Any Geocachers out there?

stephenb (Stephen) · #1 27-03-2010, 06:30 AM

After nearly 2 years of promising ourselves to get into geocaching, we did our first geocache this week. We started off locally and did one close to home, but the second one has us stumped. I went back twice last night with a torch to locate it with no success. But like most GC's it seems you need to think and look "outside the circle", and by reading the logs on this one, we think we know where it is hidden, so we are going back this morning.

We are currently using the iPhone app (from Groundspeak) but may end up purchasing a GPS. We don't want to go too expensive (maybe around the $200 mark) can anyone suggest a GPS which is practical for geocaching, and affordable?

With a couple of weeks off, we will print out a list of local GC's and explore.

citivolus (Ric) · #2 27-03-2010, 05:27 PM

Personally I'd recommend limiting your initial searching to geocaches that have been in place for 2+ years, are mid to large size, and have recent finds. This is based on how cache placement and hides in my area have gone down hill over the last several years. Some areas may not have seen this degradation, but most of the local long term geocachers that I have spoken to in my area are of this opinion. As an example, we have a local prolific hider whos coordinates are commonly out by 250m, another one who hides micros in large bush areas with extensive overgrowth, one that places geocaches in stream beds the week before storms, etc etc.

My GPS receivers are older so not a good example for you; I have an old Garmin Explorist 800 as well as a Bluetooth SIRF chipset receiver to use with my PDA and phone.

I personally take the most interest in ammo can sized geocaches in rural areas, with at least a 500m walk to get to them. No rural park micro caches for me. I am moving to Canberra shortly, and I understand that they have some very good geocaches of my preferred type there for me to find

stephenb (Stephen) · #3 27-03-2010, 05:42 PM

Thanks Ric, Went back this morning and found it straight away. It was right under our noses. I cannot believe it was so simple. We were too focused and needed to keep an open mind. We seem to have a couple of good hiders in our town who are appear to have a good reputation.

We've done a few today, really enjoying the outer urban caches. And yes we are keeping to the simple hides. Will look at a few GPS's this week at John Appleseed in Melbourne.

Thank for your reply, Ric.

duncan · #4 27-03-2010, 06:16 PM

Hi Guys,

I was wondering what the heck you were talking about so decided to Bing the term Geocache and got the run down on it. Sounds like a great way to spend a day or w/end especially if your out in the bush.
Learn something new every day,LOL

Cheers,
Duncan

dannat (Daniel) · #5 27-03-2010, 06:36 PM

we have a cheap garmin e-trex GPS but our kids like the thrill of the hunt..we have found some good small ones from the beginning..like a metal gum tin with a magnet in it stuffed inside the middle of an old canon
some people are really hooked..we do it when we get the time
our gps s ok..gets us to within 3-4m - its then a case of digging around..we have about a 85-90% success,,some are missing or really hard to find
i think the iphone GPS should be adequate for your needs..interference from i don't know what (alien invaders) or atmospheric conditions is a big factor we have found

stephenb (Stephen) · #6 27-03-2010, 06:38 PM

Sorry Duncan. Looking back on my opening post, and Ric's follow-up, it does appear we were speaking in tongues

. The basic concept is that there are over 1 million small "caches" hidden all over the world, placed by volunteers. Most take the form of a little plastic container. Often inside the container are items such as a log book (or a sheet of paper to sign), sometimes a pen, trinkets and many other items depending on the type of cache. The idea is to navigate to these caches and locate them using your GPS.

Often the caches are in urban areas, or at least in the public view, so you must be careful not to bring the location of the cache to the attention of "muggles" or non-geocaching folk.

You need to be a member of the main site to search for caches in your area http://www.geocaching.com/ . Some caches are maintained by local geocachers. It is a great pastime, one which I have been trying to get into for a couple of years, but other hobbies have been filling up my days (and nights).

The hobby is massive.

duncan · #7 27-03-2010, 06:50 PM

Thanks Guys, i think i'm well on the way to being up to speed. If i ever get back to proper civilization(LOL) i'll probably take it up.
Cheers

citivolus (Ric) · #8 27-03-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan

Thanks Guys, i think i'm well on the way to being up to speed. If i ever get back to proper civilization(LOL) i'll probably take it up.
Cheers

LOL, you have 1 geocache within 200km of you. I guess you could "find" it once a week

duncan · #9 27-03-2010, 07:08 PM

Gee!!! thanks for that Ric. I should join up i've got the perfect location to place one and he dosn't move about much,LOL. Mind you i might have a bit of trouble attaching it to him!!
Cheers Mate

JD2439975 (Justin) · #10 27-03-2010, 07:35 PM

Nice idea Duncan, strapping it to a Saber-tooth Gecko would certainly increase the difficulty rating

duncan · #11 27-03-2010, 08:07 PM

It Would stop the "Muggles" anyway,LOL.

Ric i reckon the one you are talking about is probably at Archer River
Just a guess.
Cheers

spacezebra (Petra) · #12 10-04-2010, 12:21 PM

Hi there

We have just caught up with friends from melbourne who are geocaching here in Albury. Its looks very cool!

Cheers Petra d.