Geocache with your Blackberry GPS!, A how-to guide to using free tools to cache with Blackberry Maps Options

[tands]

How to Geocache Using GPS-Enabled Blackberry Devices and Free Blackberry Maps


If you’ve been asking yourself if there’s a way to use the GPS in your Blackberry to go geocaching, the answer is yes! You can Geocache without buying any software if you have a Blackberry Device with the GPS function enabled. Using a combination of the old-standby program, Geocaching Swiss Army Knife, or GSAK(versions 6.6.x, not 7.x yet as closetcachers noted), a free text editor called NoteTab Light, and the free Blackberry Maps software from RIM, you can load waypoints and search for geocaches with your Blackberry Mobile Device.

Blackberry Maps is an excellent program for automotive navigation and general map display. It shows highly detailed street and road maps and does a fantastic job of calculating turn-by-turn routing directions to almost any address in the US. It is truly a wonder that you can download it for free. However, until now, Blackberry Maps was unsuitable for geocaching. This is because the software has no ability to hand-enter GPS coordinates and no feature to import GPX or other coordinate formats. But a way has been found to do this.

Follow these instructions and you’ll be caching soon:

First you need to confirm GPS function on your Blackberry. The easiest way to do this is to load Blackberry Maps software on it and then check to see if the GPS feature works. Installing Blackberry Maps is easy. Use the Internet browser on your Blackberry to go to this link:

http://www.blackberry.com/devicesoftware/entry.do?code=maps

After the software is installed on your Blackberry, go outside where there is a clear view of the sky, start Blackberry Maps and press the Action Wheel on your device. Then select Start GPS. If your Blackberry has a built-in GPS that is activated you will soon have a display of your current position shown on a map of your location. If all this works, proceed to the next step.

If you don't already have Geocaching Swiss Army Knife, go to www.gsak.net, download it, and install it. While you're at it, you may want to register it since it is one of the best programs out there, but you don't have to. At this point, it's helpful to have a premium membership to Groundspeak, so you can download pocket queries of caches in GPX format, but that's not necessary. You just have to enter in the information about the caches you want to find in GSAK. Once the caches are entered, you can export them in a format that is almost ready to use with your Blackberry and Blackberry Maps to go geocaching. To do this export from GSAK, do the following:

1. Select the caches you want to export with a filter or the User Flag in GSAK. Click Search and choose User Flag Set.

2. Click File, Export, Custom Export.

3. The Custom Export window should now be open. Under Waypoint name enter %code. Use 100 for Maximum Characters.

4. Under Waypoint description format enter this text: "http://maps.BlackBerry.com?lat=%lat&lon=%lon&z=2&label=%code_%smart=16" without the quotes.

5. The Statement to run should look like "C:\Program Files\GSAK\GPSBabel.exe" -N -i gpx -f "C:\Program Files\GSAK\temp\babel.gpx"

6. Click the Generate button and a batch operation should run that creates a file called C:\Program Files\GSAK\temp\babel.gpx. This file has the waypoints you exported in a format that's almost ready for your Blackberry to use.

Now it's time to use NoteTab Light to finish formatting the data. Go to www.notetab.com and download and install the free NoteTab Light. Then use NoteTab Light to open the babel.gpx file you created in GSAK. Then do the following:

1. Click Modify, Lines, Sort, Ascending. This will sort the lines in the GPX file so you can find the ones you need for your Blackberry.

2. Click Search, Find and enter BlackBerry in the Find What box. This should take you to the section of the sorted file containing the <desc> lines that contain the specially formatted text you exported from GSAK.

3. Select all these lines starting with <desc>http://maps.blackberry.com and copy them to the clipboard by clicking Edit, Copy.

4. Open a new blank file by clicking File, New, and paste the copied lines into this new file by clicking Edit, Paste.

5. Now you need to remove the <desc> at the start of these lines and the </desc> at the end of these lines. Do this by clicking Search, Replace and enter <desc> in the Find what box and nothing in the Replace with box. Click the Replace All button. Then repeat using </desc> in the Find what box.

