GPS software and geocaching

[hogger_jeff]

The Axim X50V is here and the BT-308 GPS is on the way :D. What would people recommend for software? I'd like to try geocaching this summer as my young daughter and I do a lot of bicycling around the city and in the country. What software would work best for this? Any hints or tips? Thanks.

[Pat Logsdon]

I use Outdoor Navigator. (http://www.maptech.com/products/outdoornavigator/index.cfm) Excellent program, great price, lots of maps. The only tip I have for you is that you may want to invest in an extra battery for your Axim; better to have it handy than to run out of juice within a few feet of a cache. ;)

[Steven Cedrone]

"Sacrilege" I know, don't say it! When I cache, I just use a separate hand held unit. I am too paranoid about losing or damaging my Pocket PC... :wink:

[Kevin Remhof]

"Sacrilege" I know, don't say it! When I cache, I just use a separate hand held unit. I am too paranoid about losing or damaging my Pocket PC... :wink:

Me too! I have a Bluetooth GPS for use with my Pocket PC (review coming soon, I promise). It's fine for the in the car but taking it Geocaching just seemed scary. When I first tried this I was going down a muddy ravine to a creek with a cache in it. I started to do the math: Pocket PC-$300, BT GPS-$300. Total: $600 worth of water-sensitive electronics.

It's kind of a pain to work with two devics: GPS and Pocket PC. The GPS needs a good line-of-sight to the sky. I held that in one hand and the Pocket PC in the other.

So... I bought a Garmin eTrex Legend instead for Geocaching. It rocks! Lightweight, water-resistant, easy-to-use. Plus, just one device woth about $130 (got a good deal on mine).

[Pat Logsdon]

My PPC stays in PodZilla until I'm stationary, or very close to the cache coordinates and sure of my surroundings. If you're worried about getting it wet, dirty, etc. an AquaPac (http://www.aquapac.net/) is a good investment. I keep one rolled up in PodZilla just in case.

And if you're REALLY worried, you can always pick up an OtterBox. (http://www.otterbox.com/)

Edit: Just noticed that Otterbox has cases for BT GPS units, (http://www.otterbox.com/product.cfm?product=128&code=NA) too! 8)

[msprague]

I use Vito Navigator II (http://vitotechnology.com/en/products/navigatorii.html)
I have read good things about GPSTuner (http://www.gpstuner.com/)

[hogger_jeff]

I use Outdoor Navigator. (http://www.maptech.com/products/outdoornavigator/index.cfm) Excellent program, great price, lots of maps. The only tip I have for you is that you may want to invest in an extra battery for your Axim; better to have it handy than to run out of juice within a few feet of a cache. ;)

Appreciate the tip, but they don't have any maps for outside the US - specifically for Canada. Oh, and the battery thing - yeah, I'll be getting a spare. :wink:

[nategesner]

Here's what I'm looking for:

1. I'll be using it on an Axim X50v and Ipaq 2215, so it needs to work with both operating systems and in QVGA or VGA mode (True VGA mode would be really nice!)

2. Must work with GPS (for my Axim) and without GPS (for my wife's Ipaq)

3. Must cover all of U.S. with detailed city street maps and would prefer European coverage

4. Would like to have ability to calculate route from one address/point to another, either within a city/state or across the entire U.S.

I've read a lot of posts and see a lot of different suggestions. Perhaps someone out there can focus my attention on what would best meet my needs. Thanks!