• RT @danudey: I wish Vancouver was like this all the time. [Ditto. Maybe ppl will see ped malls make sense. Mainland shld be ped on wknds!] #
• Had a @jianghomeshi sighting today just outside the CBC Plaza. 5 yr old listens to Q all the time, but was too shy to go up and say "Hi!" :) #
• RT @smuttysteff HEY @MayorGregor I'm digging the party-in-the-streets wow-what-a-feeling Vancouver! Let's shut down Robson EVERY weekend! :) #
• OH: This marmot is surprisingly hairless … and aerodynamic #
• Fireworks again tonight. So far Q hasn't woken. So far. #
• RT @thebuzzer: @translink See & hear the huge crowds downtown through the Robson & Granville webcam http://ow.ly/19kzj [Unreal!] #
• Dear CTV: The only ones who think the athletes aren't living up to high expectations? You. Stop making them cry. They're doing awesome. #
• RT @polarisdotca: Best place to watch #olympics ISS cupola! RT @Astro_Soichi http://twitpic.com/14cdb8 – Vancouver, BC, Canada.Feb.20, 2010 #
• I love these TwitPics from space #
• Just watched the interview with Jon Montgomery from Whistler last night. AWESOME. What a charismatic guy. He's got a bright future ahead! #
• CTV post-race interview w/ Lindsey Vonn. Really? Mascara? Really!? #
• About to head downtown on our bikes. Not convinced this is a good idea, but we won't have to waiting for transit. Plus, geocaching meetup! #
• Back from a geocaching event in Yaletown with @hollyburn @_CanadianBacon_ @geodug and others, many from out of town. Great fun! #
• We "biked" thru the Plaza of Nations, CP lands, down to the Russky Dom. Incredible crowds. Very cool shoreline filled w/ 100s of Inuksuit! #
• The line to get into the Russky Dom (aka Sochi House, aka Telus World of Science, aka Science World) doubled back + forth right to Main St! #
• RT @seeking_balance: Oh dear! Vancouver may just consume more beer than Salt Lake and Torino COMBINED. #van2010 #olympics per @ctv #
• RT @gpsforthebrain: A says: "I think speed skating would be a lot more exciting with wolves." #qotd #olympics #
• Odd. Andrew Koenig (son of Star Trek's Walter Koenig) missing in Vancouver since Feb 14: http://bit.ly/cST1Cb (via @feliciaday) #
• Ugh. Even if you're wearing a helmet and surrounded by carbon fibre, crashes at 130+ kph are scary. #Bobsled #Vancouver2010 #
• 8 women in the 1500m short track "A" final. This will be interesting. #
• When did this speed skating become a team event? #
• Crazy. Men's 1000m short track "B" final has … 2 skaters. #
• In the end, the Korean got DSQ'd so only one skater "finished" the "B" final. Crazy. #
• 2 Canadian Hamelins in the 1000m short track final. Here it comes! #
• And no medals in men's short track tonight. #
• RT @hollyburn: @AnthonyFloyd Russia House was letting in people with small children without standing in line #
• An awesome Canada-themed bucket-list from @Muchmor: http://bit.ly/a8hwNH #
• RT @SlvrLambStudios: Found our first 2 geo caches! Hunting for more. The kids are loving it! [Congrats!] #
• Silver for Groves in 1500m speed skating! #
• Hmmm. I wonder if we'll see any Canadian defense this game. Not judging by the 1st minute. #
• I don't like harping on the amateur athletes + how they're not meeting expect'ns. These overpaid goliaths on ice? Not meeting expectations. #
• Who replaced #TeamCanada with the #Canucks #BadPenalties #Choke #
• Hehe "Crosby's the only thing Canada can get in the net!" – CTV commentator #
• Understatement of the night: If #TeamCanada doesn't score on this PP, the game's OVER. #
• Look at all the pretty passing #PassesDontScoreGoals #
• Apparently the ISU missed removing the horseshoe from #TeamUSA #039;s goalie Miller's ass. #
• OK, #TeamCanada gets one on the PP, but it's a #TeamUSA own-goal. I guess we'll take it. #
• Good pressure boys, but it helps if you actually shoot at the NET. #TeamCanada #
• Are you kidding me? You couldn't keep him from diving into that puck!? #TeamCanada #USAWantsItMore #StoryOfTheOlympics #
• So, we're sending Perry home, right? Bringing in Eberle? Please? #
• Shots on goal: CAN 45 USA 22. Final score? 5-3 USA. Any guesses as to which position made the difference in the game? #LetLuPlay #
• RT @kaler: Kessler goal epitomizes the game. Hustle win for USA. Canada was all pretty boy, superstar BS. #
• RT @smithcd05: Congratulations, British Columbia. Your advertising worked. Researching a trip to Vancouver. #
• RT @gillianshaw: "I'm just trying to build my resume, Marty's the best," a gracious Ryan Miller after US win. #Olympics #hockey #

