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Want to know what I will need (and a couple other questions)


jooles895

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A few weeks ago, we bought a 2006 Honda Pilot with a navigation system. We just realized about a week ago that we can get coordinates through the nav system, but only for where we are at the moment. So we attempted our first cache over the weekend - very simple, in a small park near our home, but it was difficult to pinpoint the cache because we could only get coordinates for the road closest to the cache and not the cache itself. We did eventually find it - yay! - but now we want to invest in a handheld to help us from our car to the cache. So, my question is - what do I need? I feel like I just need something simple cause the nav in our car can take us to the general area and give us turn-by-turn instructions. Anyone else do it this way?

 

Also, can someone explain what coins are to me? I get the TB concept, but I was just reading another post and it was talking about coins. Thanks for anyhelp or advice...

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I started caching with an eTrex Legend and I still recommend it as the best overall value I have seen for a basic GPS unit. We kept the Legends when we upgraded to units with auto-routing so we would have them to lend to guests (and for use in my science classes).

 

Coins are tokens made of metal. Most are geocaching related, but many are quite artistic. Coins can function like other TBs, except that they are also in demand as collectors items. Some coins are only traded for other coins, some are sold outright, and some are set out to travel like any other TB. Take a look over in the coin forum for some examples.

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For caching, if you already have a navigator, you need the simplest of GPS receiver. I started with an eXplorist 100, but have since then upgraded to an eXplorist 210. The 210 can be connected to a computer to download waypoints. It also has rudimentary (base-)map. But the value of the map is certainly questionable. You really don't need the map if you have a navigator.

 

That's my recommendation: buy the cheapest GPSr you can find. Choose one that you can connect to a computer if you want to go geocaching often or many caches at a time. For the odd cache on weekends even that isn't necessary.

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A few weeks ago, we bought a 2006 Honda Pilot with a navigation system. We just realized about a week ago that we can get coordinates through the nav system, but only for where we are at the moment. So we attempted our first cache over the weekend - very simple, in a small park near our home, but it was difficult to pinpoint the cache because we could only get coordinates for the road closest to the cache and not the cache itself. We did eventually find it - yay! - but now we want to invest in a handheld to help us from our car to the cache. So, my question is - what do I need? I feel like I just need something simple cause the nav in our car can take us to the general area and give us turn-by-turn instructions. Anyone else do it this way?

 

Also, can someone explain what coins are to me? I get the TB concept, but I was just reading another post and it was talking about coins. Thanks for anyhelp or advice...

 

This info. may help.

 

From what I have read I am convinced the Magellan Platinum is superior to the newer units. I have used them for years and currently have 4 , 2 of which I got on ebay. They have a 3 axis compass, sd card slot, sunken-large screen, wonderfull operating buttons, quad-helix antenna all of which the new ones lack ( some have some features, but not all) The Mapsend software works great with these.....I'm including a list which may be of use to you......it was posted by a couple of us on our states website. You can get these on EBAY with extras.

 

LIST OF USUFULL GEOCACHING ITEMS

I can’t say that mine is better than any other because I have only used 1 other. But my Magellan Meridian Color with Mapsend Software gets the job done. I can carry the whole Southeast US on my 500 mb sd card and have plenty of room for more. That includes dirt and gravel roads. Last summer, I lead a column of cars carrying 19 people across the Florida countryside in the middle of the night for 4 hours, and I did it from the rear of the column via CB radio. Missing signs were not a problem. That’s real-time mapping capability in a practical application. Superior signal stability under harsh conditions, etc, etc. So Watcha, what kind of Magellan are you using? And what did you do to provoke it?

 

Doggy is right.......again.

Bamette and I each use a Meridian Platinum ( Magellan) with Directroute Software and I have a Platinum for a spare. With the SD card capability you can store maps, lists of caches, etc. ( an immense amount) and you also have an electronic compass, big screen, easy to use buttons, and maintain a lock under heavy canopy for hours. I also have two Garmins but the Platinums are the way to go.

