TwoSox Trekkers

I think the biggest thing you need to watch out for is to make sure your cache is at least .10 mi away from the next one. Beyond that, I don't think there's anything else required.

As a newbie with an eTrex Vista, here is what I would add: 1. Read the manual for your GPS, and check out the manufacturer's site. 2. Read The Complete Idiot's Guide to Geocaching to get a basic understanding of the differences between UTM and latitude/longitude measurements. 3. Check out any local REI or Cabela's or similar outfitter stores for compass/map reading classes. 4. Look for the spot, not the cache. Once you get comfortable with the GPS this will be easier. 5. Have fun. And keep asking questions, that's a great way to get a feel for where your knowledge gaps are.

Thanks, Max and 99- I was wondering that, too.

I'm new, too. Started researching in January, really started getting interested in February, and got going for real in March. I have an eTrex Vista HCx and I like it a lot- I also use my iPhone to read the notes, logs, etc and not use paper when I can. This is so addicting. Ridiculously so! My partner is struggling, she hasn't found any caches yet. But I think she over-thinks it. I'm hoping the next one, she finds, to help her confidence. No real problems to speak of, except a few wet caches and I keep forgetting to bring a pen/pencil. I need to get a cache bag I like and stick with it.

New cacher here. I'm also a Mac user with a Garmin Vista eTrex HCx. It has a USB connection, and I download caches directly to my Mac using Mac Cache, and the add them to my Garmin. It's very easy. When I'm out caching, I use both my iPhone and my Garmin for caching. I have a ruggedized case made by Otterbox that protects the phone really well, and I can still check hints, etc while the Garmin provides stronger GPS capability. You're asking the right questions, and the previous advice you've been given is definitely on the mark. When I've traveled, I pre-loaded the caches I wanted to look for and used my phone for the notes. It works well. Good luck!

It is fun, isn't it? I've had 1 find and two DNF's, but all three were a lot of fun and now I can't wait to try again. My Dad would have loved that I was doing this- I wish he were around to see it. Like Michigan said, it's great that you get to share this with your son. Enjoy every minute!

I echo scvmeat. I use the same GPS and MacCaching, and both had done excellently. Happy hunting!

It freezes up on me with my eTrex Legend H, wish I could get it to work. That's a bummer. I love technology- when it works!

One thing to help your iPhone if you want to use it as a companion to your GPS- an Otterbox Defender iPhone case. It's quite rugged (they make dryboxes for kayaking) and water resistant. It will help protect your iPhone without making it too bulky. Check out the reviews of it on Amazon, it's a good buy. But briansnat is right- definitely get the GPS.

We just got a new Garmin eTrex Legend H, and I went through the same woes. MacCaching seems to work pretty well, but I also found a few programs on the Garmin website designed specifically for Mac. The only thing with them is that they don't seem to read .LOC files, so you have to have .GPX files (sent to your email when you run a Pocket Query). You can plug your Garmin in and download straight to the unit from the website. Garmin seems pretty on top of needs for Mac users and they are working on more things to help us out. Hi Abelman- I looked at the Garmin Mac software but it wasn't clear which one would be most applicable to geocaching. Would you recommend one of them over the others? Thanks! There is so much info to absorb my brain is getting full. I used a program on the Garmin website called "Road Trip." There's also a communication plug-in on that site you will need to download to download directly from the website. That should work no problem. Road Trip (and I'm still just learning it) will take GPX files from the site and put the geocaches in on the map. (It resembles a poorman's Google Earth in that respect). If your GPS is connected to your Mac, the program should know and you will be able to both send and receive cache points from the GPSr. It's got big buttons right along the top of the window - very intuitive. The trick is the GPX files, which I think can only be gotten from the Geocaching website if you're a premium member. There may be other ways, but I haven't found yet. The other program is MacCaching which is free and works quite well. It also allows you to export cache info to your iPod as notes. A pretty awesome feature, and worth it. It has trouble sending points to my Garmin, but it always seemed to with my old GPS (a Magellan Explorist - great entry level for new cachers). I would contact Garmin, perhaps, and see what they think would be best. They seem to really be working on Mac compatibility with their equipment, which is nice. I'm still working on finding a full solution. Right now, my wife and I are using a program on her laptop to send points to the GPSr and Road Trip on my Mac (which sometimes results in points being entered twice) and using MacCaching to send notes to the ipod. Hope this helps. It can be a little frustrating to be a Mac user sometimes But I still love my Mac. Thanks, Abelman. Roadtrip was the one that looked most applicable to me. I'll give the plug in and it a shot and see what happens! So far, MacCaching has sent points to my Garmin eTrex Vista HCx with no problems.

