Tatooed Lady

Could be your HCx won't recognize the card because it's too big. I know some electronics (phones, etc) limit the size to 2 or 4GB, for whatever reason...if that's why it won't recognize the card, a "simple" solution would be to purchase several smaller memory cards...then take a small pouch for the cards along with you in your travels, as well as (preferably) marked cards so you know what area each card has on it. I haven't used my HCx for quite awhile...and when I did, I used the card slot for a map, then just had the caches on the unit's memory.

I get the whole "NEVER dig a hole" thing...what if there's an existing hole? Is it allowed to use it since it's already there?

No...I don't. I enjoy easy finds especially when I'm having a hard time finding other "easy" finds. They are what they are...finds with a 1/1 rating, and I think those are a necessary cache type to have especially for those who are physically unable to hike and find others. Maybe we need more of them?

I started off with a Garmin eTrex Legend hcx (I think hcx....the loaded version, I'm drawing a blank, sorry). It worked just fine for me, other than not supporting paperless caching. It's also got a VERY basic basemap. One thing to consider when you go to purchase is that you'll need to get a map if you want to do turn by turn directions. The basemap on my Oregon 400t looks like it would be a perfectly operational map, but for whatever reason, the powers that be decided that while I can see topographical features and roadways, the unit will not recognize roads, so any time I try to say "I want to go to point B from point A", it'll give me a straight line instead of following roads. *sigh* So, there's a chunk of money (around $100, I think??) thrown into the cost. Well worth it for me though, as I use the GPSr for work as well as geocaching. I love my Garmins...I can swap the micro SD card with mapping on it from one unit to the other (both support SD cards, which I find INVALUABLE) without a hiccup. In a nutshell, (sorry the nutshell is so big), I'd look for expandable memory, preferably a micro SD card (or whatever the other brands take)... I like the electronic compass on my Oregon...it'll tell me what direction I'm facing, regardless of if I'm moving. Paperless caching can be WONDERFUL...especially since I tend to update my information in my netbook on all the caches in whatever area I plan to hunt...and then load them into the Oregon before I leave. This gives me the most up-to-date information on each cache...if any are MIA, updated coordinates, etc. When you start to shop, consider refurbished units. Both of mine are refurbished, work just fine (other than the glitches many other owners of identical units seem to have), and saved me a LOT of money...which I was able to use elsewhere. Also, check for rugged units...it's so important!! I've dropped and abused mine (unintentionally) many times...I was in a canoe that was tipped over (darned smart alecky kids) and the Oregon survived the trip into the river clipped to a belt loop... Also check for how well you can see the screen...the Oregon is great, but in the bright light of the great outdoors, it's hard to see the screen.

Everything you need to know, or at least get a very good start, is in the resourses listed above. Maybe folks should READ before they play. There's also a section in the forums called, "Getting Started." Questions are answered there. Agreed, HOWEVER...sometimes we can't see what's in front of us because it's sat there so long. We need things revamped to keep our interest (like ferrets liking shiny objects, it is what it is)...so this is old stuff reposted with a new look, plus it's commented on by people who are known in the caching community...maybe these friends can "dumb it down" or condense all that information into quicker, smaller tidbits which can have more impact on those like me who want it all, want it now and get easily distracted. At any rate, so far we've had some great ideas and feedback to the thread, so why stop sharing ideas? Wow, I feel the LOVE here!! There's no end of help for new geocachers, here in the "Getting Started" section of the forum, or in the numerous local forums for geocachers all over the world. There are all kinds of geocaching blogs out there as well. If you are willing to take some initiative, there's no end of help and advice for new geocachers. Starting a vague thread that's probably in the wrong section of the forum and then trying to control the discourse that occurs here is likely not the best course of action if you sincerely want to learn the ropes. I've read a lot of what's put in the getting started section. I've read books on geocaching. I've READ a lot of posts that jump around topic to topic, and always seem to veer off the main thought. Like this thread. It started as a quest for current cachers to post hints and tips. It's veered off to the ditch more than once, and if you think that my trying to push it back toward the main reason I'd started it as being an attempt to control discourse? Maybe it is. BUT...why can't we all just OCCASIONALLY post helpful tidbits without complaining? No one HAD to post anything on this thread, it can be passed by as easily as any other. And while this thread was intended more for NEW geocachers, I'd bet my left eyetooth that there are veterans who could learn a thing or two from this. M 5, about the professional surveyor....that sounds like an interesting way to check accuracy...have you done that particular group of caches? How'd it work for you?

