Hands Free Geocaching Navigation: We Are So Close.

More Power Allocation For Smartphone Navigation

Without trying to get into the GPSr versus Smartphone navigation debate I wanted to share some insights I have discovered after recently pairing up my phone with my new geocache-mobile. Yes after seven years and 225,000 miles of servitude. My 2005 Chevy Malibu has been traded in for a 2012 Chevy Malibu and with that a whole new set of functionality to play with.

For example, all the hands free goodness which I plan on utilizing when I go out geocaching. Now I can hook my Galaxy S3 directly into the nice little USB port just under the radio. This to me is a big plus because I now have an alternate power source for my smart phone and it opens up my cigarette lighter port for something else. *Note this car also has another port and a standard 110 plug just behind the center console -  slick. So outlets are no longer an issue but is there enough juice going through to keep up with the phone? Read on.

Next is the fun part, the Bluetooth communication. Now I can hook my phone right into the smarts of the car via Bluetooth connector (you can go through USB for other things but not for discussion here). Once paired you have direct access thru your steering wheel to tell your car/phone to do anything from getting directions to a nearby restaurant, send a text, find out the weather, to even just plain calling someone and everything goes through the car's sound system. Very cool but not perfect, the technology is getting there but I have found some bugs when testing these features. Over all, very cool to not have the phone in your hand to do all of this BUT and you knew there was a but, there are indeed some major power drain on the smartphone depending on what you use it for. I noticed very quickly that if you use the phone for navigation either with Google Maps, Waze or any other app you are utilizing the GPS functionality  Now add in the Bluetooth power drain and you can almost watch the battery die right before your very eyes. Even when it is plugged in. Cap'n - We Need More Pow'r.

So maybe this is a good argument for having multiple devices in your car when geocaching. I mean I always have used my smart phone for one or two geocache find runs. Though if you are planning on doing a geocaching afternoon or day. You may want to utilize that cigarette lighter outlet for your auto GPSr unit to get to the geocache site and then use your smart phone or hand GPSr unit for finding your geocache. Right now there is just too much of a drain or not enough battery capacity to put everything on your smartphone.

Now let's see: -=BLING=- Bluetooth -> Voice -> Navigate -> Directions to nearest Geocaching Event -> Engage!

-HHH

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Our award winning, geocaching based blog: GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) Episode: Geocache Placement

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Here is the latest episode of Geocaching World (RVNN.tv). In this episode we discuss proper geocache placement and you have an opportunity to get into a contest to win a Limited Edition Book from Geocoin designer Chris Mackey.

If you do not have Roku, Boxee, Itunes and many other ways of seeing Geocaching World,
go here to see:
http://rvnewsnet.com/2012/09/27/placing-geocaches/

Enjoy and be sure to get your entry in before October 9, 2012!

-------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Win a Limited Edition Book by Geocoin Designer Chris Mackey

How would you like to possibly win a limited edition Chris Mackey Geocoin based book? I knew you would, just look at this beauty.

Chris Mackey's Limited Edition Book

The rules are simple.

To have an entry in the drawing to win this amazing prize you need to take a photograph of yourself with a Geocoin. It can be either one you found while out Geocaching or from your personal collection. Send that photograph with all your contact information to headhardhat@gmail.com.

Have it in no later than 12:00 Noon ET October 9,2012. Now here's the kicker. If you have somewhere in the photo the words or logo for Geocaching World we will put TWO entries in for you. Remember - only one photo per person please.

Restrictions of the law for your personal residence may apply.

Chris Mackey and HHH

If for some reason you do not win this copy of the book you can ("while they last") purchase a book for yourself. Our good friends at GxProxy who donated the prize by the way are selling them here:
http://www.gxproxy.com/. Be sure and tell them that HeadHardHat sent ya.

Good Luck!

-HeadHardHat
 -------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) - Geocache Placement and a Cool Contest

Andy HeadHardHat Smith and Courtney Wallin (Geocaching World)

Had a great time last night as we recorded our Latest Episode of Geocaching World (RVNN.tv).  Due to some unforeseen issues we had to take a few weeks off and believe you - me both Courtney Wallin and I were just itching to get back into the groove.  The photo above was taken just before we started the show by Courtney and she says to me, " make a happy dance " , so that is just what I did. Now this image is proudly displayed somewhere in Instagram for all the world to enjoy.

