General FAQ > Windows Mobile FAQ > Pocket PC FAQ > CacheMate

- How do I convert a Palm OS CacheMate database to Pocket PC?
- I have a Bluetooth GPS receiver, but CacheMate/CacheNav wont connect to it. Help?
- How do I get data from GPX/LOC files into Cachemate?
- I have a VGA display. What's with the dialog box that shows on startup?
- Is there any way to have multiple center points?
- I can't load a LOC file saved with EasyGPS. What's wrong?
- When I import a LOC/GPX file, the description and hints aren't there. What happened?
- I've installed on a memory card. Why are database updates so slow?
- I try to select a database, but none of my GPX files show up!
- How do I sort caches by distance?

How do I convert a Palm OS CacheMate database to Pocket PC? (back to top)

You don't, at least not directly. The only way to transfer most (not all) of the Palm OS database content is to use CM2GPX on the corresponding PDB file, and importing the resulting GPX file into the Pocket PC version.

I have a Bluetooth GPS receiver, but CacheMate/CacheNav wont connect to it. Help? (back to top)

CacheMate and CacheNav treat Bluetooth devices as regular serial devices, but with certain provisions to make such connections more stable. On most Pocket PC devices, this is enough.

In cases where the automatic Bluetooth connection doesn't happen, make sure you're using the correct port number, and set up the Bluetooth connection manually. This can usually be done from the "Bluetooth Manager" or similar program on your PDA.

If neither the automatic nor manual Bluetooth connection works, I'd be interested in knowing what particular device you're using. Send an email specifying what PDA model and Windows Mobile version you are using. The chances of actually getting a fix together are unknown, though, so if a 3rd party solution like GPSGate works for you, then go for it.

How do I get data from GPX/LOC files into Cachemate? (back to top)

- Copy file(s) into the PDA's My Documents folder (anywhere in there)
- Start CacheMate
- From the list view, select the Import toolbar button (2nd from right)
- Set options as desired and select Start

After completing those steps you will see where you can select what file to import and go from there. If you want to import more than one file at a time, zip them up before copying them to the PDA, and select the ZIP file when prompted.

I have a VGA display. What's with the dialog box that shows on startup? (back to top)

The dialog box shows for half a second on devices with VGA displays, as a workaround for certain devices of that kind that have buggy support for certain things when it comes to DPI-aware applications with certain characteristics. There isn't any way for CacheMate to tell which devices are affected, and there doesn't seem to be any other way around the problem.

Is there any way to have multiple center points? (back to top)

This is just one use for being able to create records without importing anything. Create a record for each center point you want, enter the coordinates in the the record, and later on you can set it as the center point from the list view. Creating a dedicated category for these is probably the best way to keep them all in one place.

I can't load a LOC file saved with EasyGPS. What's wrong? (back to top)

This is due to a confusion of the LOC file format between Geocaching.com and TopoGrafix (maker of EasyGPS). The former is an XML format, while the latter is a binary format.

CacheMate, as well as EasyGPS, can load the Geocaching.com LOC XML format. The only LOC files that EasyGPS saves, though, are the binary format. EasyGPS data can be imported into CacheMate, though, by saving it as a GPX file, and importing that file.

When I import a LOC/GPX file, the description and hints aren't there. What happened? (back to top)

LOC files from Geocaching.com don't include cache-specific information such as terrain/difficulty ratings, descriptions and hints. All that they contain are the cache name, owner, waypoint name, and coordinates. GPX files that are obtained from Geocaching.com, though, have all of this information, and are also supported for import. However, they are not freely available. You will need to get a paid membership at that site, and create a pocket query to generate those files.

In some cases, an imported GPX file may not have this information either. Generally, it's due to taking a Geocaching.com-generated file, then editing and saving it in a third-party program that ends up wiping out the geocaching-specific information. EasyGPS is a typical culprit of this, but there are other programs that may do it as well. For best results, use the original GPX file, unless you're using a program that you're sure does not have this effect on the file.

I've installed on a memory card. Why are database updates so slow? (back to top)

Memory card access is slow to begin with compared with the device's internal memory. Testing has shown that, mostly related to this, updating CacheMate databases on a memory card (SD cards, at least) can be very slow. It's best if you don't install on a card for this reason... if you must, be sure to get a card that's rated for high-speed access (yes, there's a difference).

Version 1.0.2 and later use the SQLite database engine, as opposed to the sluggish thing provided by Windows CE. It's a lot more efficient, especially when working with memory cards.

I try to select a database, but none of my GPX files show up! (back to top)

You're one of those few that mistake CacheMate for GPXSonar. CacheMate can import and export GPX files, but uses an editable database format to actually store the information. The Select Database dialog selects, creates and deletes these databases. There are toolbar buttons in the list view for importing and exporting records.

How do I sort caches by distance? (back to top)

1. Select Edit Columns from the List menu, and enable the Distance and (optionally) Bearing columns
    
2. Select Preferences from the Option menu, and enter coordinates of a center point
   (or)
   Tap the Acquire button to start a GPS location query
   (or)
   Use the list view's context menu to make an existing record the current center point
    
3. Tap the Distance column header to sort on that column