[cbearw]

Hi there. I have been having issues using my I phone geo caching app. It freezes up and runs very slowly. Its hard to use the touch screen and scroll around and even freezes up when I try to load the description or post logs. It just started this the last few days but has worked fine for about a year now. I have tried closing out any other apps but that doesn't seem to help. Any one have any suggestions?
Thanks......................Tom

[ShaunEM]

Reboot your phone. Check the software for downloaded (offline) caches, clear those off.

Perhaps even a re-install of the software?

I have also seen some slowness if you have the map rotate to your direction on the fly. Try turning that off and try different map options.

Mine was slow at one point but has been better recently, but it may have just "taught me" how to use it more efficiently..

[JesandTodd]

Does this happen just with the GC app? Or do your other apps run like this?

My GC app runs terribly slow, freezes all.the.time, is very slow to upload any kind of data and crashes all the time. I'd say it crashes at least twice daily...This terrible behavior is somewhat new. Only been acting this way a few months. It suck, really.


My suggestion? Run a PQ, then turn everything off (wifi, 3G, cellular) and run the app/query offline. It behaves better. (faster and more predictably)
Also, instead of turning the app off mid-navigation via the on/off button up top, turn off the app via the home button first, and then turn it off. I seems like it really, really doesn't like to be turned off mid-navigation.

Having to run the app live is a PITA.

[cbearw]

 cbearw, on 25 November 2011 - 09:07 PM, said:

Hi there. I have been having issues using my I phone geo caching app. It freezes up and runs very slowly. Its hard to use the touch screen and scroll around and even freezes up when I try to load the description or post logs. It just started this the last few days but has worked fine for about a year now. I have tried closing out any other apps but that doesn't seem to help. Any one have any suggestions?
Thanks......................Tom

Thanks very much! Those are great suggestions and I'll certainly try them all. :-)

[Blue Blaze Irregulars]

 cbearw, on 25 November 2011 - 10:45 PM, said:

 cbearw, on 25 November 2011 - 09:07 PM, said:

Hi there. I have been having issues using my I phone geo caching app. It freezes up and runs very slowly. Its hard to use the touch screen and scroll around and even freezes up when I try to load the description or post logs. It just started this the last few days but has worked fine for about a year now. I have tried closing out any other apps but that doesn't seem to help. Any one have any suggestions?
Thanks......................Tom

Thanks very much! Those are great suggestions and I'll certainly try them all. :-)

I had the very same problem with my GC app. I took the advice here and it helped out a lot! I cleared all my Found logs, closed the app by double tapping the Home button then rebooted the iPhone by holding the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appeared. Powered down, powered up, and now the app is running smoothly again. Thanks!

[TRiO202]

I use app version 5.2.7. The app crashes when uploading a photo from the iPhoto library.

[cbearw]

 Blue Blaze Irregulars, on 26 November 2011 - 09:24 AM, said:

 cbearw, on 25 November 2011 - 10:45 PM, said:

 cbearw, on 25 November 2011 - 09:07 PM, said:

Hi there. I have been having issues using my I phone geo caching app. It freezes up and runs very slowly. Its hard to use the touch screen and scroll around and even freezes up when I try to load the description or post logs. It just started this the last few days but has worked fine for about a year now. I have tried closing out any other apps but that doesn't seem to help. Any one have any suggestions?
Thanks......................Tom

Thanks very much! Those are great suggestions and I'll certainly try them all. :-)

I had the very same problem with my GC app. I took the advice here and it helped out a lot! I cleared all my Found logs, closed the app by double tapping the Home button then rebooted the iPhone by holding the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appeared. Powered down, powered up, and now the app is running smoothly again. Thanks!

Thanks Blue Blaze Irregulars! I am not sure how to clear out "Found" files. Funny thing I turned it on today and the app seemed to be working fine!? I don't think I did anything or had time to make any of the suggested changes. Now Im wondering if somebody who works for the geocaching app team read our posts and did some magical update or something from far away! Anyway Im glad its working properly now and maybe this link will help someone else who has similer issues.

