yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] de vossers:
yes, that is what i mean. this problem is hapening now 2 monds, and before there was no problem...

i do not known anymore if i did an update or so.

i got always 3G....

my sister got the problem about the same time.

i use this programm so i do not have to use GPX files....

GateCacher is a same program, but has no google-maps, and have other problems.

i would use this program as mij favorit!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
True, you don't have to use GPX files when you use GCz BUT if you want to select a list of caches to find on a particular trip then a GPX file generated from criteria you set in a PQ is by far the best way to do it.

Just import it into GCz.

GCz cannot give you a list of selected caches (type, terrain, difficulty, exclude puzzles not solved etc) and so the list you generate will always be far bigger than perhaps you need at a given time.

GPX files can be used to import and save/name numerous lists in GCz.

I only ever download 'in the field' if for some reason the cache I am looking for is not in one of my lists generated from PQ GPX files.

Don't underestimate or undervalue the usefulness of imported multiple cache GPX files even when working with GCz :)

Sorry, hope that makes sense, I don't feel like I have expressed myself very well, but it's late and the end of a busy week. Thankfully a caching day tomorrow. And my cache list of what I'm hunting is all loaded into the HD2 ready to go. From a PQ GPX file :D
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] namhtc:
I confirm : it's the BEST freeware for Windows Mobile I ever seen

I didn't find this software slow at all ... compared to the time you need to print geocache informations and/or enter them manualy in your PocketPC GPS software :D.

It's just amazing how people can critize a free marvelous software : you found slow a sofware which save you an enormous amont of time :confused: (it's only my point of view ).

Let me tell you how I process for a hunt :

1. Activate Wifi connection at home

2. download all caches info with pictures and 100 logs from my current position

3. start the hunt :)

Of course the download takes sometimes but it displays the data volume transfered (and it's really huge : never less than 1,5 Mo for a twenty caches list). Thanks to GCzII all datas downloaded are then easy to use without any Internet connection :):)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] de vossers:
in the feeld is 6 or more minutes a long time toe get the info...

normally the downloading was very quick, an now it is slow to get the cache list (1 minute at the most) and cache info (10 seconds) of the internet....

GPX is something i do not want to use... i got internet on my phone to get info of a cache.

a GPX of 10.000 caches takes also for ever, and is not acurate.

love the software as it was.... now a bit less
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] eriche:
0.2.35.47 - crashes

For me the new version "0.2.35.47" but also the previous version crashes very often when I want to open the description :rolleyes:

This doesn`t happen with all geocaches.

I deleted my "DB" folder but still have troubles :mad:

Is this a problem only for me - or is there something wrong with gczii:confused:

GreeT`s Erich
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] de vossers:
also did have this problem, but not with the .47 version (yet)....
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
Why on Earth would you want a GPX file of 10,000 caches ???

You must have some good days caching if you need 10,000 caches to work on at a time.

A PQ generated GPX file can be anything from 1 to 1000 caches. I usually limit mine to the number of caches I am trying to find in any one day - 30 to 40 tops.

A very manageable sized list of caches I have predetermined are achievable in a day.

I think you are not understanding exactly what GPX files and how they can be used, so I'll not waste my breath trying to persuade you of their value.

As for accuracy, if you download them from gc.com the day before, then they are pretty accurate.

You can always 'reload cache' in the field if you can't find one and want to check nothing has happened to it in the last 24 hours.

Still, I suppose everyone has their own way of working. I'm happy with mine so I shouldn't try and persuade others that my way is better.

Happy caching!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] de vossers:
when i go caching, is normaly not pland...

i cache in the Netherlands and there are more than 10.000 caches.

GPX comes from GSAK, and contains all caches of the Netherlands
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] eriche:
Is it possible that this is a device specific issue:confused:

I use GCZii on my HTC HD2

Someone was giving following hint

it seems that causes the problem,...

have to verify it - in some cases it works now - so a bug in GCZii :eek:

GreeT`s Erich
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
I cache in SW UK and there are 7500 caches within 100 miles of my home.

But I don't load all of them into a GPX file and onto my phone, that would be silly.

My GPX files come mostly from GC.com PQ's as I have said, but sometimes I use GSAK to export a GPX.

But I wouldn't export the whole database - you can filter to get a GPX from GSAK you know.

If you believe that GPX files come only from GSAK and that you have to export the whole database contents then I can now understand your comments about having a 10,000 cache GPX file and the data not being accurate.

I would just never do it that way, which is why selective and filtered GPX files straight from a Pocket Query work fine for me.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
No, not device specific, all working fine on my HD2

That fix was for v45 when it was broken by the website changes. It was a work around while Tom fixed the problem.

You should not need to uncheck static maps with the latest version.