6. You now have a file that you can save with the waypoint export in the exact format you need for your Blackberry. Save this file with a name like BlackberryWaypoints.txt but keep it open.

Now you are almost ready to 'load' these waypoints on your Blackberry. Do the following to 'load' them:

1. Select all the text in the new file BlackberryWaypoints.txt and click Edit, Copy to place this text in your clipboard.

2. Open up an email client on your PC and compose an email message to whatever email account you use on your Blackberry. Use something like GPS Waypoints for the message subject. In the message body, use Edit, Paste or CTRL-V to paste the waypoints into the message and then send it to your Blackberry email account.

3. When your Blackberry gets the email message, open the message on your Blackberry and you'll see a listing of properly formatted waypoint URLs for the caches you want to find.

4. Click on a waypoint URL and Blackberry Maps will automatically start and load the cache location. Once it does this, Click the Action Wheel on your Blackberry and select Add to Favorites so you can select this waypoint to search for without even starting your email client.

If you turn on the GPS on your Blackberry, you can now get turn-by-turn driving directions as well as a go-to arrow of your progress to the cache on your Blackberry by doing the following:

1. Click the Action Wheel in Blackberry Maps and choose Directions.

2. The Directions From window opens. Click the Action Wheel again and choose Use Map Center.

3. The Directions To window opens. Click the Action Wheel and choose Favorites. You'll see the cache name listed in Favorites. Select it and Blackberry Maps will direct you to the cache location. Once you're close, press the Space bar to get rid of the directions and follow the arrow to the cache. Use the I and O keys to zoom in and out. It helps to read the help menus that are part of Blackberry Maps.

The GPS in my Blackberry 7520 is so accurate it regularly zeros out exactly on top of caches. It works great.

I hope this guide helps new cachers use an untapped resource, the GPS in their Blackberry, to start geocaching without having to buy a dedicated GPS. I hope this also allows folks who don't have their GPS with them to go caching when they find themselves having extra time wherever they are.

- T of TandS

This post has been edited by tands: Nov 15 2007, 10:20 AM

[closetcachers]

Thanks for the awesome instructions! I'm going to try my BB at lunch.
btw, GSAK v7.1.2 didn't come up with the code and format fields on custom export, but 6.6.5.19 worked as described.

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to write this process down.

[tands]

Thanks for the awesome instructions! I'm going to try my BB at lunch.
btw, GSAK v7.1.2 didn't come up with the code and format fields on custom export, but 6.6.5.19 worked as described.

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to write this process down.

I hope it works as well for you as it does for me. Let me know!

- T of TandS

[Team_Foozels]

Thanks for the awesome instructions! I'm going to try my BB at lunch.
btw, GSAK v7.1.2 didn't come up with the code and format fields on custom export, but 6.6.5.19 worked as described.

This right here is why you should always read the entire thread before starting. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out why the "custom export" dialog didn't have the specified feilds. I too was using the latest version. After downgrading to 6.6* it worked great and I've already found my first cache with the blackberry. It was cool to post the log visit while still at the cache.

Thanks for the instructions!

[zafwon]

I've used a BlackBerry 8700 to cache with before. I basically export the GC's to my address book. Did a vid a while back. It's OS X centric, but the same principle could be applied to a PC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrEVs6_xA5I

[AmesToFind]

While I have to thank tands & zafwon for their tenacity in trying to help us geocachers use Blackberry Maps, I am confused as to why the use of 2 separate softwares is necessary. At very least, you can create the same results with MS Notepad/MS Word. Or ANYONE can create these BB Maps links from ANY Blackberry with a data plan. Although, I enjoyed using GSAK and I am sure that I will find other uses for it, using it for this particular application PLUS NoteTab Light is just kinda overkill IMHO.

