Re: OT
rbowman <[email protected]>
| Newsgroups | comp.os.linux.advocacy,comp.os.linux.misc |
|---|---|
| Message-ID | <[email protected]> |
On Fri, 21 Aug 2026 13:43:20 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote: > On 20/08/2026 21:26, rbowman wrote: >> Lately I've been using the phone unless I >> plan to be in an area with no cell service. > > My in phone app works without cell coverage. Its all in the phone You snipped the relevant context about geocaching. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocaching#Mobile_devices The phone app connects to geocaching.com, retrieves the data for the area reported by the phone's GPS, and presents it on a map. Clicking on one downloads the description, logs, and hints, if any. If the cache is found, you can then log it. Obviously all this requires a connection. Garmin makes a number of GPS receivers. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/outdoor-recreation/handheld-hiking-gps/ Most have geocaching functionality. With those I can download a gpx file with the caches I wish to seek, and copy it to the device over a USB cable. Then it's entirely self contained. Often the device displays the distance and bearing more accurately than the phone app. However if I haven't refreshed the gpx data it may not show recently placed caches. Also, I can't log them as I find them, have to remember what I've found, and later go online to log the finds. It may be possible to do a similar download with the phone app to use offline but I would have to investigate. I do have a GPS app on the phone that shows my location and data about the satellite constellations that does not require a connection. I believe you can download google map data for use offline but I don't use the phone for general navigation or finding the closest pizza parlor. I do realize many people do. An interesting extension is the use of bluetooth beacons to locate your position in areas like malls where the GPS coordinates aren't accurate. This is very handy since the Cinnabun shop can then pop up a notification informing you of fresh hot buns as your near the shop. I really don't need that shit. Bad enough that I geocollar myself with the phone. Horses for courses.