I have not seen this problem reported by anyone else with the new version, unless they haven't cleared their cache_DB folder manually.

You say you've done that so I don't know what else to suggest...

But it's not a problem with HD2 and I don't think it's a software bug - have you tried reinstalling v47 again?
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
Download speed tests

Just did a speed test to see how quickly GCz actually downloads cache lists and cache details.

I have download settings set to download max 20 caches and downloaded a fresh list each time so the cache details weren't in the cache_DB folder.

I chose to download a list from a given location as I don't have GPS signal indoors so can't do 'search by nearest'

I ran 3 tests and took the range of timings.

Tests carried out on an HTC HD2

Using wifi:

Download cache list : 16-20 seconds

Download single cache details : 14-18 seconds

Using GSM - 'G' signal indicated ONLY, not 3G or HSDPA:

Download cache list : 70-90 seconds

Download single cache details : 75-86 seconds

Given the big difference between wifi and gsm surely the conclusion is that GCz is pretty fast. It's the connection type that slows things down. I suspect if I had a decent 3G reception the results would be more impressive for GSM.

I have had slower response times in the field - sometimes much slower. But given the speeds achieved on wifi, I can't put that down to the software.

Would be interested to hear from Tom if any of the changes to the website have made his program run more slowly than it used to due to the new coding required.

Or if anyone else has any measurements or comments.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] TheConfusedOne:
Why the fuss about the speed?

Hi everybody,

Since there seems to be a more or less random discussion about whether GCzII is fast or slow for downloading cache information let me also speak my mind:

I mostly prepare a route throughout the week for a caching tour with my friends.

We then will print the description of every cache on the list to have a place to actually write down some notes (this would take far too long on the device).

When in the field i just pop up GCz wait for the GPS signal and put in:

Get me caches around me. (usually around the location of the first one on the list)

This then takes some time.

With "G" - which is GPRS - it takes around one to two minutes...

With 3G or even HSDPA its obviously faster...

My device goes to sleep after two minutes, yet this never happened till today when getting the list.

For me the bare possibility to search for caches around me at any given time is the most useful feature. Getting the cache description is also fast enough for me... even with only bad GPRS reception (one or two signal bars)

If you need to get the info really FAST... then prepare your list beforehand.

If you need the cache info AT ANY GIVEN TIME... then time should not be of the essence... since Tom cannot change your signal strength and the kind of network your device has at this moment.

Yet... now that i wrote those words, a feature request popped up in my head :D :

I would love a map which shows the caches and their location (as the one on gc.com)

Still...

Thx Tom, for the hard work and for keeping it free!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
Amen to that. The point I was trying to make. We can't blame Tom's software for the vaguaries of GSM and website speeds, and if you want data to hand quickly there are other ways of achieving that. In my case, PQ GPX files.

You can do that already.

When you have your list of caches on the screen (or just one cache), go to the menu and select 'Google Map'

You then get a map or satellite view with all the caches displayed on it so you can see their position relative to each other and to your location.

The icons even indicate whether they are ones you have found or not (red or blue ticks) and you can touch each icon to display the cache name.

It does need a data connection to do it though.

On my HD2 that menu option is hidden when the menu pops up and I have to scroll the menu to get to it.

That's why it took me a few months to find it - until someone on here pointed it out :D
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] TheConfusedOne:
Well...

Ah.... that's exactly what i meant.

THX for pointing it out!!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] docfred:
Overview screen

Hello everybody,

On the overview screen (see attachement) I have icons that are too big. Does anyone know how to correct that?

docfred
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Titus_Andronicus:
Read the bolded note in this thread (on the GCzII Help forum).
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Titus_Andronicus:
Cache Download Speed

I think I have noticed that recently GCzII is taking longer to download the cache list, the cache details, and the log find page. I just assumed this is because GC.com is more data intense now than it was previously. There is now all that java or whatever it is that puts that feedback thingy up, and the facebook spot etc. I don't suspect it has anything to do with GCzII.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
How do you cope with no signal

Been out caching today (hoorah) and had a very long walk around a very huge but nice forest.

Loaded up my HD2 with a GPX file of all the caches in the forest (17) before I set off.

Got started and everything was working fine, then got a little lost and found myself in an open area with no clear footpaths out the other side.

No problem, I thought, have a quick look at Google maps/satellite and see if I can see a way out.

But ... no phone reception. Seems I hadn't had any since I arrived in the forest car park, but I hadn't noticed.

That got me thinking, after recent discussions here:

You guys who do not use Pocket Queries or GPX files to preload your days caches but prefer to get to your starting point then download everything within an x mile radius of where you are:

What do you do (or are you going to do) when you arrive at your start point and have zero phone reception?

Or, you go to download your caches and find that GC.com has gone down for some reason and may stay down for an hour or so?

