Size Matters

2.5k · October 31, 2005

Okay, I have an idea. (Please, stop screaming, it's not that bad... :huh: )

What if it were a recommendation that in order for a cache to be listed as a "Regular" size cache, it must be able to accommodate a normal size (Say 2 inches square) Travel bug.

Say you want to take a bug somewhere (towards it's goal perhaps) and you find a great cache to put it in, listed as a regular, and when you get there it is more like a small and the TB won't fit. Woulden't it narrow things down, at a glance you could tell if a cache would take the bug.

Just thinking here, but sometimes that's a dangerous activity...

October 31, 2005

It'd be nice to have an Attribute check-box for that.

'TB Friendly', something like that.

Edited October 31, 2005 by Team Teuton

38.2k · October 31, 2005

But there is no "normal size" TB. They vary a lot in size. I've seen some that can fit in a micro cache and some that wouldn't fit into a .50 cal ammo box.

7.3k · October 31, 2005

It comes back to the cache owner. Can she correctly identify the cache size? Most can, some can't. And sometimes the cache size goes unspecified, either through oversight, or deliberately as the owner may want to keep that information to themselves. I once DNFed an Altoids tin as the cache size specified was "small". I guess as micros go an Altoids is on the large end.

9.2k · October 31, 2005

I bet if you came across a cache like that, and wrote politely to the owner with the story of how you wanted to drop a normal-sized TB in their cache, that they would correct the cache size on their listing.

6.5k · October 31, 2005

Maybe it would be helpful if the already 'standard' sizes gave rough dimension or volume. Then if the cache size is listed correctly you should know it a 2"sq TB will fit.

# Micro (35 mm film canister or smaller, typically containing only a logbook)

# Small (Decon container, sandwich-sized Tupperware-style container or similar, holds trade items as well as a logbook)

# Regular (Tupperware-style container or ammo can)

# Large (5 gallon bucket or larger)

2.1k · October 31, 2005

Okay, I have an idea. (Please, stop screaming, it's not that bad... )

What if it were a recommendation that in order for a cache to be listed as a "Regular" size cache, it must be able to accommodate a normal size (Say 2 inches square) Travel bug.

Say you want to take a bug somewhere (towards it's goal perhaps) and you find a great cache to put it in, listed as a regular, and when you get there it is more like a small and the TB won't fit. Woulden't it narrow things down, at a glance you could tell if a cache would take the bug.

Just thinking here, but sometimes that's a dangerous activity...

more rules.....

October 31, 2005

I've sometimes have up to 5 TB's with me. Most vary in size. If I can't find a cache that fits the criteria set by the TB owner or the cache can't hold it, I normally go to a cache I've already hit that does meet the above. ... I really don't see a need for a checkbox or even emails to get a TB moving again.

:huh:

2.5k · October 31, 2005

more rules.....

Hey, don't use the "R" word in here. It's a suggestion, not a rule.

October 31, 2005

But the proposition makes sense.

:huh:

3.9k · October 31, 2005

The proposition makes sense, but if people used the existing sizes, it would be fine. I have gone out several times and couldn't drop my TB's because the caches were full.

Regular = ammo can or tupperware. So, the TB should fit. I think the biggest issue is that urban caches tend not to be that size. You need to get out to a more rural setting.

2.5k · October 31, 2005

HA, I live in such a rural setting I HAVE to go to the city to find caches!!!

After reading the replies to this thread, I think it is more an issue of putting the proper size icon to your cache.

Micro, 35mm film container (Also includes containers slightly bigger and smaller) Room for log only.

Small, bigger than a micro and able to hold small trade items along with the log)(TB's probably wont fit.)

Regular, Ammo can, (can be slightly bigger or smaller) will hold a good amount of trade items, will accept most normal size TB's.

