KeLLor
Decon
Posts: 14
Registered: 4/25/2010
Location: Meridian
Member Is Offline
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Turning lap top into a Geocaching GPS
TextI'm EXTREMELY new to Geocaching. Please bare with me. I recently bought a Garmin E-trex. (About 4
days ago) When I went to Garmin.com I found geocahe.com. Geocaching has become and instant hit with the entire Family. We live in Meridian and have
managed to find 5 caches under a mile from our house! COOL ! (There are A LOT MORE near by)
Anyway, on with my question. I have a HP Pavilion touch screen lap top. We were wondering what hardware and software you guys recommend to turn this
note book into a kick ass Geocaching GPS.
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gbraach
Super Moderator
Posts: 221
Registered: 10/18/2004
Location: Boise, ID
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
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I use two software programs on my laptop. First is a mapping program from Garmin called MapSource. I have both the City Navigator and Topographical
map datasets. With MapSource, I also have access to Google Earth aerial maps.
The second program is GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife). It is an invaluable tool for managing your own personal database of geocaches. It is
extremely useful for processing Pocket Queries which are available to Premium members of Geocaching.com. You can download GSAK here
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will4088
55 Gal. Drum
Posts: 1869
Registered: 10/26/2006
Location: Boise again Ü
Member Is Offline
Mood: Willy -- It's time to go Caching Ü
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We use that exact same set of software and they pretty much cover it all  - we
also have a Dell Axim Pocket PC with GPXSonar and Microsoft Pocket Streets which works really well when we can't carry a laptop  - still sticking with my Garmin 60CSx for the GPS for the real work 
People don't care how much you know untill they know how much you care |
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KeLLor
Decon
Posts: 14
Registered: 4/25/2010
Location: Meridian
Member Is Offline
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GSWK
LoL Just so happens that JUST before I read your replies I downloaded GSAK and
was playing with it. While doing so I thought, " OH! Lets see if anyone responded to my question!"
And your hardware suggestions? I mean at least as far as the GPS receiver.
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timtreinen
Decon
Posts: 17
Registered: 9/7/2008
Location: Oh yea! Nampa, ID
Member Is Offline
Mood: Never been better!
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For me all I need is my Colorado 400-t with city navigator and topo maps and GSAK and I'm totally set. The two work together perfect and I'm
completely happy.
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will4088
55 Gal. Drum
Posts: 1869
Registered: 10/26/2006
Location: Boise again Ü
Member Is Offline
Mood: Willy -- It's time to go Caching Ü
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I do like the Oregon's - I have been with other cachers who have let me use them and their very nice - The touch screen is really great but worry me a
bit on being durable in the long haul ?? So far every one is doing fine with thiers Ü
People don't care how much you know untill they know how much you care |
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KeLLor
Decon
Posts: 14
Registered: 4/25/2010
Location: Meridian
Member Is Offline
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As far as "Hardware" I guess what I'm asking is what is a good 'Pod' or GPS receiver that is USB for my lap top
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krcrfs
.30 Cal Ammo
Posts: 331
Registered: 4/27/2007
Location: Nampa
Member Is Offline
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Try these WEB links:
http://www.thegpsstore.com/Laptop-PDA-GPS-C11.aspx
http://www.google.com/products?q=gps+receiver+for+laptop&rls=co...
There are a ton of others. Search in Google with something like "gps receiver for laptop"
"Kim & Kathy"
His: CRF 250X, YFZ 450
Hers: CRF 230F, Raptor 660R
Ours: Can-Am 650 Max XT
Talent, Priceless...
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KeLLor
Decon
Posts: 14
Registered: 4/25/2010
Location: Meridian
Member Is Offline
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OUTSTANDING Thank you very much
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KeLLor
Decon
Posts: 14
Registered: 4/25/2010
Location: Meridian
Member Is Offline
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Ok next question. With Garmin map source. What is the best resolution topo map? 25K 100K I have NO idea what those # mean
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will4088
55 Gal. Drum
Posts: 1869
Registered: 10/26/2006
Location: Boise again Ü
Member Is Offline
Mood: Willy -- It's time to go Caching Ü
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More is always better I say
People don't care how much you know untill they know how much you care |
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KC7HFU
Nano
Posts: 3
Registered: 12/15/2008
Member Is Offline
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I too use a computer in my car to help locate upcoming caches. I currently use an HP laptop computer running windows Vista. I use microsoft streets
and trips with the included gps antenna and gsak program. with this setup i can use gsak to export directly to streets and trips which will put a
small icon on the map at the location of the cache. I also have a rammount which holds the laptop so it does not have to sit on someone's lap. the
rammount can be found at http://www.rammount.com This setup up is great as I can see where the cache is at and the roads I need to get there. It is great for planning a
trip and can download the caches along a route. I hope this helps.
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mudnuri
.50 Cal Ammo
Posts: 980
Registered: 2/5/2005
Location: VARIES
Member Is Offline
Mood: I FEEL LIKE MAKING A NEW PUZZLE CACHE...
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That is all very nice but does anyone know how to get a garmin to send a live data stream to the laptop. there should be no reason to buy a usb antt.
there are several settings that seem like they would work but do not seem to do anything. I just want to use my laptop with one of my gps units for
the signal. I have a geko 201, etrex yellow, etrex legend, etrex vista, nuvi 1200, and an Oregon 550t. (no longer own the best unit I ever used...
Colorado 300 :cry
You can't control the wind but you can choose which way to pee.
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