[Geocoin Binder - How to Get?]

Here is another link to some sleeves.

 

For a binder I'd recommend something that zips closed like this one that's specifically designed for coins or this one which is what I'm using and happy with.

 

Keep in mind that geocoins come in lots of different sizes and shapes. Until you've bought a few coins you won't really know what sleeves to buy.

[Canine Caching Companions]

Nigel likes to play in the water.

 

[Roadside Attractions]

Elmer's fountain a little west of Mullan Idaho is a cool place to stop. 

 

[Preform Caches]

13 hours ago, Goldenwattle said:

I have DNFed caches like that. I have spent so long searching every nook and micro sized gap in boulders, cliffs, tree bark, etc, because I thought I was looking for a micro sized container, I have given up. Once I know I am looking, not for a micro, but a larger object, I have returned for a quicker find. I like to give favourite points, but I would be very unlikely to give one to those caches, marked micro, when they are not. Annoying.

I understand that. I own a few similar caches and I list them as "other". In the description I say that it's a micro hidden inside a larger object. That lets people know that there is no room for TBs and gives them an idea what they're looking for. Hiding a micro (bison, film can, whatever) in a larger object and calling it a small is equally annoying. 

[Preform Caches]

44 minutes ago, Bundyrumandcoke said:

Mate, sometimes thats all part of the fun of the game. I had a "small" that was a garden gnome that stood around 600mm high. The cache container was a film container, one of many, inside the much larger gnome. But the container itself was a small. 

That's sure not how I see it. The container is the film canister (a micro) you may have camouflaged it in something larger (a garden gnome) but the "container" is still a micro. The best cache type to select for these (if you don't want to say micro) is "other". IMHO  

[Geoart]

2 hours ago, CAVinoGal said:

You need to visit the posted coordinates to work out the final.  With a puzzle, you don't necessarily have to visit posted coordinates.

That's the way I see it too. 

 

For a multi-cache it says: (the bolding is mine)

Quote

If the cache includes a projection, the projection must be calculated in the field using bearing and distance from one of the stages.

 

For mystery cache it says: (again the bolding is mine)

Quote

If the cache includes a projection, the projection may be calculated based on the posted coordinates without visiting the location.

 

I think the intention is that, with a multicache, there is something to actually find at the posted location; a stature, a sign, a monument... whatever, that you make the projection from. With a mystery cache the coordinates are just coordinates, a random location, nothing to find, no reason to go there. 

 

 

[Location change from USNG to Latitude/Longitude?]

Try this:

Hit the menu button twice to bring up the Main Menu.

Select "Setup".

In the Setup Menu select "Units".

Under "Position Format" scroll down and select hddd°mm.mmm'

Under "Map Datum" select WGS 84

[Honoring a cacher?]

I tend to write unique logs for unique caches. Run of the mill, cookie cutter, caches tend to get simple, "Found it. Thanks!" logs. 

 

If anyone's interested ProjectGC has a couple of stats for logging. 

 

For log similarity, the higher the percentage the more similar your logs are. A lower percentage means more different/unique logs. 

A shortest log of zero, probably indicates a log that consists of nothing but emoticons. 

 

I'd still like to know who the OP wants to honor. 

[Honoring a cacher?]

14 hours ago, SamLowrey said:

Is there a good way to highlight the contributions of a cacher?

Sounds like a great hider. You could post a link to their profile so we can all enjoy seeing his contributions. 

[How are users logging my dog tag trackables when they are still in my possession]

18 hours ago, Paledunn said:

I understand now... thanks all. I had posted a picture of each trackable when I activated each not realizing that the pictures would end up on a public gallery. I deleted the pictures as soon as I realized the pictures were not protected. I don’t agree with the practice of “scalping “ trackables in that manner. 

I enjoy trackables that have pictures and occasionally look through the gallery to see what's out there but, of course, I don't log them. It amazes me that anyone thinks it's okay to harvest numbers from the gallery to increase their TB count.

 

You can still post pictures of trackables just make sure the code isn't showing in the image (cover it up with tape, photoshop it out, photo the back side, whatever). 

 

4 hours ago, cerberus1 said:

But to be clear, "virtual" trackables are allowed, so if you have the code clearly on your own trackable's page, some may feel you're allowing that.

Under "Log a Trackable", under "Virtual Logs" in the Help Center, it does say, "Logging trackables that you have not personally seen is strongly discouraged. It is up to the trackable owner to state if they allow this."   Posting it yourself (I feel) is saying you're fine with it.

My take is they're only allowed if the trackable page clearly says so. If they don't clearly state it's allowed, it isn't. I would not assume that if someone posts an image with the code they are giving permission (again unless the TB page says so) rather I would assume they made a mistake, as in the OP. 

