So I Received A GPSr For The Holidays - Now What? Think Geocaching!

Yeppers, the holidays are winding down and you received a GPS as a present. Way cool but now what?

Automobile GPSr
For many a GPSr (Global Positioning System Receiver) comes in the form of a device you may very well use for your automobile. Today's units are very intuitive. Put in an address or a Point Of Interest like the nearest fast food restaurant and suddenly you are on your way. They are so good now a days that they can direct you through traffic by missing the busy roads depending on the current automobile flow. Need the current weather for your road trip? No problem. Want the best prices from the gas pump? They can do that. The point is if you need to get from point A to point B an automobile GPS can get you there.

Did you know you can use it also for geocaching? Read on.

Smart Phone GPSr
With a few exceptions most smart phones now come with GPS technology built in. In other words the same type of information an automobile GPSr can receive may also be available on your new phone. Depending on the model you may already have apps or programs that can show your location on a map. For example Google Maps a well known application even has turn by turn instructions. I was amazed recently when using it that not only did it get me to my destination but as I drove up it actually showed a photo of the house I was trying to find. So right off the bat a smart phone is an amazing piece of technology.

Did you know you can use it also for geocaching? Read on. Just a little bit more.

Handheld GPSr 
Ah the staple of the everyday geocacher, an actual handheld GPSr unit. A beauty to behold. Handheld GPSr units are made for being outside. They are rugged, water resistant (not proof), have a long battery life and can
get you there and back again just about anywhere on the planet. If you are outside with either an automobile GPSr or smart phone they are at the mercy of the elements. A handheld is made to take it.

Most handheld GPSr units come with a standard map for good point of reference. They do not always come with maps that you can use for turn by turn directions. This means that it will show you what road you are on (if you are on a road) but it can't give you step by step like an automobile unit can. What do people use Handheld GPSr units for? Tons of things actually, hiking, trail blazing, biking, etc. Just about anything you can do outside that puts you in a situation you don't want to get lost or need to find a specific place on a map.

Want to know what all of these GPSr units can be used for?  Geocaching!
What's geocaching you say? Geocaching is a game, sport and for some obsession where you go out and find well hidden containers called "geocaches". The geocaches are hidden all around the world, literally over a million of them sprinkled across the planet. There are most likely some right near you right now and you didn't even know they are there. Geocachers use GPSr units like the ones I just described to find these geocaches. Which means if you did just get a GPSr for the holidays - You can go geocaching!

This post is to go over the high points about different GPSr units in general and if you like millions of other geocachers want to learn more about geocaching here are some links to tons of information you can read up about. You will find them very useful and before you know it will be out finding your first ones. Enjoy.

Geocaching.com 
The main hub of the geocaching world. Sign up and get all the coordinates you want for finding geocaches.

HeadHardHat's Award Winning Geocaching Blog - Geocache: I'm Not Obsessed... Right? 
Here is years of searchable information about geocaching right at your fingertips. Not only do you get all my tips, tricks and techniques but access to my famous GeoSnippits geocaching videos as well. A must see.

GeoSnippits Geocaching Videos
There are dozens of very informative geocaching videos made for geocachers about geocaching. Tons of information on what geocaching is, tips, reviews, and real life examples of how to enjoy geocaching as a whole. Highly recommended for all geocachers to check these videos before venturing out.

So there you have it. Some examples of the different types of GPSr units you may have received this year for the holiday. They are amazing technologies and can be fun to use for an amazing activity like geocaching as well.

See you out on the trails.


-HHH

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

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

GeoSnippits - GeoBasics - Calibrating GPSr Units for Geocaching

I was amazed recently when I discovered how many geocachers who are just starting out (usually with less than 100 finds) can get frustrated geocaching. The biggest complaint is not having enough information from the start and not knowing what to do exactly or even where to start looking.

Well we are going to have to do something about that.

So I am creating a mini series of GeoSnippits videos that I am calling Geo-Basics.These will be geared for the absolute geocaching beginner and will cover everything from how to look for a geocache, what to look for and all the other tricks of the trade to help make everyone's geocaching experience as fun as possible.

Today's Geo-Basics describes the rudimentary aspects of a GPSr unit. How do they work or better yet, how can we make them more accurate. You even get to see the HHH do the GPS Two Step which for many is part of the calibration process.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the show. We hope you find it entertaining and informative.



If the player does not show above you can see the entire video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MTCwjq31hU


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

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

GeoSnippits How To Find A Geocache Using Triangulation

It happens to all geocachers no matter how experienced you are. There you are in a fairly heavy wooded area and you are once again playing the "watch the bouncing arrow" game with your GPS unit. That's when you are searching for a geocache and the arrow that shows where you are starts giving really irregular information how far and which direction your geocache actually is. This makes it extremely difficult to find ground zero or the actual true spot where the geocache is supposed to be.

