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9) If you need more assistance to have fun just let us know!

8) County Downloads Once you are hooked on this hobby, you will want to do a "Pocket Query" like for caching. We're sorry but that is not available from GC.com at this time. There is an alternative that we use and it involves using a couple of other helpful programs and going to the NGS site to retrieve their latest county archive. If you click here, NGS - it will take you to the NGS site. Just select the state, click Get County Archives, select the county and choose the file format (zipped if you are on dial-up internet) then click Download. Save this file to your hard drive. You will need to download BMGPX to convert the downloaded file into a GPX format for use with other programs. You can get BMGPX here. BMGPX Once you have installed BMGPX on your computer all you need to do is drag and drop the county file (unzipped) onto the BMGPX "icon" and it will spit out a gpx file ready to use. We just drag and drop the newly created file onto GSAK and it will open the database and show the available benchmarks in the selected county. You can then manipulate that info as needed. You can get GSAK here GSAK . It is free for several weeks then you will get a nag screen after the trial period. The cost is only about $25 US. There are a couple of threads that explain how to use some of the features for benchmark hunting. Sorting with GSAK Thread AN early thread when GSAK was just getting set up for benchmarks.

7) Scaled versus Adjusted coordinates On the benchmark page it will tell you if the coordinates are "scaled" or "adjusted". This means - How accurate are the coordinates for getting you to the right spot? Adjusted coordinates are more precise than your handheld GPSr can read. They will take you right to the benchmark (IF the GPSr error is low enough ) Most of the time our GPSr will show 1 to 3 feet to go when we are at an adjusted benchmark. Very rarely will they be off. Scaled coordinates can be off more than a quarter mile. They are determined by someone reading the description on the benchmark page and then plotting where they think it will be on the map they are using! Use the coordinates to get you to the general area then follow the description to find the benchmark.

6) Misc Tools There are just a few tools the you will want and/or need to enjoy this hobby. Of course the first is a GPSr, so you can update the coordinates on "scaled benchmarks". Then a camera (A digital would be nice) will come in handy (NOT required), a rag to wipe off the disk so it can be read, a tape measure and finally a compass. If you get addicted to this hobby you will start adding other things like a shovel and a probe and etc.

5) Here is a list of the more useful links for benchmark hunting. For pictures of different types of benchmarks Map showing PIDs FAQ & PID search page on GC.com Other types of searches - designation - coordinates - ZIP codes For county downloads from the NGS BMGPX conversion program GSAK The new Waymarking site The NGS forum

4) PID#s & Designations Consider the PID number as the name of the file in the NGS database. PID numbers are more useful after you have done a search by designation, since the disk does NOT have the PID# on it. They are especially handy if you wish to use the NGS database for looking up the current datasheet for a particular benchmark. Just think of the designation as the name for that disk. When you find a benchmark you see some letters and/or numbers stamped on the disk (NGS calls this the Stamping) and it is Usually the designation of that disk. You can do a search on GC.com using the Designation to get to the correct page to log that benchmark.

3) Help is available No matter what you need help with in regards to benchmark hunting and logging, you will have a high success rate getting your questions answered here in these forums. We have folks who have been finding these things for so long, they don't dream in full color anymore, only black & white & bronze! We have professional surveyors who read these forums. There are even some NGS personnel who will answer questions about the NGS aspects of this hobby. One of the nice things about these forums is it doesn't matter if the question has been asked 500 times before, someone will still give you a straight answer! It may be an old timer or it may be a "newbie" who recently learned about what you want to know. WARNING - some of the folks on this forum really like to show off their sense of humor, so be prepared for the unusual answers you MAY get. If for ANY reason you do not want to post a question in the forums, you may PM or e-mail any of the people you see on these forums and they will gladly respond. (Everyone likes to show how smart they are! ;-) )

2) We found a disk not listed on GC.com, now what? Please check here - FAQ - for the first answer. If you do not find what you are looking for please start a new thread in the forums with as much detail about your benchmark as possible (the stamping on the disk, the location, and even a picture.) and let us know what type of info you're looking for. There are so many different agencies that set benchmarks that Geocaching couldn't afford the servers needed to house all those databases, so they chose to use the database of the most prestigious (Boy, will I hear about this!) agency for our benefit. We use the NGS database, but it is several years old now and there are newer benchmarks that can be found on their site. More on searching their site later. If you find a benchmark that is NOT listed here you may still be able to log it on GC.com by going to Waymarking.com - Waymarking.com - and checking their list. Waymarking is just getting started so you may be the first to create a Waymark for your benchmark. Just remember, if you don't ask, you will not find the answers.

1) This thread is to Welcome you to the fun and excitement of hunting Benchmarks. Welcome! We will attempt to answer some of the most common questions about benchmark hunting. (or at least point you to the right place.) Things like "I found a disk not in the database, now what?", "Can I do GPX/Pocket Queries for benchmarks?", Helpful hints, Etc. Everybody starts out as a newbie and needs to ask questions to learn. To get the best help from this forum we ask you to help us help you. Please give us as much information about the benchmark as possible. For instance the stamping on the disk, or the coordinates & general location of the disk all help us to find information on that particular disk. Remember, there are no dumb questions - dumb answers maybe, but not dumb questions! Most of the regulars here in the forums have heard and answered most questions numerous times, but we still enjoy helping others learn about benchmark hunting.

This thread is intended as a starter thread to help you get going with benchmark hunting. You may read through all the posts in order or click on 1 of the 8 links below and go directly to the one you need. 1) Welcome 2) Can't find disk 3) Help available 4) PIDs & designations 5) Useful Links 6) Misc. - tools needed 7) Scaled versus adjusted 8) County downloads