Flah_and_Kids

LMAO!! THANK YOU for the many replies! I thought the whole idea was be stealth but I guess that would indeed look suspicious in certain situations. I am glad to have asked the question so I can now relax and really enjoy it. Thank you all! Flavia

Ok..am I the only one that caches with kids and who have given up on stealth when with them? I have explained the meaning of the hunt, the reason for stealth but yet, we found ourselves in situations where if there is bushwhacking or bugs or thorns or....(you get the point)involved the kids will talk, yell, scream, etc.... Unless I have just one of them with me (I have 3) then stealth is not something I have been able to achieve. Thankfully, the only time so far we came across other people while caching was a couple of other geocachers and all was well. But I am getting really discouraged by the racket they make and afraid they might compromise caches. Have you encountered the same issue when caching with kids and if so, have you found a solution? Thank you, Flavia

They do replace the unit if broken like mine. They have a distributer in Quebec that handles the replacement. As far as I know I am getting a new 200. Yeah...I do like the idea of having all the details of the cache, tips, logs, etc displayed. I do have the option of having the details on the phone though.....so I am not sure if one could complement the other in this case. Any ideas?

Hi, I bought an Oregon 200 about 10 months ago and it was working just fine until yesterday when it started not loading the startup screen. It has blank lines at startup and doesn't connect to the PC either. Since it's under warranty I have the option of getting it replaced but also the option of returning it to Costco where I got it and buying a GPSMAP 60CSX instead. I am somewhat new to geocaching with GPS (used to do just the ones we could find with the tips and descriptions and a rough idea of where to find it) but since getting the GPS unit I also got a droid phone and have the geocaching application on it. So...my question is...what should I get? A simple replacement to my Oregon 200 or a GPSMAP 60CSX? That as a backup to my droid which did a fantastic job his afternoon with the bonus of being able to post the log immediately. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you, Flah

Hi, I have been reading about a lot of TB logs all messed up and how people take a long time to log their retrieval or drop off of TB, etc. The past forum posts I read all ask people to wait a few days before logging finds because the person before might not have logged their retrieval/drop off, etc and that it's more polite to not be so anxious to log them right away. My position on this is that is also not polite to make people wait on them for a long time before logging their part of the TB's trip. There should be a written etiquette for TB logging. People shouldn't wait days and days to log them. Not only not to get logs messed up but also because when they don't log the bug as retrieved it still shows on the cache's inventory and of course it is something we all enjoy seeing or picking up so when I see a TB on a cache close by I make a point of taking the kids with me to see it. Many times now we have been disappointed by not finding TBs thatwere still showing on the cache's inventory as present. The last 2 like that had the logs signed 2-3 days prior to my find and no TB to be found or log on the TB page. I can understand not logging all your finds on the same day when you are tired, had a long day, etc. But waiting 2-3 and sometimes longer to log TB finds are just plain disrespectful to other cachers. We tend to plan our routes based on type of cache and if it's kid friendly just so the kids can enjoy fun finds like TBs. That is why there should be a written rule of thumb on how long it's ok to wait to log TBs. Cache finds can wait indefinitely but TB finds should be posted ASAP. Just my two cents, Flavia (and Kids)

Hi, I have been geocaching without a GPSr for about 3 years. Last week after several DNFs I decided it was time and bought an Oregon 200 with TOPO Canada. It seems that the mapping is not loaded on the GPSr. It came on a separate cd and I have installed on my computer. I just don't know how to load it onto the GPSr. Right now when we use the GPSr it only shows our location, the cache's location but no terrain details. Am I missing something? Any help is appreciated, Flavia

Hi, We have been geocaching without a GPS unit for a while. Just finding the easy ones that can be tracked via the clues and the coordinates on Google Earth. I just bought us a GPS unit (Oregon 200 with Canadian maps pre-installed) and will be receiving it this week. I would like to find an experienced geocacher in the North Halton, Ontario region that could give us a hand with the basics of using a GPS unit. We look forward to joining a team for weekend caching. Thank you FayeC and the kids.

Will I get info on Tom Toms there too? He would like to know more about the difference between Garmin and Tom Tom and also if there is any issue he should be concerned of in case he gets the Tom Tom... FayeC

A friend is thinking of getting aGPS for his bike. He is new to GPS units and so am I. Can anybody give any feedback on the Garmin Zumo 450, Zumo 550 and the Tom Tom Rider? He asked if Tom Tom would be a good option since the price is about 300 less than the Zumos but he would certainly go with quality first. Any feedback, tips and opinions are appreciated. Thank you in advance, FayeC

Exactly what my husband said. He is also in the security field. The person might not have felt too threatened since he picked it up and walked away with it until he reached the police. If so....why move it anyways...? FayeC

I am sure I will be adding to the list since I am so new to it but I have already found weird stuff... Found a small plastic zip bag with a couple of fishing hooks and bait in it. I think the bait was either crayfish or some sort of squid...very yucky... FayeC

