Uh, oh. I've been away from this past time while my toddlers have been growing up. My gps is a dinosaur now. When I started hunting caches the GPS12 was already outclassed in many ways but I bought it anyway because I wanted an inexpensive and tough GPS to play with. I found out about geocaching later and got into it soon after. I picked up a second 12 a year or two later when I got married and my wife and I went hunting geocaches together. That old GPS has never let me down, I'll say that. I used it just the other day and it lead me strait to the cache I was hunting. Certainly is was more accurate than my iPhone with the geocaching app. I do see some increase in EPE under heavy tree cover, but nothing that has kept me from finding what I sought. I flew with it on in a friend's airplane, and even though it was in my backpack, on the floor of the aluminum-roofed airplane, it still recorded a pretty good track of where we flew. I learned a lot about GPS units in general using the 12.
My method for using it goes like this: I input the cache coordinates by hand as a waypoint (I've used computer software with it, but usually don't bother) and then use the goto button. I use it as I drive toward the cache as a general guide that I am going in the right direction, because of course it has no map information. I carry it hiking toward the cache, using the compass pointer while I am in motion. Then when I am close, I let the gps settle for a minute or so, and then I use the bearing to the cache that the gps gives me, and I take a sighting with a compass I carry. I search along that bearing, making adjustments as I go. If the gps bearing becomes radically different (eps 180 degrees) I know I passed it and backtrack. Using that old gps with a regular silva compass works great for me. I'm about to introduce my oldest son to geocaching and we will use the same method. I think it will be a blast.
What I wish the 12 could do: read in 'feet' as I get close to what I am searching for, instead of hundredths of a mile. I might try searching in metric to see if I can at least get a reading in meters. I also wish the 12 could lock in on WAAS. Battery life is great, but it does take 4 batteries. Not a big deal to me, but the same battery life on two batteris would be nice. Really that's about it. I am looking for my next gps, and I will look for those added options. I'm not even sold on getting color because B&W is so easy and clear to read. I'm very interested in the etrex 10.
I'm mainly posting this in case someone finds themselves in possession of an old GPS 12, especially if they are new to geocahing. I know it is outclassed in many ways, but it is a great unit to start hunting geocaches with. It is rugged, water resistant, and accurate. Add a simple compass to your kit and you will find yourself zeroing in.