Let me explain:
After following tands instructions, the format of the email links that I sent from my computer to my blackberry looked like this:

http://maps.BlackBerry.com?lat=26.8408&lon=-80.1315&z=2&label=GC17JPM_PalmBch

http://maps.BlackBerry.com?lat=27.19685&lon=-80.2246&z=2&label=GC10Y2V_Stuart

http://maps.BlackBerry.com?lat=27.224367&lon=-80.212267&z=2&label=GC12281_Water

http://maps.BlackBerry.com?lat=27.22455&lon=-80.220667&z=2&label=GCXDB5_Muggles

http://maps.BlackBerry.com?lat=27.3121&lon=-80.546517&z=2&label=GC17JQ4_NestEgg

When we break down this format into parts, it looks like this:
http://maps.BlackBerry.com?lat=XX.XXXX&lon=-YY.YYYYYY&z=2&label=LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Right?
Where XX.XXXX is the latitude. YY.YYYYYY is the longitude & LLLLLLLLLLL can be whatever "Label" you want.

The XX.XXXX & YY.YYYYYY are Decimal Coordinates. These can be found in the "other conversions" section on every cache's website.

So, while out geocaching, what do I do if I want to find a new cache that has just been posted? Or what if I forgot to email myself some coordinates before I left the tethers of my office computer? Any blackberry user can use their phone's browser to visit the cache's website. Look up the Lat & Lon and cut & paste to your heart's content!

OR... you could grab the Lats and Longs while on your computer and format the emails without these two programs, by using something like Notepad or Word.

The big deal for me was realizing that I dont need to use GSAK & NoteTabLight or even a computer, for that matter, to get the EXACT coordinates into BB Maps!!!

Note: To anyone that is going to adopt this method, notice that I left the "-" before the YY.YYYYYY. Please be sure to NOT enter multiple "-"s.

This post has been edited by AmesToFind: Nov 27 2007, 09:53 AM

[zafwon]

I should mention that I use my BlackBerry for the "data storage/management" and have a separate GPSr to do the actual finding. Maybe a little off this topic...

[dinotodd]

The blackberry maps say they don't work on AT&T! Is that true! What a ripoff! Is there something else that does work?

[Barnie's Band of Gold]

Wow this works great - neat backup for my GPSr. Only question, is there a way to have all my downloaded favorites shown on the map without me selecting them? In other words, a poor mans "next nearest" cache by looking at the bb map.

[waveqam]

Great detailed Instructions and I plan on trying these out.

I have a Blackberry 8100 (Rogers). The 8100 does not have a built in GPS but will work with a bluetooth GPS.

One neat thing I noticed, I DL'ed google maps for the blackberry, and it will GUESS your current location , I think it is based on cell tower location. Have you tried a similar method to the one posted for below but for goggle maps?

How to Geocache Using GPS-Enabled Blackberry Devices and Free Blackberry Maps


If you’ve been asking yourself if there’s a way to use the GPS in your Blackberry to go geocaching, the answer is yes! You can Geocache without buying any software if you have a Blackberry Device with the GPS function enabled. Using a combination of the old-standby program, Geocaching Swiss Army Knife, or GSAK(versions 6.6.x, not 7.x yet as closetcachers noted), a free text editor called NoteTab Light, and the free Blackberry Maps software from RIM, you can load waypoints and search for geocaches with your Blackberry Mobile Device.

[g23]

There is a new app which is free/donate for people to use called GeoBerry if anyone is interested. You can find it at www.g23software.com and can download it with your blackberry or with your destop manager.

[scaber]

CacheBerry is also a Cachemate like program written from BB's. I am currently checking it out. It looks similar if a little more limited than Cachemate.

[The-MudSlingers]

i use geo navigator by trimble outdoors best i found and it is $30 per year subscription works great has 30 day trial

[Fishnic]

i have a blackberry 7100i (geocache navigator incompatable) I would love to find an application where i can just enter the coords into and it will take me there. everyhing i have found thus far either involves multiple steps or just addresses

[Motorcycle_Mama]

Do you have Google Maps on your BlackBerry? You can enter coordinates into the search box there.

[KJcachers]

i use geo navigator by trimble outdoors best i found and it is $30 per year subscription works great has 30 day trial

I have been thinking of getting a Blackberry to assist in caching but I just found out that Verizon Wireless does not support Geocache Navigator! Is there any other software that is comparable that does work on Verizon Wireless, switching cell plans is not an option?

