RTechS

I'll check that one out, and othersd mentioned as well. I have been playing with the US Topo Maps Free and already I notice that the app is limited in that it will only zoom in so close and I still am not able to read road names or even see that much detail without using a magnifying glass, and it certainly will not give up close detail such as a small bridge. Is this just a characteristic of this particular app, or do all the topo map apps function in the same manner? The small screen/display is one of the reason I have been holding out on purchasing a GPS, and have actually been considering caching with something like a 10" tablet!

Great answers, guys - I knew I could get a good explanation on here. I was looking in the Google Play store and I see that the "US Topo Maps Free" is a highly rated app. Anyone have any experience with this one? Does this app, or do the topo maps in general have *very* detailed information, such as a small foot bridge, a culvert, etc.?

I'm sure this is a dumb question, esp. to you experienced cachers...but I've heard talk about "maps" since I've started, have listened to many geocaching podcasts where the subject is mentioned, and I still do not have a clear understanding as to how/why I need a map. I cache w/ an android/smartphone, I do have my sights on the Monterra at some point, but not for $600... I do have limited caching experience, half of my finds have been urban, the other half rural. I assume maps are generally useful for the topographical terrain? I can see how that would be useful if you are caching away from home, or are in an unfamiliar area. Can you guys explain in layman's terms why maps are beneficial, and are they really necessary?

The plastic ammo cans I have feature a rubber seal on the lid, just like the metal ones. If a Tupperware container can survive in the wild, I'm not sure why a plastic ammo can with a rubber sealed lid can't... I haven't put any of my plastic ones out yet due to lack of a good location, but as soon as I find some good areas I will be placing them.

I can never understand the need for all the secrecy. I like to share this wonderful past-time with family/friends, anyone who will listen, so I simply tell them I'm "Geocaching", and that it is "a scavenger hunt game that is played using a GPS unit." I've created several converts this way. Also, if you look like you are up to something you will draw unnecessary attention to yourself. I am rarely approached by anyone, as I take a casual approach while I'm caching. YMMV

How did you decide on a coordinates? Did you just average the two?

That sounds like you're using Google Navigation (or some other street-navigation app) to get directions to the cache location. Those apps will take you to a street location. If the cache isn't on a street, then the app will choose a nearby (or not so nearby) street location and navigate you there instead. Just this afternoon, mine tried to take me down a freeway, half-way between two exits. Needless to say, the cache wasn't on the freeway. But that was the nearest roadway to the cache location. I am using Google Navigation, but there seems to be more going on than that. It's like it gets confused by directing me endlessly around the block in a loop - it can't seem to triangulate on the correct coords. Not all of the time, but maybe 50% of the time it will act up like that. Sorry, wish I could explain it better than this. Wish I could figure out a fix for it.

My Android is new, like 6 months old. It generally does very well, although I am running into a lot of "re-routing" when navigating to a cache - not sure what that is all about. I keep getting directed "around the block" for some reason. But when it does work, it works very well. I am using a GPS averaging app when hiding caches, and it will average until you stop the process. How old is your Android? I cache exclusively with my Android and hide caches too. It's not how deep into the woods you've traveled, but, really, the specifics of the location. If you're next to a rock wall or in a valley, you're going to have more trouble than if you're in a flat area. When I hide a cache, I take a number of readings, say 4, then average them by hand. I generally will take all my readings in a 15 minute time-period, although it's better to space your readings further apart if practical. For instance, it's best to take a number of different readings on different days and at different times. If reception's bad, I will also give a good hint and often put flagging up. Make sure you don't rely on the flagging as the hint, though, as flagging deteriorates/goes missing. When I am looking for a hiding spot, I will try to find an easily identifiable object, like a large stump or hollow log and put the cache there.

Oh...I was not aware of that, but I understand. Yes, they are both puzzle/mystery caches. Guess I will pull these hides then, as I'm not interested in solving puzzle caches... Is there any way to determine this before placing a cache so a person doesn't go to all of the trouble of submitting it & then finding this out later?

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I sort of figured good hints and photo(s) would be the way to go. And, I guess also to stay near the "beaten path", so to speak. That is, if you want to keep it at a reasonable difficult level. It would be very tough to locate a cache under heavy cover if you also had to bushwhack deep into it with little or no clues.

Anyone else have this issue of caches are not showing up on your Android/iPhone? I recently attempted to place two caches and I checked the app to be certain that there weren't others in the area, of which none showed up. When I submitted the form, the reviewer notified me that there are caches within 528' of them. Even if these were Premium caches (which they aren't) I would see them now as I have upgraded my account. Is this a known glitch in the system, by any chance?

Currently I am caching with an Android and an older etrex. When I travel maybe 300 yds. + into heavy wooded areas I get a lot of bounce. It may settle down for a bit and then it will start to bounce all over the place again. How do you CO's get accurate coords. when placing caches deep in the woods?

