Finding a cache #2

EagerBeavers · Newbie

Finding a cache #2

Lizardo · Senior Member

What is the make and model of your GPSr?

EagerBeavers · Newbie

We have a Magellan, Meridian model (WAAS enabled). We understand the coordinates for where ever we are as it is displayed on the GPS and we can find that spot on a map using those coordinates but we don't understand the relationship between how those coordinates are expressed and the ones posted for caches. Thanks

grnbrg · Senior Member

EagerBeavers wrote:

We have a Magellan, Meridian model (WAAS enabled). We understand the coordinates for where ever we are as it is displayed on the GPS and we can find that spot on a map using those coordinates but we don't understand the relationship between how those coordinates are expressed and the ones posted for caches. Thanks

Do the co-ordinates your GPS shows look like: 14U E 637208 N 5535028? If this is the case, then your GPS is using the "UTM" co-ordinate system, and most of the co-ordinates published on geocaching.com are published using "Degrees and minutes" -- ie: N 49° 57.110 W 097° 05.239.

UTM is great, as most paper maps are scaled using this system. Geocaching is generally done with Degrees and Minutes. Your manual (or someone else posting here) should let you know how to adjust this setting.

grnbrg.

EagerBeavers · Newbie

Yes, they do. I think we have the answer now. We'll pour over the manual and hopefully go geocaching this weekend. Thanks so much.

bevro · Veteran Member

I have a Thales (Meridian) unit and you have to go into the setup menu and make sure you have selected the proper system. Shud set to WGS83 (or is it 84, can't remember). Once you have set that, you then have to navigate to the mode of display. Meridian allows you a number of different options, and depending on your selection, you can display different ones at the same time. I have mine set for DD mm.sss and DD.sssss which are displayed at the same time. If you can't find the menu, drop me a line on Thursday when I get back to Winnipeg. Having fun out here in Regina (a bit of an oximoron if ever I heard one!).

Lizardo · Senior Member

Actually, Bevro, isn't it displayed as DD MM.mmm? Geocaching.com is using decimal minutes and not seconds.

EagerBeavers- You should also set the map datum to WGS84. To do this press Menu, then go to Setup<enter>, Map Datum<enter>, Primary<enter>, then choose WGS84 <enter>. Unless you have a reason to use a different ellipsiod, you should set the primary AND the secondary datum settings to WGS84.

Also, make sure that the Coordinate System is set to Lat/Lon. To do this press Menu, then goto Setup<enter>, then Coord System<enter>, Primary<enter>, Lat/Lon<enter>. You will then be offered a choice of Coordinate Display methods. Choose DD MIN.MMM (or DD MM.mmm, depending on your firmware version)

If you wish, you can set the secondary Coordinate system to UTM to allow you to see those readings on the GPS as well as the Degree Minute readout.

To enter coords manually into the GPS, you need to hold down the GOTO key for 2-3 seconds. You can now edit the two location fields. Simply highlight the first field <enter>, edit the coordinates using the thumbpad, and press enter. That will send you to the second line, edit that<enter> and then scroll down to the Save button<enter>. You can use the same screen to edit the "WPT001" entry to something more intuitive. But that is part of my advanced class, you have to pay for that!

Hope that helps. Good luck.

EagerBeavers · Newbie

Thank you Bevro and Lizardo - because the manual didn't help. We have set things following your instructions, WGS84 and Dec.min.mmm but when we go to enter the coordinates the GPS won't take the #6 in N49.649. We are off for the weekend and will pick up from here on Tuesday.

Lizardo · Senior Member

N 49.649? Where is that number from? geocaching.com wouldn't publish that number as it does not represent proper minute notation. The most significant "M" digit will never be greater than 5.

That sounds like degree decimal notation. But it usually has more digits after the decimal.

DD.dddddd -degree decimal

DD MM.mmm-minute decimal <- This is the setting you want

DD MM' SS(.ss)"-Degree Minute Second

-- Edited by Lizardo at 21:03, 2006-08-02

bevro · Veteran Member

Excellent mini tutorial, Lizardo. Now that I am back in the office and actually have my Thales in hand, your simple to follow directions work for the most part. I'm not sure what 'go to' button you're holding down on your Magellan but on my unit, you have to go to the menu key, select set up and move the cursor down to 'GOTO' and hit enter. This opens another menu screen that allows you to search using different criteria like user waypoint, cities, highways, airports etc and will search from the nearest to far.

I have complete faith, Lizardo, if I ever need a rod'person' to run in another rail spur somewhere in northern Ontario, I can call upon your expertize. One question though. How good are you at swinging a brush axe while staking centerline, posting elevations AND swatting off black flies the size of your fist (concurrently)?

-- Edited by bevro at 13:08, 2006-08-03

Lizardo · Senior Member

Wow, Bevro, you had me at "Hello". Sounds like a great time.

Geez, I hope we are talking about the same Meridians. This is the link to the manual I was referencing for directions.

http://www.magellangps.com/assets/manuals/Meridian_series_en.pdf

There is an older meridian (discontinued in 97) that has the flip up antenna. If that is the case, then my instructions may be useless. Here is the link to the manual for that product.

http://www.magellangps.com/assets/manuals/meridian_XL_en.pdf