[Lt.Ranger.Bob]

i use geo navigator by trimble outdoors best i found and it is $30 per year subscription works great has 30 day trial

I have been thinking of getting a Blackberry to assist in caching but I just found out that Verizon Wireless does not support Geocache Navigator! Is there any other software that is comparable that does work on Verizon Wireless, switching cell plans is not an option?

Do you know that you will have to have an external GPS with Verizon? I am using a GlobalSat BT-338 external GPS with CacheBerry. I am also testing BlackStar. BlackStar is in development and is a freeware application. Search for it on CrackBerry. CacheBerry is a GSAK type application that will soon have a build in compass for geocaching.

This post has been edited by Lt.Ranger.Bob: Oct 28 2008, 03:59 PM

[KJcachers]

[/quote]
Do you know that you will have to have an external GPS with Verizon?
[/quote]


What? So a BB from Verizon Wireless won't have a built in GPS? WTF! I guess I need to rethink my options

[Motorcycle_Mama]

The Curve from Verizon has a built in GPS, but Verizon blocks it. You have to subscribe to their VZ Nav program or use an external puck.

[daniel.west]

Err, just so you know.

BlackStar is a free geocaching and navigational utility that you can download from www.blackstarnavigation.com

This app will allow you to import GPX files and the such as well as navigate to a selected cache or destination.

Supports OS 4.2 and above, as long as you have some sort of built in or bluetooth gps.

[TheLadybuggers]

[quote name='KJcachers' date='Oct 29 2008, 07:19 AM' post='3693196']
[/quote]
Do you know that you will have to have an external GPS with Verizon?
[/quote]


What? So a BB from Verizon Wireless won't have a built in GPS? WTF! I guess I need to rethink my options
[/quote]

Actually, BBs from Verizon Wireless DO have a built in GPS receiver. However, the dictators at Verizon have written a code into the operating system to disable the GPS from communicating with third-party applications. They only allow the GPS to communicate with VZNavigator ($10/mo plus the taxes, surcharges, etc.) and Blackberry Maps. They will tell you that Google Maps will work, however what they don't tell you is that it uses the cell phone towers (rather than your GPS receiver) to find your approximate location (my shows within a few thousand meters, which puts me about ten minutes or more away from where I really am!)

Their reason (as stated to me by several BB Specialists and Supervisors at Verizon): "We can't offer support for third-party apps, so we decided it was better to disable them because customers were getting mad when we said we couldn't help them with those apps."

My comeback: Well why don't you just explain to people that Verizon is not familiar with third-party apps, and to contact the developer of the app they are trying to use? And what about all of the non-GPS related third-party apps? Those aren't blocked and you guys can't possibly offer support for all those! It sounds to me like Verizon is just trying to trap people into paying for the VZNavigator! On top of that, I'm already forced to pay for a data package, regardless of whether or not I use it, because you no longer allow it to be blocked and remove the package!

I am starting a petition against Verizon for locking the GPS receiver. Look later this week for Facebook and MySpace pages, but for now you can email me at PetitionVerizon@yahoo.com!

[NationalTreasures]

[quote name='TheLadybuggers' date='May 18 2009, 11:39 AM' post='3939030']
[quote name='KJcachers' date='Oct 29 2008, 07:19 AM' post='3693196']
[/quote]
Do you know that you will have to have an external GPS with Verizon?
[/quote]


What? So a BB from Verizon Wireless won't have a built in GPS? WTF! I guess I need to rethink my options
[/quote]

Actually, BBs from Verizon Wireless DO have a built in GPS receiver. However, the dictators at Verizon have written a code into the operating system to disable the GPS from communicating with third-party applications. They only allow the GPS to communicate with VZNavigator ($10/mo plus the taxes, surcharges, etc.) and Blackberry Maps. They will tell you that Google Maps will work, however what they don't tell you is that it uses the cell phone towers (rather than your GPS receiver) to find your approximate location (my shows within a few thousand meters, which puts me about ten minutes or more away from where I really am!)

Their reason (as stated to me by several BB Specialists and Supervisors at Verizon): "We can't offer support for third-party apps, so we decided it was better to disable them because customers were getting mad when we said we couldn't help them with those apps."

