Bluespreacher

quote:Originally posted by IntotheWoods:The description of geocache locations listed on the FAQ page states that geocaches may be found inside buildings. I have yet to see one! If anyone knows of any, I'd love to hear about them and where they are. (How do you find them with no signal? What kinds of buildings would actually be acceptable for cache hiding?) Here's on in Indy. It's lots of fun! http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=14862 Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by griffweb:Should I use my GPS with WAAS Enabled? It seems that it is constantly about 20 feet off. GW Griffweb I had tried using WAAS and was disapointed. I didn't see any improvment in accuracy at all. The other day, though, I tried it again and after a while I noticed the accuracy reading was 6 feet! I don't normally get that with my Legend. Checking the Sat screen, I saw about 6 bars lit up with the cutest little 'D' I ever saw. I'm looking forward to experimenting with it some more. BTW, this was just after the latest firm wear upgrade if that matters. Keep on Caching, Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Sissy-n-CR:I recently hide a cache near a hydro-electric plant. Well, by "near" I mean over a half a mile. This area is a public recreation area, but the thing is the dam itself has an observation deck, a visiter center, and a fishing pier, neither of which you can no longer get to because of "security." Police patrol the area and one stopped by while I was taking readings. No problems, but we talked. He thought there was a little too much paranoia. Things we used to take for granted, now we are prohibited--all in the name of "security." My question is how you feel about our security as a nation. http://img.Groundspeak.com/user/72057_2000.gif Last night, I was watching a TV movie with the volume up loud, and I heard some explosions off in the distance. I thought it might be lightning, but when I looked out, there was not a cloud in the evening sky. The wife came in and said, "What's that?" I went out and looked West toward downtown. The sky was dark and there were flashes of light in the sky. I could hear low rumbling noises with sharper booms mixed in. My mind raced... could this be some sort of attack? Finally it dawned on me. The Colts had won and this was a fire-works celebration! I don't follow sports, so I was caught off guard by the explosions over my home town! First, I was pi%%ed that some idiot would think it was OK to set off explosives in the air over my city. Then I gathered myself a bit and realized that we are in danger of losing the freedom to be what we are. These are strange times, Let's try to keep our heads, OK? Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Frankbals:Hi all...I've been lurking awhile and reading all the brilliant questions and answers on this board. Hopefully the more I lurk the smarter I get. I am very new to this and I hope I did ok hiding it. My son and his freinds are hooked, of course I am the coolest dad in the neighborhood. Take it easy, and if it's easy take it twice. Frank Oh, and as educational as it is to lurk, please jump in to the discusions, too. You will add a lot to the community. Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Frankbals:Hi all...I've been lurking awhile and reading all the brilliant questions and answers on this board. Hopefully the more I lurk the smarter I get. I am very new to this and I hope I did ok hiding it. My son and his freinds are hooked, of course I am the coolest dad in the neighborhood. Take it easy, and if it's easy take it twice. Frank Glad to know that you are cool in the neighborhood! Just keep on caching, you will find that it will take you places you never knew existed. I hope you and yours have lots of fun. Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by SeaTrout:Hi; I am new at owning a gps (eagle explorer). Several days ago I stored my house as a waypoint. I was able to follow the waypoint home from work the next day (10 miles).Today I went looking for my first 3 caches in areas familiar to me.I could not find them (I am sure I was close though).When I returned home I looked and double checked my home waypoint (was also written down).My home waypoint is 0.5 miles off.I believe that is why I could not find the caches.Any advice is helpful Thanks SeaTrout East central Fla The GPS may be set to the wrong datum. Geocaching uses WGS 84. It should be in the set up portion on your GPS. Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Mr. Snazz:Ammo boxes can easily be mistaken as terrorist bombs, etc. They can get rusty and cut your fingers up, and they smell funny sometimes, I think the smell might be toxic or something. This one time a kid found an ammo box and decided to use ammo for other purposes, and this is no good! I also hear that sometimes potheads use ammoboxes to store their weed and that isn't good either because somebody might put weed in a geocache and then kids could also find that, which would be bad because the kids should be out finding regular geocaches, the good kind in tupperware, because those are nice. We don'd need stinky metal boxes stinking up the game, let's stick with tupperware, its what works and it doesn't leak at all. Snazz, snazz. Ammo boxes are the best for well-hidden caches. They are great away from city parks and the other easy things. You know this. You should not be 'banned' as some have said. Let's all relax just a little, OK? Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

