[Geocache Ideas]

My next cache is going to be called "I don't give a ..." and it will be a rubber rat with the log book stuck up it's, well you know. It should give the finder a good jump, plus I couldn't resist the play on words. Now I just have to find a rubber rat...

I placed 3 rubber rats in my area, and most get a nice little startle of them.

[Cash or Prizes for caching?]

We're in the early stages of trying to develop a commercialish version of Geocaching. Using the common rules, methods, and mind set, but would like to be able to reward FTF with a more tangible bonus. cash, gift cards, etc.

It would most likely be a pay to play type of game where you may risk a dollar to get the opportunity to find 50 in cash and 50 in gift cards.

I'm using this post as a market research tool. I'd like to know how many other cachers might be interested in something like this. We're willing to hear any comments, suggestions, ect.

Thank you to anyone who replies to this thread.

[cache preference poll]

TABjuggler you'll have to email me the link to that cache when you get it together. Well beyond my flat mathematical thinking, but exactly the kind of thing this post is about. What kind of caches make you appreciate caching and some ideas to make sure my next one isn't in the base of a light fixture (or at least without appealing to the first part of this sentence first).

[cache preference poll]

To me, multi caches are the poor mans puzzle cache.

 

I would much rather solve a good puzzle and then go find a cache than go to a park and find some arbitrary signs that give me an arbitrary letter to put in for the final coordinates of the multi or mystery, depending on how it is labeled. (I have done a multi and a mystery with those exact same steps and I have no idea what the difference between the two cache types were).

 

Either way, my favorite type of cache is a really well done puzzle that has some kind of coordinate checker on the page. I'm not exactly sure what my idea puzzle type is yet, since my sample size is still low.

 

I enjoy what I call "google puzzles". Basically there are pictures or trivial questions on the page that can be easily answered with a little google research. They take between 30 minutes and an hour and as long as you can check that your answers are correct, they give you a nice satisfaction when you finish.

 

I also enjoy what I call "knowledge puzzles". Basically they require you to have some sort of knowledge about Math, Science, or Engineering to know what direction to even go to START the puzzle. Then after that they still take a fair bit of time to compute.

 

I also just started doing a new type of puzzle that I will call "GPS math" puzzle, that requires you to actually have some working knowledge of what GPS coordinates themselves represent (triangulation, conversions, or other things)...

I was actually thinking about using a triangulation for my next hide!! Your input is truly appreciated! However, as a sidebar, would you formulate a triangulation using separate puzzle caches or as the puzzle itself? (I was thinking about trying to populate a fairly dead map area near me, which is where separate mystery caches would come in)

[cache preference poll]

NICE!!! Are you saying that I left size out?? Cuz that's a whole other contention about how much that matters...

[cache preference poll]

I'm fairly new to geocaching, and I was just curious what the cachers of the world consider a "good" cache?

 

Is it all about the actual hide? cleverness of hiding? uniqueness of container used for hide? something else?

 

Do you prefer a good puzzle to solve first? and what makes a good puzzle? difficulty? chance to learn something? perhaps something I've missed?

 

Maybe the multicache is the king, not a one stop smiley for you! But what makes these more special? seeing some interesting places? travel? putting the pieces together? or are you drawn to these for another reason?

 

Or perhaps it's none of these, if a good traditional is put together. What I'm trying to get at here is that I've placed a few in my short time (maybe a few too many, compared to my finds, according to some posts I've read in another thread), and I would like some input from others before I plan my next one. Honestly after posting my latest I realized that all 3 were ultra common lamppost hides and feel pretty unoriginal about it.

 

I'm open to any input, opinion, or constructive criticism any of you might have. And if this type of question has already been posed, feel free to direct me to the proper thread.