MnGCA

nrthlake · Geocacher Joined: 03 Nov 2008 Posts: 2

We are working on the Paul Bunyan Geocache event (July 31st) in Crosslake. Have attended events before where they download the waypoints for the event by computer. We are looking for information/help on how to do it by computer rather than manually inputting the cordinates. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

loneeagle_24 · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 9:28 am Post subject:

If you have GSAK it makes it easier. If you don't there are a couple of tech articles if you look in the tech folder at the top of the page. This might help you.
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bflentje · Geocacher Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 3652

Bring along a laptop with GSAK on it or if you have Garmin GPS, use Map Source.

Red_Devil35 · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 10:10 am Post subject:

Yes, you can enter lots of information into GSAK yourself, and then load that info directly into participant's GPSrs.
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MNMizzou · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 9:58 pm Post subject:

Having helped with loading waypoints for people's GPS units I can recommend that you use GSAK as others have stated and try to build up a library of cables to connect units with, or state clearly on the web page for people to bring a cable that will plug into a USB port to download the waypoints directly.

I know the Garmin Extrex yellow alone has 2 different designs, most newer ones use miniUSB, and if I remember right some of the DeLorme units had connections I had never seen before. It doesn't hurt if you can get your hands on a couple of different models to make sure stuff goes in smooth.

Another thing we discovered is if you can run multiple laptops and have Garmin Orgeons/Colorado's funnel towards one machine, DeLorme's to another it sometimes goes faster if you don't have to switch settings every single user.

Finally you might consider also finding some sort of "public" web hosting space to upload the file to let's say 7am the day of the event. Tell people on the page that the file link will be available at that time and you might get a good chunk of people who will do it on their own before they come to the event and that might ease some of the crunch on your download booths as well.

I believe we're going to attend the event, so feel free to shoot me a note if you have more questions!

Pear Head · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 10:21 pm Post subject:

MNMizzou · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 12:08 pm Post subject:

If you don't have any sort of "super secret" type FTF related stuff putting the GPX file up here the morning of the event may be a good solution for people and help ease the lines at the event. I'm guessing the majority of the hotels in the area have wifi that if people know to bring a netbook/laptop with them in advance to get the file they'll be prepared. Either way I'd have traditional paper handouts in case all else fails. I'll have to look around, but I've got some sold E-trex cables that I'll try to bring up with us for you all to use in case folks don't have a cable with them. (It is the old school 9 pin plug in, but I have a USB adapter for it as well, so I'll try to dig it all up)

uffda320 · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:51 am Post subject:

I was at last year's Paul and Babe event in Cross Lake. I'm also a GSAK user, and load all my caches via GSAK and .gpx queries. But, the problem was, at last year's event, the final 12 geocaches were printed on a sheet of paper they handed you at the event. Maybe Nrthlake is suggesting that this year the event will be posting the coordinates online in advance?

I thought it was a fun way to do it last year. It was like watching a scene out of the Amazing Race. The geocachers would grab the sheet of coordinates and then frantically enter them and race off to a cache, hoping to be the FTF. Of course, then some went in logical order (as they showed on the GPS), while some tried using reverse psychology and go to the #10 cache first, hoping to be FTF. Nevertheless, it was a great event and I look forward to this year's event in Cross Lake. The first 20 of this year's event are all very nice caches. Last year's 36 caches were great too. If you haven't started finding this years caches yet, you still have plenty of time. The first set of 10 were placed in the Pequot Lakes area, and the second set were in the Pine River area. It's a great way to explore the lakes area. Pine River, Pequot Lakes, Fifty Lakes, Cross Lake, Ideal Corners, Jenkins, Breezy Point and every point in between. And, none are P&G!!