I forgot to mention to JesandTodd that its just the Geocaching app that was running very poorly. My other apps seem to work fine. I have no explanation for the good fortune of having my geocaching app apparently working fine soo far today.
Thankyou everyone for your responses. This is a great forum! :-)

[JesandTodd]

The app keeps track of all your sent logs (why?? Anybody know??)
Anyhow, on your 'logs' tab on the bottom screen, if you select 'sent' you'll see a lot of logs! I forget to delete them frequently enough.

It may take a while, and act buggy as heck, but be patient and select 'delete all'

[cbearw]

 JesandTodd, on 26 November 2011 - 01:16 PM, said:

The app keeps track of all your sent logs (why?? Anybody know??)
Anyhow, on your 'logs' tab on the bottom screen, if you select 'sent' you'll see a lot of logs! I forget to delete them frequently enough.

It may take a while, and act buggy as heck, but be patient and select 'delete all'

Thanks a bunch!. That worked great! All my sent files are now deleted!

[wingnut16]

Not sure the source of this sluggish performance, but it make caching with the iphone no fun. All of the above mention actions seem like bandages for an underlying code issue. For an app that cost $10 I expect a more, please fix.

All users of the Iphone App please add to this thread to get the attention of the developer!

Doug
Wingnut16

This post has been edited by wingnut16: 26 November 2011 - 05:01 PM

[Lieblweb]

Aside from rebooting your phone....

What kind of cell signal do you have at the time its freezing up?

Lack of cell signal or low cell signal does make the iphone run very very sluggish.
Also, if you look at the bottom of the geocaching App bottom left corner.....green or red?
If its RED, then you're OFFLINE.
I'm not exactly sure what that means, but rebooting the phone (for me) seems to fix that.

Clear out the cache on the geocaching app.....

[JesandTodd]

 Lieblweb, on 26 November 2011 - 05:38 PM, said:

Aside from rebooting your phone....

What kind of cell signal do you have at the time its freezing up?

Lack of cell signal or low cell signal does make the iphone run very very sluggish.

Has no correlation. Oftentimes, I am on wifi or full 3G with full bars.
When my app freezes, it does so during navigation. It does so online, offline, anytime. It just doesn't like being turned off mid-navigation.

[cbearw]

 wingnut16, on 26 November 2011 - 04:55 PM, said:

Not sure the source of this sluggish performance, but it make caching with the iphone no fun. All of the above mention actions seem like bandages for an underlying code issue. For an app that cost $10 I expect a more, please fix.

All users of the Iphone App please add to this thread to get the attention of the developer!

Doug
Wingnut16

I have to agree with wingnut16 and I hope others who have experiaced similer issues with their I-Phone Geocaching app. make them known here on the forum.

[lennie.BE]

I've been complaining for the freezing and slow response on the old forum some time ago. Nothing changed.
I have the impression that there is "something" (a memory leak or whatever, I'm not a programmer) that slowly uses more and more memory until it comes to a halt. Restarting the app most of the time fixes the problem for some hours but the least that could be said is that is NOT a permanent solution for this issue.
The app offers some nice features and I do like using it because it's better than printing out listings all the time, but it definatly could use some more improvement!

[Moun10Bike]

We are aware of reports that the app is slows down for many. We have this in our internal queue for investigation.

[cbearw]

I recieved this information from the Groundspeak support staff today and thought I would pass it along: As i was using the 4.5.7 Version I 'm going to try the newer version and see if that helps. I passed along some more info on the nature of problems. So here is part of what they told me:

"We also released an update to version 4.5.8 that addresses the upload image bug. Some have reported this helped fix the freezing and slowness issue as well. If you haven't already, please update to version 4.5.8 and let me know whether this fixes the issue.

We will reply to the forum thread directly.

We look forward to hearing back from you."

[GeoStar Family]

 cbearw, on 30 November 2011 - 12:43 PM, said:

"We also released an update to version 4.5.8 that addresses the upload image bug. Some have reported this helped fix the freezing and slowness issue as well. If you haven't already, please update to version 4.5.8 and let me know whether this fixes the issue.

Cached for a few hours yesterday using only the app, version 4.5.8, and it did not rectify the freeze-up/slow-down behavior at all. App booted me out twice as well. Definitely locks up and slows down, displaying erratic behavior after a few minutes use. I have deleted cached data, sent logs, rebooted, et al and it has not made any positive difference. I have noticed that the current version kills battery at a rate of about 30-40% faster than all previous versions.

