Andronicus

If your S4 has an ANT receiver, there is an Android app called 'Chip' from WLSoft. It was created for the purpose of finding Chirp geocaches. There are more than one app in the Android Market called Chirp, so make sure you download the right one. On my Galaxy S6, it actually works marginally better than my Garmin. Could you give more details on that app. I can't seem to find it. Edit: Nevermind, just a little hard to find as it is not very popular https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nl.wlsoft.chirp&hl=en

I suspect that using a separate app isn't really going to change anything. The location services are part of the OS and are just providing location information to any app that needs location information. NYPC - Your comment is what I suspected would be true. That is why I questioned ohgood's comment. Any app using my phone's GPS chip would get the same location info, so if the Maps app doesn't register my location than I'd suspect another app wouldn't be able to either. it's mo better to TEST than to assume and suspect. go test it. I tested my phone (LG Optimus Pro G) this past weekend. Was in an area without any cell reception. Put my phone on Airplane Mode, set Location Settings to GPS Only, and opened Locus Map Free. My phone couldn't locate my position after more than 15 minutes. Also tried with the Geocaching-R app and then the Google Maps apps. No luck there either. The manufacturer's specs say my phone has GPS / A-GPS / S-GPS, but I've also read in forums that GPS issues are not uncommon. I'll have to try a hardware fix to remedy that. Testing different apps within the same phone obviously wasn't telling, since none of them worked, so would have to try again when at least one of those apps works. I was able to use a Samsung Galaxy S7 with the same settings, but could only try the Google Maps app. I wasn't able to install other apps on it, since it's not my phone. That phone was able to locate my position within a minute. This would be a good phone for geocaching, since it's a brand new model and is water resistant. From what I've read, the Samsung Galaxy series seems to perform pretty well with GPS functions. I had a LG Optimus 7 (running Windows Phone 7), and has similar results as your Pro G.

Since this experiment was done in a downtown area, then I'm assuming all the phones had cellular service. Wouldn't the accuracy of the phones vary depending on whether they were set to 'high accuracy' or 'gps only'? It seems like the phones would have to be set to 'gps only' or 'device sensors only' to be a valid comparison between phones and GPSr's. It would be interesting to see a similar experiment, with phones set to 'gps only', in a non-urban environment. Kudos to Andronicus for an interesting event idea! I don't know what you mean by 'valid comparison'. Phones have A-GPS, and wi-fi triangulation, and cell tower triangulation. All of these help with lock speed and improved accuracy. This is a feature of a phone. Why should that not be utilized. I believe it is still valid. If you are wanting to know how accurate a phones GPS chipset is, you are correct. The only time that matters is when out of cell phone range. And then, there is usually no multi-path issues, so it is a different experiment altogether. Anecdotally, I have found that my phones' GPS chipsets are just as accurate, but have less sensitivity. Indeed, there are many permutations that would be fun and interesting to do. However, Trying to get a bunch of cachers to do all of them is close to impossible (like herding cats.) I encourage you to do a similar event and introduce whatever controls/rules you see fit. Any new test will give us a better understanding. And it was fun.

You can get replacement batteries for your S4 off ebay or other websites for less then $10. Check the reviews though, they are not all created equal. My old SII, I used to take 3 or 4 spares. My new S5 I have only one spare. If you are looking for a handheld GPS, what is your price range. You can get used from as low as $30 (eg. old eTrex Venture HC) or new as high as $800 (eg. Garmin Monterra). There is a huge variance in price. They will all give you good accuracy, but of course, the more features, the higher price.

You know what you could do is use wifi or bluetooth tethering to give you old smartphone data while in the field.

I suspect that using a separate app isn't really going to change anything. The location services are part of the OS and are just providing location information to any app that needs location information. NYPC - Your comment is what I suspected would be true. That is why I questioned ohgood's comment. Any app using my phone's GPS chip would get the same location info, so if the Maps app doesn't register my location than I'd suspect another app wouldn't be able to either. it's mo better to TEST than to assume and suspect. go test it. Are you on Android? Actually, the app "GPS Test Plus" may help you. It can clear the A-GPS data and force a fresh download of A-GPS data. That can definitely help. Every once in awhile my phone can't seem to get a GPS location, and that app usually fixes the problem quickly.

What phone do you have? A lot of Android phones have replaceable batteries. I bring a spare or 2. Most handheld GPSr are pretty good for ruggedness. Anyone will do. What is your price range?

I had one hidden in a small cave that was stolen.. but the thief was kind enough to transfer the contents to a plastic Folgers coffee can for me so the cache stayed in tact. Nice, heh? Has to be a thieving cacher surely? Almost need to punch serial numbers into the things, try and see where they turn up.... I write my name in UV ink inside the containers. They are also painted differently than the other ammo cans, so if it does walk and then show up again, all that's needed is my trusty UV light. Have there been actual cases where stolen ammo cans have shown back up as new caches? Seems much more likely that they would be taken and put to other uses. My theory is that they get cashed in at scrap metal places. Around here some of the shadier scrap metal people will go through dumpsters, pry plaques off of buildings and statues, and sneak into construction zones to steal stuff. An ammo can in the woods is relatively easy pickings. Easy pickings, but as scrap metal, worth about $0.25.

Here is my view. Condensation is a huge factor. But just as big is the ziplock bag interfering with the seal (or other debris). Usually, a ziplock bag will actually work against you. It will only function as intended for less than 5 finds, but will very often interfere with the seal, making the whole cache wet. Just say no to ziplock bags!

