Hands Free Geocaching Navigation: We Are So Close.

More Power Allocation For Smartphone Navigation

Without trying to get into the GPSr versus Smartphone navigation debate I wanted to share some insights I have discovered after recently pairing up my phone with my new geocache-mobile. Yes after seven years and 225,000 miles of servitude. My 2005 Chevy Malibu has been traded in for a 2012 Chevy Malibu and with that a whole new set of functionality to play with.

For example, all the hands free goodness which I plan on utilizing when I go out geocaching. Now I can hook my Galaxy S3 directly into the nice little USB port just under the radio. This to me is a big plus because I now have an alternate power source for my smart phone and it opens up my cigarette lighter port for something else. *Note this car also has another port and a standard 110 plug just behind the center console -  slick. So outlets are no longer an issue but is there enough juice going through to keep up with the phone? Read on.

Next is the fun part, the Bluetooth communication. Now I can hook my phone right into the smarts of the car via Bluetooth connector (you can go through USB for other things but not for discussion here). Once paired you have direct access thru your steering wheel to tell your car/phone to do anything from getting directions to a nearby restaurant, send a text, find out the weather, to even just plain calling someone and everything goes through the car's sound system. Very cool but not perfect, the technology is getting there but I have found some bugs when testing these features. Over all, very cool to not have the phone in your hand to do all of this BUT and you knew there was a but, there are indeed some major power drain on the smartphone depending on what you use it for. I noticed very quickly that if you use the phone for navigation either with Google Maps, Waze or any other app you are utilizing the GPS functionality  Now add in the Bluetooth power drain and you can almost watch the battery die right before your very eyes. Even when it is plugged in. Cap'n - We Need More Pow'r.

So maybe this is a good argument for having multiple devices in your car when geocaching. I mean I always have used my smart phone for one or two geocache find runs. Though if you are planning on doing a geocaching afternoon or day. You may want to utilize that cigarette lighter outlet for your auto GPSr unit to get to the geocache site and then use your smart phone or hand GPSr unit for finding your geocache. Right now there is just too much of a drain or not enough battery capacity to put everything on your smartphone.

Now let's see: -=BLING=- Bluetooth -> Voice -> Navigate -> Directions to nearest Geocaching Event -> Engage!

-HHH

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Behind The Scenes: Geocaching Podcast - Ep. 270 - Buying Your New GPSr

HHH is co-host of The Geocaching Podcast

Last night XpunkX, Darrylw4 and myself (Headhardhat) recorded episode #270 of the Geocaching Podcast.

It was good to be back in the saddle again after taking the past few weeks off for a family related hiatus. Even though XpunkX was still sick with a flu bug, Darrylw4 and myself were both pretty much whipped by show time but that is how it goes sometimes. The point is we are back and I personally am getting my sorry excuse of a geocacher back in the groove. This can only be a good thing :)

Last night's show we had owner of GPSTracklog.com aka Rich Owings as our guest. Rich has been running GPSTracklog.com since 2005 and has a vast knowledge of a geocachers bestest buddy the GPSr unit. During our discussion we talked about many of the available GPSr units and the different price ranges and functional capabilities. This is a perfect episode to listen to if you are planning on purchasing a new GPSr or want to spread the information to your significant other cuz the holidays are coming right around the corner. Nudge-nudge, wink-wink.

Overall a very informative show and you really need to give it a listen when it is released in the next couple of days.

The Geocaching Podcast is recorded LIVE every Wednesday at 9:30PM ET. You can be a part of the show by going to the Geocaching Podcast Website and clicking 'Live' to enter the Talkshoe client. You can also download all the published shows from the Geocaching Podcast Website and many of your favorite podcatcher sites and applications.


-See you out on the trails. -HHH
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GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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Learning My Waze Around Town

Over the years I have tested and utilized many different GPSr units, GPSr software and mobile applications. Some were not all that great and others had some really nice functionality. One mobile application that is available for Android and iOs and is in my book a real winner called WAZE. Their catch phrase is "Outsmarting traffic. Together" and they have the right idea.

What would you say if I told you that Waze is an interactive driving tool that not only gives you up to the minute traffic conditions as you drive but also is built to find you the quickest route to wherever you are going? Sounds good right off the bat doesn't it? How about this same utility can tell you were there are hazards in or next to your route that may effect your driving time? What if you could be alerted of a speed trap or police sighting real time? It even allows the map to have speed limit warnings and just about any type of traffic situation you can think of? Waze is that cool.

The idea is simple, there are already tons of Wazers already using the application. As you use the application you can very easily notify others of a hazard or situation like heavy traffic. It immediately goes live and you are limited to what you can put because it wont let you type if you are driving. I was pleasantly surprised just from my ride home at how many we're on the road right there with me and all the different things going on I should be aware of. Everything from cars on the side of the road to a half bag of mulch that was in my lane a few miles down. Keep in mind this is not just for highway or interstate travel. It works great for any road. I was heading to my subdivision and someone told of a cop waiting near the entrance. I waved as I passed by.

On the way to work today there was a large back up from an accident I was unaware of. Waze automatically found me the fastest route around it in a way I never even knew existed. I kept thinking to myself, "Where is this thing taking me?" and then when I got around all of the backup I realized what it had done and was completely blown away. This application is made for finding alternate routes. Awesome!

So yes this is an interactive driving tool you are going to want to use daily. Not to find your way home, rather to find your best way home. There are a lot of extras like points for participating, great info like gas stations with the best prices, a meet up function and so much more... Did I mention it is FREE? Yeppers it's free and I will be honest in that I would pay good money for it even if I had to... But I don't it's FREE...

So give WAZE a try, you will be glad you did.

FYI - thanks to all my friends on Google+ and Twitter who let me know about this great app!

- Andy Headhardhat Smith