TheStevensonCrue

I know this has been discussed before, but I don't think this has been suggested. When hiding a cache sometimes we end up placing it within the 528' restriction of a hidden cache that's a final in a mystery cache. Would it be possible to to have an automated system in place that checks our coords against the hidden caches, and just give us a generic message that says "You're to close to another cache."? No details about which cache it is or how close we are, just a away to know immediately that our location is in violation. It would help in the sense that we're not waiting for manual review, and could get it in the proper place without multiple trips when the reviewer notifies us.

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for.

I'm aware of the .10 mile rule when hiding a cache, and I've found a good spot in a park that does not violate that rule. My question though is around the multi-stage/mystery type caches in the surrounding area. If someone lists a cache and the coords do not take you to the cache, they're just a starting point, and you have to solve a riddle, etc., to obtain the actual coords. Then the real cache coords wouldn't be shown on the map, therefore I run this risk of hiding mine too close to the other CO's cache location, and wouldn't know that until the reviewer indicated as such. Is this a valid concern? If so, am I just stuck with blinding hiding in an area like this? I'm only asking because I'm doing more than just hiding a container. I'd hate to do all of this planning around a very specific area only to find out I'm too close to someone else. Thanks, Rich

You could check the calendar for events in your area. Event Calendar and your local organization Local Org

The reviewer replied and said it was OK as long as I don't collect numbers, email, etc. So my planning is starting. Thanks to everyone for the replies

Yea I thought it would be fun for people to do. Sure not everyone, but I think a lot would get a kick out of it.

Will there be an alternate way to find the coords within the cache description? Just in case there's a problem with the text thing. I'm not 110% sure my phone can "text", so I'd need to find a nearby hotspot to use the web texting, for each stage. Can you offer a way to test phone and web "texting" so that cachers can give it a test before they arrive? I'd expect that your cache would be even less active than a typical Puzzle cache. But that's not always a bad thing, it's just a consideration. They'd be able to test the texting before heading out. I'm pretty sure every cell phone can text nowadays. Even the very basic phones should be able to.

I plan on letting them know they have to text before heading out. Good point about end of life, but I already own a handful of domains that I've had for years so that wouldn't be an issue.

I sent a message to one of the reviewers in my area about this, but maybe it's better asked here. I'm putting together a cache where the coords. are simply a starting point, not the actual location. I know that's ok, but what I want to do next I'm unsure about. I own my own domain, and with that I can setup an auto response system for texts messages sent. So my idea is cachers go to the starting coords and answer the first question on the listing by sending a text. A reply text is sent back letting them know if they are right or wrong. If they are right they are also given a description of what to look for next, and to reply back what they see at the next location. I'd continue with this a few times, effectively getting them to explore an area like a park, or old part of town, etc. So sort of like a challenge but with the coords. to the cache sent via text at the last POI. I know some people would be leery of being charged (outside of their normal texting fee) or think that I might be subscribing them to some service or collecting cell numbers. I'm not of course doing that, but for the concerned I would also provide a link to a website where they could use a texting simulator instead of using their phones. So they could send their answers and receive responses all anonymously if they felt the need. I don't have all the details on the hunt worked out yet, but this was the part I was hoping would be allowed. Thanks, Rich

We came in forth place I think. The unit will be for the kids to use. I don't know about you but it was hard to get people to vote on facebook even though everyone is on there. Yea it was hard getting people to vote. Out of all the family members that posted on Facebook asking for votes, that had to be around 2000 total friends. Out of that we got 39 votes! LOL Congratulations!

Very nice, congratulations! I do not see the contest, but I'll assume that's because it's over. I think you'll enjoy the GC. Unless of course it's a downgrade from what you're already using. Yea the contest was taken down when it ended. I'm assuming they'll be posting the winners once they all have been contacted. The were 5 units being awarded. We've been using my smartphone (Droid Bionic) so this should be a better fit.

They haven't posted the winners yet, but here's the pic I sent in.

We've only just started GeoCaching about a month ago and the entire family is hooked. While reading here, and just Googling around for GC related stuff, I came across a photo contest that the National Recreation and Park Association was having. So I posted a pic of my son finding his first cache about 3 weeks ago. I just received an email from them saying that we won! They're sending us a Magellan GC eXplorist GPS!

Thanks everyone!

Just starting out, and I found a micro cache today that needed maintenance so I logged it as such. Then I noticed that I didn't get a smiley for finding it. So I created another log entry for finding it. Was that the right way to do that? Thanks, Rich

Just started out myself, but I thought I'd chime in here, and tell of my issue I had yesterday. I'm using the c:geo app on my Motorola Droid Bionic, and had the app running in Live Mode while I was heading home. Saw a cache pinned in a cemetery, and thought I'd swing in to see if I could find it. I was standing directly at GZ according to the app, and even though I looked, I knew it wasn't there because the hint said "fence", and I was probably 50' fro ma fence . So I walked to the fence, and walked up and down the length of it about 60' either direction. No luck so I headed home. When at home I checked the coords. both on my PC and my tablet, and the locations were different than what the phone had shown me. Since my tablet and phone both run Android and c:geo, I was scratching my head as to why the two devices were showing different locations about 130' apart. What had happened was after I setup c:geo on my phone I decided to change my username on geocaching.com. The login error on the phone only displays briefly so I missed it. Seems the app still works even if you're not logged in, but the coords. are an estimate. Once I corrected my username and refreshed what was stored, it matched what I was seeing on the PC and tablet. Which by the way is right next to the same fence, but about 130' away or so. So I was close, but not close enough. Going to try and stop there again tonight to see if I can now find the cache. UPDATE: Just got back, and this time it took me right to the cache! Rich