Mobipocket crashed on me several times, and while I was down at Key West it crashed the palm completely. It would start back up and "reboot" and the data was still there, but each time I tried to search for the cache page where I was standing it crashed the palm again. I didn't get to find the cache and that ended the caching day.

I use GPX2HTML by fizzymagic. It is very stable and has never crashed to date. It also works by using plucker to sync the file to the palm. I have been too lazy to configure Spinner on my PC, but it works great too.

One thing I recommend with plucker is to not include the images. This will only cause problems on a few caches. Don't sync to more than three or four levels either. Too many levels and you will overload the file (download more of the internet). Most programs tell you how far to sync, and GPX2HTML syncs to 3 levels.

The paperless caching tutorial on our GGA web site still hold true except for the Spinner part. The web version still does not handle files higher than waypoint GCFFFF. You have to spin them on your computer. The Spinner link takes you to the online spinner page. Just go to http://www.gpxspinner.com for the PC version. I will try to revise the GGA Resources page that I wrote.

http://www.ggaonline.org/resources/paperless_caching/convert.html

Same offer as Trez... if you want to go the GPX2HTML route I will be happy to help if needed in email or here.

quote:

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Originally posted by phat.bak:
Do you use Allen's remailer?

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If you like plucker then I think my remailer has one major advantage over the other programs. The remailer actual reads the Pocket Query email from geocaching.com and converts the GPX file in it to a Plucker file. It then emails it to you. That way the file is ready to load into a palm, or now that there is a plucker for Pocket PC it can be used with it. Also if you have a Garmin and copy of Garmin's Mapsource program the remailer can produce a file that can be placed in the Garmin. Where as with GPX2HTML, or GPXSpinner you have to get the pocket query with GPX and have the program process the GPX then run plucker on your local PC.

The disadvantages are that it doesn't do any filtering so that if the Pocket Query build page doesn't allow you to filter the way you want then you are out of luck. Also while the remailer can do almost the same "spining" as GPXSpiner, currently I haven't had time to write a web page where you can control it. I have to manual set it up. I plan to add this as well as method to generate a "distance index" page based on distance from some reference locations and maybe some other stuff. My excuse for not already setting up any of these things is my current paying job.

But if phat.bak or any other GGA member wants to try it with these limitations, let me know, and I will create a remailing email address for you.

I use Allen's gpx remailer and I love it. No muss, no fuss. I am sure one day when he has the time and does his upgrades, I will love it even more. I used it on my cache cruise through cobb a couple of weeks ago and it sure made things easy. I highly recommend it.

I already have and use GPX2HTML because I have been using 'the betterhalf's laptop recently as a big PDA when caching. I'll probably start out with that, but I sure like sound of Allen's all-in-one deal. I'll send an email to set me up with a remailer addy so I can try it out, too.
Plucker seems to fit the bill, too (and its FREE!) I like that part.
Am still setting up the Palm, but I found out that I can only sync from the Palm with the Hotsync application. The Hotsync button on the cradle keeps telling me that the com port is already in use and fails. Must have set up sumpthin' wrong. I'll keep diggin'.
Thanx, guys (and gal)
Ya ain't heard the last from me, yet!


"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb

When I wrote the message kennethpruett is quoting there was no plucker viewer for pocket PC. There is now http://www.plkr.org/index.plkr?a=news&article=31 of course since I don't have a Pocket PC I have no idea how it compares to the Palm version, nor how using plucker compares to using GPXView.

I should have done this PDA thing a lot sooner.
Palm set up using GPX2HTML/Plucker/HotSynch button. Headed to Charleston for a coupe of days of R&R and will get a chance to try it out on a few caches over there.
Trial by Fire - I ain't bringing NO printouts!
Thanx for your help, guys!


"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb

Good luck and get those caches

Just received my first set of files and was able to upload them into GPXView with no problems whatever. It's almost like looking at the cache pages online. Can't wait to use this in the field. Didn't even have to run the GPX file through a translator or anything - the viewer takes the raw file and turns it into beautiful pages on my PPC - hints and all.
S-4-C

I've been using CacheMate and have been very happy with it. Just my $0.02 worth. It includes a converter tool for generating the .PDB files so you can download your PQ's directly into CacheMate on the next synch. Basically, I just get my PQ, drop it into CMConverter, then synch. Next time I open CacheMate, it asks what category to add the most recent additions too, I choose one, and presto, I'm done. The only thing about CacheMate I didn't like at first was that I couldn't see the entire description, but once I discovered you could scroll down with the buttons, I have been totally satisfied with it ever since. Each log has 4 sections (Each fully editable), including a one touch decoder for hints if needed, and a screen for entering log info. Once I log it, I drop each find into the 'Found' category, and it's a breeze to tick through them when I get home to log the finds online. I can just switch to the 'Found' category, and delete each one once I have logged it online.

Geocaching is like Pokemon for grown-ups. "Gotta cache 'em all!"

quote:

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Trial by Fire - I ain't bringing NO printouts!
Thanx for your help, guys!

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Everything came off without a hitch. Grabbed a few caches, but not as many as if I had left the others at home - hehehe.

"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb

Where do I find such an animal???

quote:

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Where do I find such an animal???

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CacheMate

This looks interesting!

"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb

Version 2.10 was released on September 1, 2003. I bought it but have not had time to test it yet.

Has anyone tried CacheMate yet? Suddenly Plucker will not give me any output to HotSync, and it may be a good time to change systems .

I went ahead and ordered it. Now I can't get it to work right. Think something is wrong with my registration.... I'll figure it out. On the second or third attempt, just like finding caches!

Overall, I like it. I did notice some cache pages don't convert at all. For example, Beale's Box. It is in the .GPX file, but didn't convert in CacheMate. Hmmm.

Strange, I got it in mine (Beale's). How close to full is your PDA? Maybe the GPX file didn't import due to memory limits?

I'm glad to see so many others liking and registering CacheMate. I've been using/recommending it for awhile now. Nice to see a little cash flow going back to the creator, especially since he's making it for nearly nothing. $7 is very worth it for the amount of use I've gotten out of it.

Geocaching is like Pokemon for grown-ups. "Gotta cache 'em all!"

quote:

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Originally posted by Jonshai:
How close to full is your PDA? Maybe the GPX file didn't import due to memory limits?

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My PDA isn't close to full. I think I'll wait until the next PQ file comes in and retry. Although it will not have Beale's in it, come to think of it. Had the same problem with Mobipocket. Who knows?

I'd like to request this thread be moved to the Technical Forum. I had to use the "search" function to find it.

And the reason I was looking for it was to let those with Pocket PCs to know about GPXSonar.
I've used GPXView and like it alot, but GPXSonar has alot to offer as well with a few more bells and whistles.
You can check it out at the website GPXSonar.
Here is the groundspeak thread with lots of information on it (it says for PocketPC 2003, but there is a 2002 version too): 'GPXSonar' for Pocket PC 2003

Kenneth