Hi, I am not an experienced geocacher so I am not going to attempt to organize events this early but gosh...someone should try and get a CITO going at the Halton parks.... We were at Kelso this past weekend with the kids...son wanted to catch (and release) a frog so we ended up walking in the 16 mile creek and boy....at that time I wished I had taken a garbage bag with me... There was garbage everywhere....such a pity... We will be camping at Rattlesnake next weekend so CITO will be in order. Really sad that many people going to conservation areas don't understand the meaning of "Conservation".... FayeC

http://www.thestar.com/article/240986 Not sure what to think of the idea of using a pipe in this day and age as a good cache container... But then the person who found it might not be too concerned as he moved it himself instead of calling the bomb squad. FayeC

My hubby, who is finally getting around to accept geocaching was asking me the other day about access fees for the sattelite signal. So far I haven't seen any information about access fees of any kind. I have seen posts about folks that got the gps and started caching with it right out of the box. But then the question remains....who pays for the access fees for the signal lock? Does Garmin include those in the GPSr price? Just curious.... FayeC

Hi, I am planning on buying my gps unit on Ebay. The seller has a very good feedback but I just wanted some reassurance from Canadian buyers who have used the store. Has anybody used the services of MyronGlobal? Thank you in advance, FayeC

I would be interested in carpooling with you. I am in Milton. Not sure where the carpool lot is closer to where I am though. I will need to confirm my participation later on but I would love to join you FayeC

Hi, We are a family of 5 just starting geocaching. We will be camping at Rattlesnake over the long weekend (August 3 to August 6) and are planning to do some caching there. I was wondering if other cachers will be there that weekend. We would love to meet other people in the sport and also find someone to be our mentor for this start. We have gotten some orienteering and GPS books to understand the usage of not only the gps but the maps and regular compass (I am not versed in the use of compass/map for orienteering). Our kids (the older ones) are thrilled with geocaching and the idea of treasure hunting. They are 13, 4 and 2. So if any families in the same position as us or more experienced geocachers willing to be our mentors will be in the area that weekend we would love to get in touch and join you in the hunt. Thank you in advance, FayeC

Ok.....I am down to these two models pricewise. Which one would be my best pick for first GPS? Mind you we don't intend to do any cross-country or out of province geocaching any time soon. Maybe in a couple of years when the youngest will be 4 and old enough to get into it and travelling far will not be such a hassle of diapers, wipes and sippy cups. So....which one is my best buy considering I can buy them for roughly the same price on Ebay. Thanks, FayeC P.S. I just found a GPSMAP 60CS for the same price as the eTrex Legend CX. I do understand the Legend uses SD cards while the 60CS doesn't but will it trump the 60CS' better reception with the quad antenna?

Don't take me there..... The Canadian dollar and US dollar are almost at par but the prices in the US are an average of 20% cheaper. It was even on the news not long ago.... yeah...I will stick with Ebay and try to get something newer. Thanks, FayeC

Hi, I am contemplating buying a factory refurbished unit on Ebay. The seller is an authorized Garmin reseller and sells the units in factory sealed boxes from Garmin. They all come wiht a 1 year warranty from Garmin. My questions are: Is it worth to buy a factory refurbished unit (usually about $100 to $150 less than the new unit price)? Also, would the warranty be good when sold out of the US? Thanks, FayeC

Hi, I am debating buying a refurb unit from the US on Ebay for my first unit. The units in question are factory sealed from Garmin and have 1 year warranty. My only concern is regarding the maps. I don't know if the basemap in any US unit will work for caching in Canada. Has anybody bought units from the US? In specific the 60CSx? And were you able to use it right out of the box? I also posted on the Getting Started forum about a deal I found at Walmart. I was looking for opinions on the pricing. Thanks, FayeC

I was at walmart and they have a bundle including eTrex Legend+carrying case+ Topo Canada software for $199. That's Canadian dollars. They also have the Legend Cx on its own for $279. Is the first a good deal? Thanks, FayeC

Actually it makes sense. Chances are I will only do small/easy caches for at least another year since my youngest one is only 2 and doesn't go on very long hikes yet. I might just get a Legend Cx (because of the expandable memory part) and then get a 60 in a year or so when we do get into it seriously and can go to more difficult terrain caches. Now my only question is about the base map. I will post in the Canadian group for that part. Thank you for your great reply FayeC

My 5th cache was a traditional in a light wooded area. Took my 3 kids with me. Quite interesting too But I did have a reference point based on a google map. Talking about woods....is the eTrex Legend CX rendered useless in wooded areas? I was really close to getting one until I found out that not only patch antennas are useless in wooded areas but there's no compass........ FayeC

Ok....I am still on the hunt for the best GPSr that won't break the bank and in the meantime I have been geocaching without one. I found 3 virtual caches close to work and two traditional (one micro and one small) so far. All with the help of google maps and a good reference point. Mind you that the google satellite images for my area are older than old but so far I was able to find my way around and with the help of the hints got to the caches without major difficulty. I wonder if other people are geocaching without GPSrs or with the use of maps and compasses. Anybody? FayeC