I definitely wouldn't give up after one attempt. I've had quite a few caches in my limited experience so far that have taken me several times to find. Logging a DNF and then triumphantly logging the find a week later is pure pleasure. Re-reading my DNF log and remembering the bitterness of defeat makes the find that much sweeter. rtreit HHH and rtreit, thanks for the support. I am definitely not giving up on this one- it's a micro and it was recently found, so I'll be back. I suspect it was me over-thinking it. And really, it's all good- after the DNF, I had my first find! So a 50% success rate on my first foray doesn't suck! Stormy

I have a related question. There is a cache that I tried to find today -admittedly, probably a bit tough for a newbie- and I did not find it. Should I log that DNF and try again? Is it commonplace to need more than one attempt to find a cache, especially as a newbie? I want to maintain the integrity of the game, but I also hated to give up after one attempt. Thanks! Stormy_zen

Thanks, Harry! I found my first cache today.

You will still need the GPS unit. The GPS on the iPhone (I have the 3g) is pretty good, but any caches that have a lot of tree or buildings nearby can cause interference, and the GPS will be more accurate. Using them both in tandem is a good idea. Trust me, I was hoping to be able to use one device but you really need them both. In the city there will probably be times when you can get away with just using the phone. I've compared my phone's performance to my GPS a few times and it's definitely good until you get a lot of trees/interference. Good luck!

Fun! I bought the Vista HCx, and like it a lot so far. It takes getting used to, but it's making more sense as the days go by. I am getting ready to do my first cache hunt in the next few days, too. Good luck!

If your brain is full just empty out some of the information you will no longer need. I recommend stuff you will no longer need since you have caching like basic housework, friends numbers and addresses (unless they are cachers), most work related items, families numbers and addresses (unless they are cachers), anniversaries and birthdays, etc. Haha @ jeffbouldin. If only it were that easy! I keep shaking my head to the side but nothing falls out, hmmm. Maybe beer would be a better treatment!

We just got a new Garmin eTrex Legend H, and I went through the same woes. MacCaching seems to work pretty well, but I also found a few programs on the Garmin website designed specifically for Mac. The only thing with them is that they don't seem to read .LOC files, so you have to have .GPX files (sent to your email when you run a Pocket Query). You can plug your Garmin in and download straight to the unit from the website. Garmin seems pretty on top of needs for Mac users and they are working on more things to help us out. Hi Abelman- I looked at the Garmin Mac software but it wasn't clear which one would be most applicable to geocaching. Would you recommend one of them over the others? Thanks! There is so much info to absorb my brain is getting full.

Hey sweewater, I have some pretty good news. I just tried this app- Mac Caching. Using the USB that came with my Garmin, I was able to download several waypoints for caches near me. It was a very easy app to use, and the transfer was extremely fast. This app is compatible with a lot of different GPS's. Hope this helps.

Hi fellow newbie. You can't use the software that comes with the Garmin (I just bought the eTrex Vista HCx) and the software is not mac compatible. I'm not 100% sure you can download the coordinates from here to your GPS, but that question is probably answerable somewhere in the FAQ for the site. Good luck!

Both replies helped a bunch- thanks for the insight. I'm still looking at GPS's; time to plan a budget to get one.

That's embarrassing. I got an error when trying to post and it left this blank. *sigh* Anyway, I'm new to the sport and I have some questions re: using the geocaching.com iPhone app and a hand-held GPS. Currently, I have the former and not the latter. My main question is whether or not the iPhone & app would suffice for urban cache hunting? Is it accurate enough? How do I use a GPS in conjunction with the app? I've never used a GPS before. I feel like I am missing a central concept but I may be over-thinking it. Looks like the Garmin eTrex or Legend series would be good for a beginner like me. Thanks in advance for any advice.