Geocaching Using a TomTom

Geocaching, if you are unfamiliar with the phrase,your database.
is the word used to describe the sport whichNext step is to organise your database. Download
utilizes billion dollars worth of military hardware toa program call 'Geocaching Swiss Army Knife' also
find tupperware boxes in the outdoors!known as GSAK. This is where the fun begins!
Like some kind of modern day treasure hunt, AYou can do an incredible amount of database
'geocacher' will hide an object (usually a smallorganising with this program as well as exporting
tupperware box) in an interesting location, then goto the TomTom, which is what we will focus on
online and post the grid reference on a website.here.
Fellow geocachers will then download the GPSOnce you have your database, GSAK will export
co-ordinates and locate the hidden object usingall your caches as TomTom POI files. You can
their GPS receiver. They would then log their findthen copy them to your maps folder on the
in the included log book, and possibly take an itemTomTom. I have my TomTom to warn when a
from the cache and replace with another of equalcache is in my area, so when driving I get an alert
or higher value. Once home, they would log theirif one is nearby, it saves stopping and looking at
find on the website.the map all the time!
Now, a TomTom is not really designed for findingAnother great tip is to export the database to
these caches but with a little know how, it can bethe TomTom. First you export the database as
put to good use.HTML, then copy the directory generated to the
The first step is to build a database of caches.Docs folder on the TomTom. This will enable you
The largest online database is at You will need toto look up information on the cache while on 'the
register as a 'premium user' to take full advantageground'. Very handy if you are having trouble
of this site, but it is well worth it, as well as beingfinding the cache, you can look up any hints and
inexpensive. Once registered, you can search foralso read other finders reports for clues as to
and download cache details in the GPX format.where to look!
This is a fantastic format as it includes a ton ofSo, grab your TomTom and head out caching!
information on caches which will be very handy in