Tried Geocheing about a year ago with a pocket pc (inbuilt gps). Didn't have any luck finding the caches near me. Put this down to the software I was using and the pocket pc. Recently saw an Etrex with cable for £80 new so decided to go the more traditional way. Haven't looked back since. So in answer to your question, us newbies are out there, but a bit shy in case we make an arse of ourselves.
All the best Wayne