[JesandTodd]

Oh wow!! I most definitely will not upgrade my app then! I'm holding on tight to 4.5.6

[GeoStar Family]

 cbearw, on 30 November 2011 - 12:43 PM, said:

"We also released an update to version 4.5.8 that addresses the upload image bug. Some have reported this helped fix the freezing and slowness issue as well. If you haven't already, please update to version 4.5.8 and let me know whether this fixes the issue.

This afternoon, using the latest and greatest version of the app I uploaded a picture with ZERO issue. Worked perfectly!
App still slow, froze up, etc, but the image upload was flawless on the iphone 4 running iOS 5.01 with the Geocaching App 4.5.8

[cbearw]

Just a bit more communication from Groundspeak on this issue. I have taken their advice and downloaded the latest version of the geocache app. and the new apple iOS5 sofware is now on my i-phone. Have yet to try this out in the field but if any one else has it would be interesting to hear their reviews.

Hi cbearw,

Thank you for replying and giving your feedback. It is very much appreciated!

If you are using Apple's iOS version 4.3.1, I suggest to update to iOS version 5. There are a lot of great new features that Apple implemented and we are continuing to work on implementing features for the Geocaching app to work best with iOS5.

Let me know if you are still having issues with the app slowing after only a few hours. It helps to know what part of the app you are using on a continual basis for the app to slow and freeze up. We will have to look into this further.

I'm glad the app is working great otherwise. We do love the iPhone app and are constantly striving to have it be one of the best apps out there. I can see how this issue would lessen its ratings.

If you happen to notice any trends again, please either post in the forums or reply to this email. We'll keep working on it.

Thanks so much for the additional details!

Happy caching,

[wingnut16]

I have used the new app 4.5.8, on an iphone4 running ios5.0.1, several times over the last couple of days and there is little improvement, if any. I use my pocket queries almost exclusively. I understand slow downs in loading pictures and logs when not on wifi or 3G service. However, when I am typing a field note or log prior to uploading, the key strokes are painful slow. The map and compass portions of the app are lethargic while on the hunt for a geocache in urban areas with 3 to 4 bar 3G service.

In cbearw post a member if the Groundspeak team indicate the app slowing after a few hours of operations. Maybe I am doing something wrong but I would have to charge my phone several times to get hours of use.

I would love a few tips on how to get few hours of operation out of this app.

I really am not trying to be a killjoy, I love to cache and want this app to be top notch. One I would recommend to someone new to caching.

Regards,
Wingnut16
Doug

This post has been edited by wingnut16: 06 December 2011 - 09:14 PM

[GeoStar Family]

Doug,

You are spot on... I generally only get 1 - 1 1/2 hours, TOPS, out of the app as it stands now... Usually less. They keystrokes are horrendously slow for me as well. It is like a time delay.

Hoping for the best from an update soon....

[NicoleLackey]

I was finally able to reproduce this issue while caching over the weekend on my iPhone4, iOS 5.0.1, v4.5.8.

I noticed slow response on selecting buttons, especially with entering text to log a find. It did not decrease in performance over time, rather it started slow and started to get better by the end of the day.

Last night, the app could not connect to GC.com so I took my own advice (some would say generic) and reinstalled the app. Then it connected immediately as usual and ran fine as expected.

That said, our mobile developers are working on this today and are fixing some issues. Hopefully the performance will get back up to speed shortly.

Please include to report any issues with this, including app, phone and iOS version. Please also include specific details of where the app is performing under expectations and any reproducible steps you can.

Thank you.

[cbearw]

Nicole: Thanks for your update! Could you expand on how to re-install the app. If I go to the app store it says "Installed". Is there another way without having to pay for it again? Glad to hear that you were able to re-produce some of the issues and that your team is working at fixing them. I haven't had the chance to try the latest software and geocaching version out yet but hope to soon and will report my findings. Were well into winter up here and I've found most of the local caches so have to travel quite far to find enough caches to test the app again.

[NicoleLackey]

 cbearw, on 12 December 2011 - 05:21 PM, said:

Nicole: Thanks for your update! Could you expand on how to re-install the app. If I go to the app store it says "Installed". Is there another way without having to pay for it again? Glad to hear that you were able to re-produce some of the issues and that your team is working at fixing them. I haven't had the chance to try the latest software and geocaching version out yet but hope to soon and will report my findings. Were well into winter up here and I've found most of the local caches so have to travel quite far to find enough caches to test the app again.

