BlackBerry geocaching /w Blackstar Navigation and CacheBerry

Discussion about anything geocaching tech related! GPS Units, PDA's, Paperless Caching, etc. (For NWOGEO web issues, please use "Website Related Forums".)

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GizmoGuy411
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BlackBerry geocaching /w Blackstar Navigation and CacheBerry

Post by GizmoGuy411 »

<b>Blackstar Navigation 1.6.4, 2009-Oct-09</b><br><br>
<ul>
<li>Great for GeoCaching</li>
<li>Great for Hiking</li>
<li>Save the location of your campsite while hiking</li>
<li>Submit cache updates</li>
<li>Field Notes per Waypoint</li>
<li>Directional Compass</li>
<li>Integration with Google Maps and BlackBerry maps</li>
<li>Night Mode</li>
<li>GPX/LOC Importing</li>
<li>Search for 20 nearest caches</li>
<li>BackLight Lock</li>
<li>Supports BlackBerry Devices</li>
<li>Improved Storm Support</li>
<li>Track Functionality</li>
</ul>
Link: <a href="http://blackstarnavigation.com/About.ph ... >Blackstar Navigation</ul></b></a>
<hr>

<b>CacheBerry Version 2.1.7, 2009-Aug-26</b><p></p>

<ul>
<li>Geocaching Compass and NEW Radar</li>
<li>Storm version with multi-touch</li>
<li>Supports Geocaching.com GPX format</li>
<li>View comprehensive listing details</li>
<li>View recent logs</li>
<li>View and decrypt hints</li>
<li>View Travel Bug® inventories</li>
<li>Show cache on Google and BlackBerry maps</li>
<li>Enter and Export Field Notes</li>
<li>Sort by nearest, recent finds, waypoint, title</li>
<li>Uploadable Field Notes</li>
<li>Search waypoint, title, description and owner</li>
<li>Import from SD-Card or USB transfer</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cacheberry.com/History.aspx"><b><u>Click here to read more about the latest release</u></b></a></li>
</ul>

<p>
<table border="1"><tr><td><img width=240 height=180 src="http://nwogeo.org/images/topic_posts/Ca ... d><td><img width=240 height=180 src="http://nwogeo.org/images/topic_posts/Ca ... d></tr><tr align="center"><td>^ List screen example ^</td><td>^ Cache screen example ^</td></tr></table>
<br><br>
<table border="1" id="table1"><tr><td>
<img border="0" src="http://nwogeo.org/images/topic_posts/Capture7_26_34.jpg" width="240" height="180"></img></td><td>
<p align="center">pending</img></td></tr><tr align="center"><td>^ Compass
view ^</td><td> ^ Radar view ^</td></tr></table>
<p> </p>
</p>
Link:
<a href="http://www.cacheberry.com/"><b>cacheberry.com</b></a>

<p>This post updated 2009-Oct-12</p>
Last edited by GizmoGuy411 on Mon 2009-10-12, 21:57:21, edited 17 times in total.
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sunrenay
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by sunrenay »

Anyone using their blackberry? I've been considering getting one when my contract renews.
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by GizmoGuy411 »

A couple of us have them. Mine is the 9530 Storm and I have been using Cacheberry a little for a while. I've always been primarily a paper cacher, and as much as I like technology, I have not adapted to paperless very well.
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by OnDHunt »

I have a Blackberry, and every time I see Gizmo I am reminded that I need to try it. Right now I use an old Palmpilot for paperless caching. I can not believe that when I first started out I would print everything out!
I am an amazed cacher!
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by GeoFlint13 »

I always print out the cache listings. I use paper that I have given to me that has already been printed on on side, so it's not like I'm contributing to the rising deforestation problem. I jot down notes and stuff about the cache and things on the page. If I had a Blackberry or PPC or something, then I would probably go the paperless route.
Good Luck & Happy Hunting!
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by TeamMina »

GizmoGuy411 wrote:A couple of us have them. Mine is the 9530 Storm and I have been using Cacheberry a little for a while. I've always been primarily a paper cacher, and as much as I like technology, I have not adapted to paperless very well.
So, how do you like your storm?

