Team Tate

Get the file over to Jeremy and see what he thinks... Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

Get the file over to Jeremy and see what he thinks... Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

Rather than carry on stuggling I thought I would get the information from the horses mouth (the horse being the 'Ordnance Survey') I have spoken to a helpful lady on their helpline who said she will look into how to convert the datums easily. As soon as I hear back from her, I will let you all know. Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

Rather than carry on stuggling I thought I would get the information from the horses mouth (the horse being the 'Ordnance Survey') I have spoken to a helpful lady on their helpline who said she will look into how to convert the datums easily. As soon as I hear back from her, I will let you all know. Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

It's the datum that the OS use that is giving me the problems. They use the OSGB36 National Grid datum which is different to our beloved WGS84. If anyone has a conversion programme for this we will be onto a winner. Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

It's the datum that the OS use that is giving me the problems. They use the OSGB36 National Grid datum which is different to our beloved WGS84. If anyone has a conversion programme for this we will be onto a winner. Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

The data for every OS marker in the UK is freely downloadable from the Ordnance Survey's website. Sad that I am (and thanks to a fast internet connection at work) I created an Excel spreadsheet of every single one, which I planned to use to plant a few virtual caches in my area. This new element of the game will save me having to do this. Come on Jeremy, get the UK up and running! Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

The data for every OS marker in the UK is freely downloadable from the Ordnance Survey's website. Sad that I am (and thanks to a fast internet connection at work) I created an Excel spreadsheet of every single one, which I planned to use to plant a few virtual caches in my area. This new element of the game will save me having to do this. Come on Jeremy, get the UK up and running! Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

I must admit that there are times when I have had to fall back on the clue, especially when having the kids with me and all they want to do is "...go back to the car, I'm bored, I'm tired, etc..." Having said that, clue quality can vary. I would always rather have a clue that is cryptic, or give a distance and bearing from a more obvious object, so that SOME thought has to go towards finding the cache. I would rather this than get a clue that states "The cache is hidden beneath three logs under the pylon next to the substation with a sign on it saying THE CACHE IS HERE" Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

I must admit that there are times when I have had to fall back on the clue, especially when having the kids with me and all they want to do is "...go back to the car, I'm bored, I'm tired, etc..." Having said that, clue quality can vary. I would always rather have a clue that is cryptic, or give a distance and bearing from a more obvious object, so that SOME thought has to go towards finding the cache. I would rather this than get a clue that states "The cache is hidden beneath three logs under the pylon next to the substation with a sign on it saying THE CACHE IS HERE" Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

I'm glad to hear that my interpretation of the rules are similar to what other people out there believe. As far as I am concerned,the case is closed. Team Tate Remember - if it's moving, it's not dead...

Personally, the cache 'prize' is just a token item - something to remind me of the visit - and nothing more, maybe with the exception of travel bugs that have a specific purpose. We do make the effort to keep the contents of our own caches of reasonable quality, but only for the reasons of keeping small children quiet having been dragged across the wilderness with their parents. Ok, some caches are full of tat, but it is not something that worries me. Would you rather be out for a nice walk on a sunny Sunday afternoon, getting fresh air and enjoying the scenery, or be sitting at home in front of the telly? If it's moving, it's not dead...

An issue has arisen recently when someone visited one of our 'virtual' caches. The challenge of the cache is to find two pieces of conflicting information at the site, and to e-mail the details to me. If both pieces of information are correct, then the cache has been completed and a 'find' can be logged. However, if someone only finds one of the pieces of information, can a find still be logged? OK, the Geocacher may have visited the area, but is that enough? My belief (however trivial I might seem) is no. Would it not be like following your GPS to the co-ordinates of a 'normal' cache, but not actually finding the box. Would you log that as a find? Your opinions would be appreciated. If it's moving, it's not dead...

Try ANY geocache at night - without a torch! That would be challenging. On a more serious note, maybe you SHOULD have a torch. You might come across the snake I nearly stepped on in the New Forest. And let someone know where you're going. Actually, this was a silly idea. Forget I even suggested it. What am I going on about, why don't I just not push the 'Post Now' butto...

Try ANY geocache at night - without a torch! That would be challenging. On a more serious note, maybe you SHOULD have a torch. You might come across the snake I nearly stepped on in the New Forest. And let someone know where you're going. Actually, this was a silly idea. Forget I even suggested it. What am I going on about, why don't I just not push the 'Post Now' butto...

...whilst returning from 'Royalty Hunters' in the New Forest. It was an Adder too!

...whilst returning from 'Royalty Hunters' in the New Forest. It was an Adder too!

How did 'aktiv' find a TB without finding a cache?

How did 'aktiv' find a TB without finding a cache?