My comeback: Well why don't you just explain to people that Verizon is not familiar with third-party apps, and to contact the developer of the app they are trying to use? And what about all of the non-GPS related third-party apps? Those aren't blocked and you guys can't possibly offer support for all those! It sounds to me like Verizon is just trying to trap people into paying for the VZNavigator! On top of that, I'm already forced to pay for a data package, regardless of whether or not I use it, because you no longer allow it to be blocked and remove the package!

I am starting a petition against Verizon for locking the GPS receiver. Look later this week for Facebook and MySpace pages, but for now you can email me at PetitionVerizon@yahoo.com!
[/quote]



Verizon is going to be the bane of my existance!! I totally hate them right now! I downloaded and PAID for Trimbles app and cant use it because Verizon sucks! However, my friend had her same exact BB with her and I was able to download (and pay for again) and successfully use Trimbles product. She's with Sprint!

I completely agree with you on this! Verizon is kicking all of us, who have just purchased and renewed our contracts to pay obscene amounts of money for things other providers dont! Urgh!

[baloo&bd]

Verizon is going to be the bane of my existance!! I totally hate them right now! I downloaded and PAID for Trimbles app and cant use it because Verizon sucks! However, my friend had her same exact BB with her and I was able to download (and pay for again) and successfully use Trimbles product. She's with Sprint!

I completely agree with you on this! Verizon is kicking all of us, who have just purchased and renewed our contracts to pay obscene amounts of money for things other providers dont! Urgh!

From the Trimble Page;

"if you start typing and see your carrier, select it and press ENTER. You can also type any name into this field. Please note, only BlackBerry Storm is supported on the Verizon Wireless network at this time."

[camzberry]

All very good advice but there is a much much easier way to do it as well.

Verizon has indeed unlocked the GPS feature on the phone and it does work with BBmaps.

I'm using an 8330 with the 4.5.0 software (same ver for BBmaps).

1. BBmaps won't interface with the GPS unless you have it enabled. From your BBhome screen, Settings / Advanced / GPS. Make sure GPS services is set to Location ON and not 911 only.

That's really it! The next part is entering the coordinates from your favorite cache. As a premium member my account is set to email new alerts to my phone or you can just visit a cache on the home PC and get the coordinates there. THE KEY IS YOU NEED THE COORDINATES IN DECIMAL DEGREES! Easiest way is visit the traditional cache and hit Other Conversions and copy the the coordinates next to Decimal.

2. Now that you have your coordinates, example of cache named Waaaas Aaaap in the Housotn area is 29.77605 -95.6853, (NOTE RIGHT HERE WHEN YOU COPY THERE IS NO COMMA BETWEEN THE TWO!) open up BBmaps and we'll plug those puppies in.

3. Now that you have BBmaps open you can start GPS navigation. Menu / Start GPS Navigation.

4. Now the easy part. Enter the coordinates. This is done through the Find Location option and using enter address with the advanced button checked.
Find Location / Enter Address / Check Advanced. Now just scroll one click down to the address and paste in your coordinates. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS PUT A COMMA BETWEEN THE COORDINATES LIKE THIS: 29.77605, -95.6853. Then just hit Search.

That's it. You should now be looking at at the cache on Barker Clodine Rd (or O'Brien Rd on some maps). Easy Peasy.

I'll bet you'd like to even navigate to that cache (if you're in the Houston area right)? Easy as well. Just use the menu button, and get directions. Select Start Location "Where I am". Then Select End Location and scroll down to the coordinates and click on them.

That's all. Simple and effective.

As an added bonus, the same format coord's can be plugged into Google Maps using the search feature. That gives you a nice satellite view to see where the cache is hiding. Works like a charm.

This post has been edited by camzberry: Jul 18 2009, 11:02 PM

[CookCrew]

Verizon has indeed unlocked the GPS feature on the phone and it does work with BBmaps.

I'm using an 8330 with the 4.5.0 software (same ver for BBmaps).