Sure, cbearw. Winter does give an extra challenge to caching. In Seattle, our challenge is that the sun sets before 4pm nowadays.

To re-install the app, select and hold the app then select the red X with a circle in the corner of the app symbol. Note: this deletes any saved logs, PQs and data on the app.
Then go to the app store, search 'Geocaching' and select to download the Geocaching app again. It may tell you to 'buy now', but once you enter your iTunes password of the account you downloaded it with previously, the app store will recognize your previous purchase and you will not need to pay for it again.

I hope this helps more! Stay tuned, thanks for your patience.

[cbearw]

Thanks Nicole! Having to re-install the app in a pinch might get me through the day if it comes to that. Funny that the more you used the app (after you began to observe symptoms)the better it seemed to work. It is the opposite for me. The more I use it the poorer the app runs till it eventually slows down to the point where it freezes up or slows to the point where it becomes to much of a pain to continue trying to use.
Its still the most used and best app I use. Like anything I guess it takes a while to get the bugs out and I guess it will always need updates as the times change. Nice to know your team is on it. Staying tuned and looking forward to more great things from you folks.
Seasons greetings!!

[cbearw]

Had a chance to try out the Apple iOS5 software along with the latest v4.5.9 Geocaching app yesterday. As requested I would like to describe more specifically how I use this app and the functions I use. I mostly use the search function on the app by typing in the GC code and hitting "Search". This brings up the cache listing where I can read about the description, hints, etc. etc. The other function I sometimes use is the "Navigate to Cache Function" which brings up a more current map than the one on my handheld GPSR. I get a bit more street detail at times but I generally use my GPSR to navigate the streets to the cache and find the cache itself. I also use the app to log my finds and sometimes use it "find other caches in the area".
My hopes were high that there would be no issues yesterday after the 4.5.9 update but this was not the case. It seems not much had changed. After about 8 caches I began to notice that the response time typing in my logs was getting slower and slower. I tried using my "navigate to cache" function a few times. It was very difficult to zoom in and out to the point where this function was useless for the most part. I would expect that with a few more caches my ability to type and log caches would have failed completly as it has done in the past for me.
I then closed the app and shut down the I-phone completly and re-started/re-booted it. My app. functions had returned to normal it seemed. Failing this I would have re-installed the app. but this proved unnecessary.
Hopefully this detail might assist the developers of the app. in addressing these issues. I might add that with earlier versions of this app a few years ago I never noticed these issues. Again I would encourage others to post their findings using this app. Thanks!

cbearw

[Team Pixos]

I use my iPhone 4 iOS 5 latest geocache version exclusively.
I find frequently that once I navigate to the cache on the map screen then switch to the compass screen it will close the app completely and I am back at the app thumbnail. Once I restart the app I am right back on the compass page though. I have never figured out a consistent reason on why this is.
I do find that the satellite view is often completely black and I have to use topographic or street view. This is really annoying. It happens to live caches and ones saved for off line use.
This is my first and best go to app!!!

[JesandTodd]

 Team Pixos, on 15 December 2011 - 07:31 AM, said:

.
I do find that the satellite view is often completely black and I have to use topographic or street view. This is really annoying. It happens to live caches and ones saved for off line use.

Yup. I see the black screen everytime I cache. Everytime. Sometimes going back a screen fixes it, sometimes I have to go all the way back and start over, and sometimes just changing the map view helps.

This was a problem a few versions back, went away for a while, and is now back.

[NicoleLackey]

Thank you very much, cbearw, Team Pixos and JesandTodd. This helps immensely. I just spoke with one of the app developers. We think we have a good idea of how this is happening based on some of these reports and are fixing some loop holes. I'm not sure if the black map is related or not.

This is a top priority to fix currently. Since it is taking longer than usual to reproduce on a consistent basis, it is more likely that it will take a few weeks.

Please continue to report these issues and thank you for being specific in how this is happening.
Thanks very much for your patience.

[wingnut16]

I updated to 4.5.9 with great hope that the performance issues had been solved. It appears that the issues are still being worked. I have not seen the black screen that others have described, but I only use the street view. I am pleased to hear that the performance issues are a top priority.

