receiver. I use MS&T to visualize cache locations and plan trips. However, once I leave the house the laptop stays at home and I use my handheld GPS.