Yes and No. Unless something has changed, Verizon still has the GPS locked down to third party apps. With the 4.5 OS upgrade, Verizon now allows BBMaps access to the GPS, but still NOT to other 3rd party apps. I can't remember if Google maps on Verizon is allowed access to the GPS, or if it is only using cell tower triangulation.

Exceptions to this are the Storm and Tour which have the GPS unlocked.

I do not have Verizon, but I have been following the issue pretty closely.

This post has been edited by CookCrew: Jul 19 2009, 07:53 AM

[camzberry]

Verizon has indeed unlocked the GPS feature on the phone and it does work with BBmaps.

I'm using an 8330 with the 4.5.0 software (same ver for BBmaps).

Yes and No. Unless something has changed, Verizon still has the GPS locked down to third party apps. With the 4.5 OS upgrade, Verizon now allows BBMaps access to the GPS, but still NOT to other 3rd party apps. I can't remember if Google maps on Verizon is allowed access to the GPS, or if it is only using cell tower triangulation.

Exceptions to this are the Storm and Tour which have the GPS unlocked.

I do not have Verizon, but I have been following the issue pretty closely.

Correct. But I wasn't referring to using GPS with google maps only the fact that while you had the coordinates copied on the clipboard (if you were using your BBerry in the field) you could simply paste them into Google maps and that would give you a spot on look using the satellite.

BBerry maps and the gps enabled actually works quite well for a quick throwdown if you didn't have your full blown GPSr with you.

This post has been edited by camzberry: Jul 19 2009, 07:28 PM

[PDXguy1966]

All very good advice but there is a much much easier way to do it as well.

Verizon has indeed unlocked the GPS feature on the phone and it does work with BBmaps.

I'm using an 8330 with the 4.5.0 software (same ver for BBmaps).

1. BBmaps won't interface with the GPS unless you have it enabled. From your BBhome screen, Settings / Advanced / GPS. Make sure GPS services is set to Location ON and not 911 only.

That's really it! The next part is entering the coordinates from your favorite cache. As a premium member my account is set to email new alerts to my phone or you can just visit a cache on the home PC and get the coordinates there. THE KEY IS YOU NEED THE COORDINATES IN DECIMAL DEGREES! Easiest way is visit the traditional cache and hit Other Conversions and copy the the coordinates next to Decimal.

2. Now that you have your coordinates, example of cache named Waaaas Aaaap in the Housotn area is 29.77605 -95.6853, (NOTE RIGHT HERE WHEN YOU COPY THERE IS NO COMMA BETWEEN THE TWO!) open up BBmaps and we'll plug those puppies in.

3. Now that you have BBmaps open you can start GPS navigation. Menu / Start GPS Navigation.

4. Now the easy part. Enter the coordinates. This is done through the Find Location option and using enter address with the advanced button checked.
Find Location / Enter Address / Check Advanced. Now just scroll one click down to the address and paste in your coordinates. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS PUT A COMMA BETWEEN THE COORDINATES LIKE THIS: 29.77605, -95.6853. Then just hit Search.

That's it. You should now be looking at at the cache on Barker Clodine Rd (or O'Brien Rd on some maps). Easy Peasy.

I'll bet you'd like to even navigate to that cache (if you're in the Houston area right)? Easy as well. Just use the menu button, and get directions. Select Start Location "Where I am". Then Select End Location and scroll down to the coordinates and click on them.

That's all. Simple and effective.

As an added bonus, the same format coord's can be plugged into Google Maps using the search feature. That gives you a nice satellite view to see where the cache is hiding. Works like a charm.

This works like a charm! Now I can go after my first cache

[DjangoFan]

[quote name='PDXguy1966' date='Jul 25 2009, 09:48 PM' post='4009003']
[quote name='camzberry' post='4001412' date='Jul 18 2009, 11:52 PM']
All very good advice but there is a much much easier way to do it as well.

3. Now that you have BBmaps open you can start GPS navigation. Menu / Start GPS Navigation.

"Menu" from where?

[Motorcycle_Mama]

In BBMaps.

Open BBMaps. Press the MENU button. Select "Select GPS Navigation".