How to Geocache With Your Blackberry

Using your Blackberry and geocaching software, you can go paperless, find more geocaches, and be a better geocacher

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blackberry
• Trimble Geocache Navigator software

1. First of all, you need a GPS-enabled Blackberry. Your smartphone is the perfect device for geocaching. To enable your GPS, go to Options, Advanced Options, and GPS. Once enabled, you are ready to begin.

2. After testing several geocaching applications, my final choice was Trimble's Geocache Navigator. Unlike other applications, you do not need to upload data. The data is uploaded over the air from the Geocaching.com website. The software is available from the Trimble site or from many of the other online stores including Crackberry.com.
   
   The software has a very generous trial period so you can determine for yourself if it's a good fit. The price tag may put off some people ($39.99) a year, however, my experience has been that it saves so much time, paper, and effort that it is well worth the price.

3. With the software installed, we ready to begin. You can start geocaching with a destination or particular geocache in mind. Let's say though you're driving around and have decided to go geocaching. After determining your location, you'll be given several options. You can find Quick Caches, or geocaches near your present location. Great if you spontaneously decide to go on the hunt.
   
   You can also use the Find Caches options to enter a zip code, an address, or even a specific cache by its cache code. If you're working on a multi cache, you can also enter latitude/longitude manually to get to the next stage.

4. Once you've selected your geocache, you have many tools to make your search more efficient. Using the radar gives you a perspective of where you are relative to the cache. The compass is the backbone of the application. Here you can see the distance to the cache and the direction.
   
   Additional features add to the fun. A very useful tool is the maps tab. You can view street maps, topos, or satellite views. The topos are especially helpful if you're unfamiliar with the terrain. Finally, the details tab allows you to view the entire Geocaching.com description along with past logs and hints.

5. There's everything you need to get a quick grab. Once you've scored your cache, you can even log it. No need to be keeping a list or trying to remember all of your finds. On the Geocaching.com site, you can access your field notes and edit your log.
   
   With the GeoNavigator software and your Blackberry, you can replace your GPS unit, your PDA, your digital camera, and all of your notes. Geocaching is so much more fun when you can concentrate on the find.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're going to use your Blackberry, make sure it's protected. Use a skin or an Otterbox to keep it safe from the elements.
• Have a camera on your phone too? If you're on Twitter and TwitPic, you can tweet your finds to share with your fellow geocachers.
• Now available on Verizon phones
• Always tell someone where you're going.
• Common sense rules. Don't try that 5 terrain cache is you're not up to it.
• Your GPS uses your phone signal. No bars, no GPS.

[MSmith]

on 2/1/2009 Very helpful and detailed. Great article.***** Welcome to eHow.