My phone is junk and I need to get a new one. I am figuring that a Blackberry is the way to go so that I can use cacheberry. I am looking for any recommendations that anyone can give me regarding the Blackberrys.

Thanks!
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by GeoFlint13 »

TeamMina wrote:I am looking for any recommendations that anyone can give me regarding the Blackberrys.

They taste great! Just watch out for the thorns!!
Good Luck & Happy Hunting!
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by GizmoGuy411 »

TeamMina wrote:So, how do you like your storm?

My phone is junk and I need to get a new one. I am figuring that a Blackberry is the way to go so that I can use cacheberry. I am looking for any recommendations that anyone can give me regarding the Blackberrys.

Thanks!
Oh yeah they do taste great! :)

I really like the Storm a lot! It took me a bit to get used to the whole touch screen idea, and the additional "click" feature of the Storm, but now I can type faster than I could on my previous phones.

The software however has a lot of issues. They definitely did not field test it enough. The official software version from Verizon, was last released in December, and I have updated mine a few times since with unofficial versions. Each update has fixed some issues, and/or added new feature, and in some instances introduced new bugs.

The good news, is that an official, less buggy version should be out at the end of the month.

Cacheberry keeps improving too. A new version came out last week and another just came out tonight that I need to download. The author is pretty receptive too. I made some suggestions to him in the past that he implemented within days.

I used Cacheberry while on a weekend vacation in Atlanta a few weeks ago, and it worked out very well, since I was not able to resort to paper as I would typically do at home.

Geocaching.com is also very usable on the Storm. A few things don't work, like the geocaching maps, however most features do. I can easily log caches too if I wish.

NWOGEO.org works on the Storm too, and even better than GC.

I think Verizon has some kind of deal going on now for the Storm too. I think it was for $50. Mine was $200, only 3 months ago. May be worth checking into it.
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by cachergirl27 »

Colorados work wonderfully for paperless caching, too. Even on Multis, you can mark the waypoint & put in the new coords. I'm spoiled now, I went caching this evening on a whim, and had to actually waypoint the coords.....it was a pain!
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by GizmoGuy411 »

jhenkel wrote:Colorados work wonderfully for paperless caching, too. Even on Multis, you can mark the waypoint & put in the new coords. I'm spoiled now, I went caching this evening on a whim, and had to actually waypoint the coords.....it was a pain!
But can the Colorado view the actual GC page in real time? Or can it load a .GPX file when you are not at a PC?
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by GizmoGuy411 »

Screen shot of the new Compass feature!

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Last edited by GizmoGuy411 on Mon 2009-03-23, 17:28:50, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by cachergirl27 »

GizmoGuy411 wrote: But can the Colorado view the actual GC page in real time? Or can it load a .GPX file when you are not at a PC?
No, I guess that is one drawback.
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by GizmoGuy411 »

jhenkel wrote:
GizmoGuy411 wrote: But can the Colorado view the actual GC page in real time? Or can it load a .GPX file when you are not at a PC?
No, I guess that is one drawback.
Yes. But isn't that TWO drawbacks? ;)
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by GizmoGuy411 »

CacheBerry Version 2.0.6, released 05/23/09.
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Re: CacheBerry - Paperless BlackBerry geocaching

Post by GizmoGuy411 »

Yesterday I found my first geocache entirely using my Storm. It was Mighty-Mo's "Northbound I-75 Rest Area" cache.

I started the CacheBerry application, then used the browser app to visit the cache website at Geocaching.com. I then downloaded the GPX file, just like I would do on my PC.

CacheBerry immediately intercepted the download and prompted me to either load it into CacheBerry or merge it with existing data.

I then selected the cache from the list in CacheBerry, and brought up the compass feature.

With the compass feature, it worked much like using my dedicated GPS unit. The compass updates a little slow, but knowing that I was still able to find the cache with the Storm showing it 8 ft away.

While I would still prefer to use my Garmin GPSMap 60CSx, the phone performed well enough to the cache.

It is nice to know that I can find a cache with no PC and no dedicated GPS unit if need be.
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