NorthWest Arkansas Cachers

I am interested in finding out how many people use this program and with what other programs they use with it.

Actually, when we first started caching we tried it, but didn't like it much. So we went the EasyGPS route with a PDA for awhile. But then, about a year ago we tried it again and now we don't know how we got by without it.

If any of you haven't tried it, I have a powerpoint tutorial and would be more than willing to demonstrate for you.

Is it possible to research this on the net??

The place with the most information is http://gsak.net. This is where you go to download it, and all the support forums are there. If you run into any problems, PM me.

I started using it a couple of months ago and love it. It takes about 5 minutes to save my PQ, load it into GSAK, filter the caches to what I want, download if needed any new or updated waypoints to my GPSr, and download caches to my Palm using Cachemate.

One thing I like to do in GSAK is sort the caches by 'Last Found' and view only the complete logs. I get a PQ everyday and enjoy reading the latest finds and what people write about them in the logs.

Any questions of my setup, let me know.

I started using it a couple of months ago and love it. It takes about 5 minutes to save my PQ, load it into GSAK, filter the caches to what I want, download if needed any new or updated waypoints to my GPSr, and download caches to my Palm using Cachemate.

One of the benefits of GSAK is that you don't need to download your PQs. If set up properly, GSAK will go to your email inbox and get your PQs directly from there.

You also don't have to use Cachemate to download to a palm. Once you've sorted the caches you want, just click File>Export>Cachemate PDB file. Then when you next hotsynch, it's waiting for you.

Plus, the stats it generates are second to no other program out there.

Michael

If you're not using GSAK, you should be. It's easy, it's free, it's powerful.

You also don't have to use Cachemate to download to a palm. Once you've sorted the caches you want, just click File>Export>Cachemate PDB file. Then when you next hotsynch, it's waiting for you.

I didn't word it correctly - I do export from GSAK, HotSynch, and then in Cachemate I separate the two files into 'Found' and 'Not Found'.

GSAK is awesome. I found about it this past spring and love it.

I think I've been useing it since 2004 and LOVE IT!!!!!

Ive taken updating my GPSr to another level with it!!! It is awesome!! Thanks for pointing me to it in these forums!! See a benefit already. HA!!

The only thing you need to be careful of is keeping the info current. Some people do that by deleting the database before they reload a PQ.

Me, I periodically use the "ONLINE" display function to make sure the caches I anticipate hitting are still good. This way keeps more of the historical logs in case we need them.

Hmmm. I have been taking my weekly file and updating the same database. Should I do it differently? It seems to be working fine.

The thing you have to remember is that GC.com doesn't include archived caches in PQs. So, if a cache gets archived, you'll never know through your pocket queries.

On the other hand, if you get instant notifications of archived caches, that'll help. The drawback there is I believe they only work for a 50 mile radius.

I feel it is an excellent program in many aspects. The information is complete and easily assessable. We have used it prior to vacations in other parts of the country, either printing out the tabulations (by gps coordinates) or taking the laptop with all the info with us, and have found it can reduce the need for an internet connection later.
Rich

I love GSAK. I guess the feature that I like about it most is being able to load my pocket query and using the filters on GSAK to help organize our hunt. I also use a micro on the program to get my html to put my finds on my profile page.

I'm sure GSAK does many more things than what I use it for if I would take the time to play with it some more.

paris1time