Geocaching

[Lynn Coleman]

Hi all,

I'm just curious if anyone on the forum is also geocaching? Paul and I are just on the edge of starting, in other words seriously looking at what GPS system to purchase.

There's a 4 cache site at Goldhead State Park just up the road from us so we're thinking of starting there.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations? I'm leaning toward the iPhone and the purchase of a geocaching app but we haven't settled on it yet.

Lynn

[Dean_A]

I like to geocache, and I like the groundspeak app for the iPhone you mentioned, but I find that the GPS on the iPhone is not really accurate enough to find the caches. The iPhone app is great to get the coordinates, and get you to the general area, but a commercial GPS is much better at actually finding the cache.

I use an older Garmin MAP 76 unit that works fine, though I'm sure there are much better/cheaper units by now.

[iplay10us2]

I love to geocache, and I have a Garmin 60CSx and I really like it. However, I have friends who have the Garmin etrex Legend HCx and it is a very good one. Mine was a gift, but if I was buying one myself, I would probably get the Legend HCx. Mine has some features that I don't use (altimeter, electronic compass,) and that makes it more expensive than the Legend. Things that I would recommend are: SD slot so you can load more maps, the high sensitivity receiver, and a color screen.

The downside of most GPS units is that they each have their own version of mapping software and you must buy them separately and they can be pricey. With the Garmin, I would recommend buying the City Navigator NT dvd version. The NT has something to do with the compression and faster loading. I would not buy the SD card pre-loaded with maps, but that is just my preference. With the DVD, I have the mapping software on my laptop, and I bought a 2gig SD card and loaded the entire US onto my GPS via the SD card. I also use Garmin's NRoute software (free from the website), that allows me to hook my GPS to my laptop via UBS and it turns my laptop into a voice navigation sytem. Plus, my laptop screen is easier to read if I driving and trying to find someplace.

And, I have been extremely happy with Garmin's customer service.

[tinksdad]

I agree with Dean on the i-phone. I don't own one; but I have cached recently with someone who does. It's nice to be able to access the cache description page and have that information at your fingertips while you're out; but the accuracy just isn't there (IMHO).

I'm hooked on the Garmins. I started out with an Eagle Explorer (not Garmin), used it for about a month. Bought a used Garmin E-Trex Legend from e-Bay. Found about 150 caches with that. Bought a refurbished Garmin GPSmap 60Cx on-line and found the last 500 +/- with that one. An FYI... if you decide to go to the top of the line Garmins (the Colorado and the Oregon) I was told that they are changing their chipset providers soon and it may affect their performance. I'm not an expert, I can't speak authoritatively on that issue.

I've cached with people who have also used the Magellan brand GPS; and they are satisfied with them.

[iplay10us2]

I send all my cache description info to a small PDA that I carry with me. I use GSAK to get stuff into my PDA and GPS all in one batch, plus it lets me create my own databases of geocaches. I have databases called: kayak only, waterfall caches, and so on. They are stored on my laptop and I can send them to my GPS when I need them.

[tinksdad]

I send all my cache description info to a small PDA that I carry with me. I use GSAK to get stuff into my PDA and GPS all in one batch, plus it lets me create my own databases of geocaches. I have databases called: kayak only, waterfall caches, and so on. They are stored on my laptop and I can send them to my GPS when I need them.

If I remember to keep it charged ... and if I remember to take it with me .... I use a PDA too. It comes in handy when I'm trying to place a new cache. I only keep "unfound" on the GPS, so having a record and a placement of other nearby caches that I have found keeps me outside that "no less than 528' from another cache."

P.S. Even though Garmin doesn't say so, I found out quite by accident that the 60Cx will recognize my 8Gb SD card as a full 8Gb.

[Arne]

I geocache for exercise and to fill free time.... gets the dog out too.

I use a garmin for the caches and a palm for the descriptions (paperless)...

I use gsak as well... it downloads the caches from my computer to my garmin and to my palm.... well worth the money.

When I go to KY next month, I'll download some local caches for there. It is a great way to find out new things, even about your own town... and the kids love it... great family recreation.

[dakotamouse]

The husband and I geocache and enjoy finding new areas to hike that we might not have ever known about if not for geocaching.

