Using cell phones to cache

[jbansch]

I have not found any topics on using cell phone enabled gps programs I am looking for any input
Thanks

[bigeddy]

I have not found any topics on using cell phone enabled gps programs I am looking for any input
Thanks

Welcome! There is this topic from a couple of years ago, and the Groundspeak forums have many discussions. I know a few people have used cell phones to find caches although there are limitations. Tom Fuller will probably speak up. I have used a Sprint Treo before and now have a T-Mobile G1. The iPhone has become popular where there is AT&T coverage. The Blackberry is another possibility. What do you have in mind?

[tomfuller]

I've been using mine for nearly two years now. It is handy if I want to go caching in an area when I don't have access to a computer. I've found and logged caches in Chicago, PA, TX, NM and AZ using only the Nextel phone without access to a computer. If the phone doesn't lead me tight to it, I'll punch it in to the GPS from the cache page on the phone screen. I can also read previous logs and the hint if necessary. If I do a bunch in a day, I don't have to keep paper notes, just log found or DNF from the phone at the cache site. If you have a buddy who also has a Nextel phone the walkie-talkie works quite well.
If you have other questions, I'll try to answer.

[jbansch]

Well so much for sprint they tell me the motorola v950 cell will only run there gps software for streets not trimble products.I will have to stick with my magellen 210.
thanks for your input

[tomfuller]

My Nextel contract just expired. I am getting Motorola VU204 phone on the Verizon network. They say it will work with Trimble Outdoors/Geocache Navigator. According to the coverage maps, I should have better cell coverage in Crescent and more of the mountains. I'll give a report next week. It is nice to be able to go into a strange town without caches entered into your GPS and be able to see the cache pages for the nearest 10 caches within 2.17 miles.
I'm losing my old PA 570# but the home landline on my cards is still good.

[bigeddy]

Well so much for sprint they tell me the motorola v950 cell will only run their gps software for streets not trimble products. I will have to stick with my magellen 210.

Unfortunately, Trimble does not support the v950 although the v750 is supported (on Verizon). For Sprint your best option might be a Blackberry although Trimble should work with many other Sprint phones. With all the phone companies you have to be careful what phone you get for special applications because their primary objective is to make money from you and they do that with add-ons.

To cut costs I have gone with the more open Goggle G1 phone on a pay-as-you-go plan. There are several geocaching apps for it including one that is free.

[renaissance guy]

sure i use mine with a sprint contract..it is the moto I880. works great. I was the one that showed tom all about it . if you want stop by the store anytime and i will show you how it all works..Well what i know any way...that wont take long

cj

[klossner]

The gold standard, of course, is Groundspeak's own geocaching app for the iPhone. Does Bend still not have AT&T GSM service?

(I still use a Palm running Cachemate and a separate Garmin 60CSx.)

[bigeddy]

The gold standard, of course, is Groundspeak's own geocaching app for the iPhone. Does Bend still not have AT&T GSM service?

(I still use a Palm running Cachemate and a separate Garmin 60CSx.)

No AT&T yet although they have a bunch of tower site applications in the works. They might be operational by early 2010.

I haven't seen Groundspeak's iPhone app but some reviewers say it is just Ok. CacheMate was recently released for Android which makes me happy.