GPSFAQs.org: GPS Information

Magellan Explorist 210™ FAQ: Geocaching

1. Geocaching with Magellan Explorist 210
1. How well does Magellan Explorist 210™ work for geocaching?
2. What does "geocaching mode" gain us?
3. How is geocaching mode different than normal POIs?
4. What software supports geocaching mode?
5. Can I open GPX or LOC files in Geocache Manager?
6. Why is the hint truncated?
7. How many geocaches can I hold in a Magellan Explorist 210™?
8. I've transferred geocaches to the unit. How can I make them show up?
9. Can I edit a geocache entry on the handheld?
10. I used the incluced Geocache Manager program, but not all my caches transferred.

1. Geocaching with Magellan Explorist 210

1. How well does Magellan Explorist 210™ work for geocaching?
2. What does "geocaching mode" gain us?
3. How is geocaching mode different than normal POIs?
4. What software supports geocaching mode?
5. Can I open GPX or LOC files in Geocache Manager?
6. Why is the hint truncated?
7. How many geocaches can I hold in a Magellan Explorist 210™?
8. I've transferred geocaches to the unit. How can I make them show up?
9. Can I edit a geocache entry on the handheld?
10. I used the incluced Geocache Manager program, but not all my caches transferred.

1.

How well does Magellan Explorist 210™ work for geocaching?

The strong reception in tree cover of the Magellan Explorist 210™ makes it a popular product amongst geocachers. Programs like GSAK, the Geocaching Swiss Army Knife and GPSBabel are popular replacements for the included Geocache Manager.

2.

What does "geocaching mode" gain us?

Geocaches on Magellan Explorist 210™ are implemented as a special type of waypoint. These waypoints can have longer names, but they also contain the container type, the difficulty, terrain, and up to 50 characters of the hint as well as the ability to be turned off and on in bulk and the abilty to mark them as 'found' on the unit.

Geocaches (loaded as .gs files) can not be edited on the handheld and are limited to 200 POIs per file.

3.

How is geocaching mode different than normal POIs?

A point can be marked with either, of course, but geocaching mode allows extra geocache-specific information like the date of last find, the geocache type, the placer's name, and a hint to be stored in the GPS. Additionally, you can mark a cache 'found' to make it easily disappear from the map.

Geocaches are stored in the 'My Geocaches' directory instead of "My POIs' and must have names that end in ".gs" instead of '.upt'. The contents of the file are also different to reflect the additional data in them.

4.

What software supports geocaching mode?

In addition to Magellan's Geocache Manager that came with the unit, GSAK and GPSBabel know how to create files suitable for geocaching mode.

5.

Can I open GPX or LOC files in Geocache Manager?

Yes. These files may be dragged and dropped upon the GM icon to open. Alternately, you can use the programs mentioned above.

6.

Why is the hint truncated?

Only the first 50 characters of the hint will be displayed. This will seem like enough until the first time you're stuck in the woods with a cacache you can't find and click on the hint to find the first 50 characters are "Haha, Made you look. I can't belive you didn't lo"

7.

How many geocaches can I hold in a Magellan Explorist 210™?

Up to 200 at a time may be loaded.The device will actually allow .gs files larger than that, but only 200 points in the file are kept. You can have multiple files on the unit and switch between them as you wish.

8.

I've transferred geocaches to the unit. How can I make them show up?

To activate file on GPS, select menu->preferences->active setup->geocaches/select file. Geocache POIs will display on screen disctinct from regular POIs.

9.

Can I edit a geocache entry on the handheld?

No, you can not edit the text of a geocache entry; that must be done from a computer by changing the *.gs file. If you want to edit the waypoint in the field (perhaps you're entering coords for a puzzle solution or a multi) you should create a user point of interest instead as thos are editable.

10.

I used the incluced Geocache Manager program, but not all my caches transferred.

Geocache Manager has a defect where names that are not sufficiently unique when being sent to the GPS will be dropped.

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