We us two GPS units. A car navigator the Garmin Nuvi 200 to get us as close as possible by road and a Garmin GPS72 for the foot work. Love them both. We have noticed that in areas, like the Black Hills, where there is a lot of rock and trees it can be a little tougher to get accurate readings but for the most part we are very happy with both units.

[Lynn Coleman]

Hi all,

Thanks for the input. I'm looking at a Garmin E-Trex Venture currently available online from Walmart for $128. Is that a good price? I'm also looking at GPS software for my Mac, the Mac GPS Pro is compatible with that device as well.

Some of you mentioned using your Palm Pilot, is there an app you use with it for the database?

Also, I'm looking at the trinkets that people leave at caches. I'm assuming, from what I've read, it's something that kinda represents you, is that correct?

Lynn

[queeniejeanne]

Great sport. We started in 2003. That is how I got Dennis to start hiking..like the carrot on a stick.....but alas..now we hike mostly because everyone is doing caching. We have maintained a cache at our business for over 5 years and have had almost 1500 hits. Cache Houdini in Branson Missouri.
The baubles/treasures found/left are different for everyone. Some will have very wonderful geo coins made and leave them. Others (with children usually) will leave a hand colored picture or a plastic bracelet. Something represenative of your area of the country is a good rule of thumb.
It is most important to follow the rules of geocaching , especially journal entries both at the site and on the computer. If you photograph be mindful of the posting of same so as not to give away the location. This is a multi-generational sport. As many as 5 generations in one group have been to ours. Also international because it seems now that no matter where you go you will have a least one within 20 miles of your location. We've had folk from Japan find ours. It is more fun I believe now to watch and meet the finders instead of being the hunter. Queenie Jeanne and Dennis

[rvsixer]

Geocaching is awesome!

I did the whole Garmin/PDA/GSAK "paperless" thing for a while, and found it to be lots of work (i.e. not "hassleless").

I am now using a Delorme PN-40 GPS for truly paperless all-in-one unit geocaching. Direct cache download/upload from www.geocaching.com, and unlimited map downloads for only $30/yr (which if you need current aerial/topo/marine mapping saves you hundreds of dollars over any other brand).

Good luck and have fun!

[tinksdad]

Some of you mentioned using your Palm Pilot, is there an app you use with it for the database?

I apologize for the late response on this. I thought someone would have chimed in before this.

I use Cache-Mate on the Palm. It will let you store different databases for reference. Personally I use "found", "unfound=TN", "unfound-AR", "unfound-MS", "unfound-LA", "unfound-NY" and "my-hides"; but you can create whatever databases you need according to your own tastes. GSAK on the 'puter will export the files you need to upload to the palm based on whatever filters you decide to set. Using a Palm is not totally hassle free; but in my opinion it's better than printing out all the cache pages and carrying them with you. That would have been a real PITA on the recent cache run to Searcy, Arkansas where I found 74 in one day.

[iplay10us2]

Tinksdad:

Where did you camp when you were visiting Searcy? And, how did things go with your friend?

I would have gone geocaching with you if you needed company.

[tinksdad]

I didn't camp! That trip ended up being a r/t drive in one day with a friend from this area. He needed a big cache run to set himself up for 1K before somebody else locally hit it and he wanted somebody to navigate while he drove. (There is kind of a little rivalry going on here!!)

I do plan on coming back up that way again this summer. Still way tooo many caches in the area to leave unfound. If I know I'm going to make it over towards Little Rock in advance, perhaps you could steer me toward some of the more memorable ones in the area.

As far as the lady friend and I..... we'll get together one of these days if it's meant to happen.

[Lynn Coleman]

Okay, we are geocaching now.

We've been out three times. The first one, we found two missing caches. Last Friday we went out and found two. Today we went out in the morning with our grandsons and found 5 then found 4 more on our way to the grocery shopping.

We purchased the Garmin eTrek. We're still waiting for a connection wire to do the auto downloading from geocaching.com. In the meantime, I've been printing out the directions and locations to the various caches.

We're still trying to figure out a trinket to leave that represent us. We're also wanting to put together some caches in our town, that will be a project for next week.

I did notice I have to be careful walking since my knee surgeries. The uneven terrain has made my knees go in directions they don't like to go any more.

Now, to find some caches while camping.

Lynn