Everything you need to know, or at least get a very good start, is in the resourses listed above. Maybe folks should READ before they play. There's also a section in the forums called, "Getting Started." Questions are answered there. Agreed, HOWEVER...sometimes we can't see what's in front of us because it's sat there so long. We need things revamped to keep our interest (like ferrets liking shiny objects, it is what it is)...so this is old stuff reposted with a new look, plus it's commented on by people who are known in the caching community...maybe these friends can "dumb it down" or condense all that information into quicker, smaller tidbits which can have more impact on those like me who want it all, want it now and get easily distracted. At any rate, so far we've had some great ideas and feedback to the thread, so why stop sharing ideas? Wow, I feel the LOVE here!!

dollar store here had a little LED flashlight with a split ring on it...boy is that little light BRIGHT! it was a test item, I keep it in my truck, I suppose I should go back and see if they have more! LOL...

we'll stay on topic on this one, I don't want arguing or disagreements to dilute the potential usefulness of this thread. Cachetopia, remember? *LOL* Okay, that being said, I agree 110% with Chokecherry....get out and go to events or clinics...I've been to all of 2 clinics, and I met some really OBSESSED cachers...as in, they go out in the morning, POWER WALK (or run) from the vehicle to GZ, and truck on back to the vehicle or onto the next one if there are several close to each other, then repeat all day long...I'm not a numbers freak...but to meet other people with other skills and technique....PRICELESS. Plus, those with a high number of finds can usually guide people like me to "think outside the box" on the trickier caches.

After reading a LOT of posts on how lousy many newbie caches are due to them not knowing the rules and guidelines (and some veteran cachers as well), I'd like to see a thread posted HELPING those who are without a clue...In a perfect world, coords would be dead-on for all caches, there would be no soggy logs, irate cache owners or seekers...or landowners...and the only way I see to help us get closer to Cachetopia is by offering a hand up to those who need a gentle nudge to get cache placement, container and info right. Obviously, griping about these things online isn't effective...thinking that all the old-timers will drop everything to offer assistance round the clock is absurd...but this is a FORUM....a meeting of the minds, melding of ideas. What better place for someone (like me) to search out how to avoid the pitfalls of placing a GOOD cache for all to enjoy??? Let's use it to better the hobby! I'd like to suggest that cache containers all be REALLY waterproof. Not a cassette case or CD sleeve...lock n lock containers, soda bottles (talk about waterproof!), most pill bottles I've seen, etc....let's remember that the great outdoors can be VERY hard on caches!! PS-I know this isn't a unique idea for a post, but I'd like to think that others will see it and add wisdom for all.

I'd prefer bluetooth for wireless data transfers instead of having to pull out a cable to feed data from GSAK or Send To GPS. WiFi isn't much use in the field unless you exclusively cache in the Starbucks parking lot. not true...I just purchased a wi-fi mobile hotspot (or something like that) through Verizon...I can create my own wi-fi hotspot now, and am able to have up to 5 wf capable devices connect (if they know the password). I now create my own internet connection at my boyfriend's house (no cable, satellite, etc) and at home (same thing), and don't have to depend on finding a parking spot at McD's or some other public location with free hookup. So far....LOVE IT!!! It allows me to boogie around wherever I want and get online to check for updates or log finds (or DNFs, etc). Paired with a netbook and the Oregon 400t, I feel like I've got it all...except a camera...but that's my phone and another story entirely. Oh, the wi-fi mobile unit IS limited as to how much you can access...for around $50 per month I get 5GB of internet goodness...or, as explained to me, roughly 36,000 webpages.

FWIW I went to the local Goodwill store and found a bag GREAT for all around caching...it's a backpack meant to haul a laptop computer, iPods, etc...so in one padded compartment I can take my netbook, and another can hold, pen/pencil, swag, TB/coins, cache repair items, etc...there's a zip pouch to carry tools for extraction, extendable mirror, etc...and a cell phone pouch if I want to use that. And don't forget the little iPod pouch with a hole for the headphone wire to poke thru so I can listen to music as I wander... I think it cost me about $7, which I can definitely part with happily for such a find!!

So I've got some of the cemetery caches found, but in the descriptions of almost every one is something to the effect of "not on or NEAR any grave markers"...yet I've found several that were hung in the bushes that touch or grow almost on top of headstones, or where a person has to stand brushing against said stone or stand on the grave itself to retrieve...I would consider these caches CLOSE...would someone please define how close is close? It bothers me, because if my loved one were buried, I'd rather not have people (however good natured and pursuing wholesome activities like geocaching) stepping on the grave or otherwise that close, as we all know that the simple hides can produce quite a number of finds...

have you contacted Garmin directly? I would... Garmin.com of course, I'm confused a bit by what I'm reading (call it new year brain fog)...If I'm thinking correctly, you want to see nothing but the hills, valleys, rivers, etc...no streets, etc. I believe that the units will automatically show all the above, including streets...but for navigation purpose, CN cards (or other) are required. The topo map is built in, and I doubt you can alter that particular view. Did I just make sense? Geez, I hope so...I have the Oregon 400t, also...and I love the darned thing.