[How are users logging my dog tag trackables when they are still in my possession]

11 minutes ago, Max and 99 said:

Uh oh. Another one. Did you by chance post a photo on social media? 

It would appear so based on this log:

"Seen in the photo gallery at geocaching - Thank You very much for sharing this TB/Coin (If this wasn't intented feel free to delete this log)"

[Binoculars for those 'identify number far away' caches.]

17 hours ago, terratin said:

Basically, is a small and cheap 8x25 sufficient for these things?

What do you consider cheap?  As far as 8x25 goes I think that's an ideal size, enough magnification to be useful and small enough to carry all the time.

 

Edited to add: I've always found that a small pair of binoculars that I have with me when I need them is way better than a full size pair that's back in the car. 

[Well, I tried again]

On 1/19/2021 at 11:24 PM, fizzymagic said:

How hard, exactly, would it be to build an app that could remember that I had been at a spot and allow me to enter the answer later?

I have an iPhone (6s) and my experience has been that it does remember I was there and does allow me to answer the question later. In one case I answered the question at home, hours later,  well outside the geofence, after completing other locations in between.  

[What do you leave as a first to find prize?]

7 hours ago, black_cat1 said:

What do you guys leave for the FTF? I've heard of people leaving $100 bills (which I definitely won't do!) But I realized that there's more of FTF prizes than just those FTF geocoins. What do you guys leave?

For my first cache I left $5 to cover the park entrance/parking fee.

On a particularly difficult Christmas themed puzzle cache I left a 1 oz. (real) silver Christmas themed coin. That's the most expensive thing I've ever left. It was worth about $17 at the time. Too expensive to do often but it really got people excited.

I have a button machine and for a while I made custom FTF buttons but they didn't seem too popular and were often not taken.

I've also occasionally left gold (colored) dollar coins (Susan B. Anthony, etc) when I can get them. A fun thing people like, that doesn't cost a bunch.

These days, if I leave anything, it's usually an unactivated trackable of some kind. These seem popular. Sometimes they're used and sometimes re-gifted as another FTF prize. 

Probably the best prize I've seen someone else leave is a one year premium membership gift card. 

[Challenge cache ideas that seem good but don't get past the reviewer]

Now that I've finished dinner here are a couple of other thoughts. While I haven't hidden one myself (yet) I am a big fan of unchallenge caches which are often called, "Hall of Fame"  caches.  Here is an example: GC25WV3

For the idea to work a couple of things need to be true:

1. The unchallenge needs to easy to explain, understand and document. (even more so than an official challenge that relies on a checker)
2. The unchallenge idea needs to capture peoples imagination. Be something fun that they'll want to do even if they can log the cache without it.

So what do you think. Is your idea easy to understand and document? Will it capture peoples attention so they'll want to complete the challenge and be honored in the cache description?

 

 

[Challenge cache ideas that seem good but don't get past the reviewer]

48 minutes ago, CheekyBrit said:

I cannot find the rule of "no online checkers for optional challenges" in the guidelines and am trying to understand it.

 

Its in the Help Center: 2.16. Optional Challenges

Quote

 

In order to avoid confusion with authorized challenge caches, cache listings containing optional challenges:

• Must clearly state that the challenge is optional.
• Cannot have the English word "challenge" in the title.
• Cannot be a Mystery Cache.
• Cannot include a web-based challenge checker.

 

 

 

[Can I report a nasty cache owner?]

Here are my thoughts (FWIW).

12 hours ago, WadleClan said:

After going back and forth, I finally wrote him and let him know our confusion.  I got a nasty response back that it was only to check the first stage.  Okay, no problem, I apologized and thanked him anyway. 

I think your response was perfect. Him responding rudely to your email isn't something that needs reporting. You can solve the problem by not emailing him anymore. On the other hand if he starts sending you rude, unsolicited emails or messages, I'd report that right away. 

 

12 hours ago, WadleClan said:

Another time, we were doing his nighttime Multi.  We were great, until Stage 4.  We looked for 30 minutes and found no sign of the reflector plate.  A big issue, was that patch of woods had LOTS of very freshly cut trees.  As in the sawdust was still on the ground (not exaggerating).  So we wrote the owner and explained the problem.  He responded that he did not even know where the stage was supposed to be anymore.  With a smiley face, I told him my fingers were crossed he could find it again and we looked forward to when the cache was updated.  The cache was never disabled while he looked (if he looked), there was no note, and there have been no changes.  No one has found it since we looked. 

After his previous rude email response, I wouldn't have emailed him. Instead I'd log my DNF, log a (polite) Needs Maintenance and if there was no response after a few of weeks I'd follow it up with a (polite) Needs Archived.

