Data Hacking

274 Part IV — Playtime
In addition, because you are going to be outdoors, take care that dirt and water don’t get into
the cable connectors. Some connectors (such as the serial connector on an iPAQ) are quite delicate
and can be easily damaged by foreign objects in the connector. A handy tip to prevent
damage is to cover the ends with a small plastic bag when not in use, as shown in Figure 11-18.
FIGURE 11-18: Connector protected by a small plastic bag
Keep cables as short as required, because they can snag on branches or other items and damage
equipment. Loop and tape them to keep them under control, as shown in Figure 11-19.
Power for the Trip
There is nothing worse than being out hunting geocaches and running out of juice for the GPS
or PDA. We’ve already covered powering the GPS on the move, but let’s take a quick look at
issues specific to geocaching and how to keep your PDA powered while out hunting for caches.
GPS Power Considerations
The easiest way to keep a GPS powered is by keeping a good selection of batteries. Never just
rely on having a full set in the GPS — they might discharge more quickly than normal, get lost
or damaged, or you might be out for longer than expected. I tend to work with a full set in the
GPS, and carry two spare sets for a day’s geocaching. I always use rechargeable NiMH batteries,
so cost beyond the initial purchase is low; and I keep them charged up with a car charger. I also
have a natty, little solar charger that’s really useful in summer. Figure 11-20 shows a selection of
my favorite powering gear.