Check online...I recently spotted a 2008 city navigator (don't recall if it's a CD or SD card) for around $80. If you don't mind that it's not brand-spankin' new technology, and may not show some of the really new roads, it could fit the bill really nicely.

I would think the most generic (and disorganized) way of doing this would be: 1) pick a direction of travel (with caches somewhere in that direction would be good) 2) start either as close to home as you can and work away from home, OR go as far from home as you want, and work your way back. 3) let your GPSr unit guide you to the next closest cache in the general direction you're travelling. 4) lather, rinse, repeat.

If you were too dumb to operate a GPS, you'd have NO hope of figuring out how to get here to ask how to operate it! Anyhow, I'm assuming it's like my Legend HCx...to find a marked waypoint (other than the one at which I'm currently located), I BELIEVE I just hit the top right button (it will back through a series of around 3 pages, repeatedly if you accidentally pass the one you wanted) until it gives me the options which include "FIND"...click on find, next screen should show "WAYPOINTS", click on that...and it should give you a list of available waypoints...on my unit, it includes caches I've got programmed in. From there, just pick the waypoint you want, and if it turns out to be the wrong one, just run through til you find what you want.

I still fail to see the problem... She LOVES the new hobby, and is good at it...what are you gonna do, childproof lock her door? set up a tripwire so you can win the race? *LOL* Actually...you want to be more of a partner in your couples hunts? Find some caches that are higher T/D rated...Make her WORK for the cache, maybe it'll slow her down enough that you can reason with her (oh, I'm LOL right now!!)...let her know that you've got feelings that are being hurt by her thoughtless behavior.... Worst case scenario, she laughs at you, and you wind up "accidentally" hooking YOUR seatbelt through an article of her clothing so she struggles for 5 minutes while you stroll up and find the container!

Agreed...I'd hate to think how difficult it would be to figure out a new (to me) unit "on the fly" while trying to cache...I've taken it with me on the road, out to breakfast, etc. I always seem to think of new things that confuse me or that I want to change a setting on to make it more "friendly".

Maybe not an "investment" in the sense that you get paid for its use, however...some people (like ME) tend to drive...a LOT. And some people (like ME) semi-regularly need maps to find out where we're going...and instead of using a paper map and trying to write directions from it, then drive with one eye on the directions ("I don't remember anything about a dead end!!??") while trying to drive...eh, this is a MULTIPURPOSE TOOL!

Last trip to the dollar store was about a month ago...we bought some colored plastic bead necklaces, plastic skulls and a few plastic kazoos. cheesy? sure...but when you KNOW someone's gonna bring kids by, why not? We don't hunt the 5/5's...we're doing the easy stuff. Oh, and the dollar store carries little LED flashlights...I'm thinking that's next, because hubby's used the one I bought as a test unit, and he LOVES it...he even claimed it as "his". Can we say, "really useful for night caches"? Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's boring.

FWIW, I drive truck. I keep my GPS with me some days, which gives me a chance during the day to see how close some of the hides are to where I drive...my route varies by the day, and often by the load. Anyhow, when hubby says, "hey, I want to go 30 miles south to hit this little greasy spoon for breakfast", I hem and haw...grab the GPS, load up a bunch of caches, then say, "it's not worth the gas JUST for breakfast...let's hit some caches while we're down there.", and of course, he's hungry and agreeable, if it means he gets to eat! Win-win situation. The other is to just plan your day out, maybe NOT go to the very closest store that carries something you want, just so you're closer to a cache or three. That way, you still get whatever you need for the house or the family, PLUS you can do a quick hunt...just make sure you're after an easy hide and not a 5/5...

No, I didn't...I found another site that I've ordered from before, and used one of their sellers with a good reputation.

I've got the Legend HCx...the biggest difference is the unit that ends with "x" takes a micro SD card, which means versatility. Nice little unit, IMHO.

Unit arrived yesterday while I was at work. I took it with today to putter with (I drive truck, so PERFECT for checking stuff like this). I ran it alongside my eTrex Legend HCx...So far, I'm VERY impressed with the mapping loaded on the unit, compared to the eTrex...one thing that I found though, is although the roads and streets show on the Oregon, turn-by-turn mapping wasn't available until I inserted the micro SD card with City Navigation... It would only draw a straight line (not exactly how I drive) without the card. I also did a little checking with the paperless caching...WOW. I haven't hunted yet, but I can't wait to try it out!! It looks like things will be SO much easier now! More info to follow as I use the unit more extensively...

I've hunted with MrTatooed (aka "Hubby"), with my son and his friend, with the neighbor girls...I'm the only common thread in all the finds. I've found a system that works...a) I don't tell him about some of the more "entertaining" caches I find without him , and I save the ones that drive him nuts for the times when we hunt together...that way he feels like he's part of the team.