Criminal, I got it just before I started on this (very funny) thread. I don't have a pic yet, but I'm workin' on it. Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Rubbertoe:Too much accuracy takes away the fun of mucking around in the woods. Last thing I want is for my GPSr to walk me up to the cache within a few inches... where's the fun in that? http://home.columbus.rr.com/rubbertoe/geobanana.gif http://home.columbus.rr.com/rubbertoe/index.html Toe, they aren't going to revoke Murphy's law, are they? I bet leaf cover and 'anomalies' will be enough to keep *me* wandering in circles and muttering under my breath! Technology always seems to promise a little more than reality delivers. Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by umc:If you are both cachers then you both should log it. For example my wife goes with me on finds but has not interest in logging the find here. So we both find it but I'm the one who gets credit no matter what. I would say you both log it. That's the way my wife and I hunt. She's not interested in logging or posting, but I always say 'we' when I describe the hunt! Bluespreacher ______________________________________________________________________________________ Coming Around, New Owner Of a Garmin GPS V Received on 10-03-02 "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Countess2002:When you _do_ team up, does each party log it as a find? I haven't run into anyone else yet, so it hasn't come up. Just curious. --------------------------------------------------------------- _"You're no verra sensible, Sassenach, but I like ye fine. Let's go."_ Everybody that finds the cache gets to count it as a find. I love it when cachers gather to find my cache and post their finds. I love their stories! Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote: In conclusion, I'd like to apologise for many grammatical and spelling errors that I can't see though my rage. "Not all politicians are annoying, some are dead." Rage? What the ...? Rage about what, other cachers on your planet? Get over it. I've had the pleasure of meeting up with others on occasion. I ran into one couple three times on an especially beautiful October afternoon. And I'll never forget meeting Glider1 at "The Poet's Spire to Music" cache. Then there was the cherubic five year old with her grandparents. She was skipping her way back to the cache while I was walking in. When she saw my GPS she lit up and sang out, "We found it!" My take is that most Geocachers are good, interesting people, if you have the good fortune to meet up with one on the way to a cache, take a little time to get to know them. If meeting up with others seeking a cache upsets you that much, maybe you should seek another hobby/activity. Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by umc:I was just curious to know if I'm paranoid or not when it comes to GeoCaching. I sometimes feel as though 'nobody outside of this community should know about what we do....shhhhh keep it a secret' I think there is some reason for this such as keeping the caches a secret so no 'outsiders' ruin it. What about keeping the community quiet, is it just un-validated fear that it will get to big and commercialized? Is promoting really ok? Am I just a paranoid nut with no clue? Ok don't answer the last one we already know the answer to that http://www.mi-geocaching.org/ Yes, you are paranoid. No question. Join the club! Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Rubbertoe:I'm not sure if it has been this way for very long, but I just used the "view cache map for this state" feature - and those maps appeared and zoomed in almost as fast as I could click em! Sorry if this is old news - it just got me a little excited. Hmm... this should have went in the geocaching.com forum. Crap. - Toe. http://home.columbus.rr.com/rubbertoe/webcam/index.html Da***t, Toe! Your new Avatar is freaking me out! Prtetty cool though.... Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Rubbertoe:I'm not sure if it has been this way for very long, but I just used the "view cache map for this state" feature - and those maps appeared and zoomed in almost as fast as I could click em! Sorry if this is old news - it just got me a little excited. Hmm... this should have went in the geocaching.com forum. Crap. - Toe. http://home.columbus.rr.com/rubbertoe/webcam/index.html Da***t, Toe! Your new Avatar is freaking me out! Prtetty cool though.... Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Windrose:Couldn't stand it any longer. Just bought a Garmin Etrex-basic (on ebay $83 + Shipping), even though I shouldn't be spending the money. It should arrive Thursday AM. I think I feel a touch of the (GPS) flu coming. I think I'll definately have to call in sick Thursday & Friday . Sorry, I just had to do a little happy dance. Windrose "The way of the Wind is a strange, wild way." Good choice! I know you are going to have a lot of fun with the Yellow One. Keep on Caching, Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Windrose:Couldn't stand it any longer. Just bought a Garmin Etrex-basic (on ebay $83 + Shipping), even though I shouldn't be spending the money. It should arrive Thursday AM. I think I feel a touch of the (GPS) flu coming. I think I'll definately have to call in sick Thursday & Friday . Sorry, I just had to do a little happy dance. Windrose "The way of the Wind is a strange, wild way." Good choice! I know you are going to have a lot of fun with the Yellow One. Keep on Caching, Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Zoboomafoo:Any thoughts on this unit? I really appreciate the help. I started with the yellow Etrex, but jumped up to the Legend. Could have saved $100 if I had gotten the Legend first. The mapping is more than just a convenience to geocachers. Many is the time you will want to see available roads that provide access to the cache. Remember, though, you'll need to buy Garmin's software to get full mapping detail. Bottom line? My opinion is if you can swing it, go for it. Now, on the other hand, if you can't swing it, will you hate geocaching? Will you not be able to do it? Will you be handicapped because you could not afford it? No. Invest in some good paper maps of your area and take good care of your navigator! Just my .02, Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Zoboomafoo:Any thoughts on this unit? I really appreciate the help. I started with the yellow Etrex, but jumped up to the Legend. Could have saved $100 if I had gotten the Legend first. The mapping is more than just a convenience to geocachers. Many is the time you will want to see available roads that provide access to the cache. Remember, though, you'll need to buy Garmin's software to get full mapping detail. Bottom line? My opinion is if you can swing it, go for it. Now, on the other hand, if you can't swing it, will you hate geocaching? Will you not be able to do it? Will you be handicapped because you could not afford it? No. Invest in some good paper maps of your area and take good care of your navigator! Just my .02, Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by radcanhig:Check out the log entries for Aug 24 and 25 in GC4115 Indeed, that IS freaky. By any definition I'm aware of. Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Salamanders W:I'm looking to place a cache up in the branches of a tree. It's a big, sturdy oak with plenty of climbing limbs so i don't think the tree will be injured. But is this "legal" in geocaching? Or should I just stick to the ground? And if it placing in trees is allowed, what difficulty rating should I use to account for the fact that they will have to pretend to be a monkey in order to reach the cache? I think a cache in a tree is a good idea. Depending on the tree, there is little chance of damage. I do think that where the tree is matters. If it is in a more-or-less remote area and not likely to be climbed by dozens of families on a Sunday afternoon, go for it. It should be mentioned in the description, though. Some might choose to skip it and it would be a good idea to give everybody a heads up. Keep on caching, Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by Salamanders W:I'm looking to place a cache up in the branches of a tree. It's a big, sturdy oak with plenty of climbing limbs so i don't think the tree will be injured. But is this "legal" in geocaching? Or should I just stick to the ground? And if it placing in trees is allowed, what difficulty rating should I use to account for the fact that they will have to pretend to be a monkey in order to reach the cache? I think a cache in a tree is a good idea. Depending on the tree, there is little chance of damage. I do think that where the tree is matters. If it is in a more-or-less remote area and not likely to be climbed by dozens of families on a Sunday afternoon, go for it. It should be mentioned in the description, though. Some might choose to skip it and it would be a good idea to give everybody a heads up. Keep on caching, Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by BassoonPilot:Sure, there are plenty of, umm, "pedestrian" caches out there, but I would