MaxiP

There are many Android apps (some free, some paid) that work very well and each give a slightly different level of usage. In terms of what apps work on what phones, it will normally come down to the version of Android being run - most 'new' phones will be at least 2.1 (more likely 2.2) but if you're still not sure, why not email the developer of your preferred app and ask them. Apps - apart from the official app (which I personally don't like), both GeoHunter & GeoBeagle and free and work very well; GeOrg is paid for and IMHO is the best one out there; c:geo works very well for 'on the fly' caching but as has been said, you will breach the ToS if you use it.

How long is not long in terms of battery life and have you tried to improve it (e.g. ensure WiFi / BT switched off, stop data sync, switch to 2G only, etc) ? Do you have the screen on all the time or occasionally whilst you get close to a cache ? I can comfortably get 5-6 hours from a battery charge by reducing the phones power drain. Depending on the phone, you can probably pick up a high capacity or a spare battery for a few quid that would make it last even longer. I only use my Wildfire caching and couldn't contemplate not having it and having to use just a GPSr or paper !

If you are going to use your smartphone for caching, then a 'proper' application is needed that allows you to store many caches for offline use. There are many free / paid apps but my favourite is GeOrg [Android] simply because it does everything I need. You import your GPX files into a database and you can have as many DB's as needed - I currently have 5 databases with between 2000 - 6000 caches in each (i.e. I have a single database that has all 4632 caches in Ireland. I just download the GPX to my DropBox account & import to the phone as needed (over WiFi or 3G). You then just choose the database that covers the area you are in and off you go.

Yoy can also use a portable battery charger, and bring spair batteries. New (un-used) Cell phone batteries are dirt cheep off e-bay. Yup - I already have 2 spare batteries that get cycled through the phone so I always have 2 full when I go out caching / walking. I also have a wind-up USB charger that is definitely the last resort, but it works!

I cache with my Wildfire by using GeOrg (paid) which allows you to create a database into which you import your GPX files so you can do everything offline. Works very well as you can create several databases depending on your needs (e.g. local, holiday home, near Mum's, etc). There are other free apps available that allow similar functionality but after trying them all, I stuck with GeOrg. Battery life is always an issue with smartphones but I can get 6 hours+ from mine with GeOrg running when I'm close to a cache but having MyTracks running constantly in the background.

Most modern smartphones use a combination of GPS and cell info. The cell info is used to calculate roughly where you are as this makes acquiring satellites faster. However, you can (and I frequently do) use my Android phone where there is absolutely no data signal - it may take slightly longer doing the first 'lock' but after that, works well.

It was last time I looked and probably still is. The issue is that c:geo 'scrapes' the data from webpages rather than hooking into the GC database (as the official app does). This has the effect of adding extra processing power on the servers which may result in a degraded service for other members. The Terms of Use state that you can only connect & retrieve data from the GC severs via an official connector, which c:geo is not. I used to use c:geo but found it too limited as it needs s good data signal to function correctly. There are many other Android apps (free & paid) that import PQ data, meaning you don't need a data signal to access the cache data and can access several thousand caches when you are out & about. Some of these other apps also allow you to connect to GC for ad-hoc caching but most (?) access via webpages rather than scraping. HTH

If you are going to be moving away from iPhone 3 to something else, I'd recommend a newer smartphone (iPhone 4 or Android) as you get the best of both worlds (phone / GPS). Personally I'm not an iPhone fan but the 4 is a good device that is easy to use and has a better GPS. Android handsets are infinitely more customisable but can be daunting if you are not familiar with them....as you can configure them they way you want, no two handsets are the same. There are good apps with the official app being available on both platforms but there are more options for others apps on Android. Again, a lot will come down to how you will use the phone when caching (planned day out, unplanned when you have some time in a location, etc) If you do buy a new smartphone, will it be a SIM free purchase or as part of a carrier deal ? Which carrier / country ?

A lot will depend on which app you choose for caching. I use GeOrg and it has a function to use online or offline maps as situation (or data signal) dictates. Offline maps can be freely downloaded as they are open source. GeOrg - http://android.ranitos.de/ AndNav offline maps - http://wiki.andnav.org/index.php/List_Of_MapTilePacks/ This combination works very well for me as I'm frequently in areas with no data signal.

If I have gone to the effort of solving the puzzle(s) to get the GZ of the cache, I expect to be able to find it and not have a nano in a field. The difficulty rating should be aimed at solving the puzzle, not finding the container when puzzle solved. I placed a Cryptex recently and deliberatly made the final 'find' (i.e. locating at GZ) fairly straighforward as I wanted people to enjoy the puzzles but not get frustrated because they couldn't find the final container, despite getting the correct co-ordinates.

Although we haven't created many hides, I did think that for our puzzle cache (Cryptex) a FTF prize was suitable as if people have gone to the effort of solving your puzzles, then it's nice to add a little back. In that case, we left an Argos voucher that the FTF and STF shared as they got there at thye same time ! I don't expect anything but it is nice is there is something special / different ......

I like the look & functionality of the new maps but until they can filter properly (owned / found / etc), then I won't use them much. Not complaining, would just like to see a finished release.