LOL - mostly sharing, I guess. And, hoping that CO's will take a cue from the thread to be more interactive with other cachers when pm'd., and also think through their cache hides & rate them accordingly. Problem is, I know many cachers that do not bother with the forum, so, sadly this thread will most likely not reach many that should see it. Yes, I know how to use the system. I have received replies from several members in response to my question(s); it just seems that there is a select few that can't be bothered to answer a simple request for a hint. Not that big of a deal maybe, but when you have an obvious difficult hide, noted by the string of DNF's on the cache page, maybe something should be done about it, such as provide additional clues, make the hide more obvious by marking it is a clever way, etc.

I like folks to find my caches; I will carefully consider the clues and most times will give cryptic hints. I receive good feedback from fellow cachers/finders. I even picked up a favorite rating from a FTF find on one of my caches, which I felt good about since I had little caching experience when placing that one. However... I've come across several 1/1, 1.5/1.5 rated caches that are clearly mislabeled, i.e., terrain rating way off, or an area that is basically like a jungle and you're supposed to figure out the hiding spot...to add to that, little or no hint on the page. If you go through the logs you will see a string of DNF's, a find or two & then another long string of DNF's. I have pm'd the CO and they rarely if ever reply back with hints/clues...if I look at their profile page it will show that they were recently logged into the site, so I know they are not MIA. So....am I supposed to deduct from this behavior that these CO's relish in making difficult/mislabeled hides that result in endless wasted hours at GZ and a DNF log? This gets real old real fast, esp. when you have little ones along with you and you're looking for a 1/1. It turns out to be a real discouragement, especially for the tots. A popular geocacher in my area uses the auto-logging feature when he logs his finds/DNF's, and I like this part of his sig; While I don't really stick to the five minute rule, I definitely do agree with the second part of his sig. CO's, please rate your hides accordingly.

I used GPS Status & Toolbox from the play store. The compass reads correctly in that app. - it just seems to be off in any of the caching apps. I just calibrated it again & will try it in the next couple of days & report back. Maybe it need to be re-calibrated just before caching. Do you use a particular calibration app?

Yes, all that is enabled. I don't really turn any features off, ever. I even leave wifi enabled all of the time.

I've tried this on three different Android phones, using several different apps from google play, and they all produce the same result. The compass never points in the correct direction, so when I'm on foot I just watch the numbers count own until I'm at GZ. Not a biggie, but it would be nice for the needle to point in the correct direction. I have calibrated the phone/compass but that doesn't seem to make any difference. Was going to try it with an iphone using geobucket, but for some reason can't get that app to work right at all. Anyone else experience this issue on the Android, come up with a resolution? We are on Verizon network, and otherwise the phones perform very accurately.

The location may deviate somewhat, but I would say you may need to build your "geosense" a bit more. Watch some youtube vids on how folks hide geocaches and you will be surprised at how many things are right under your nose and you are staring right at them - especially with urban caches. Also, you can look at previous log entries for clues as to where it may be hidden, what container type, etc.

Yes, An additional batt. pack would solve that problem. I'm just a bit concerned how the phone will perform under tree cover...and sometimes the turn by turn directs me in circles for some reason...but other than that, I am satisfied with it. I did come across the Magellan Explorist 710 which seems to have many of the features I am wanting, but the QC seems to be hit or miss with those units. I read a bunch of great reviews, then a lot of bad ones dealing with hardware/other issues.

After doing quite a bit of reading/research (overload) I guess I will go with the Oregon 450. Would love to step up to one of the 4" screen models, as I really despise matchbook-size screens, but I can't justify spending close to $400.00 (or more) on it. So, I guess until they discontinue one of those larger models & they come down in price, the 450 will have to fulfill my needs. Is there any other "support equipment" that I should purchase that would make the 450 more enjoyable? Not sure if I need topo maps, as much of my caching will probably not be deep in the woods and I don't go hiking on unknown trails all that much.

Gitchee-Gummee, Thanks so much for that information. I definitely plan on purchasing a paperless unit, a touch screen model. Just trying to make sure I ask enough questions before I purchase something I won't be happy with. And yes, a Prem. membership is in my future. You mentioned something interesting - Am I to understand that ONLY the last five log entries are viewable? I would have DNF'd a recent cache if it were not for a spoiler included in a log entry that was at least ten or more entries deep into the page. As you can see, "I want my cake and eat it too", lol.

I know - I get that feeling from reading the various threads & listening to podcasts. My issue is, I figure I will probably have trouble with the smartphone when I start woods caching this summer...And for some reason, the turn by turn is wonky at times. It will "re-route" and direct me around the block, sometimes leading on a wild goose chase before actually getting to the destination. If it weren't for those two issues I would stick with the smartphone solely.

I use the GSAK program (with a published macro) to generate a .GPX file that is loaded into the nuvi with Garmin's POI Loader program. This gives you full descriptions, hint, difficulty/terrain, etc. on the nuvi as Custom POI's. yes, all relevant information is available on the Oregon when you load a PQ. Thanks for that info. I was under the impression that the cache details were not viewable on a GPS - I was certain I heard that mentioned on some geocaching podcast.

How do you actually load the caches on the Nuvi? Also, on an Oregon 450 (or similar); after download the PQ's, are you able to actually view the description of the cache, logs, etc. while in the field?

$239 here... http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-GPSMAP-62S-GPS-with-Sensors-P2395.aspx?gclid=CNboidSOrL0CFRFnOgod2GEA0g