jbhodj & Drake

Some cache owners have another cache owner 'test drive' their cache to make sure that there aren't any problems. Some cachers that prefer the FTF race get angsty when this happens. I can understand the test drive scenario and makes sense. What I have noticed is a trend that the same handful of people are always the FTF/STF logging them and making a big deal of it. I wonder if the cache owners sometimes call their buddies and let them know about the cache coordinates before its published to make sure that only that one person gets the FTF and no one else. To me that defeats the entire purpose and creates an unfair advantage for the FTF, sort of a "wink wink" heres the cache, make sure you go out and get credit for the FTF. when i beta test a cache, i sign the log as the beta tester, making sure not to claim FTF. since i don't keep track of my FTFs, it matters little. often when i am first, i sign several pages in. nobody has to know the truth but me. Here are some examples, I omitted the logs to protect identities. Logs FTF before published and in the last one it was 2 days prior. Cache Logs June 1 by XXXXX (673 found) [view this log on a separate page] May 21 by XXXXX (573 found) [view this log on a separate page] May 20 by IowaAdmin (3 found) Published [view this log on a separate page] May 19 by XXXXX(1595 found) [view this log on a separate page] May 19 by xxx(542 found) [view this log on a separate page] Cache Logs June 6 by XXXXX [view this log on a separate page] June 5 by XXXX(261 found) [view this log on a separate page] June 4 by XXXX (261 found) [view this log on a separate page] June 2 by XXXX (271 found) bug drop [view this log on a separate page] May 31 by XXXX (271 found) [view this log on a separate page] May 25 XXX (2911 found) [view this log on a separate page] May 20 by IowaAdmin (3 found) Published [view this log on a separate page] May 19 by XXX (542 found) [view this log on a separate page] May 18 by XXX (327 found) FTF [view this log on a separate page]

Some cache owners have another cache owner 'test drive' their cache to make sure that there aren't any problems. Some cachers that prefer the FTF race get angsty when this happens. I can understand the test drive scenario and makes sense. What I have noticed is a trend that the same handful of people are always the FTF/STF logging them and making a big deal of it. I wonder if the cache owners sometimes call their buddies and let them know about the cache coordinates before its published to make sure that only that one person gets the FTF and no one else. To me that defeats the entire purpose and creates an unfair advantage for the FTF, sort of a "wink wink" heres the cache, make sure you go out and get credit for the FTF.

Not to track off topic a whole lot, but how is it possible to have FTF logs before the cache is even published? I see that alot in my area.

I am an avid outdoors man and have spent many nights alone in the timber, in the dark. Some of the worst animals out there are the two legged kind. Some great suggestions here and the whistle is a must have when caching since it can be used for experiences like you had or in another worse case, getting lost and using it as a means of location. Some More Suggestions 1. Before you head out, make sure someone knows where you are going, give them a list of the caches your searching or the area you will be and tell them an expected return time. 2. Dont cache alone, groups are always better in certain areas or if you feel that you are entering an area that could contain the not so friendly. 3. Always be aware of your surroundings. It had been mentioned before here, but knowing where you are at all times and have an escape plan in the event of a "what if" situation is always a good idea. Carrying a big stick is good, but if you were not aware of that person sneaking up behind you while you glare at your GPS'r does no good. 4. If you encounter someone your not sure of, just turn and walk, dont run, in the other direction. Most likely the person in question is harmless, but if not, and you just walk away they are less likely to follow you or do harm unlike running away. Running entices the perp into thinking you spotted them doing something wrong and they will stop you from alerting the authorities. 5. One suggestion I heard in a self defense class was that when walking on a trail you should look directly, making eye contact with people that pass you by. The theory is that someone who has intentions to do someone harm is less likely to commit an act on someone who looks them in the eye. Reason, people with the bad intentions are less likely to do something because they feeel that they have been been caught, or we noticed them, by looking them in the eye. 6. Lastly, never ever put yourself in a situation unless your confident about your abilities to get you out. If you have any doubts about something, just dont do it. Scared of the dark? dont go out at night. Perps feast on the fears of others and can sense these fears. If you look scared before going into a situation, and you encounter something worse, they already have the upper hand. Keep on caching and be safe

I have read the entire thread and I can sympathize with both sides of the debate. What is amazing is how some of the debate has turned personal which I think defeats the purpose but I must digress. Personally, if I was going to be honored in some way, I would like to be honored for something legitimate and not a gimme. The OP's point was that it was a 3000 find? What difference does it make if its the FTF 3000 or not? If he still logs his find he still gets the honor of finding number 3000 right? As a new geocacher, one thing I quickly learned is that there are FTF junkies who's entire caching life centers around that FTF title. They sit at home waiting for the alarms to go off, they leave work, they scarf down their dinner with company and race off, they leave the wife and kids behind (believe me I have read the logs) all in the simple (IMHO meaningless) FTF log! Their is no grand prize for the most FTF's. I can see how easy it is to get caught up in racing out, speeding, in a severe weather, rising water and tornado sirens going off all in an attempt to log "FTF". That just sounds SOOO fun to me. But to many, "Second place is the first loser