I'm sure either of these things can happen.

Won't that completely mess up your plans for your day out? You have no back up data in your phone and no means to access data from the website.

Maybe it hasn't happened to you yet - but what are your contingency plans for when it does?

Just curious and helping to keep this thread busy while GCz is working just fine for most people :)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] SecretAgentMan:
No offense meant, but you've just made a great case for using a real GPS, not the one in the phone. You can't expect a phone to help you navigate when you're in the middle of nowhere and can't get a data signal.

I cache with a Garmin Oregon and then enter logs with GCz. If I don't have data coverage, I write a note and then post the log when I get back into coverage. I also use GCz to review old logs when I can't make a find, and to find new caches in the area when the PQ on my GPS is a bit dated.

I agree with you, it's best to preload a .gpx for GCz in any event. However, I'd never hit the woods without a real GPS.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] SecretAgentMan:
Erich, when you said you cleared out "DB" you really meant \Cache_DB, right?

Try clearing it again. Just go to that folder and delete the caches in it. If you are still encountering an issue, repost with the EXACT steps that cause a crash, and confirm the version you have loaded.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
We got out ok using common sense and sense of direction in the end. I just hate it when I can't use technology :)

How do you know I don't? :D

My partner has a Garmin Etrex Legend HCTXABCD somethingorother, I have the HD2.

The Garmin is great for pinpoint accuracy when sometimes the HD2 is being a little wayward.

The HD2 is great for looking up cache details, past logs, TB missions and (when there is a signal) bringing up a google map to get our bearings. And of course I can make field notes on the HD2, phone signal or not.

The 2 devices each have their strengths and weaknesses and work well together as a team.

Which would I choose to take to the woods if I were only allowed one? Probably an Oregon fully loaded with detailed maps, but I don't have one of those so I'd sneak the legend and the HD2 in my bag while the person who gave me the fictional ultimatum wasn't looking :D
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Titus_Andronicus:
oh oh....

Important notice has been posted on GCzII.newstarforum.com
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Titus_Andronicus:
I usualy do the downloading the night before, or before the next site update. I download the static maps as well. I also use OziExplorerCE with topo maps I have setup. OziExplorerCE doesn't require a data connection. The other issue with caching without network coverage is those of us with A-GPS chips in our phones, the GPS work like Sh!t when there is no network coverage. I use a Bluetooth GPSr when I expect to be out of coverage. That always works.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Titus_Andronicus:
Oh Oh!!

Sorry, this bump is just to keep this notice on the current page.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] derlbear:
I always use my HTC Touch Diamond 2, or Topaz to go caching. I always go caching with a friend of mine. We choose the caches before we start, I load them on my phone via wifi, put the caches we want to find into the favorites and load them with all the static maps and so on.

I don't have a data plan, so I use fieldnotes. When I don't know exactly which cache details I need, I download about 40 for one location. Then I can use GCzII completely offline. That's enough. I don't understand why people need more than 500 caches on their devices. Just find a hotspot and download more when you need more. Nearly every small village has an open hotspot.. doesn't matter where you live.

SOMETIMES I use GCzII online, when I'm very spontaneous ;-) Just switch it on, push 2 buttons and you can start. Try that with a Garmin, Oregon or whatever. I don't use the A-GPS function, only GPS. Although I have a BT GPS from my last phone, I use the one that's built in because it's accurate enough. There was NO cache I couldn't find because of the GPS. A built in compass would be cool, but I wouldn't buy a new phone only for that. Just walk a few meters and you know the heading. Works great :)

Edit: GCzII in combination with TomTom or Mobile Maps is AWESOME! You can use then offline and TomTom for example is VERY detailed (Germany).

Well, the important notice has been posted on gc.com:

Geocaching.com will be going offline temporarily for a site update on Wednesday, July 28th at approximately 1pm PDT (GMT -7). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

which means that it MIGHT happen that GCzII stops working at that time :(

Cheers,

derlbear
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] RRRick:
Help on GCzII?

I use GCzII on my HTC Touch Pro2 and am looking for some help.

1. Is there a GCzII "Help" document somewhere that explains all the different program settings?

2. What does the "Logging Start" and "Logging Stop" options control (i.e. what is logged)?

3. It is very common while searching for a cache that the "distance to cache" number does not update in the GPS Monitor screen ... and that can get very annoying. There seems to be a sufficient GPS signal present when this happens. Does anyone know if there is a way to force a distance update - or if there is a setting that controls this - either in the GCzII software or in the phone registry?

