Geocaching software
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Geocaching is an outdoor sport that involves the use of a Global Positioning System ("GPS") receiver to find a "geocache" (or "cache") placed anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small, waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure". Geocaching is a unique take on a traditional Easter-egg hunt in that it uses two recent technologies, the GPS and the Internet.
There is plenty of software available on many platforms to assist the user in the search for geocaches. You can use these tools to organize your hunt and to also start Paperless geocaching.
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[edit] Software
[edit] Any Operating System
These programs are reported to work on any operating system (E.G. Windows, Mac, Linux, ...):
- GPSBabel can, amongst other tricks, read Pocket Queries and send them to your GPS or prepare them for your PDA. (Open source and free.)
- GeoQO a geocaching, waymarking and waypoint database providing powerful searching and high flexibility. (Open source and free.)
- Geo-* is a set of tools for converting cache pages into html and gpx files, using cURL. It was developed for Linux, but also works on Windows XP with Cygwin and Mac OS X; however this has not been tested by the developer. (Open source and free.)
- GeoToad (Open source and free.)
[edit] Linux software
These programs are for use on the Linux Operating System:
- GPS Manager (GPSMan) is a graphical manager of GPS data that makes possible the preparation, inspection, and edition of GPS data in a friendly environment. GPS Manager can be used to easily send/receive waypoints, routes, and tracks.
- QLandkarte is comparable to Garmin's MapSource. You can send/receive maps, waypoints, routes, and tracks. It currently works with the Garmin eTrex Legend, eTrex Legend C, GPSMap60CS, and GPSMap60CSx.
[edit] Microsoft Windows Software
These are Microsoft Windows programs that help with manipulating Geocaching data:
- EasyGPS is the simplest place to start.
- ExpertGPS is the paid version of EasyGPS with many improved features.
- G7towin free simple to use program that converts to many formats including Delorme Street Atlas
- GPX Spinner is a simple-to-use drag-and-drop application that customizes the geocache icons based on cache type, and creates a set of HTML files that can be viewed on a Palm or PocketPC.
- Watcher is the predecessor to GSAK, and is still quite useful, especially since it is much easier to use.
- GSAK or the Geocaching Swiss Army Knife is a more flexible, but more complex bit of software that allows translation of the waypoint information into a variety of formats. It's free to use, but after 21 days, nag screens will appear. To avoid these, registration is required (it costs $ 25).
- GPX2HTML
- CacheMagnet lets you edit, map, and download gpx and loc files to your GPSr. Free, open source.
- "GPX to Google Maps" "GPX to Google Maps" is a program that allows you to make a custom Google Map by simply Dragging and Dropping any GPX or LOC file onto the program. You can then save the output as a webpage for viewing in almost any Web Browser.
[edit] Mac software
These run on Apple's Operating Systems such as MAC OS X.
- MacCaching GeoCache Manager for OS X. Import Pocket Queries and LOC files from Geocaching.com and then transfer to your GPS, iPod and/or Palm (for Paperless Caching). Supports Garmin units and Magellan (limited testing).
- Mac SimpleGPS To transfer waypoints to the GPS. It uses the .GPX file you get from Geocaching.com and is pretty straightforward.
- MacCMConvert To transfer cache page info to CacheMate on the Palm. Requires OSX. It uses the same .GPX file you get from Geocaching.com.
- GPSBabel Can send waypoints to a Garmin or Magellan GPS and can prepare cache pages for your portable device in a variety of formats including Palmdoc and Html to send to your PDA or Ipod.
[edit] Loading data into PDAs
Once the data is in a format compatible with the PDA or filtered for the data a cacher wants, the following programs can get the data into the PDA.
[edit] Palm software
- Geoniche Is a full featured GPS program that integrates with an attached, or Bluetooth, GPS receiver to provide an overview picture of cache locations and point the way directly to a specific one. It comes with a companion program (EasyNiche) that imports GPX and LOC files and optionally downloads additional information (cache visitation logs etc.) directly from geocaching.com before transferring the caches to the Palm.
- Cachemate is a popular application for the storage of cache information. It also connects to CacheNav to allow you to search for a cache with it.
- Plucker
- iSilo
[edit] Pocket PC software
- BeeLineGPS looks like a powerful all-in-one geocaching appplication with export to Google Earth KML capability.
- Smache By importing GPX files from pocket queries generated by Geocaching.com, you can keep a very extensive database of caches up-to-date and ready for instant access any time.
- GPS2blue Record position, speed, altitude, Works in NMEA, Raw and SiRF mode.
- GeoScout GeoScout is designed to be the only software you need to go geocaching. You can download/import, view and manage all caches of interest.
- GPXSonar allows a gpx database to be accessed in the field, complete with cache descriptions. Field notes can also be entered in the software which can then be transferred back to the PC (for example into GSAK) later.
- GPXView provides a simple way of managing and viewing gpx files
- iSilo
- CacheMate is also available for Pocket PC. It shares a lot of common features with the Palm OS version, including its own version of CacheNav.
[edit] BlackBerry software
[edit] Web-based software
- GPS Visualizer is a platform-independent utility for creating maps and profiles (in SVG, JPEG, PNG, or Google format) from GPS data; it can read the .LOC files generated by Geocaching.com. GPS Visualizer also hosts an on-line version of GPSBabel, which is a free GPS file conversion tool.
- Geocaching Quick Links is a one page search interface to the Geocaching.com website.
- It's Not About the Numbers is a handy little application for viewing various stats about the caches you've found. To use it, you need to be a Charter or Premium Member at Geocaching.com since you must be able to submit your "My Finds Pocket Query" to the site. Note that doing so may violate the geocaching.com terms of service, however.
