GeoCache TourGuide Tutorial
Go paperless! Here is how to create a Garmin TourGuide using data from Geocaching.com (and more reasons why you would do such a thing).
Recently on a trip to Yellowstone, I combined GPS Touring with Geocaching. The fun of it was being able to enjoy the scenery, without having to fiddle with my GPS while driving. When I came within proximity of a cache, my car navigation system alerted me and pointed to the approaching cache location. Every time, I experienced a rush of excitement when considering whether or not to take on the challenge.
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"...instead of creating a historical tour, how about creating real adventure!" |
Typically, TourGuides play audio narrative when approaching points of interest. TourGuides are available from various publishers (like TravelByGPS.com) but you can create you own with authoring tools. Here is how to create a Cache Tour using TourPoint Editor and data from Geocaching.com.
Read: How to create your own TourGuides with TourPoint Editor.
Then,
Follow instructions at geocaching.com on how to create a Pocket Query based on a route (premium membership at geocaching.com required).
The result of your work at Geocaching.com should be a GPs eXchange (.gpx) file containing a list of GeoCaches within a certain distance of a prescribed route.
Here are some things to keep in mind when defining your query, considering how much time on your tour you will allow for searching for geocaches:
* Set the "search (distance) from either side of route" to an acceptable amount.
* Select traditional caches in reasonably sized containers.
* Choose active caches that have recently been updated.
* Be conservative with the degree of difficulty and terrain selection
* You also may want to exclude caches that require special skills or equipment
Download as a GPX file. When you get the results of your query then you are ready to start editing in TourPoint Editor
When you open a GPX file in TourPoint Editor, all you see is the alphanumeric waypoint name and a brief description. You may want to expand on the descriptions so you'll have a better idea in the field what you are looking for. You already know what the caches have in common because your query process included certain collection criteria. But, you may want to spend some time looking up details about individual caches and editing the cache descriptions in TourPoint Editor.
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Adding "enhancements" - Have fun by getting creative when it comes to waypoint enhancements, linking audio and image files to your location data.. I used the bugle calls from the TourPoint Tutorial Resources, linking Charge! to the cache waypoints. You can also link pictures of the cache locations to the waypoints so you'll know what to look for.
Finally, set your proximity for each waypoint. It should be at least the same as the distance from route.
Following the steps of the tutorial, you will use POI Loader software to import your GPX file and linked waypoint enhancements, creating a Garmin Point of Interest (GPI) file transferred to your GPS.
How to use tour guides on your Garmin
Once you have your TourGuide loaded on your Garmin. Use the menu Where To->My Locations or Extras->Custom POIs to view the TourGuide points.
You now need to check you settings under "Proximity Points" (Note: unless you actually have a TourGuide loaded on your GPS you may not see these settings).
There are three TourGuide setting options.
- Off: if selected, TourGuide points will not be triggered when the user comes within the proximity of a TourGuide point.
- Auto Play: if selected, TourGuide points will be triggered when the user comes within the proximity of a TourGuide point and the TourGuide audio will start playing automatically.
- Prompted: if selected, TourGuide points will be triggered when the user comes within the proximity of a TourGuide point, but the TourGuide audio does not start to play automatically. The user can start playing the TourGuide audio by using the TourGuide link on the main map page.
On your tour, when you get within proximity of a cache, your GPS will alert and show a "GO" button which when selected will give you turn-by-turn directions to the shortest/quickest approach by road.
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Epilogue: On my trip to Yellowstone, there were long stretches of nothing
in the middle of nowhere. My nüvi loaded with GeoCache TourGuide turned
out to be an excellent traveling companion, at times, bringing me full alert
out of what could have been dangerous fatigue.
