[Az-Geocaching] Re: Another new feature at GC.com

[Team Sprocket]

Brian wrote:

> You could easily do the same thing with PQs. For example, mark coords for
> several points throughout the state, ensuring that there is guaranteed
> overlap, minimizing as much as possible to ensure you get the
> complete/accurate results. When the PQs are downloaded, load EasyMPS and
> you can double-click each of the PQs and load several, then open directly
> into MapSource. The newer version of EasyMPS will allow you to select
> multiple .gpx files and open them with fewer steps too. Of course, this is
> a Garmin-specific nifty feature, but what can you do?


Let's review:

Step 1:

 For example, mark coords for
> several points throughout the state, ensuring that there is guaranteed
> overlap, minimizing as much as possible to ensure you get the
> complete/accurate results.


This in itself is more complex than it sounds. If I select point A and set
my PQ for a 50 mile radius and then point B with the same radius, allowing
several miles of overlap, but there turns out to be 600 caches within 50
miles of point A, my PQ will only show me 500. Even if Point B overlaps, if
there are 480 caches within 50 miles of point B, chances are I may only get
20 (or even 40 or 60) of the 100 caches missing caches from the first PQ.
With cache locations being dynamic, I see no way of ensuring full coverage
with 100% accuracy

Step 2:

When the PQs are downloaded,


After I wait 24 hours, or up to 6 days, depending when that PQ was dowloaded
last.... and assuming you don't need more than 5 PQ's (the daily limit) to
securely cover the whole state.

Step 3:

load EasyMPS


Another 3rd party program to clutter up my HD...

Step 4:

 you can double-click each of the PQs and load several,



Step 5:

> open directly
> into MapSource


Don't own it / Never heard of it / Does not compute / "I can't let you do
that, Dave" / Won't work with my GPS... (unlike NG Topo!, which isn't brand
specific.)


 It takes a little more initial legwork, but I don't think that's any big
> deal.
>

A little??...

I'll stand by my initial observation. "I can't see an _easy_ way to do this
with PQ's."

As I said before, sure it can be done... but it ain't easy. Heck, I'm
already maintaining a map of all my unfound caches now that is less
complicated than above but still isn't as easy as selecting a check box
labeled, "All caches I haven't found in [select state]."

-- Sprocket
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