![]() ![]() With the software installed on our Macbook, we logged into and located the two nearby caches we wanted to try and find first. Using a standard USB cable (which came with the Garmin unit) the computer immediately recognized our GPS device: The software CD which came with the unit was Windows-only, so we downloaded the latest version ( Garmin Communicator Plugin) to my wife’s Macbook and then restarted the Safari web browser. After bringing our unit home, our first step was installing the Garmin Communicator software. If Paul says this is the best unit to start with, I needed to hear no more! So far, we have been thrilled with the unit’s performance and ease of use:įollowing the advice of Barbara Wilson, I had visited the website last week and located a few caches near our house we could try and locate first. ![]() He currently has a set of about 16 GPS units for student and teacher use, and is obtaining grant funds for more units. ![]() The Garmin eTrex Legend HCx was his top recommendation. On Friday when I needed a recommendation for a good but reasonably priced GPS unit with Macintosh compatibility, Paul was the first person I called. ![]() He is, in fact, leading an “extreme geocaching” activity at a cub scout camp near Omaha this summer. As an Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster, Paul has been “caching” for several years now. Paul is not only a phenomenal expert on educational technology topics relating to cartography and mapping, but also an EXCEPTIONALLY enthusiastic geocacher. Paul Clark of the University of Nebraska – Omaha about geocaching. Last summer at NECC in Atlanta, I interviewed Dr. It certainly IS possible to successfully go geocaching with a unit costing less than $100, but the one we purchased IS Macintosh compatible (with a USB connection and Mac software available directly from the manufacturer) and supports different features that I think we’d soon want if we bought a low-end unit. This is not a “low-end” base level GPS unit. I ended up finding it at our local WalMart for just under $250 with tax. Last week’s presentation in Richardson, Texas, by Barbara Wilson of Allen ISD was my personal geocaching “tipping point,” however, and today at long last I purchased the tool which is empowering my geocaching aspirations: the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx. I have known about geocaching for quite awhile and thought it would be fun to try as well as experience with my own kids. Treasure hunting is an exciting activity for a kid of any age, and geocaching not only captures that excitement but also combines it with cutting edge GPS technology as well as a good excuse to get outdoors and do some hiking. Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica. Today, well over 650,000 geocaches are registered on various websites devoted to the pastime. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and “treasure,” usually toys or trinkets of little value. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called “geocaches” or “caches”) anywhere in the world. It’s official! My 10 year old son and I have joined the ranks of geocachers worldwide! According to the current WikiPedia article for geocaching: ![]()
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