GCzII is a FANTASTIC geocaching program!
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] namhtc:
This option seems to add your trace on the radar screen = it displays blue path linked to the central blue point - current position. Am I right ?
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] RRRick:
Logging

I think the blue path / trace on the radar screen is the "trail" - and there is an option on the radar screen menu to turn that on or off. If that's correct, then I'm still not sure what the "logging" refers to?????
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] docfred:
I'm wondering if the intervals became shorter and shorter. Hope that GCZII will work again until mid of august.

docfred
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
Can't claim credit for this so please don't ask me what it means, but from a quick search on this thread I found the following:

[Logging start]... creates a raw NMEA log file in your GCz folder with all the NMEA messages received from the GPS receiver.

Hope that means more to you than it does to me :D

Never used it myself.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Titus_Andronicus:
Check out the GCzII forum at http://gczii.newstarforum.com

Sounds like your phone's GPS chip has static navigation. It is something you are going to have to learn to deal with (start moving quickly to get it to start updating again), or use an external bluetooth GPS "puck".
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Titus_Andronicus:
These are just the monthly site updates. The reason that it always seems to break GCzII is due to the significant imporvements in the recent updates, then fixes to these updates etc. They are not trying to screw us. They have stated this several times, and have even stated that they are thinking of making the API Public.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] David1052:
My HTC is working fine do I need to download version 47 it took a lot to get version 46 working what will the difference be also how do I improve my compass Many thanks David
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] derlbear:
:) You can convert the nmea log to a gpx or kml route or whatever :)

1. Open it with Google Earth

2. ???

3. PROFIT :D

I attached a sample file from a caching day two years ago. Use a GC.com layer to.. well.. see.. hmm. I removed some positions because I just wanted an overview and not a too detailled path.

Well, you can also use the nmea file to geotag photos. I use "GeoSetter" for that. You load the nmea log, choose the directory of your pictures.. click 2 or 3 buttons and you have geotagged photos :)

Cheers,

derlbear
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
Version 46 shouldn't still be working. Are you sure you can get cache details downloaded to the phone from gc.com

If you can, let us all know how you did it because version 46 is broken.

Upgrading to 47 is easy - especially if you have a version installed already.

Just copy the new cab file across to your phone and click on it. The old version will be removed and the new one installed.

You shouldn't notice any difference, except all the functions on the new version will work.

If you have problems, head over to http://gczii.newstarforum.com/ where someone will help you.
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
HOW COOL IS THAT!!

So you just start logging when you switch GCz on and leave it going (presumably stopping it if you jum in a car at any point to drive to another location).

Don't know about layers or anything like that but I'll have a play.

Don't suppose you can use that to tell the distance you walked on the route can you?
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] derlbear:
JIP!

Yes, I start logging when I switch it on and when I don't need the phone, I switch the screen off and put it into my pocket (still logging). When I'm in the car, I connect it to a charger, but that isn't really necessary. At the end of the day, you can see the path you went :)

You don't really have to add layers. Just open the GPX file you used (from gc.com or exported from GCzII) with Google Earth, and then add the converted nmea log. I always save both in one folder. I only have to select both files (gpx and kml) and drag&drop them into Google Earth.

Sure. And much more! Height, speed, ... I use GPS-Track-Analyse.NET, which is German. But there should be many English programs, too.

Cheers,

derlbear
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] Paulloft:
Thanks derlbear, I'm going to have a play with all that :)
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] gunther26:
Can someone please help me ???

Hi everybody !

I tried to install many version of this app but every time I tried to see a cache description, the app close itself. The same problem happens when i try to download some caches to my phone, it closes after downloading 200 kb.

My phone is in win6.5.5 with htc sense.

Excuse me for my bad english but i'm french
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] David1052:
Hi paulloft yes version 46 was still working perfect but I dont think I use it to its full potential I got my pc man in and he loaded version 47 for me seems to be working ok. Can I improve on the compass in any way plane easy instuctions please
[Windows Mobile Apps and Games] derlbear:
Hi gunther26, you don't have to install many versions, just the last one, which is .47 that you can find here. You can also install the language pack although it is for an older version. Nothing has changed since then.

Install the latest version, then delete the content of the Cache_DB folder and you should be fine. There are many helpful tips on the last few pages about that problem. Have you tried those? It always comes to the point that you have to install .47 and delete the cached caches (Cache_DB). Please try that.

Hi David, which phone do you have? Is there a compass included? Even if it is, there is NO easy way to integrate that into GCzII, sorry. I also don't have a compass included, but it works great when you walk a few steps in one direction. That makes GCzII calculate the heading so that you know where you have to go.

Please be sure that you always use the latest version. You can export your settings, install the new version, import the settings to be absolutely sure that nothing got lost (except the GC.com password). You should be able to do that without the PC man :-) There's an app called "AppToDate" which keeps GCzII... up to date :-) It's quite easy to check if there's a newer version and also to install it. You don't have to copy files from the computer onto the SD card or whatever.

Cheers,

derlbear