Patiently waiting for the next update. NicoleLackey, if I can help by beta testing or other means feel free to contact me.


Regards,
wingnut16
Doug

[Team Pixos]

Today when I was out, satellite view worked for two caches. I searched for nearby caches one came up 775 metres away; I satellite viewed it and saw where it was. I drove across the parking lot, was within 11 metres of it and the satellite view turned black.
I drove 775 m back to where I had originally been and it worked. Weird.

[JesandTodd]

The sat view turned black while you were actively viewing it or when you hit the back button back to it from another screen?

[Team Pixos]

After hitting navigate to cache, once loaded satellite view was black

[JesandTodd]

I've noticed that my sat map turns to black after I've logged a find ad hit the back button.
Also, I've noticed that it may have more to do with how much time I spend per individual cache as supposed to length of overall time caching. If I spend 30 mins searching for a cache, using lgs, maps, photos, etc, then I got the back screen.. But if it was an easy grab ,then less black screen.

Also, seems to happen more if I save my finds as field notes as opposed to logging them 'live'
Anybody else notice a trend?

[GeoStar Family]

I searched for 3 caches the other day. One was .2 miles from my location, the other 2 were .3 miles away. I started with 99% battery. The first cache, .2 miles away I headed for with the app open for navigation to the cache. It took me @ 10 minutes to arrive at GZ and I was down to 81% battery. I logged my find from the app, found the next on my list, now .5 miles away from me, shut down the app, and closed it in multitasking as well. I headed to the cache location without app running. When I felt I was near it I opened my app again. Phone was at 81% battery still and I was 286 feet from GZ. Navigated to the cache GZ, within 10 ft per the app and was at 73% battery. Shut down the app, found the cache, re-opened app to log find. Short log submitted and battery was at 69%. Located next cache, now .2 miles away. Used app to navigate to cache, found within 15 minutes. Attempted to log the find and the keyboard lag began in earnest! Typed the first 2 lines of the log and only saw the first key press happen. Stopped, the log "filled itself in" with what I had typed about 2 seconds after I stopped typing. Typed another line to the log, same result. Submitted log, with photo and closed the app. 52% battery remaining.

I verified at that point that there was nothing running in the multitask tray and that I had all mail settings set to manual. No other apps running, no mail checking happening, nothing. I have disabled location services for all but the geocaching app and google maps, so that there is nothing else using GPS.

Total time caching was 1 hour 30 minutes. Total time running the app was roughly 45 minutes to an hour and not continuous. 47% battery drain in less than 1 hour and the typing lag was painfully slow.

iPhone 4
iOS 5.0.1
Firmware 04.11.08
Geocaching app 4.5.9


This was the worst case I have had of battery drain. I usually have about a 30-35% drain in an hour of caching but have seen it near 40% a few times as well. I havent gone longer than 2 hours of caching with the app since iOS 5.0 was installed and the first upgrade to the app after that, as it drains battery too fast. Generally speaking, at 2 hours of caching I am under 25% battery and the app is virtually unusable as far as typing goes. By that point I am also struggling to get the blue dot to update on the map.

[JesandTodd]

Ouch! That's a big battery drain!

Yesterday I was testing my app out so I was using it a bit heavier than I normally would (reading more logs than normal, looking at pics, etc). I found 7 caches, 2 multis (so I had to read descriptions longer) and had 2 DNFs. This was in a wooded area. Total caching time was 3 hrs.

When I was done I was at 13%!

This is unusual for it to be so low. Now, I'm using the iPhone 4s and it's a bigger battery bleeder than any previous phone. For instance, if I leave it fully charged on my bed stand at night, when I awake it will be at 94%.

But, I've never dipped into the teens before while caching....I've taken my iPhone 4 into the mountains and cached all day before reaching the 30s. So I don't know if this a function of the app, the phone, or a combo of both.

Eta: page breaks

This post has been edited by JesandTodd: 17 December 2011 - 07:46 AM

[Team Pixos]

For those with battery drain what is your screen brightness set at? I find that really affects my battery life.

[JesandTodd]

Mine is set a little above half brightness-so, not very bright at all...