think the mere act of a stranger going out of his/her way by placing something for us to find would be "thoughtful" enough. But apparently that is not the case: Hide a cache well, and someone will complain. Hide a cache in plain view, and someone will complain. Make the walk to the cache too long or too challenging, and someone will complain. Place the cache too close to parking, and someone will complain. Place a micro cache (virtual, theme, puzzle, etc.) and someone will complain. Use tupperware (rubbermaid, etc.) as a cache container, and someone will complain. Place a cache containing a few penny trinkets, and someone will complain. Place a cache containing "good stuff," and people will "trade down" until the cache consists of only penny trinkets. Good grief!! I've been guilty of some of those myself. But as far as I can tell, nobody is forcing anyone to go looking for any particular cache. So if a particular cache description doesn't appear to fit our expectations, we should save ourselves disappointment by using our GPSRs to navigate to the nearest shopping center, park precisely the distance from the front door that we wish to walk, and buy ourselves whatever it is our little hearts desire. But undoubtedly, some people would still find plenty to complain about. [This message was edited by BassoonPilot on August 29, 2002 at 03:29 AM.] All very true. Maybe it's the forums. When it comes to actual caching I've noticed that all the folks who visit my caches have expressed appreciation. Not that my caches are so wonderful, I just think we are a pretty nice bunch of people most of the time. I've been using the pocket search to narrow the field. I try for longer hikes and (slightly) harder finds. It helps some. Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by ktjensen:I use an actual Magnetic compass with a DECLINATION offset to tell me the true north direction. Unfortunately many who place Geocaches may not know about what that means. In fact your GPS has a setting to decide between Magnetic North or Actual North, that you need to pick. If your GPS is the wrong setting then you are marking the way point in the wrong place (maybe). That said, I found that I was using the NAD27CONUS version of the DATUM instead of the WGS84 that is recommended. I am changing it, and I will try to find some 1/1 skill level caches. Maybe that will make the difference. So does everyone think the DATUM thing was putting me way off? Man, I don't know exactly how far, but far off! Don't give up. This is a fun hobby. Like most stuff, there is a small learning curve, then lots of fun. Keep on caching! Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer

quote:Originally posted by dysentry:Hello Guys, I have been following Geocaching for a long time, and I only just got hold of a GPS unit (thank you hire purchase!) Its a basic Garmin Etrex (yellow). Well the story goes, I have been on two geocaching trips, both attempting to find two local geocaches, however, I am getting a bit confused as to what my Etrex is doing! The first geocache I find, once I walk to the area (which is a feild next to a motorway) I get a good signal, but poor accuracy - 60ft. I take a step forward, then same good reception, the accuracy drops down to 20ft, next step - it jumps back up to 60ft! Every so often it would also point north, then swing and point south when I was walking straight ahead. I know that you need to be moving to get accurate compas direction on the gps, but is this the same for accuracy - like should I be running round like a headless chicken trying to decrease the accuracy? I eventually gave up, mainly due to the fact I had to constantly jump and run across a small (not busy) motorway trying to find out which side the cache was stashed on. But I have vowed I will return! If anyone could give me a few good tips on how I can use my Etrex to be slightly more accurate - in the sense it the pointer(compas) doesn't swing north&south or east&west seemingly randomly. It would be much appreciated Thank you guys, this hobby has got me out of my computer chair! First off, it's not your Etrex. It's just the way it is. (kinda sounds like Zen, huh?) Often the satelites are not aligned in a real good way, then you are in and out of tree cover... It goes down hill from there. Thing is, GPSr's only give good directions when you are moving. As you circle around, following the arrow, the GPSr updates - slowly. Try to keep a steady motion for a time. Watch the distance reading -- are you getting closer? Sometimes you may have to do this more than once. Sometimes, you might just wait a half hour or so, maybe the sats will be in better positions. Try turning off the 'Battery Saver' option, too. Just keep on caching, you will soon get a good feel for what the Etrex is doing. Bluespreacher "We've got the hardware and the software, the plans and the maps ..." -- Citizen Wayne Kramer