 

12 hours ago, WadleClan said:

Today was the final straw.  I found the cache and saw there was no logbook, just a little scrap of paper which many others had marked before me.  So I added my stamp and logged the find.  I also added a Needs Maintenance and explained how there was no logbook.  Later in the day, I noticed my Stats were suddenly lower.  I had no logged cache from today.  I checked the last cache to see if it did not transfer from my phone.  I found he disabled the cache and wrote a snippy note about how if there were no logbook, it could not be logged, it was not a virtual.  I reposted my log and wrote him about how he was correct, but there was a slip of paper and I added my name to all the others on it. 

As long as he doesn't delete your re-log, I'd let it go. So far I don't think his actions rise to the level that needs to be reported. However, if he does delete your new log, I would return to the cache take a photo of your stamp on the paper, contact HQ and request that your log be reinstated. 

 

Moving forward I'd avoid any personal communication with him, no emails or message center. I'd probably still keep finding his caches when convenient. I would make a point of always taking a picture my signature or stamp in the log and post it with my found it (no spoilers just the log). I'd also post (polite) DNFs, NMs or NAs logs when appropriate. If he does delete a future, legitimate found it log, I'd go straight to HQ and ask that it be reinstated. 

 

If it helps here is a link to the contact form. Under, "What can we help you with?"  #16, Geocacher disagreement, is probably the best choice.

[Need help finding orphaned cache's owner]

There are several caches in the Oregon Trail Reserve.  This one puts you in the general area: https://coord.info/GCQB70

 

It would be helpful if you could describe the container. 

[people not finding the final cache on my Wherigo]

12 hours ago, dennistubaplayer said:

Hello! On my Wherigo, at the end I added a cache that is listed as a waypoint and is required to be found in order to be marked as complete, but there have been a few people that did the cartrige that refused to do the cache at the end. If it is listed as a waypoint, shouldn't it be a requirement to be found? It's like finding the first stage of the multi but not the second stage and marking it as found. Shoudn't it be a requirement to find it? Thanks! -Dennis

I'm a little confused by what you're asking but I'll try to answer what I think it is.

To log a completion on a Wherigo cartridge (using the unlock code) all you have to do is complete the cartridge. You don't need to find the physical final.

To log a "find" on your Wherigo geocache, on Geocaching.com, seekers need to find the final container and sign the logbook. They don't necessarily have to do the cartridge themselves (they can tag along with a friend for example). 

Does that answer your question?

[The Littlest Cachers]

Bump. Another thread I thought would see more action. 

The grandkids have grown since I last posted in 2014.

 

[Canine Caching Companions]

Bump.

 

I thought a thread to post pictures of your dog (I'm fine with any pet) out caching would be more popular but it's been 5 years... 

 

My best caching companion ever was Tulu. Sadly she passed unexpectedly in 2016. 

 

 

Our new dog Nigel is a wonderful dog but not nearly as good on the trail as Tulu. He'll chase anything and can't be trusted off leash at all. 

 

 

 

[Challenge cache type]

5 minutes ago, cerberus1 said:

Earthcaches, webcams, and virtuals have legit ALRs, why shouldn't Challenge caches ?

Because challenge caches are physical caches with a container and log to sign. That's how you prove you found it. The others you mention are all virtual, no container, no log.

 

6 minutes ago, cerberus1 said:

Guess I kinda consider a Challenge cache similar to the "bonus" cache at the end of a series. 

You complete all, and kept track for proof (like writing down coordinate numbers from cache lids...), which means you're now able to access the "bonus".

Except that I don't have to do the series to log a find. All I have to do is find it and write my name in the log. Just like I don't have to prove I've solved the puzzle to log a find on a puzzle cache. Challenge caches are the only "physical" caches that allow an ALR. 

[Challenge cache type]

I like the idea of an attribute more than a new cache type.

 

I'm probably the only one that feels this way but what I'd really like is for challenge caches to be brought in line with every other physical cache  type. Make the challenge optional (like any other ALR). Find the cache, sign the log, log your "found it" online. If you complete the challenge, great, you get recognized on the cache page for the accomplishment (like a Hall of Fame or Honor Roll cache). 

[Do Premium Members Only caches last longer?]

On 5/19/2020 at 6:42 AM, Semínko said:

In your experience, do you see a difference in how people treat your container / how long it's in an OK condition when the cache is set as 'premium only' and when it's not?

When I started caching in 2004 everyone, beginner or experienced, member or premium member, had invested at least a couple hundred dollars for a GPS to get in the game.  Back then PMO caches were very rare and there was little difference on how each group (member or PM) treated a cache.  That changed with the advent of free cell phone apps. Now the typical beginner/nonPM has invested $0 and it shows.  If any of my caches start having problems, go missing, damage whatever, the first thing I do is make them PMO. Not a perfect solution but it helps. 

[Detectorists (British TV show)]

My wife and I love the show. We bought all three seasons on DVD. Great character development and great photography.