[GeoStar Family]

Screen brightness at just under half on mine

3 hours and you dropped that much? Holy smokes!!

It really does seem to be a combined issue with iOS 5.*.* and the geocaching app. I know the newish iOS bleeds battery for many people, but the combination seems to be a brutal mix.

[JesandTodd]

So, I've been paying attention to my app and little more carefully, and see an interesting trend.
The black screen happens, so far, at the beginning of each caching day. Today, I didn't even have pending field notes in the queue. It was the very first, and second cache. As the day wore on, the app actually behaved a bit better. The black screen does not happen after I've logged a few finds.

Now lately, I almost always seem to DNF my first cache of the day...which is...strange. So I seem to spend a lot of time on one cache, looking at notes, logs, pics, etc. Then I log my DNF, hit the back button and get the black screen. Todays second cache, also a DNF caused the same thing. I logged my DNF, hit the back button,--> black screen.

Then I logged a few finds, and the app was a champ. Logged a few more DNFs (ummm.... ) and the black screen still did not return.

So, early DNFs, for me, for now, seem to cause the black screen.



As you can see, I'm fully charged, running on a PQ, with decent bars.

[NicoleLackey]

Thanks JesandTodd. I wonder if the app has a mind of it's own and doesn't like the DNFs like humans.

I've experienced it twice in the last week, once after logging a find, the other after going back and forth between, recent logs, description, map and back again before the log.

I'll pass this information on to the app devs and they can look into this. Groundspeak will have a skeleton crew for the next week, but of course we will still be using and testing the app.

Keep the observations coming!

[GeoStar Family]

So here is an odd switch. I decided to jailbreak my iphone yesterday. I added an app called springtomize which allows for tons of mods. Then I went caching. Lo and behold, NO ISSUE with the keyboard lag, map lag, blue dot lag or acquiring location at all. None, Nada, Zip!

While I only found one cache, I searched for a few and had no issue, other than battery drain. Not once did the keyboard lag while logging my find, not once did it take more than 1-2 seconds for my location to update and never did the blue dot not show up or take more than 1-2 seconds to arrive on spot and flash away.

Why do I mention Springtomize? Because one of the adjustments you can make is for faster animations. The flashing blue dot goes like a strobe light, the spinning wheel is doing 100mph, etc, etc. It also disables multitasking/backgrounding. With those features enabled in springtomize I suffered none of the usual issues with the geocaching app aside from battery drain.

Not sure if they are related or not, but it seemed a little odd that all of the sudden, with no other changes to the iOS or the app, things worked better.

I plan to go out tomorrow and try a few scenarios and caches. I will seek a couple without springtomize enabled and a couple with it off to see if this is repeatable or a total one time anomoly. An hour or so of caching last night and I had no issue with the app lagging/dragging/being sluggish at all was really a treat!

[Borgsquirrel]

Just chiming in on these issues and whining a bit...

I've got the issue with performance degradation over time, I can use it for 1-2 caches without having to kill it and start over to get reasonable responsiveness out of it. I've seen the black screen issue using sat maps but without having really dug into it, I would say it happens every time I zoom in on the location being shown. Too high zoom level=black screen that won't go away without killing the app.

However, I would like to say this: battery drain and performance issues have been haunting this app for a very long time now. Please, please, please.....! Get all your developers away from adding new features and get them onto fixing these very basic and painful issues!!! Please?! I don't want new features as long as the app limits me to 4-5 caches on one charge (4, 5.01) and I have to kill it and start over for every new cache. This is where you need to put your effort now!

This post has been edited by Borgsquirrel: 30 December 2011 - 01:48 AM

[Admonkey]

 cbearw, on 15 December 2011 - 07:13 AM, said:

Had a chance to try out the Apple iOS5 software along with the latest v4.5.9 Geocaching app yesterday. As requested I would like to describe more specifically how I use this app and the functions I use. I mostly use the search function on the app by typing in the GC code and hitting "Search". This brings up the cache listing where I can read about the description, hints, etc. etc. The other function I sometimes use is the "Navigate to Cache Function" which brings up a more current map than the one on my handheld GPSR. I get a bit more street detail at times but I generally use my GPSR to navigate the streets to the cache and find the cache itself. I also use the app to log my finds and sometimes use it "find other caches in the area".
My hopes were high that there would be no issues yesterday after the 4.5.9 update but this was not the case. It seems not much had changed. After about 8 caches I began to notice that the response time typing in my logs was getting slower and slower. I tried using my "navigate to cache" function a few times. It was very difficult to zoom in and out to the point where this function was useless for the most part. I would expect that with a few more caches my ability to type and log caches would have failed completly as it has done in the past for me.
I then closed the app and shut down the I-phone completly and re-started/re-booted it. My app. functions had returned to normal it seemed. Failing this I would have re-installed the app. but this proved unnecessary.
Hopefully this detail might assist the developers of the app. in addressing these issues. I might add that with earlier versions of this app a few years ago I never noticed these issues. Again I would encourage others to post their findings using this app. Thanks!

cbearw

This describes my experience (and use of the app) exactly-- perfectly, down to software versions used, etc.

The slow-down feels (and responds to work-arounds) very much like a memory leak, which I know could be very difficult to track down and squish.

I don't know what you'd (they'd; the developers) do about the battery drain: any continual-ping, location-based app you'll use will drain the battery on your phone. Just launching GoogleMaps and having it open and running will do it; using Find Friends for any length of time will drain it; even Foursquare will drain it. That's just the nature of the beast.

A memory leak, though, is totally fixable, if not necessarily easily tracked down and killed.

--am

This post has been edited by Admonkey: 01 January 2012 - 11:17 AM

[Borgsquirrel]

I party agree on your statement about the battery drain, admonkey, but the problem is that battery life has decreased dramatically from the early versions of the Geocaching app. I got better battery life out of my 3Gs and the versions released for IOS3 in 2010. This leads at leads me to conclude that something has changed in the app that causes the drainage. Also a CPU "runaway" condition could be the cause of both issues (drain and performance).

[Admonkey]

 Borgsquirrel, on 01 January 2012 - 12:01 PM, said:

I party agree on your statement about the battery drain, admonkey, but the problem is that battery life has decreased dramatically from the early versions of the Geocaching app. I got better battery life out of my 3Gs and the versions released for IOS3 in 2010. This leads at leads me to conclude that something has changed in the app that causes the drainage. Also a CPU "runaway" condition could be the cause of both issues (drain and performance).

Remember, though, that much has changed with iOS, too, including background multitasking and an explosion of location-based apps (which may or may not be working in the background themselves).

Battery life decline is not (necessarily) the fault of the Geocaching app, regardless of whether or not it's been through a whole host of updates.

And you're right: a runaway CPU problem could both slow the app down over time and cause increased battery usage. Good place to look.

This post has been edited by Admonkey: 01 January 2012 - 12:06 PM

[cbearw]

Like Admonkey I find the decrease in performance issues and the liklihood of the app to eventually become unusable (without rebooting the I-phone) to be the most serious. I find the battery drainage issues managable even after 10+ caches if I monitor and adjust the brightness setting according to light conditions I am caching in. As mentioned previously I also don't activly navigate to the cache with the I-phone except when necessary and use my handheld GPSR for this. A great app but hopefully better soon. Keep the comments coming as the research and devolopment team for this app will hopefully find them very usefull!

[GeoStar Family]

Caching yesterday and saturday. Only did it with Springtomize app enabled, and again, NO LAG. Keyboard worked smoothly and flawlessly, app opened and functioned nicely and rapidly the entire time. The only issue I encountered was that, for reasons unknown, the rotating map, to actually head the direction I was going, would point a full 180 degree from my actual orientation until I would swing the iPhone around as though performing a compass calibration. Every time I opened the app I had to do that. I believe that issue is due to the jailbreak and springtomize app as they never occurred previously and have only happened since using it that way.

All keyboard lag and unresponsiveness/slow working of the app was gone! Still killed battery, but the lag was not present. Making me think it is an animation issue within the app and/or iOS.

iPhone 4
iOS 5.0.1
Latest and greatest geocaching app

[Jackrabbit225]

Found with Geocache v4.5.9 that if I turn off location service for the Geocaching app. It will run without freezing up. I will turn on the GPS to locate some caches, then turn it off to research them, pick one then select go find it, then turn on location services and it will work but is VERY SLOW. Hope this helps, and is not redundant info.

Iphone 4
Version 4.2.10