• I have no fear of dying in a house fire at night. #SupperWasNotBurnt #BlastedSmokeDetector #
• RT @smuttysteff Olympic Visitors to YVR: Let me apologize on behalf of the REST of us for anti-Games ppl who think whining NOW will stop it. #
• Serious question: Where will the 2010 ISU draw the line? Protests => thuggery => terrorism. We won't know, of course, but showdown pending? #

• I entered to win a trip to watch Olympic figure skating from @TourismBC. You can enter, too, today only: http://budurl.com/qx54 #2010skate #
• Vancouver is the most unaffordable housing market in the world? So says the Frontier Centre for Public Policy http://bit.ly/4WeKhW #
• Thanks again to @landsharkz for letting us demo a @geomatejr at the GC101 event on the weekend! #
• Wow! @karlwoll just posted an awesome summary of our Geocaching 101 event: http://bit.ly/5hkuuI #
• A woman lies crying on the cold wet pavement. Strangers form a protective circle. A siren wails in the distance. #bikecrash #
• As much as I despise the way some idiots ride their bikes thru VanCity, I absolutely hate coming across crash scenes. #CyclistsNotImmortal #
• It seems to me that Barry Manilow has been replaced with a Clay Aiken based animatronic. #
• Aw, that's a precious shot. RT @stumblingmonk: http://twitpic.com/zt2m2 – Staci and Miloh (preview before it hits my blog) #
• Dear toddler. Wake up for a feeding at 5am if you must but the deal is that you go back to sleep afterwards. You broke that deal today. #
• The cell phone law is a joke. Nearly run over today by MacLure cabbie running a red light, cell pressed to ear. #
• Other than "saving the NYT" and "locking up the gaming market" why on earth should I want a iTablet? #DontSeeThePoint #KoolAidFreeFor35Yrs #
• The Cons must really be worried about the latest polls. They're calling coalition governments undemocratic again. Ignorance isn't bliss. #
• You know a crazy part of me wonders if YVR = "No Fun City" b/c of knee-jerk anti-estab reactions of hipster wannabees #JustHaveSomeDamnFun #
• I mean seriously. This Olympics thing? It's going to happen. Why try to ruin it for rest of us? Just shut up and go sit in your corner, ok? #
• Ah-ha! @davemacdonald has eloquently expressed similar frustration a month ago! http://bit.ly/bA2efv #
• Lol, @gregeh must be bored at work. He's trying to stir as many pots as he can. #
• Learning to let go, again. 15 month old fed himself apple sauce this morning for breakfast. Messy, but he got most of it in, I think. #
• My shocking prediction on #ipad pricing? $499/$599/$699 #
• Well, I guess that mean that Canada is going to get screwed again for data plans. $30/mo unlimited, no-contract 3G for #ipad in States #
• I bet we won't see anything like that in Canada #
• iWin! $499 #iPad #Predicted #
• iWin! $499/$599/$699 #iPad #CalledIt #
• $629/$729/$829 for 3G model #
• Given its close kinship to the iPhone, shouldn't this be the #iPhad? #
• RT @harrietglynn: Bobs and Lolo at ArtStarts this Sat >> http://bit.ly/aBF97W [Cool beans!] #
• This "artist's rendering" included in latest Vancouver 2010 mailing http://twitpic.com/102lu9 So … the BC Place roof is coming off then? #
• .@Miss_Scarlett99 @gdmitchell points out it's Turin. Wasn't implying that they'd actually remove the roof but that they were misrepresenting #
• Still coming down from adrenaline rush of early-morning phone call. I hate early-morning phone calls, they usually portend Bad Things. #
• Just to clarify: This call wasn't bad news, just an out-of-time-zone early-morning call. #
• The force is strong with this one: @_scifidad_ #
• 3 km detour on the way to work today = 2TF on a cache. Oh well, it was an outside chance for FTF. #
• RT @goliphant: Looking for a buying agent in the #comoxvalley #realtor Anyone good? #
• Who's launching missiles at Newfoundland? http://bit.ly/d71cJ9 #
• RT @CityofVancouver: #Olympic #TorchRelay Route Announced! http://tinyurl.com/y9mbzkg [Coming to a protest near you! #JustBeHappyPlease] #