Tim, Why don't you post an URL on this forum with a copy of the E-Mail and the E-Mail address. Then get everyone else to send the same message asking for the same reply. Maybe if we ALL write, it will FORCE them to reply.

You're all barking up the wrong tree. The device in question is exactly what it is - a compass for your GPS. In other words, a device that can be used by your GPS if it wants to go hiking or cycling on its own. How could you miss something so obvious!

There are always a good number of low-cost, slightly older GPS's on the secondhand market from as little as £40.00. OK, they might not have the same number of channels, or be as small as some of the more up to date units but I started geocaching using an older secondhand Garmin unit which performed well under most conditions. If you have a limited budget and just want to try something out £40-£50 is a lot less to fork out rather that £120+, and this way it can give you an idea of the features you actually need rather than the ones the brochures say you must have. Plus, you could always sell it again on the auctions when you DO decide to go for something newer.

Thats at least four that I know of! Berry Pomery Castle (Devon) Chillingham Castle (Northumbria) Bowden House (Devon) Look for them on the Internet. I think they have all claimed to be the most haunted places in the UK at some stage or another.

I have read the replies given to the original question with some interest. The long and short of the argument is to either pay lots of money for an in-car system, or pay not quite so much money for lots of peripheral items (PDA's, etc.). Which is the best option? There are several factors to take into consideration. In-car systems ARE more expensive. The reason? Manufacturers of products for the automotive industry are besieged with rules and regulations that restrict them to the way an in-car system must be built. The electronics in these systems have to comply to stringent heat-tolerance and emissions tests. Also, the safety aspect of an in-car system has to be thought through in order to prevent people entering destination information whilst traveling at 80mph down the M3. These are just SOME of the things that these manufacturers have to consider when building their systems. There are many more. Belieive me. I've been there. OK, why is this important? Well, leave for Compaq or IBM in a car on a hot day (inside temperatures can reach up to 80 degrees Celsius), and expect it to work reliably and consistently. Before you all yell back at me saying you have done it and nothing has ever gone wrong, all I can say is lucky you. I will bet my bottom dollar (or pound) that for every one person that has not had a problem there are ten that have. Another consideration - try viewing a PDA or laptop screen in direct sunlight! Another thing to consider is that of security. Imagine the scenario: You have just arrived at a Geocache parking spot and you are keen to jump out of the car and find the cache. What do you do. Leave it all in the car or put EVERYTHING away? Laptop, leads, battery charger, inverter, etc., THEN you have to get the kids out of the car, get their wellies on, get their coats on (coz it's just started raining!), and so on. Alternatively, you simply remove the security panel from the in-car system and put it in your pocket! Personally, I prefer the thought of an in-car system. I have used several through my work and have found them easy to use, reliable and accurate (especially in the days of Selective Availability). Would I have an in-car system? YES! Can I afford one? No! So it's back to the cranky old IBM, three way cigar lighter socket, inverter, Etrex, data lead, power lead, blah blah blah. And look - it's just started raining!

I have read the replies given to the original question with some interest. The long and short of the argument is to either pay lots of money for an in-car system, or pay not quite so much money for lots of peripheral items (PDA's, etc.). Which is the best option? There are several factors to take into consideration. In-car systems ARE more expensive. The reason? Manufacturers of products for the automotive industry are besieged with rules and regulations that restrict them to the way an in-car system must be built. The electronics in these systems have to comply to stringent heat-tolerance and emissions tests. Also, the safety aspect of an in-car system has to be thought through in order to prevent people entering destination information whilst traveling at 80mph down the M3. These are just SOME of the things that these manufacturers have to consider when building their systems. There are many more. Belieive me. I've been there. OK, why is this important? Well, leave for Compaq or IBM in a car on a hot day (inside temperatures can reach up to 80 degrees Celsius), and expect it to work reliably and consistently. Before you all yell back at me saying you have done it and nothing has ever gone wrong, all I can say is lucky you. I will bet my bottom dollar (or pound) that for every one person that has not had a problem there are ten that have. Another consideration - try viewing a PDA or laptop screen in direct sunlight! Another thing to consider is that of security. Imagine the scenario: You have just arrived at a Geocache parking spot and you are keen to jump out of the car and find the cache. What do you do. Leave it all in the car or put EVERYTHING away? Laptop, leads, battery charger, inverter, etc., THEN you have to get the kids out of the car, get their wellies on, get their coats on (coz it's just started raining!), and so on. Alternatively, you simply remove the security panel from the in-car system and put it in your pocket! Personally, I prefer the thought of an in-car system. I have used several through my work and have found them easy to use, reliable and accurate (especially in the days of Selective Availability). Would I have an in-car system? YES! Can I afford one? No! So it's back to the cranky old IBM, three way cigar lighter socket, inverter, Etrex, data lead, power lead, blah blah blah. And look - it's just started raining!