I have been wanting to get in to geocaching and need advice on what equipment is best (without having to put out too much money). Any help would be appreciated.
Jen,
Geocaching is a ton of fun, and we try to find a cache each time we go camping. Griffin loves "hunting for treasure" and I bet your girls would have a blast too. You may want to visit www.geocaching.com (//%22http://www.geocaching.com%22) and check out their "beginner"pages that detail what geocaching is all about and all the different types of GPS units you can buy. You may want to get something that is somewhat basic (read: cheap) until you decide whether you want to justify dropping a few of hundred bucks on a GPSr.
I think we'll be doing a little geocaching at Temecula next week, so you can see if you like it. :)
I've only used products from Garmin and from my experience, they do a great job. Garmin dominates the market.
For the most basic entry level unit, try the eTrex. It sells for under $ 100 and it's what most Geocachers start with. Eventually, most then upgrade to a higher level model, just as I did and went with the eTrex Venture. This unit allows you to enter coordinates much faster and includes more features. They go for about $ 175. You can find Garmin's Outdoor GPS selections and features at //www.garmin.com.
If you want a deeper discussion on this topic, go to the forums at //www.geocaching.com. You might also want to check out //www.todayscacher.com. These folks are the fanatics of the sport.
Geocaching chapters are now springing up all over the place organizing CITO (Cache In Trash Out) events, picnics & dinners and various social gatherings.
Good luck and happy caching.
I use a Megellan Sportrak. Even if you decide you don't like geocaching. A GPS is a cool gadget to have. I use the maps and routes on long trips. I use it during hiking and backpacking. I also use it for work some.
If you like geocaching, you will also want to pick up a cheap Palm. Paperless caching is the only way to go. I paid $20 for mine on eBay.
Most states have geocaching organizations that will help you get started.
Quote from: rock_houndIf you like geocaching, you will also want to pick up a cheap Palm. Paperless caching is the only way to go.QuoteIf I end up in Temecula (hope, hope!), maybe you can show me how to do the paperless thing. I've got a not-so-cheap IPaq, and I can't figure out what to do/how to make it work better than printing out stuff. Makes me kind of crazy! Should I be looking at getting some sort of map software to load into the IPaq?
Laura
Try this site for paperless caching:Geocaching University (http://www.geocacher-u.com/resources/paperless.html) We also have some free utilities on our site:www.alacache.com (http://alacache). Just click on downloads on the left side.
Hope this helps!
Just as Pudman recommended, here's a local Geocaching association's site from the San Francisco Bay Area.
//www.thegba.net
You might find some relevant information for your needs and links to other Geocaching sites and organizations.
Quote from: SurfcalJust as Pudman recommended, here's a local Geocaching association's site from the San Francisco Bay Area.
//www.thegba.net
You might find some relevant information for your needs and links to other Geocaching sites and organizations.
OMG...Surfcal lives!!! ;) :J where ya been man???
I use a Garmin eTrex Legend for geocaching. My family has great fun hunting for caches all over. However many use Magellan receivers and like them.
The Legend has a good combination of price and features for beginning users and has some expansion capabilities such as memory to hold detailed road maps. One
i just got a garmin Etrex Legend C it has a usb port connection, and it comes with a trip and waypoint manager, it looks like it will do alot
But its all new to me....
I was going to get my friend a GPS reciever for Christmas but his wife told me that she had already got him one. :( Now I need new ideas for his gift.
ok,
im in Phoenix Az.
ive got about 10 caches in 1.4 miles...
so i should find a few of them, this is the first time i used a gps
wish me luck
Dean
Quote from: wavemakerok,
im in Phoenix Az.
ive got about 10 caches in 1.4 miles...
so i should find a few of them, this is the first time i used a gps
wish me luck
Dean
ok
im back, the gps is realy nice, works well with the software and works twice as well with google earth, i went down to the bicycle trail along the canals, there was about 10 caches, i got 7..
now here in the city {figure I-17 and Cactus} things have become very SMALL... just a small piece of paper to log {bring pencil} in a 1 1/2 piece of pvc with endcaps, some places you will need a camera to take a photo of something, i wanna get some of my pics up but im not sure how...