• While the cat is away, the mouse will play …. Lego Rock Band! :) #
• I don't understand how this kid can be running rampant around the living room, given he was up *every* 1-2 hrs last night. #UGH #
• Really? I know that Science World is now "Sochi Building" but it's subtitled "Russky Dom"? #
• Black military helos circling UBC. Yay #2010Olympics ! #
• RT @CacheAdvance: It’s Official! Maritime Mega Is A Go! http://bit.ly/a4yfr4 Celebrating 10 years of geocaching in Canada #
• Virgin's released its iPhone packages now. No different than the other Canadian packages :( #
• RT @peechie: finally read xkcd today. *sob* [ http://xkcd.com/695/ ] #
• RT @ShireenJ: .@pmharper has appointed 43 Senators. Yup doing real well on that Senate reform. #
• Needed some good programming music. Chose @SocialD1 followed by @sloanmusic . #TwitterIsAwesome #
• RT @CacheAdvance: Heard of the Metrosexual? We now have the Mountainsexual: Cleaned-up granola, Woodsy GQ kinda guy… http://bit.ly/dvUEAn #
• Boss keeps wandering by + chatting. :facepalm: It's like he has no idea how long it takes to get back the groove I was rudely pulled out of. #
• I hope that Omar Khadr sues the bejeezus out of the Harper Cons. Knowingly violating his Consitutional rts, knowingly condoning his torture. #
• Fish and chips at the Windjammer Inn. Yum! #
• RT @BobsandLolo: 2 FREE shows in YVR tmrw!! ArtStarts Gallery on Robson St at 11am & 1pm. No registration required – http://www.artstarts.ca #
• Aidan and I are going to head down to @BobsandLolo workshop at ArtStarts at 11am. I think @harrietglynn will be there, anyone else? #
• Crap. Turned away at the door of the @bobsandlolo workshop, too full! Will try 1pm #
• Lots of international journalists downtown acosting locals, asking about the rain :o #
• Plan C: Q & I in the library, G & A at @bobsandlolo #
• And, as a bonus the VPL still has lots of cowbells! #
• We got i'viewed by Brazillian media. Q's about how much rain, how often, our lack of umbrellas, and what to do when it rains. #2010Olympics #
• Dear world media: It's a temperate rainforest. It rains here. Constantly. For 6 months of the year. #2010Olympics #
• Dear @bctransit @skytrainlady (+ Canada Line acct?) When elevators are down (see: Van Centre) would be helpful to say where next nearest is! #
• Because (@bctransit @skytrainlady @canadaline) wheelchairs and strollers are a bit stranded when there's just a sign saying "out of service" #
• Maybe those should have been addressed to @translink. No idea. You guys need to consolidate your accounts. #TooConfusing #
• Cats, kids, and colds conspired against us last night. I'm beginning to think we'll never get a full night's sleep again. EVER. #
• And now, to go and put in a few hours' undisturbed work at the office. #
• … and the boss shows up. So much for a few undisturbed hours' work. Argh. #
• Turns out when @Nicole013 refers to "the poptart" she's *not* referring to a tasty pastry. Related: Q shares poorly #ThreeUnderFiveForFewHrs #
• Ah-ha! Finally found a girl that likes my hairy arms! #ThreeUnderFiveForFewHrs #
• Two hours in and everyone warmed up to each other. All three playing nicely now! #ThreeUnderFiveForFewHrs #
• Yum, I love lemon tarts almost as much as chocolate #SecretGardenDregs #NotAMom #
• Someone found my scenic cache in Lighthouse Park today, by accident. He'd never heard of geocaching before but it sounds like he's hooked! #
• Right, so I like Green Day. What am I suppose to think about this American Idiot musical? It's like Glee does Green Day… #
• Uh, that was it? Rush through LEONARD COHEN so that Pink can take the stage? #IGuessItsNotAboutMusic #
• Why does it look like Pink's back is at her front!? #
• OK, now I'm really confused. Her back seems to wrap all the way around. #
• I bet all those celebs beneath her are thrilled. They're now coated in Pink juice. Gross. #
• Go go gadget 3D glasses! #

