Geocaching
WORK IN PROGRESS
Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. Maemo devices make perfect companion for the cache hunting.
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Software
Maemo Mapper and GPXView are software to use for Geocaching on Maemo devices. You can install these with Application manager.
Extras repository must be enabled to install needed software. To enable Extras repository, just open this link on your tablet.
Or you can enable it by hand:
- Go into the Application manager.
- Tap the menu -> Tools -> Application catalog...
- Double-tap maemo Extras.
- Uncheck Disabled.
Next select Browse installable applications on Application manager and install gpxview and maemo-mapper (if you are located in Finland install also maemo-mapper-topomaps-fi).
Obtaining Geocache data
Geocache location files can be found on many websites e.g:
http://www.geocaching.com http://www.geocaching.com.au http://www.opencaching.de
You can import geocache location files (*.GPX, *.LOC ) found on these pages to GPXView. Sites may require registering before files can be downloaded.
Generally *.GPX files contains more detailed information of the caches than *.LOC files. Downloading *.GPX files from www.geocaching.com requires subscription (currently 30$ per year) but *.LOC files can be downloaded freely after registering. Download some caches near you location and transfer them to your Maemo device.
Importing files to GPXView
Open GPXView and select Import' -> File to import one file and Directory to import all supported files from one directory. After that geocaches should be visible on GPXViews main screen. For more information how to use GPXView program look help from main menu.
Export POIs to Maemo Mapper
When you have some caches in your GPXView main screen you can export location of those caches to the Maemo Mapper as a POI data. This makes it easier to get general overview of the cache area. To export caches as Maemo Mapper POI select Export -> Maemo Mapper POI from the GPXViews menu.
You can take exported POI database in use by starting Maemo Mapper and selecting GPXViews POI-file in Settings -> POI -> POI database from Maemo Mappers menu.
Maemo Mapper Maps
By default Maemo Mapper uses maps from Open Street Map project. Maemo Mapper can use other map sources also which might suit better for geocashing. For example here in Finland it's possible to use maps from the National Land Survey (Maanmittauslaitos) by installing maemo-mapper-topomaps-fi package.
It's recommend to download maps with some different zoom levels before you go looking for them. Recommended zoom levels for cache hunting goes from level 4 to level 6 depending how accurate and detailed used maps are. Higher zoom levels are also good for general overview. You can find more information about how to use Maemo Mapper from Maemo Talk discussions or from programs help section.
Heading to the Cache
When you have some caches loaded in GPXView and you have also some maps in Memo Mapper it's time to start your first cache hunt. It's recommend to start with caches which difficulty is 1.
* First thing to do is to check cache description either from the website or if you are using GPX files from GPXViews Desc. tab. Usually there are very helpful hints and it's impossible to found cache if you don't read them.
* Next thing to do is to go outside and start GPS receiver. If you are using device with integrated GPS receiver you only need to select Enable GPS' from Maemo Mappers GPS menu and for GPXView you need to select Enable GPS in settings view. If you are using external Bluetooth GPS receiver you should configure it from the Control Panel (Main Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> GPS location).
* When GPS shows your position it's time to go as close as possible to cache location. You can use both Maemo Mapper and GPXView to get there. In GPXView select Goto tab and Maemo Mapper just use map to get over correct POI icon.
Locating the Cache
When Maemo Mapper shows that you are over cache icon and GPXViews goto tab tells that you are on correct coordinates it's time to start looking for cache box. Cache box is normally put some place where it's very difficult to find by accident. It can be under rock, hanging in the tree or in urban areas also some magnetic cache box are used.
If it seems to impossible to locate cache box you should check cache information once more and see if there are some additional hints attached to it. Hints are encrypted by default so your need to use Decrypt button to see actual hint. GPXView has Hint tab which can be seen for GPX files which include additional hints. Cache logs can be also very useful so you should read also them. If you can't find the cache don't worry, also most experienced geocaching veterans fail to found some caches in first try. Try some other caches and come back some other day. Every now and then some Mugglers destroy some caches so check cache logs later to see if some other people have found it after you first visit.
When you manage to found cache box open it carefully and put your name or nickname on log book. You should remember to put cache box carefully on same place it was and check that it is properly closed.
Now go to GPXView and select Notes tab and mark cache Found.