While we're discussing the misapplication of size ratings, I'd like to point out that the above descriptions of "Other" are wrong. The bolded portions of the quotes actually apply to the now-grandfathered "Not chosen" size rating, not "Other". "Not chosen" ceased to be available for use as of May 13, 2014. There is no longer a size rating available for when you don't want to reveal the size of container. The definition of "Other" is as follows (Help Center - 4.2. Containers Explained): Well sir, I stand corrected!

My personal experience, with the rate at which caches are stolen, and the cost of ammo cans these days (in Canada $20+), I'm not planning to hide any more. In fact, recently I archived a cache strictly to get my ammo can back before it was stolen. I'm considering archiving another. If I ever get inspired to make another puzzle or multi cache, I may use an ammo can for that. There is so much less traffic on those, and mostly people who have respect for the hobby.

I think that you have demonstrated the problem. Nanos are not 'other', they are actually micro. Other is just for when the CO does not want to reveal the size, or it is really strange (like a large object with a small cavity). However, a huge portion of cachers think that nanos should be listed as other. This is just wrong. I would only like a new caches size just so that COs would stop using 'other' for nanos. It is so rediculous that I now do not hunt for caches labeled 'other' because 95% of the time they are nanos, and I don't enjoy hunting for nano caches.

the stock geocaching app is next to worthless for offline caching and GETTING TO caches. check out others like cgeo, locus, etc it's much, much easier to geocache with a phone than a standalone. I have a Garmin 64 coming since a standalone gps is very helpful. As far as good apps for offline check out Cachly (www.cach.ly) it has a lot of features for offline caching and logging. While I really like the app a standalone will always be more reliable for a lot of circumstances. check this out, an accuracy test via geocaching https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC5F825_downtown-gps-testing?guid=e163b1e9-ecc5-46f5-b5b9-94e12a8fddc0 and the super easy to read results: https://goo.gl/GcHNcS .... Thanks for linking to my event. I like that someone found some use for it.

I usually use my phone. I have 2 Garmin eTrex Venture HC units and 1 Garmin eTrex Legend H.

Keep in mind that GPS signals can be jumpy in urban areas if there are tall buildings nearby. I'm not sure where your 1st cache is going to be, but if there are a lot of buildings nearby then it might be tough to judge the GPSr's accuracy. ... I did an experiment... http://coord.info/GC5F825

For $40, maybe look at an older used eTrex model. Legend, Venture, Summit etc. Just make sure there is a "H" in the model name (eg. Venture HC). They aren't slick but they work great. You can get free maps online (just google it, it's easy). Don't over pay. You should be able to get one never opened for $40. Don't feel bad about giving people low ball offers if they are asking $100+.

Thanks for the info. I didn't see in the listings that there was a Summit HC. I was wondering if the base model had already included the High sensitivity chip. I will definitely pass on this unit. I have 3 of these old eTrex models (2 Venture HC and a Legend H). I use them to had to the kids or noobs I am caching with. It gives them a taste of caching and costs me almost nothing.

I agree with this! Infact, that is exactly what knowschad posted about that got him banned. Several of the reviewers had harshly criticized a new(ish) guy (and he did deserve criticism). knowschad was trying to lobby for a more friendly forum from what he saw as an overly harsh response. Meanwhile there are a lot of regular posters who regularly make the forum unfriendly, but seem to be allowed to continue ad nauseum. Edit for spelling...

Good point. I don't mean to "stick it it the Frog" as you put it. I quite appearciate what geocaching.com has done for us geocachers. I am stricktly talking about the forums.

... Posting a rant here about the moderators is not a helpful topic. Hey, I never said I am a helpful contributor. I stopped helping last year when Mr.Yuck got banned...

No, it's not one of those threads. While I have archived and listed one of my caches on an alternate site (which Mr.Yuck happens to administer currently), I have no plans to move all my caches. I do like getting find logs... This post is simply to bring up the issue that several helpful, informative, and generally positive contributors to this forum have been perma-banned for seemingly innocuous criticism of reviewers or moderators. I don't see why anyone would think reasonable criticism must be silenced.

With the recent "Perma-Ban" of knowschad, and last year's Perma-Ban of Mr.Yuck and others, I see a disturbing trend. These were some of the members who contributed the best/most to this forum, but yet, what appears to be a personality conflict with Keystone and/or Rock Chalk, has resulted in the loss of their helpful, informative, and positive voice. I see it as vindictive, and quite frankly disgusting. I think the moderation team here needs to do some self-analysis and try to decide what their purpose is. I don't think their purpose is supposed to be to inflate their own egos. But as long as that is how they use (abuse?) their roll, this forum will continue to spiral into uselessness, and continue its descent into obscurity (like most other internet forums have).

I'm not seeing any such mention of that requirement, other than my reference above, in the Guidelines. From "Geocaching 101" "Finally, visit the cache page to log your find and share your experience with others." As we all know, this has long been on the Web page. I so see that the language used on the page explaining how to log a find has changed, now saying to leave any comments you wish to share. This new wording is a major disservice to the geocaching population. It now could be interpreted as "only leave a comment if there is something important to communicate, otherwise don't bother people." The continual degradation to the lowest common denominator continues to frustrate me.

Good point... I see it is his/her first logged find.

I'm I allowed to delete blank logs? It seems to violate the guideline about loging your experience.