Trace: Geocaching software

Geocaching software

From GISWiki

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.

1 Software
2 See also

Software

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.)

PC software

The PC is generally where geocaching starts, having downloaded a GPX or LOC file from the Geocaching.com website.

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. Shareware for 30 days.
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.

Mac software

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.

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.

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

Pocket PC software

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.

BlackBerry software

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.