On the weekend, Gwen and I put on a “Geocaching 101” event for some people we’ve met through Twitter. You can read an awesome summary of the day on the Outdoor Vancouver blog.

As part of that event, the fine folks (Helen and Chris) at Landsharkz loaned us a Geomate.jr GPSr.

The Geomate.jr is a “family-friendly” GPSr. It’s intended to be simple to use so that kids can just pick it up and start geocaching. You don’t have to worry about downloading caches from it … it comes with 250,000 caches already installed. It promises to be quick, easy, and uncomplicated.

The device itself is small, rubberized, and only has a two buttons (plus a power button). The display is a black and white LCD that presents a small amount of information at any given time. When searching for caches, it shows distance in metres and an arrow pointing the way. On the periphery of the display are LCDs for cache size, difficulty, and terrain.

And, it’s quite inexpensive: $70 CAD!

We had the GPS for a bit over a week, and brought it to the Geocaching 101 event where quite a number of kids were able to look at it and use it. We used it to find a few caches and even after a short time with it I think we got a pretty good idea of what it’s like.

The best things about it are the things it’s designed for: it’s a nice small, rugged device that’s quite suitable for small hands racing around the forest. The display is easy to understand on the cache hunt, with big numbers counting down the distance to the cache, and an arrow pointing the direction.

On the other hand, I found using it a bit less intuitive than I liked. The only information you have about the cache you’re seeking — other than the size, terrain, and difficulty — is the GC number. No cache name, no description, no hints, no logs, nothing else. As such, you still need this information somehow, so you need another device or print-outs.

The distance display is good, but the arrow is only helpful when you’re moving. For kids, this is a bit of a challenge: they (and me!) like to stop to get bearings.

Additionally, I found it confusing navigating between the units different screens, and getting it to go back to the cache I was interested in. One of the buttons on the unit goes from the closest cache to the next closest and so on, but to get back to the beginning of the list you have to hold the button down and wait. Sounds easy but I was never sure it was working.

Also, those 250,000 caches? They’re all US caches. To get international caches (including Canada), you need to buy the Upgrade Kit (a special cable) and download caches to it. And they’re just traditional caches. No multi’s, no letterboxes, nothing else. That’s probably ok for kids (we mostly do trads anyway) but it’s a bit confusing when you’re trying to figure out what the next cache is (or should be).

Pros:

• Small, and rugged
• Simple display
• Easy operation
• High-sensitivity GPS
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Direction arrow only accurate when moving
• Confusing interface
• To put Canadian caches on it, and to update any geocaches on it, you need the $25 “update” kit
• No extra cache information: name, hints, found status, etc
• Only traditional caches, no multis, letterboxes, mysteries, etc
• No backlight

In the end, while I’m grateful for the loaner, and while I applaud the goals, I don’t think I’d get it for my kids. For a few more dollars, a Garmin eTrex gives you a GPS that does all the same things, except has maps and can show you (marginally) more information.