Geocaching Using a TomTom

Geocaching, if you are unique with the phrase, is the word faded to portray the sport which utilizes billion dollars worth of military hardware to win tupperware boxes in the outdoors!



Like some kind of novel day adore hunt, A 'geocacher' will mask an object (usually a miniature tupperware box) in an intelligent situation, then go online and post the grid reference on a website. Fellow geocachers will then download the GPS co-ordinates and locate the hidden object using their GPS receiver. They would then log their glean in the included log book, and possibly purchase an item from the cache and replace with another of equal or higher value. Once home, they would log their score on the website.



Now, a TomTom is not really designed for finding these caches but with a cramped know how, it can be set to beneficial expend.



The first step is to form a database of caches. The largest online database is at geocaching.com. You will need to register as a 'premium user' to rob chubby advantage of this place, but it is well worth it, as well as being inexpensive. Once registered, you can search for and download cache details in the GPX format. This is a wonderful format as it includes a ton of information on caches which will be very handy in your database.



Next step is to organise your database. Download a program call 'Geocaching Swiss Army Knife' also known as GSAK. This is where the fun begins! You can do an improbable amount of database organising with this program as well as exporting to the TomTom, which is what we will focus on here.



Once you have your database, GSAK will export all your caches as TomTom POI files. You can then copy them to your maps folder on the TomTom. I have my TomTom to warn when a cache is in my plot, so when driving I accept an alert if one is nearby, it saves stopping and looking at the scheme all the time!



Another expansive tip is to export the database to the TomTom. First you export the database as HTML, then copy the directory generated to the Docs folder on the TomTom. This will enable you to peruse up information on the cache while on 'the ground'. Very handy if you are having effort finding the cache, you can search for up any hints and also read other finders reports for clues as to where to survey!



So, grab your TomTom and head out caching!