My simple answer is micro cache after micro cache after micro cache! These are pretty popular considering that the area I live in has hundreds of caches already and news ones almost every day. I have a watch list with more tradition larger caches I have to find, and I have a coin that I will be moving along then, but until that time, I just keep it in my pack for now

I have purchased both GC's and TB's on Ebay and have no issues with it so far.

request the following for the coin jbhodj&drake

Glad to see this topic because I have noticed in my local area we have a handful that are egger cachers who seem to do nothing more than race to a new published cache for FTF title. Being an inquisitive type, I created an alert that was sent to my phone. Last night around dusk I got an alert about a new publish. By the time I got home 5 minutes later it had already been logged. I dont think the cache had even been published for 15 minutes before it had been logged. Amazing thing is that there was more than one person racing for the FTF. The race of the hunt seems thrilling to some and I can see myself getting into it, but I just dont have the ability to drop everything and go

Some of you actually wear a hard hat while caching? Thats great!

got it! I cant tell you how appreciative I am about these forums! I found more answers more quickly here, very helpful, Thanks

One final question before I head out today. I assume I can switch from on road navigation to off road once I reach or get close to my destination?

Hot dang, both answers are what I needed. Didnt have the compass screen up plus i was navigating the wrong way, tried the off road mode and BAMMO! THANKS A MILLION VERY HAPPY!

Hope my explanation is good enough to solve my issue. I have a GPSmap 60CSx that has Mapsource City Navigator NT loaded for Iowa and Nebraska. When I first got this unit, I could push "find geocache" then "goto". The map page or active route had buttons on the bottom of the page that gave the options for "note" and "found" which would allow you to enter a found cache in the GPS calendar. I have set up my GPS geocache options to "yes" for found geocaches. But now I dont have the found and note options at the bottom of my map pages or the page where they were previously. I cannot figure out how to get the found button back up and showing again. Anyone know what the deal is? It seems that this issue started when I put the City Navigator NT onto my GPS unit as well. Thanks

test

GPSmap 60CSx is what I have

When starting out to locate an unfound cache, is it better to way point/mark were you parked and average that location on your GPS before heading out. Does averaging a starting mark help in your accuracy of finding a cache? Reason I ask I went out two times to locate a cache and each time the coordinates took me to a different area, albeit about 90 feet apart, and I didnt locate it, the cache. I understand that looking with eyes is better since all GPS units have a margin of error, but would like to know if there are tricks to increase the accuracy before hitting the trail.

The maps that you have done so far are awesome! But I dont see IOWA yet, can I request this?

Well I did some research and since I have an iPod Touch, I think I may be able to use that, will keep you posted. I like the idea of getting another toy though because we know he who dies with the most toys, WINS!

Any suggestions on a good pocket PC or Palm that works good for caching?

First some history: I just purchased a GPSmap 60CSx that directed me to my very first cache on 5/12/08. It was really exciting to find this cache first time out. Also, first thing this AM my 3 year old asked me if we were going out again today to find more treasure. Thats what makes it worth while. Now since I am new my question is more to do with organizing caches and getting them onto my GPS unit. When searching for caches do you just download the coordinates to your GP's in bulk or do you find it better to just pull maybe a handful of them and go from there. With the price of gas and all I dont want to be running around backtracking from one spot to another to go on a multiple cache hunt. Whats the best way to organize your cache log to take advantage of the best route to follow. Yesterday i was lucky because I had another cache I was able to locate on my way home, thus I have a total of......drum roll......................TWO

testing

Thanks for the advice: Update I have become a premium member to the sight, created my first pocket query and downl GSAK (since it seems most popular. Next mission is to get me a new larger memory card for the unit. Can someone direct me to the type of memory card I would need or is it something like this?

Finally pulled the trigger and bought my first GPS unit on Ebay. Its used and would like advice on what I need to do when I get the unit and start geochacing. Any advice on what else I need to get started? What’s included: * Garmin GPSmap 60CSx w/original box contents - Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx unit w/ base maps - 64 MB microSD (installed in the battery compartment) - Belt clip - USB interface cable - MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager Version 3.0 - Lanyard - Owner's Manual & Quick-Start Guide * Neoprene Carrying Case * Vehicle Power cable w/ PC Serial Interface * Bike Mount * Vehicle Mount Software, uploads, downloads ect that you think would be helpful?