Our latest episode was very informative as we discussed placing a Geocache. Everything from how to pick just the right spot to put a geocache hide, figuring out if other geocaches are nearby to how the review process works. There are tons of insightful Geocaching greatness for you to contemplate so when the episode comes out in a couple of days be sure to watch it. 

We also introduced a brand spanking new contest for you to get involved with. How would you like to possibly win a limited edition Chris Mackey Geocoin based book?  I knew you would, just look at this beauty.

The rules are simple. To have an entry in the drawing to win this amazing prize you need to take a photograph of yourself with a Geocoin. It can be either one you found while out Geocaching or from your personal collection. Send that photograph with all your contact information to headhardhat@gmail.com. Have it in no later than 12:00 Noon ET October 9,2012. Now here's the kicker. If you have somewhere in the photo the words or logo for Geocaching World we will put TWO entries in for you. Remember - only one photo per person please. Restrictions of the law for your personal residence may apply.

So hurry up and get your photos in. Who knows you might get them shown in one of our social services or on Geocaching World itself. Good Luck to everyone.

Andy HeadHardHat Smith

Bye-Bye FeedBurner... Hello FeedBlitz

New RSS Feed For You To Subscribe To

Well leave it to Google to have so much brilliance and yet still be able to do things in such a numbskull sort of way. Why oh why, would you take an integrated RSS structure like FeedBurner, you know the one that is integrated into your Blogger application, and then suddenly abandon it with no out for your faithful blogger universe? Did somebody just one wake up one day and go, "I think I will mess with the majority of our Blogger community and shut down their way of exporting their content to their followers...", really?

Okay enough of the ranting, it's not going to get me anywhere. The main reason for this post is to notify all my subscribers and there are oodles of you. That you need to re-subscribe to my new RSS feed. I decided to go with FeedBlitz and even though I have to pay for the service it is minimal - though if you want to donate there is a button on the right side of my blog.. Just saying.

Below are the easy links to choose from:

Feed URL: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright
XML URL: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright&x=1
Mobile Friendly: http://m.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright

You have many more options including email, mobile, facebook, twitter, plus others so you can get all of my blog goodness just about anyway you like it.

You can also subscribe via directly from my blog as well. Just click the RSS or Email links in the right pane.

Again sorry for the inconvenience of all this but this has blindsided many a blogger but the good news is FeedBlitz has a newsletter format that will become available to all of my subscribers once it is ready.

Enjoy and thanks for re/subscribing to my blog!

-Andy HeadHardHat Smith

-------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Behind The Scenes: Geocaching Podcast - Ep. 270 - Buying Your New GPSr

HHH is co-host of The Geocaching Podcast

Last night XpunkX, Darrylw4 and myself (Headhardhat) recorded episode #270 of the Geocaching Podcast.

It was good to be back in the saddle again after taking the past few weeks off for a family related hiatus. Even though XpunkX was still sick with a flu bug, Darrylw4 and myself were both pretty much whipped by show time but that is how it goes sometimes. The point is we are back and I personally am getting my sorry excuse of a geocacher back in the groove. This can only be a good thing :)

Last night's show we had owner of GPSTracklog.com aka Rich Owings as our guest. Rich has been running GPSTracklog.com since 2005 and has a vast knowledge of a geocachers bestest buddy the GPSr unit. During our discussion we talked about many of the available GPSr units and the different price ranges and functional capabilities. This is a perfect episode to listen to if you are planning on purchasing a new GPSr or want to spread the information to your significant other cuz the holidays are coming right around the corner. Nudge-nudge, wink-wink.

Overall a very informative show and you really need to give it a listen when it is released in the next couple of days.

The Geocaching Podcast is recorded LIVE every Wednesday at 9:30PM ET. You can be a part of the show by going to the Geocaching Podcast Website and clicking 'Live' to enter the Talkshoe client. You can also download all the published shows from the Geocaching Podcast Website and many of your favorite podcatcher sites and applications.


-See you out on the trails. -HHH
-------------------------------------------------------
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Clearing Out The Munzees In My Area

I have a little time this afternoon and was just itching to go out and find me some Munzees. So that's what I'm doing, cleared out the Munzees in my area.

Thanks to the fine hiders who put them out for us to find.

Not Your Usual Rock Hide

It's a rather muggy, hot, North Carolina day and when I was going for this geocache I was thinking great another rock hide. Turns out it had a really pleasant surprise and I love to see creative geocaches. This one was really fun to find.

If interested come to the Garner, North Carolina area and check out Gc2yf3j.