Posted: 1/8/2008 7:11:52 AM EDT
| Any of you do this? I got a new Garmin for Christmas and my 11 year old and I have started this some. It's a good way to learn how to use the device and a fun way to get outdoors some. |
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My wife and I have done it - good exercise and a great way to spend some time outdoors. Heres a website where you can search by location for caches near you. www.geocaching.com/ |
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I have done it for a little while last summer. I was on this 3 week kick of it then it fizzled out. As previously mentioned, it is a good way to get some exercise and check out different parts of your area. Sometimes there is a history lesson that can be had. Have fun! |
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I thought about doing this but the Garmin Etrex I bought ended up being pretty sucky. it was recommended by a well known hunting/orienteering type guy. It sucks at locking in under folieage or in any uneven terrain, like if you're in a bottom of a steep, but large valley. I may need to invest in a better GPS, I think the GF might like the geocaching better than my Bataan Death March hikes edit I think they have rules against having the thingie on federal park land, that's a problem in some states where most of the wild public land is federal. |
Most of them have troubles in steep or heavily forested terrain. There's no Geocaching in National Parks, but I'm pretty sure it's OK in National Forests. |
Seemed like a constant problem, I finally just stopped using it. Even climbing up above the trees or getting out onto an old rail road bed in a canyon it still did not work. Seems great when it's on the dash of the car though 
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| I do it sometimes I have a 60CSX. the problem I have seen is that the nazi's are taking over their staff. I would vote against paying for premium membership. I currntly am a premium member but their fucked up antics have ensured no more $$ from me. I will probably be Ebaying all my geocoins as well. |
Indeed it is a good time. A friend of mine got me involved in geocaching. I have a Magellan Explorist 100 and it works relativly well. It does have some issues with forest and deep ravines, as well as large buildings on all sides, but its gotten me to where ive needed to go. And if its off, I look around, cause geocaching is like a world wide hide and seek. 
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Premium membership? For what? |
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You need to be able to get waypoints onto the GPS--ideally via a cable. I use the map/breadcrumb screen the majority of the time or sometimes a screen with a course pointer. You don't need maps on the GPS to do this. In fact, I'd say that maps would give you no advantage whatsoever. Basically, you need a display that shows your location in relationship to the Geocache waypoint. So go to the geacaching.com, create a profile, then plug in your zipcode or GPS coords or whatever. There's also a way to get the geocaching website to show the locations on the googlemaps. |
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Noob guide: 1. Go to www.geocaching.com. 2. Use the site to find the coordinates of a cache near you. Choose an easy one to start (no multi-part caches, something near a road, etc. 3. Put coordinates into your GPS. No special software or cables required. Just fat-finger them in. Set the GPS to go to that waypoint. Follow the range and bearing indicators. 4. Use GPS and compass to find the spot. You need a compass because when you walk the course-over-ground info given by the GPS is not that good (you need to be moving at a good clip). Use the compass to walk in the direction of the waypoint bearing readout. 5. When the GPS tells you you are within 50' or so of the cache it becomes just a normal treasure hunt. Bring a flashlight (seriously) and start looking under logs and rocks or whatever for a small container. 6. When you find the container, open it, leave something, take something (innocuous things of little value, like keychains) and sign the log. 7. Close the cache and put it back where you found it. Done. If you don't know ANYTHING about land navigation this is a good way to motivate some learning. eta clarity. |