[ohmelli]

Honestly, I have been VERY happy with the official geocache app on my Android Razr... the ONLY time I've had a problem was when I ONE time got into an area where Sprint phone service is more popular than Verizon, and then I just couldn't get a signal at all... but for the most part I've had no problems with the service OR the accuracy of the app. HOWEVER... everyone says that for HIDING caches it's best to use a designated hand held unit. I've looked around and talked around with cachers in my area. I'm pretty sure the GC is the one I want. But I just want to get thoughts here before I hit the "place my order" button!

[Mr.Yuck]

ohmelli, on 16 April 2012 - 12:56 PM, said:

Honestly, I have been VERY happy with the official geocache app on my Android Razr... the ONLY time I've had a problem was when I ONE time got into an area where Sprint phone service is more popular than Verizon, and then I just couldn't get a signal at all... but for the most part I've had no problems with the service OR the accuracy of the app. HOWEVER... everyone says that for HIDING caches it's best to use a designated hand held unit. I've looked around and talked around with cachers in my area. I'm pretty sure the GC is the one I want. But I just want to get thoughts here before I hit the "place my order" button!

Yeah, it's OK. With the "hide Geocache" function, it averages for up to 2 minutes. Paperless caching is great, and holds a whopping 10,000 caches. Pre-loaded worldwide map isn't too bad. A few weeks ago someone from rural British Columbia asked if the roads in her area were shown, and I loaded up a few caches, and was pretty surprised myself most of them were on there. You can not upgrade this map, which many people tout as a disadvantage, but Magellan can (and probably will, I'm sure) update it with a firmware upgrade. I've actually gone on a bit of a cache hiding frenzy in 2012, hid 8 with it, I believe (a couple not listed on THIS website). One, on a rocky hillside with heavy tree cover, I did have to go back and get better ones, but they were only reported being 30-35 feet off. There were just a lot of hiding spots there.

[ohmelli]

Cool! Well, I'm just getting ready to hide my first... and I WAS just going to use my Razr... but the more I thought about if my numbers are off when I hide it, and then another cacher's gps is off... that sorta doubles or triples the problem... and it doesn't hurt for me to have a backup ANYWAY! I don't want to spend a LOT... and the GC just seems like a pretty good deal to me. Not really worried about the maps because my phone will do all the mapping I need.

[ShaunEM]

If you aren't worried about the maps (detail), then you will be happy with the GC.

It will take a little getting used to, if coming from the phone.

Shaun

[gelfling6]

ShaunEM, on 16 April 2012 - 08:52 PM, said:

If you aren't worried about the maps (detail), then you will be happy with the GC.

It will take a little getting used to, if coming from the phone.

Shaun

A few years ago (more like 3-4) I wrote a thread on here, about what would be the ideal Geocaching GPS. My idea, used the 'Joy-Toggle' button like the GC has, instead of a touch-screen keyboard.. My main reason was incase it was accidentally hit, it didn't suddenly wipe all caches from memory.. Instead I kinda hate the button on the GC, because it's too touchy and cumbersome to type in a note.. It's worse than using the touch-tone pad on a cell phone to type a message! (a T9 typing interface would've been nice.) It's dependant on how much you want to spend. Some days, the GC is great, some other days, it goes completely off kilter, and way off from where GZ is. (to say nothing of the wildly swinging compass pointer! I know it's working off the GPS signals, but wish it was not as sensitive, or at least averaged better of you were actually moving.)

I think I finally mastered the majority of the menus.. Yes, it was a MAJOR learning curve, after using Garmin eTrex's before. Just wish some of the functions were a little easier accessible, instead of needing to constantly follow a road map to get there.

[ohmelli]

gelfling6, on 18 April 2012 - 01:36 PM, said:

A few years ago (more like 3-4) I wrote a thread on here, about what would be the ideal Geocaching GPS. My idea, used the 'Joy-Toggle' button like the GC has, instead of a touch-screen keyboard.. My main reason was incase it was accidentally hit, it didn't suddenly wipe all caches from memory.. Instead I kinda hate the button on the GC, because it's too touchy and cumbersome to type in a note.. It's worse than using the touch-tone pad on a cell phone to type a message! (a T9 typing interface would've been nice.) It's dependant on how much you want to spend. Some days, the GC is great, some other days, it goes completely off kilter, and way off from where GZ is. (to say nothing of the wildly swinging compass pointer! I know it's working off the GPS signals, but wish it was not as sensitive, or at least averaged better of you were actually moving.)

I think I finally mastered the majority of the menus.. Yes, it was a MAJOR learning curve, after using Garmin eTrex's before. Just wish some of the functions were a little easier accessible, instead of needing to constantly follow a road map to get there.

Well, I can tell you this for sure... since I have now already bought it, and spent most of today learning how to get it operational! I'm NOT crazy about the joy-toggle button... and will not use it to log my caches. I prefer to do that at the end of the day on my laptop at home anyway. I suppose IF I should ever chase a FTF (and succeed) I MIGHT take the time to log that... but maybe not. However... you are the first person who has mentioned the GC being way off on GZ, or sporadic about it. Everyone I've talked to that has it and uses it all the time LOVES it's accuracy. THAT was one of the things that sold me on it... because the only reason I REALLY got it is to use when hiding my own caches. Everyone says don't use my phone. (But I LOVE my phone!) I admit my phone leaves me a very wide search area though. I just figure that's part of the game! Do we really want a device that places us right on top of the cache? That sure would take some of the fun out of it! But when I'm PLACING a hide... I want my coords as accurate as possible. Well... now you've got me curious. Can't wait to take it out and use it... see if it IS more accurate than my phone. I'll really be BUMMED if I paid $130 for something that's no more accurate than my phone!!!