I’ll share three things that I have done in GSAK to enhance my geocaching experience with my Garmin GPSmap60Csx:
1) Installed the GCSE.gsk macro that downloads geocaching icons for each geocache.
2) Selected useful GSAK tags for download with each cache.
3) Downloaded my GSAK database as points of interest.
1.
http://gsak.net/board/index.php?showtopic=5643 The symbol macro that is found on the gsak forum downloads geocaching icons into the Garmin unit.
2. The gsak tags can be found in gsak help under the topic “Special Tags”
Under send waypoints I have:
Use macro for symbol generation: C:\Program Files\gsak\Macros\GCSE.gsk (see #1)
Waypoint name: %code
Waypoint description: %con1%typ1%Dif1/%Ter1%last4%Name
For the cache GCGQ55, Where’s the Fire?
I get a multi-cache symbol with a GCGQ55 label on the map.
Note reads: RM3/2FFFFWhere’s The Fire?
R=Regular container size
M=Multi-cache type.
3=Difficulty rating, 3 is equivalent to 2 (1=1, 1.5-2, 2-3, 2.5=4…)
2=Terrain rating, 2 is equivalent to 1.5 (1=1, 1.5-2, 2-3, 2.5=4…)
FFFF=the last for logs were all finds.
Where’s the fire?=Cache name
I think knowing the size of the container is useful. Sometimes this data is intentionally omitted from the listing by the cache owner. Occasionally it is a simple omission. Most times the data is accurate.
Before I had these parameters set in gsak I searched for puzzle caches at the bogus location set in the cache listing on geocaching.com not realizing they were puzzles. Most listings are “T” for traditional.
The code for the last four finds gives me an indication of whether on not people have been finding the cache. If it is NNNN, indicating 4 DNFs, I will generally research the cache further before searching for a cache that has gone missing.
The cache name is easier to remember than the code. Many caches have names that are long enough to exceed the character limit of the “Note” field in the Garmin GPSmap60Csx. The end of the name gets lost. I originally had the name listed first and the container, cache type, difficulty, terrain, last4 data would get lost. I thought the cache name was usually the least important data required to find the cache so I moved it to the end of the list.
3. I installed a gsak macro for exporting points of interest data. GarminCsvPoiExport.gsk.
http://gsak.net/board/index.php?showtopic=3172I haven’t spent any time to optimize the data exported in the Poi file since I get nearly all of the data in my Palm M500 (I don’t get graphics).
With the default settings on the GC1719D cache I get:
TakeCare Tr/Sm 1.5/1.5 GC1719D and a cache symbol on the map
The data for the waypoint reads:
TakeCare Tr/Sm 1.5/
1.5 GC1719D
FFFF Pl: 10/28/2007
Lf:11/12/2007 Michael
Bonny
I’m not getting a hint. In looking at the macro listing I think I should get it. I haven’t debugged my setup.
The POI only shows up on the map when I zoom way in (~200 ft) so it isn’t very useful for scoping out potential caches. If you know the cache is there then the POI can be useful for supplying information that doesn’t fit in a waypoint listing.
