RHJensen

I'm using OziExplorer with some 1:24K DRGs of my area and notice that there are notations: "BM 30" by a small X on the map. On the USGS site I found that this means a Third Order or better vertical control (i.e., benchmark) with tablet. Some of these are, in fact, close to the coordinates of area benchmarks I've downloaded with EasyGPS. If I didn't get something close with EasyGPS is it likely that the mark has been 'Destroyed' or 'Not Found'? I'd also like some feedback about HT2744. I see EIGHT monumented entries! And it seems to keep washing away! Should I even try to recover this mark? How do other people use the descriptions to guide going after a benchmark? Richard.

quote:Originally posted by Criminal:I picked up a Magellan GPS 2000 that was being thrown away by an occupant of the building where I work. They had a note on it that said it was inop. I put batteries in it and it powers up OK but doesn’t seem to be able to lock onto any satellites. I would like to put it into my next cache as a treasure but I don’t want to do so if it’s broke. I did initialize it with the position I got from my Garmin V but it still seems to be unable to lock onto a satellite. I did get a single bar out of three a couple times but it goes away. I have left it powered up on the roof of my building for over an hour. I did borrow an old Magellan (not sure if it was a 2000 or an XL...) to try and see if geocaching was something I wanted to do. The unit had not been used in over a year and was last used in Florida and I'm in the San Francisco Bay area. I was convinced the unit wouldn't work. I think I sent an email to magellan support and was told to leave it outside for a LONG time (several hours). Once I did that, it was able to function, but still took several minutes to initialize when turned on. Richard.

quote:Originally posted by HardCache:At any rate, after regaling you with my rambling, can you suggest other films, television shows or literature that feature geocaching or something at least vaguely like it? Stretching, grasping at straws and blatant manipulation of plot, theme and character arc are acceptable.A "They Might Be Giants" -- One of my brother-in-law's favorite movies could be said to have a multi-stage puzzle cache. :-) Richard.

quote:Originally posted by mtnsteve:Perhaps this is obvious and I just missed it, but is there a faster way to get the screen to a "Go To" way point on my Platinum with out having to "fly" the cursor there? .... I'm assuming you want to view the Map at a saved waypoint. From the map screen, [Menu][Database][user] then select the waypoint . You should now have the 'Edit WPT' screen. At the bottom there is the 'Save' button but there is also the 'View' button. Choose 'View' and the map screen will show the selected waypoint. Richard.

quote:Originally posted by Criminal:I think we'd be talking about breaking 20 thou if there were an easier way of searching the database. A map layout for example. I think I read that it is being worked on. I think this has been mentioned before, you can use an interactive map 'NGS Survey Control Map' to look for benchmarks in your area. However, I'm not sure geocaching.com should do this on the cache mapping page--simply because of the number of benchmarks! In San Mateo, CA there are 78 'stations' in a 5mi x 3mi area. Over 50 of these are 'vertical controls'--i.e., benchmarks. Richard.

When I do a 'Nearest benchmarks' search like: "Near HT0556" it shows me the list, etc. with a 'Found Date'. It just so happens thatHT0557 is very close by and I went to and logged it as well. However, I was NOT the first person to log that mark, but the date of MY log is what shows in the 'Found Date' column. I think it should be the date it was first logged as found, not the latest log entry. Or should I just delete my log (or make it a note) so that the found date reflects the first finder/logger? Richard.

quote:Originally posted by SuperGenius: quote:Originally posted by manuelcasi:um TRUE. No I mean "C" ya "C". Thats my final answer... Just wondering what kind of answer "C" ya "C" is for a new caching team asking a legitimate question. Could you tell me what C ya C means. Pepper I thought it was a multiple-choice answer to my questions. "C" yeah, "C", [no "A", "B" and that's my final answer!] Richard.

quote:Originally posted by SuperGenius:Hope you enjoyed your visit to Pleasanton, I happen to live there myself. Now why didn't you visit some of my caches by Pepper of Team SuperGenius. ... Horizontals where it's at! I had "Lil Camo" and a few others on my list, but a 1/1 virtual in a business park sounded pretty easy and was one of the closest to our hotel. I did take waypoints for Strizzi's, Claude and Dominique's, and our hotel (The Rose Hotel) [for no better reason than I like playing with our GPSr] We really liked the part of Pleasanton we saw and will probably be back. Richard.

My wife and I just found our first cache which was a virtual cache. From the questions I see for the "Have a Cigar"cache you will find SOMETHING (historical marker, plaque, etc.) that will answer the question. Part of the hunt is figuring out "What item near here might answer the question?". Does that help? Richard.

I've just uploaded a small jpeg for my avatar and when I look at existing posts I've made it doesn't show. [Yes, I did log out and back in]. Richard.

My wife and I just started geocaching. We happened to be in Pleasanton, CA over the weekend (we live across the SF Bay in Redwood City) and our first cache was "Silver Gyrations" which is a virtual cache. Since we have to send information to the cache owner before logging it, should we BOTH log it [we have two separate accounts on geocaching.com], or just one. We also found "Tupolo Tub" (less than 2 miles from my mother-in-law's house). That was our first physical cache, and since my wife spotted it first I had her sign the log book and I think she should log her find on her account and I won't. What do other people do? Do you only use one account? Do you both log? First finder logs? Thanks for the input.

I used to do gimmick rallies. I've only done a few TSD rallies and while they're nice, they aren't the puzzle-solving type of activity I like. Anyway, it seems like GC and a gimmick rally could go together well but would take a lot of effort to set up. An example of a 'gimmick'. The rally instructions give definitions and then directions to follow to reach the final destination. A defintion might be: "Stop sign -- a red and white sign that controls your progress". While the instruction might say: "Turn left at first stop sign". For the expert, they see a red and white 'Yield' sign and recognize that it matches the definition and turn left. The novice doesn't recognize that and continues on, eventually turning left at a 'real' stop sign. What the rally organizer does is put [i can't remember the term now...I don't think it was checkpoint.] something at each location. Your overall score is based on how closely you adhered to the designer's course as indicated by the points you logged. I don't know if that is clear or not.