One second it is slightly to the left and 40 feet away then it is slightly to the right and 20 feet away then it is back to the left and 60 feet away.... Aaaaaaahhhhh! Very frustrating.

So how can you possibly narrow down where the geocache actually is? The answer is to use a technique known as Triangulation. The way geocachers use it is by taking two different paths at right angles towards ground zero. The idea is if you attack ground zero from multiple points it will give you a better average to where ground zero resides. Let's go now to the video to help explain it further.

HHH Note: During the video I sometimes refer to a triangularization experiment and others I refer to triangulation. In this I am referring to the same thing. I hope it does not promote any confusion.

If you cannot see the viewer above click here to see the video itself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_O_CSw04fk

So the next time you find yourself playing follow the bouncing arrow and are having

trouble finding that geocache be sure to try out triangulation. You will be glad you did.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------
Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

Find Me The Movie Coming Out May 30th, 2009

Well with only a week or so away from the Geocaching based movie Find Me coming out. We thought we would direct one section of their website to you.

If you click the Geocaching 101 link in the lower left you will see several GeoSnippits Video Tutorials which we made at the request of the Find Me folks and a few of our regular episodes.

Please be sure to check out all of the Find Me website and see the rather slick looking interface for Geocaching 101 too.

Find Me comes out May 30th, 2009! Check out their website here: http://www.findmethemovie.com/

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

GeoSnippits - The Introduction to Geocaching

I had been wanting to do an Introduction to Geocaching video for a long time now. The issue of when to actually do it was in direct correlation of how many suggestions we were getting from our GeoSnippits viewers. Which turned out to be more than plenty. So the episode storyboard sat on the shelf, until now.

Now I don't want people to think I make it a habit to put some suggestions to the front of the line but when a movie director of marketing asks to have an episode done..... I can be encouraged to do some shuffling. Yep the people of the up coming geocaching based movie FIND ME asked if we could make a small series of Geosnippits episodes so people who do not know what geocaching is will have enough information to understand the movie. So that is just what we did.

It's basically a 15 minute tutorial broken into three five minute episodes. Combined, all three episodes revolve around two geocaching hunts sprinkled with valuable nuggets of information throughout. When finished you will have a well rounded understanding of what geocaching is all about without being overwhelmed with too much lingo and dry facts.

So lets begin:

Introduction to Geocaching: Part One

Learn where geocaching began and how it works. Find your coordinates on geocaching.com then it's off to our first find of the day with the help of Miss Geoness.



YouTube Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvWBOPxHBnM

Introduction to Geocaching: Part Two

Miss Geoness shows you how it's done finding a micro in the woods. Next, HeadHardHat tells what you should bring while geocaching as he heads off for a regular sized geocache.



YouTube Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRbBjJcErjI


Introduction to Geocaching: Part Three

The final episode of this three part series concludes HeadHardHat's geocache hunt and then gives you a visual explanation about SWAG, Geocoins and Travel Bugs. Plus how to be aware of Muggles and a final wrap up of the entire series. A must see.



You Tube Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqLfH3htBcQ

It is our hope that you find this three part tutorial interesting and fun to watch. Then go to geocaching.com and become a geocaching member. While your at it, keep an eye out for Find Me the movie coming out soon.

If want to learn more about geocaching we have oodles of other GeoSnippits Video Tutorials to look at and enjoy on our GeoSnippits Website or on You Tube. You can also go to the Geocaching.com website for all the indepth information about this amazing game, sport and obsession known as Geocaching..

Hope to see you on the trails folks,

-HHH

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

Tutorial Video on Loading Waypoints and POIs onto a Garmin 60CSx

HeadHardHat got himself a new toy and boy is it fun for Geocaching. I have in my hot little hands a brand spanking new Garmin 60CSx GPS. Some of you with the more up to date GPSs may just go "big deal", but I have done my research and pound for pound I have found that the 60CSx is the work horse's work horse. I know it has been on the market for several years now and there is a reason why it is still the most popular handheld GPS to date.

When discussing what Geocachers like about their 60CSx units the top three faves is accuracy, durability and ease of use. As of this post I have had mine for three weeks and I couldn't agree more.

The shear size of memory for maps and POIs with the addition of an SD card (I upgraded from the factory 256Meg to 2Gig) is quite useful. I currently have my standard 1000 Geocache waypoints and the addition of the 20,000 - yes 20,000 additional geocaches loaded as Points of Interest (POIs). The kicker is that has barely scratched the memory surface and there is tons of room for custom maps.

