nericksx

Ok, thanks for the info!

On my very first cache I picked up a 500 Finds geocoin. Once someone finds 100 or 500 or whatever caches, where does that coin come from? Also, do people ever put geocoins in caches that are not traveling coins? I'd really like to collect geocoins, but I don't want to just go buy them - that isn't any fun - I'd like to actually find them. However, so far all the ones I've found have to be passed on. I want to find one I can keep! Also, if you send a coin (or any TB) out into the world, how do you get it back eventually? Thanks! Nicole

On my very first cache ever, I picked up a 500 Finds geocoin. How did that person get it? Are you just sent one by Groundspeak when you log 500 finds on gc.com? Do you have to apply for it? Do you have to pay for it? Also: do people ever put coins in caches that you don't have to pass along? I want a geocoin, but I don't want to buy one - that isn't any fun. I want to find one that I get to keep! Thanks! Nicole

So Cacheberry actually has a feature where you can "spontaneous cache" with your Blackberry. You can have it detect your coords then it will connect to gc.com and append the url with a search command and your coords. Then you can look through the listings and download the GPSx file or use the search to create a pocket query that you can email yourself, then open with Cacheberry. Admittedly, the UI and the process is clunkier than Trimble, but developer says he working with cg.com on an API agreement. That would make it smooth as silk. ANOTHER QUESTION (sorry): Since I'm new to caching and don't know how accurate a good GPS unit is supposed to be, I'd love some perspective/feedback. Lately, my BB Storm has only been able to get me within 15-30 feet of a cache, regardless of the tree/building situation. I thought this was par for the technology until a friend with an Oregon told me she gets within 3-4 feet. Is my phone just going to be less accurate even though I have like 10 satellites? Is it the Cacheberry software? Can anyone give me any guidance? Thanks so much! Nicole

I'm really glad to have run across this topic because I feel like I've been logging novels - but each cache is a total adventure for us! That and I tend to be rather loquacious. I love to hear the sound of my own typing We're not big fans of micros or PnGs because I usually have my little boys with me (ages 3 & 4) and the only reason they put up with walking around in circles with me is because there is bound to be a prize at the end. Also, I like caching for the excuse to get out and about and get some exercise, so I choose caches with some walking and figuring. These situations tend to combine to create good log stories. I'm glad that you all prefer them, I will continue to write them Nericksx & Fam

I suspect that can be somewhat of a regional thing. I know the Sacramento area has a pretty high density of caches (my brother lives in an area I've seen referred to as Microville). With so many easy caches to grab "most" cachers are going to spend the majority of their time just finding lots of caches close a paved road. Someone could easily rack up thousands of finds without ever walking more than a mile from a place to park the car. I am finding that I'm a quality over quantity cacher. I WANT to take two hours to find a cache! Finding one stuck under a park bench within two blocks of my house isn't nearly as interesting for me as discovering an unknown little trail that I can make a real outing out of. However, I do want to pay props to the urban/suburban P&Gs. My husband belongs to a Masonic lodge that is 60 miles from where we live now, and often has to visit lodges 30-75 miles from home. I NEVER go with. What a bore/drag. Now I'm finding I totally want to go because while he's in his boring meeting I can amuse myself finding suburban caches withing walking distance

Cacheberry VS. Navigator by Trimble for Blackberry. Ok, I need all your feedback again I started out using Geocache Navigator but when I realized that it wouldn't even launch unless you had a data connection, I uninstalled the trial in favor of Cacheberry. I think Cacheberry is great and I love the compass feature better than the one on Navigator. HOWEVER, now that I'm back in town (and back in data-plan range) I do miss the ability Navigator has to pinpoint my location and display all the caches within a radius. I don't really want to fork over $55 to two pieces of software, one for in town and one for in the boonies. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks! Nericksx

For the record, I really like the remote caches and since now I have reassurances that remotes are not logged often just because they're remotes, then I'm all the more excited to go for them. Particularity since we like to cache when we go on camping trips, I really appreciate folks who place caches in out of the way places. I like the ones you have to hike to or drive logging roads to, way better than P&Gs. I did grab a P&G that was right at the turn to the logging road I mentioned, that's where we met the bull.

Wonderful comments - all! You're right, I kinda answered my own question, eh? Next time I'm in the area (and there WILL be a next time because the camping was CHOICE) I will totally go after the caches on the logging road. You guys are right about the other stuff you find on the hunt too. I usually take my 4 year old son and he is awesome for finding interesting bugs and snakes and other creepies that are fun to look at. On our way up the logging road we got to meet and pet a bull named chopper. :-)

Just as an update: This last weekend, I loaded Cacheberry (to my BB Storm) and downloaded the GPX file of 30 caches around the area where I was going to be camping. When we got to the campground I had no cell signal, no data network, however my GPS functioned in standalone mode just great. I never had fewer than 5 satellites and usually had around 8-10. Without access to a data network I couldn't pinpoint the cache coords on a map, so I had to navigate "old school." Or "new old school", as it were - with just GPS positioning data. But it worked great! We found 2 out of 3 and I honestly think the 3rd was muggled away. I bought one of those waterproof pouches at REI with a lanyard (since we were caching near a river) and I was able to attached it to my geo-pack with a carabiner. The only major bummer was battery life. My Storm doesn't have the greatest life to start with and GPS functionality is particularly battery intensive. Next time I'll be more careful about using the "pause tracking" function and bring a REAL compass so I don't have to use my BB the whole time!

I'm a newbie and have taken up geocaching as something to do when we go on camping trips. Today we decided to go after two caches that were over 7 miles up an iffy logging road. About halfway there I decided to read the logs and it dawned on me that the last found date on both of them was over a year ago. We decided to skip it. If I had just been with my hubby (and maybe not so new at this) I would have gone for it, but we didn't drag the little-ones off on a fruitless search. My questions are: Does a long-ago last-found mean anything? Have maybe people been DNFing but not logging it? Or has it just been a really long time since someone wanted to look for it? Do you go for it or see that as a bad sign? How long do caches last? There is one I want to do in a couple of weeks that was hid in 2004 and last found in 2008. What's up with that? It sounds so cool... :-( Thanks! Nericksx

JU5TU5: thanks so much for the info! I am on the 7 day free trial for Geocache Navigator and I was totally going to pony up the $40 for it - even though it won't do standalone GPS - but I will look into BlackStar! I installed Trekbuddy last night hoping that would be an answer, but it's WAY too complected to convert maps and waypoints. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I'm a point & shoot girl in this area. Geocaching is enough of a challenge enough without fighting with my software!

Just as a point of clarification, Verizon has unlocked the GPS on the Blackberry Storm. I use Geocache Navigator by Trimble and it is freakishly accurate (A-GPS kicks BUTT over unassisted GPS any day). I love it. I put my Storm in a clear plastic pouch when I cache so it won't get damaged. Works great. Here's my question for you all: so far all my caching has been in town where I get a signal. This weekend I want to cache while camping where I may or may not have access to my data network. Does anyone out there know of a good app to download for data-less, cell-signal-less GPS for the Storm? Thanks!