I use a combination of MyTracks (Android) and the tried & tested map / compass combination. If I'm out walking 'off the beaten track' I would always carry a map of the area in addition to GPS & other gadgets. I have my phone configured so that when I park the car & remove the phone from the docking cradle, the phone stores the current GPS location so it will always be saved even if I forget to start MyTracks !

Your phone will function perfectly well as a GPS in other contries BUT you won't have assisted GPS (speeds up location fixing) unless you use data services. Configure a profile (locale / Tasker / other) to only allow GPS when activated to make sure you don't accidentally download huge chunks of data and incur cost. AFAIK, the GC App requires some data connectivity even after the PQ's have been loaded - I would suggest you consider using a different app as many of them handle off-line caching better. GeoHunter (free), GeoBeagle (free) or GeOrg (paid) would be my recommendations - GeOrg allows you to create a cache database & import PQ's into it so you could create a database for each country / area you are visiting and pre-load all your PQ's before you go. This avoids having a single cache listing of several thousand caches and you simply select the database you need and these can be updated as required if / when you get to a PC with Internet connection & USB. HTH

We did this recently and I agree with the comments above especially about the short attention span. To add some excitement, we did a short multi with the final cache having some bags of sweets. As they were working in groups, the FTF had their choice of the goodies and the last group got what was left. Check out the badges as well - Scouts now have the option of doing the Navigator badge by GPS

I use FireFox with a Greasemonkey script called 'GC Friends List Enhancements'. It doesn't notify me when they find a cache but when I look at the friends list, it shows any increase in cache finds since the last time I viewed (i.e. if I last looked at the list last Friday and my friend Fred found 4 caches over the weekend it would show his found count with a green 4 beside it). Not quite what you are looking for but may be helpful.

My list of essential apps beyond what is already posted; GeOrg - preferred caching tool (pre-load PQ's as well as 'live' searches & puzzle solving) Google Maps (Navigation) & CoPilot - to get me there in the first place GPS Test - useful tool for checking status of GPS signal as well as altitude gvSIG Mini Maps - tool for caching offline maps that can then be read by other apps (GeOrg) OS Maps - free online OS maps (UK) MyTracks - keeps a 'breadcrumb' trail that you can import into Google maps to see your route overlaid onto a map Locale (paid app) - allows you to create situations that activate conditions (e.g. at night, my phone stops syncing data / mail, turns off 3G / WiFi / etc to conserve battery) Sky+ - allows you to program your Sky+ box when you have realised when at the top of a mountain, you have forgotten to record Eastenders A few others as well but WinAmp - cause I like listening to music

Fantastic idea for a series - my neighbour does the cycle race every year so I've got a good idea of the type of terrain covered !! Probably worth mentioning that the route the Fred Whitton covers 112 miles and ascends / descends all the major passes in the Lake District.

A couple of photos of Gillie the Geohound. Me & Gillie on Herdus, Lake District Gillie having a rest and break from the wind behind J on Blake Fell, Lake District

Depending on your caching requirements, you could consider a smartphone - most of these will allow you to import / store multiple PQ's then access them through various apps. It removes the need for GSAK (saves $25) and if you use an existing SIM card, would allow you log on the fly as well as having the T/D ratings showing (as well as description, hints, maps, etc) I think you need to consider how you want to cache - if you want truly paperless, then it's likely to be a smartphone or high end GPS. There are pros & cons for smartphones V traditional GPS and this topic isn't about that.

Screen protector & silicon case. Phone usually gets carried in my jacket 'map' pocket and frequently finds itself inside a ziploc bag if weather requires it. You can still use the phone in the bag and as long as you are navigating via compass, even a blurred image through the plastic is usually enough to ensure you are going the correct way.

Download the required tilepack (maps) from here --> http://wiki.andnav.org/index.php/List_Of_MapTilePacks You can then use your preferred mapping / caching application to access these. Store the tilepack on the SD card in a folder and within that you will see sub-folders called 1,2,3,4,5, etc which are the zoom levels (the higher the number, the higher the zoom). For mapping, Maverick or gvSIG are both pretty good (both free); for caching, you need an app that can use offline maps. For this, GeOrg is my preferred app as it provides all the functionality I need and is streets ahead of c:geo or the GS app Hope this helps.

Good luck !! This is 'slightly' in demand - I managed to get the first one in our local area (thanks to a screw up by Argos) and my friend has got the last one. If your local store doesn't have one, you may have to go into the store and ask them to d=find the nearest one locally.

Without getting into a discussion about which app is best, you may need a combination of apps depending on your caching style. c:geo is an excellent app but has very limited offline capability; official GS app has GPX import but only in a limited way (download & import individual GPX files) and has a good online mode. Neither of these suit my caching style as 95% of the time I cache, I know where I am going and chances are, signal will be limited so I pre-load all the GPX files beforehand into GeOrg. For the other 5%, c:geo, GS App, GeoHunter, GeOrg, etc will all allow 'on the fly' caching but only the GS app doesn't break the GS ToS.

If you go for an Android device (which I would strongly recommend), there are some caching apps that will allow you to use offline maps for those times when you have no signal or you don't want to rack up your data download for a particular reason. On my SD card, I have mapnik offline maps (12 zoom levels) for UK, Ireland & Spain that I can access either from my preferred Geocaching tool (GeOrg) or via several free apps. These maps are based on OpenSourceMaps and have an excellent level of detail.