Okay I just know you are asking yourself why would I bother with keeping 20,000 geocaches on my GPS? Go ahead ask, I'm right here... The reason is it takes almost no time to load and maintain that many when you use an application like GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife). GSAK stores all my .GPX files that I receive from geocaching.com which is also known as Pocket Queries. You simply drag and drop them onto GSAK and it loads them automatically. Then I run a filter to clean up the geocaches the way I want and download them to the Garmin. That's it, and I can do the whole thing in about 15 minutes. Now I can know the whereabouts of pretty much every geocache in my state. Tell me that's not helpful.

So speaking of geocache waypoints and POIs, interested in having multitudes on your GPS? Glad you asked so lets get to it.

GeoSnippits - Load POIs and Waypoints to Garmin 60CSx Part One
Part One shows you how to get the necessary .gpx files via geocaching.com's Pocket Queries. Then how to load them into GSAK which will then load the geocache waypoints onto your Garmin 60CSx GPS.



Go To Video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPgfyX9nArA


GeoSnippits - Load POIs and Waypoints to Garmin 60CSx Part Two
Part Two shows you how to load all those thousands of Points Of Interest (POI)s onto your SD card in the Garmin GPS. One complete you have the latest and greatest information for potentially thousands of geocaches. So what are you waiting for? Lets Get Started...



Go To Video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iyxZDLUOR0

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and feel free to let me know your comments and suggestions. If fact 90% of all the GeoSnippits tutorials we make are from suggestions by geocachers and people like you.

Thanks in advance -HHH


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

GeoSnippits - EasyGPS Loading Geocache Waypoints Into Etrex GPS

I spend quite a bit of my forum time in the "Getting Started" threads. It allows me to help out newer geocachers with any questions that may come up. The idea to do my latest GeoSnippits video came from one of these threads. The geocacher wanted to know if there was an inexpensive yet easier way of loading .GPX files into their Etrex GPS. A little light bulb went off and I thought to myself, "I could do a tutorial on that one." Since I already owned an Etrex Vista already this would be a snap.

So I whipped it out (sorry, just saw Blazing Saddles last night) and took some good photos of the Garmin workhorse in many different stages of loading and unloading of geocache waypoints.

Then I remembered the geocacher wanting an inexpensive application to load waypoints into the Etrex. Normally I would use GSAK but there was another useful application that is also FREE. It's name is EasyGPX by Topografix and you can get a copy at http://www.easygps.com/. For an application with a free price tag it does the job and a bit more. So here was the perfect solution.

With all the pieces in place I commenced to doin' my video'n and voice-over'n then the next thing you know: Tada! GeoSnippits Tutorial:

You can see all my GeoSnippits Geocaching Video Tutorials either

on You Tube : http://www.youtube.com/user/headhardhat

or my new GeoSnippits Webpage: http://www.geosnippits.com/

If you have any comments or suggestions about GeoSnippits you can email me

here: headhardhat@gmail.com

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Get The Latest From HeadHardHat's Blogs

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
and
HeadHardHat's Ingenious Cache Inventor

GeoSnippits Video: Tutorial About Digital Cameras and SD Cards

Here is the latest and greatest GeoSnippits tutorial video out on You Tube. Host HeadHardHat shows you an alternative way of getting your digital photographs out of your camera and onto your computer.

The GeoSnippits series is an ever growing collection of videos designed to help Geocachers and people who are interested in GPS and digital devices learn more through example. You can see the latest video by clicking below or you can enter headhardhat or geosnippits in You Tube's search field.

GeoSnippits - Logging GeoCoins and TBs Tutorial

The latest and greatest GeoSnippits episode is now out on You Tube.

I frequently get asked by newer Geocaching members how Geocoins and Travel bugs work. Where do you log them, who own's them after you find them and other interesting questions. I try to answer these questions in my GeoSnippits video.

You can see this video and all the rest of the GeoSnippits tutorials on my You Tube Channel. Go to You Tube and put headhardhat or GeoSnippits in the search or click below. Much more videos to come so check back often.

HeadHardHat's You Tube Geocaching Channel

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Get The Latest From HeadHardHat's Blogs

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
and
HeadHardHat's Ingenious Cache Inventor

What Can A GPS Do For Me?

We all hate the feeling of driving for an extended period of time in any given direction that we are not entirely sure is the right way. Not completely lost and yet not exactly sure either can create a very uncomfortable feeling. Especially when driving alone this can be down right scary depending on your situation or location. For me I would normally have three different maps and directions with me so I can feel fairly secure where I was going but throw in an unexpected detour and that panic feeling can set in quick. Good Times? I think not. For some asking directions is not a problem, for others it is a matter of pride. We won't even bring up when your spouse or significant other is beside you....yikes.


Fortunately those aggravating days are now a thing of the past for both passengers and the driver. Modern necessity has provided us with GPS devices to help us on our way. GPS stands for Global Positioning System which is nothing more than a bunch of satellites in orbit around our planet that send down a signal for a GPS device to read and understand. The device usually has a map of which you can tell where you are. Then the device reads the signal from the satellites and figures out exactly where you are on the map. It can be so accurate that the difference is only a few feet. So as you move to where ever you want to go from one place to another it will show your exact position on the map.


