stiab3

I thought you could already do this. Give each cache a star rating (out of 4). . .

If you save the cache info to your phone then you won't need a signal when you're there. I too think a smartphone is enough. GPS receivers aren't all that cheap, and are no way as convenient as being able to cache 'on the fly' or paperlessly.

I'm like the OP. I feel too conspicuous looking around for urban caches. So I generally avoid them. But I think I might try going out with clip board or something if there's an urban one I want to get.

I've actually thought of this. . . to carry a clipboard and try to look like I'm inspecting/recording something. . . I might give it a go next time.

My idea is that the 2nd person can 'run interference'. So if you're scratching about in a bush the other person could conceal you a bit. Gimme a rural one where I can scratch about in a bush to my heart's content without arousing suspicion. I guess it depends on what you consider fun. As someone who enjoys both, the idea of being alone and isolated in the woods looking for a cache isn't as interesting to me as having to retrieve something that's well-hidden under people's noses without them noticing! Perhaps when I'm a bit more experienced, and have find ways to look for them without arousing suspicion, I might change my mind about them.

My idea is that the 2nd person can 'run interference'. So if you're scratching about in a bush the other person could conceal you a bit. Gimme a rural one where I can scratch about in a bush to my heart's content without arousing suspicion.

I tend to avoid urban caches. I feel too conspicuous when looking for them. . .And I always feel like I'm going to be suspected of doing something illegal. . . People will think "Why's that 'conspicuous-without-even-trying' person scratching around in that bush just there? Must be a hidden drug stash". . . They do require some stealth and it helps if there's more than one of you. . .

Good job cachers don't read these forums then, or they might see your picture here instead We all see it but it still could be anywhere, in any tree.

Late response, sorry.... The cell service is used for more than just retrieving the information. The cell signal itself is also used along with the GPS receiver for location purposes. You can turn off the cell signals and use the GPS part of the phone primarily, but the phone becomes extremely S L O W and takes forever to update your position. We've tried this a couple times and the phone would just sit there and sometimes would lock up completely. Not fun at all. That is why (atleast our experience) the cell signal is very important for actually 'finding' caches. Sometimes when the primary GPS (our Garmin) is having trouble with the tree canopy or cloud cover, the phone has a very slight advantage (with good cell signal). Today I found 2 caches in an area where I had no cell signal (I downloaded them to my phone before I set out). . . The GPS took me to within 1m of both of them. . . So I can definitely say that GPS isn't dependent on having a mobile phone signal.

Go with whichever one works better. Up until recently the unofficial app worked better. . . and was free. So lots of people used that. But if the official app is better, then go for that.

This is how I always do it. Apart from the first time I went out with some friends, the geocaching is always something that gets tacked on to something I was already doing. . . And if I'm somewhere, I can use my phone app to see if there's a cache nearby and grab it. I was in the motorway services last week and there was one nearby so I got it.

Why would one want to do this? I have a trackable and I'm new, but I can't figure why I would want to 'dip my trackable'?

How common are events. I've looked on the GAGB website, and on the UK part of these forums, and haven't seen any planned events in my area. I'm in the northwest and I'm sure there are events in the northwest but it's not a small area. It can take over an hour to get from one part of Cumbria to another and that's nothing to do with the other more populous parts of the northwest.

If I paste that, I can see the list of caches. . . This is really bizarre. . . It does sound odd, I've Just tried 11.10 (on Linux) at home and that's fine too. In the absence of any other idea I'd try uninstalling and reinstalling Opera (or just keep using firefox!). I'll try a re-install of Opera on the work PC since it works on Opera on my home pc too. Apparently that's where I tend to be when trying to use the feature. Thanks for all your help. s3

If you enter the postcodes for your accommodation in the search it'll show you the closest caches. They'll probably be some easy ones too.

If you were around then we still don't know if it makes a sound when no-one is around. Maybe it would and it wouldn't. . . both.

I've seen this advice often given to newbies. But I think it's easier said than done. I wouldn't feel comfortable emailing a strange and asking to tag along with them. I tried the adopt-a-newby thread on one of these forums and got no response.

If I paste that, I can see the list of caches. . . This is really bizarre. . .

That doesn't help. The only thing that's worked so far is using Firefox.

I've just tried it in Opera 11 and it works for me. Which page and which search box are you trying specifically? Philip None of the pages work. Not the front page and not this one: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/default.aspx I'm using the search box(es) in the pane entitled "Seek a Cache... Locate the nearest geocaches in your area..." Edited to add: This is Opera 11

This is eye-opening. I'm shocked you can't get all the features for the princely sum of £300!!!

This is odd, I've tried all the above and they all work, I've also tried breaking it by putting the postcode in the address field, swapping 1 (one) for I (uppercase i), and I can't get it to return the error you're getting, it seems to handle my simulated 'fat fingers'. The only things I can think of to try are: log out of geocaching.com and try it, this might tell you if it's a problem with your GC account. Try another browser, this might tell you if it's a browser problem (if so clear all your cookies and cache on the 'broken' browser and try again) Try another PC, this might tell you if it's a problem with your PC. Edit to add: Just seen you've gone for the try another browser option. I can try opera at home tonight but I would try clearing it's cache and cookies and see if it's still broken. Empyting the cache doesn't work. I've had this problem from the first time I used the site (on both my work and home pcs), so I'm not surprised that emptying the cache has no effect. It seems to be the browser.

That's interesting. It works in Firefox, but not Opera. Anyone else using Opera who can test this?

That didn't work either. No postcode (or other address) has ever worked for me (even before the website update). . . not even my own. Which is why I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. As it's a feature I'd like to use, rather than having to go to maps, then google maps etc.

No postcodes work. I tried M1 1AA, and that didn't work. I've never had a post code that worked. I tried entering the address (say) "George Square, Glasgow" and that doesn't work either. It'll usually take a minute or so and then say "A location for M1 1AA cannot be determined".