Paperless Geocaching Using BlackStar Navigation On The Blackberry Bold 9000
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After submitting a bunch of new resumes today, I began to feel a little stir crazy, and wanted to get out of the house for a bit. I decided to do a little geocaching, and to check on my own geocache while I was out. I had been wanting to test the BlackStar Navigation app I had installed on my Blackberry Bold anyway, so this was a good chance to do just that.
So, after checking to make sure that my cache was in good shape and well stocked, I opened the BlackStar app on my blackberry. Within a couple of seconds, it located several satellites, and had my location locked in. Now, I simply opened the menu and scrolled down to “Geocaching.com Closest Caches”. I was immediately directed to the geocaching.com site, where I was greeted with a list of nearby geocaches. Amazing!!
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The nearest one to my current location was closer to town. I clicked on Download LOC Waypoint File and saved the .LOC file to my media card.
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I then go back to the Blackstar app and pull up the menu again. This time, I click “New Waypoint”, then open the menu and click “Import GPX/LOC File” Then I just navigate to where I saved the .LOC file from Geocaching.com and the file is added. I follow the direction and open menu and select “Close” to be taken to a list of saved waypoints. I highlight the new waypoint and click “Set As Destination”.
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And, I’m on my way. I drive to the general area of the cache, which happened to be a local park. Once there, I get out and begin to search, using the BlackStar app to guide me. It worked flawlessly. It was very accurate, and took me straight to my target. After a few minutes of searching, I located my geocache and was on my way.
BlackStar also integrates with Google Maps and Blackberry Maps, has the ability to save waypoints and tracks, and tons of other features, all for free. If you love to geocache, or if you’ve never been geocaching but want to try; and you have a blackberry, this is the app for you. It is easy to learn, has tons of support, including a forum, and it’s free.
This is truly paperless geocaching. You need only take your blackberry and a pen/pencil to sign the log. Have fun!!
1
Does this program work with Verizon Black Berry Storm?
Hey Carole,
I believe, based on what I can find out, that this app is supported on BB Storm with Verizon. I found this little piece of info at this link.
So, apparently, as long as you are using a Storm, you should be good to go.
You can find more info about Blackstar Here. I’m not affiliated with the folks at Blackstar Navigation, but I’m a very satisfied user of their product. I use it all the time on my BB Bold, and have had great results. It is extremely accurate, at least for me.
Hope this was helpful info for you, and good luck. Let me know if you decide to try it out, and how it works out for you.
THANK YOU for this info. I was getting ready to give up on figuring out a quicker way than writing the coordinates down and putting them in the blackstar app. Your app saved me a lot of time.
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