People often ask me if someone else can “see” where they are because of the GPS and my answer is no. The majority of GPS devices are receiver only which means they get the signal from the satellites but do not transmit a signal. So big brother is not watching over you. There are however transmitters for sale that do send a signal out for just that purpose but again you have to special order it. In fact for GeoCachers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts that type of locator can be a real life saver. One of our biggest fears is to be off trail in a woods or mountain terrain and have something bad happen. How would people know where you are? So one person's big brother is anothers angel from above.


Now that we are starting to realize that having a GPS device is a pretty good thing lets dig a little deeper and ask ourselves, “What can a GPS do for me?”
Let's keep with the basics in this article. There are many different functions that are available to just about everybody but if you do not know how they can be helpful to you what good are they?


Let's look at the initial usability.

• General Location and Searches
• Walking/Biking/Hiking
• Geocaching/Advanced Outdoors Activities
• Driving in a Car/Boat/Plane

Keep in mind that many modern GPS devices can have multiple functions that overlaps so some may be good for more than just the functions described below.

General Location and Searches – Now a days many phones come with GPS technology built right in and there are several FREE applications that can fill your needs without costing you a dime. What? Free? Did I mention that those satellites I talked about before have been payed by you – Joe Taxpayer? Yeppers, the US government has been using it for years but gave permission to you and me back in the early 2000s. So the cost of using those satellites is nadda, nothing, zippo. So if your GPS phone can run applications like Google Maps, Y! Maps and other freebies it costs you nothing to use the GPS functions.


Getting back to the point. Why would a phone GPS be good for you? If you are driving around town and suddenly need to find the closest gas station, fast food, or shopping center then this is the gadget for you. The device will tell you where you are and all you have to do is search for the place you want to go. It will not only give you multiple choices to decide from but how far away it is and step by step directions to get there. This is great if you need this convenience only once in a while. If you are constantly needing guidance to go from one spot to another there are better options.


Walking/Biking/Hiking – If you are the type of individual who likes to take walks in the park or do light biking or hiking on trails then you might be interested in a GPS watch. Why? I know from past experience that on many park trails they criss cross all over the place and even though you are in a relatively save environment it is sometimes easy to get turned around. There are quite a few GPS watches that track your path as you go. Then the pointer shows where you are on that route. When going back to your car or starting point you simply look down at your watch to see if you turn left, right or go straight. There are no complex maps per say but having your exact route shown in some form can be a great comfort. On the more advanced GPS devices this “tracking” ability is built right in but if you want something portable and it fills your needs this is the way to go.


Geocaching/Advanced Outdoors Activities – Without getting too technical I want to break the following GPS usability into two types. They are almost identical except for How and Where you use them. If you really like the outdoors and enjoy boating on lake, biking, hiking the woods, climbing mountain trails or into geocaching then a more rugged hand held GPS is for you. You want to use a hand held because it is just that, something you want to hold in your hand and can easily go in a pocket or backpack when not used. They are all very portable and many models out today are waterproof, durable and have a good antenna when under trees or hilly areas. Just an FYI to remember, good clear line of site to the sky gives you the best satellite receptions. Many times tree cover, tall buildings or hilly ares can give GPS interference and should be a factor when deciding what GPS is best for you. That will be another future article I promise.


Driving in a Car/Boat/Plane – As stated above the next type of GPS has many of the same functionality that you can find in the hand held models. Many come with very in depth maps and nice useful extras. These bad boys can stick to your dashboard, windshield or now a days fit right into the dashboard of your car. They are not waterproof nor drop proof but they have much larger screen displays which is great when driving. A car mounted GPS usually has large fully utilized maps and their POI or “Point Of Interest” selections are much more vast. This means you have more choices of stores, parks, cool places, addresses, etc. to choose from. The more modern GPS units now receive real time information like current traffic conditions and accident reports. Want to know which station has the cheapest gas, no problem. Need the fastest route to the hospital, can do. Mounted GPS devices are true powerhouses but should be in-car only.


Yes, yes I know what you are thinking. In my day people could go from sea to shining sea without all these new fangled gadgets. Couldn't agree with you more and we still can. We don't necessarily need to have mobile phones, computers, and GPS devices to get from point A to B, but let me ask you this. Doesn't the piece of mind of having the ability to know exactly where you are and how to get to any other destination bring you a sense of better security? I know for me I am no longer limited to my own reservations of driving somewhere. I now have a new freedom of saying “Lets go!”, no matter where I am and I no longer have to ask strangers for directions. That makes it worth it in my book.