Large, 5 gallon bucket or larger, possibly can leave cacheing partner as trade. :huh:

1.8k · October 31, 2005

This is easily remedied by simply placing the TB in a different cache. Find a cache that the TB will easily slip inside. The bigger the better. Then you will enjoy the utmost in pleasure and sensitivity. Careful, not to wake up the neighbors when you finally reach that geocaching climax. :huh:

9.2k · October 31, 2005

Maybe it would be helpful if the already 'standard' sizes gave rough dimension or volume. Then if the cache size is listed correctly you should know it a 2"sq TB will fit.
# Micro (35 mm film canister or smaller, typically containing only a logbook)

# Small (Decon container, sandwich-sized Tupperware-style container or similar, holds trade items as well as a logbook)

# Regular (Tupperware-style container or ammo can)

# Large (5 gallon bucket or larger)

Thanks for quoting the guidance already provided on the website. Would anyone want to suggest improvements to the wording?

I worry about a strict test based upon dimensions or volume. On some of my more unusual containers I could not figure out the volume without filling it with water and measuring it. And I haven't the time to do that. I do know whether to say "small" or "regular" based upon the guidance already provided.

6.5k · October 31, 2005

I worry about a strict test based upon dimensions or volume. On some of my more unusual containers I could not figure out the volume without filling it with water and measuring it. And I haven't the time to do that. I do know whether to say "small" or "regular" based upon the guidance already provided.

Thats true some containers are and will be hard to size, but I think the problem is probably not with usuaual containers, but with caches that are rated with limited comparsion. Both small and regular say tupperware, if I have no idea what a decon container is I have to guess. (what's the standard size of a log book or sandwhich?) There will still be borderline containers, but it should be easier to understand.

2.5k · October 31, 2005

I've done gotten my TB's to their destinations and had no problems. No worries there, I credit myself with adequate intelligence to figure things out on my own. But I have been seeing where caches that are supposed to be "Regular" aren't very big at all when you get there.

I'm not in favor of any form of test to measure a cache or a change in cache placing guidelines, all I suggest is that there be a source of information to inform people placing caches of how to rate their cache size. I think that unusual and odd size caches are a welcome change to the normal ammo cans and film canisters. I just think there ought to be some more descriptive terms to describe a cache size.

A sandwich size container should not be listed as a regular, and a decon shouldn't be listed as a micro, but I think this is ultimately up to the cache owner to make the decision, all anyone else can do is make suggestions of what a container's size is categorized as.

9.2k · October 31, 2005

I'm not in favor of any form of test to measure a cache or a change in cache placing guidelines, all I suggest is that there be a source of information to inform people placing caches of how to rate their cache size. I think that unusual and odd size caches are a welcome change to the normal ammo cans and film canisters. I just think there ought to be some more descriptive terms to describe a cache size.

Then once again, I will ask, what would you change in the Geocache Listing Requirements/Guidelines document, in the section on Cache Sizes, as quoted above? Theoretically, everyone who hides a cache has read that document, or at least they checked a box that says they did. :huh:

2.5k · October 31, 2005

Not saying it's perfect, but here goes.

Cache Types

Cache sizes for all caches that have a physical container.

Micro (35 mm film canister or smaller, typically containing only a logbook)

Small (Sandwich-sized Tupperware-style container or a container able to hold small trade items as well as a logbook.)

Regular (Tupperware-style container or ammo can, able to hold many different items of various sizes to trade. Can in most cases accept Travel Bugs. [put link to description])

Large (5 gallon bucket or larger)

October 31, 2005

My "small" caches are about 2.5" x 2" Smallish TBs have fit in them. A geocoin fit great! I love finding small/tiny TBs just so I can leave them in another small cache.

October 31, 2005

I've seen plenty of ammo-can caches that can't accommodate the smallest TB (or even a tiny thin mint) because they are absolutely stuffed full of stuff. Cache owners can get the size of the can exactly right--doesn't guarantee that there will be room in there for a TB.

The first TB we encountered in our caching career was a whopper--a 5"x5"x11" mannequin foot.

2.5k · October 31, 2005

If the cache is too full, take out some of the broken McToys and other things caches get crammed full of and leave a dollar or two to compensate.

Size Matters

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