Difference between revisions of "Paperless geocaching"
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| − | Paperless geocaching refers to the use of a | + | [[Category:guides]] |
| + | [[Category:technical]] | ||
| + | Paperless geocaching refers to the use of a PDA, smartphone, advanced [[GPSr]], or other mobile device to access cache information in the field, rather than using pages printed from the web site. | ||
| − | + | To get the information into your mobile device, you need to download one or more [[GPX]] files, which have cache information including coordinates, difficulty and terrain ratings, size, description, and hint. | |
| − | + | There are two main methods for paperless caching. | |
| + | The first method involves running a database program (such as [[CacheMate]]) on your mobile device that imports your GPX file and allows you to view and edit data about the caches. | ||
| − | + | The second method involves converting your gpx file into an ebook and then viewing the ebook on your mobile device. | |
| + | Common ebook formats include HTML, PDF, and [[Mobipocket]] (.mobi). | ||
| − | + | If you take up paperless caching, make sure you keep the information in your mobile device updated. | |
| + | There is nothing quite so frustrating as looking fruitlessly for a cache that is in both your GPSr and your mobile database and then finding out it went missing a few weeks earlier. | ||
| − | + | [[CacheMate]] is a program designed specifically for paperless geocaching, | |
| + | and is available for the Palm OS, Pocket PC, Windows Smartphone, and Google Android platforms. | ||
| + | [[GeoBeagle]] is a free, open source application for the Android platform to aid users in finding geocaches and letterboxes. | ||
| − | If | + | [[Neongeo]] is a premium (paid) application for the Android platform to aid users in finding geocaches. |
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.geoshrine.org GeoShrine] is a free program for java enabled mobile phones and PDA's. If the device has a GPS, then GeoShrine can make use of it, otherwise it can just be used as a cache reader. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[CacheBerry]] is a program for paperless caching on the Blackberry platform. | ||
| + | Alternatively, Blackberry users can create [[Mobipocket]] ebooks and use them to view cache information. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Geocache Navigator]] is a program for paperless caching on the Blackberry platform. They offer monthly and annual subscriptions. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Geocaching Swiss Army Knife]] GSAK is the all in one Geocaching and waypoint management tool. Major features include: Multiple databases, sending/receiving waypoints to GPSr, Google maps, conversion to many mapping formats, PDA output (including CacheMate support), HTML output, extensive searching, macro support, backup and restore, distance/direction from other waypoints (including caches, locations, post codes) and much more. GSAK only runs on Windows operating systems (98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7) | ||
| + | |||
| + | Other software packages for the Windows Mobile platform includes: | ||
| + | * [http://gpxsonar.homeip.net GpxSonar] | ||
| + | * [http://strandberg.org/gpxview/ GPXView] | ||
| + | * [http://code.google.com/p/richesse-gps/ Richesse-GPS] | ||
| + | * [http://microsoft.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=75&jid=61CFX9B2F6F3EDC3X1EC53591A14F8XE&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=175492§ionId=0&catalog=1&&authorId=94799 GeoScout] | ||
| + | * [http://www.visualgps.net/BeeLineGPS/ BeeLineGPS] | ||
| + | * [http://gsak.net/index.php/ GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) ] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Geocaching.com official applications: | ||
| + | * [http://www.geocaching.com/iphone/ iPhone] | ||
| + | * [http://www.geocaching.com/android/default.aspx Android] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [[BCaching]] is a free web app for any mobile phone with web access to view and manage geocache data from pocket queries in the field. There is also support for field notes, personal waypoints / corrected coordinates, and inventory management. | ||
Latest revision as of 20:32, 12 February 2012
Paperless geocaching refers to the use of a PDA, smartphone, advanced GPSr, or other mobile device to access cache information in the field, rather than using pages printed from the web site.
To get the information into your mobile device, you need to download one or more GPX files, which have cache information including coordinates, difficulty and terrain ratings, size, description, and hint.
There are two main methods for paperless caching. The first method involves running a database program (such as CacheMate) on your mobile device that imports your GPX file and allows you to view and edit data about the caches.
The second method involves converting your gpx file into an ebook and then viewing the ebook on your mobile device. Common ebook formats include HTML, PDF, and Mobipocket (.mobi).
If you take up paperless caching, make sure you keep the information in your mobile device updated. There is nothing quite so frustrating as looking fruitlessly for a cache that is in both your GPSr and your mobile database and then finding out it went missing a few weeks earlier.
CacheMate is a program designed specifically for paperless geocaching, and is available for the Palm OS, Pocket PC, Windows Smartphone, and Google Android platforms.
GeoBeagle is a free, open source application for the Android platform to aid users in finding geocaches and letterboxes.
Neongeo is a premium (paid) application for the Android platform to aid users in finding geocaches.
GeoShrine is a free program for java enabled mobile phones and PDA's. If the device has a GPS, then GeoShrine can make use of it, otherwise it can just be used as a cache reader.
CacheBerry is a program for paperless caching on the Blackberry platform. Alternatively, Blackberry users can create Mobipocket ebooks and use them to view cache information.
Geocache Navigator is a program for paperless caching on the Blackberry platform. They offer monthly and annual subscriptions.
Geocaching Swiss Army Knife GSAK is the all in one Geocaching and waypoint management tool. Major features include: Multiple databases, sending/receiving waypoints to GPSr, Google maps, conversion to many mapping formats, PDA output (including CacheMate support), HTML output, extensive searching, macro support, backup and restore, distance/direction from other waypoints (including caches, locations, post codes) and much more. GSAK only runs on Windows operating systems (98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7)
Other software packages for the Windows Mobile platform includes:
Geocaching.com official applications:
BCaching is a free web app for any mobile phone with web access to view and manage geocache data from pocket queries in the field. There is also support for field notes, personal waypoints / corrected coordinates, and inventory management.