Grab you a couple of Palms on ebay, download spinner and plucker, and you're good to go. On a cross country trip you could load dozens of spinner files ( one for each city?) on your Magellans SD card and use plucker to put each one on your Palm, charge your batteries, and you're ready for weeks of caching ( you can also get the Platinum GPS on ebay w/ lots of extras for about $150.).

 

A convenient holster will give you a place to carry and protect your gpsr. A PDA holster will do the same for your PDA. An adaptor for your cig lighter will stretch your batteries life. A probe will help you avoid biting varmints. A mirror with an intense pocket flashlight will get you past those out-of-sighters. I like to use a lensatic compass for precision. I also use a wrist compass clipped to my watchband for qlance orientation. That’s just on the weekends of course. I like it so much that I’m looking for 2 more, one for my dress watch and the other for my son. I guess they’re out of season? If you are really loaded for bear, bring along a metal detector. If the cache has a coin in it or is made of metal, it will give you the edge. I guess that’s about it. I’m not saying I do that. It’s an interesting thought though

 

To add to the geocache tool list you must buy a top of the line MAHA battery charger ( I use three) and a supply of MAHA POWERX Ni MH batteries .....these are the best made ( don't take my word for it, look it up ) then you will have plenty of batteries for your digital camera ( my wife and I each carry one), GPS unit, flashlights etc.

For a small , powerfull flashlight you can't beat a Surefire L4 Digital Lumamax ( 5 blinding watts of LED driven by two 3 volt lithium batteries.....the batteries are $15 for a box of twelve and have a 10 year shelf life....kind of pricy but well worth it...will light up the woods.

I don't know if the most important thing was mentioned....a good walking stick. Local cachers and special guests can get one free at the View Carre' cache.......don't leave your car without your stick.

Also a small pocket screwdriver for digging out micro logs and other probing.

AND DON’T FORGET TO BRING A PENCIL.

LIST From Above :

 

1. Magellan Meridian Platinum GPS Unit + Belt Holster (EBAY- If you will have a regular partner , get two )

2. Palm M500 PDA and case ( ebay- buy an extra for backup )

3. 12” metal probe for searching tree cavities etc. for micro caches

4. 2 “ or 3” extension mirror

5. Small, intense flashlight ( Surefire L4 Digital Lumamax )

6. Pencil

7. Sharpie ( Fine Point)

8. Cotton Gloves

9. Pocket Screwdriver

10. Walking stick

11. Plastimo Iris 50 Hand Bearing Compass ( Great for offset caches)

12. C401FSDC MAHA NiMH Battery Charger

13. Maha 2500 mAh NiMH PowerX AA Batteries (GPS,camera,flashlights,etc. )

14. Digital Camera

15. Access to computer w/ internet connection ( premium membership in geocaching.com is best )

 

INFORMATION ON PAPERLESS CACHING

 

I got started with step by step info. I got from the Florida Geocaching website and I keep copies here at my View Carre' cache to hand out to others. I am not hi tech and can't quite use my cell phone but this guide is can't miss. If you can't find it email me and I can fax it to you.

 

http://www.floridageocaching.com/paperless.htm = step by step instructions.

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OK, I hate to go against the tide here, but I think that I would opt for one of the new Garmin Etrex Venture Cx units....They have all the features of the Legends, BUT they also have expansion capablity with a micro-sd slot. This will be a very handy feature to have as you progress in your geo-adventures, you will be able to store maps, waypoints, etc on cards and not be a slave to the memory available in your GPSr. They are available at Wally World online for 198 + shipping, then there is the $50 dollar rebate, which brings your cost down to 148 + shipping. Thats only $30 more than the basic Legend model. The beauty of Wally World is that if you buy it on-line and don't like it, or it doesn't work, or whatever.....just take it back to your nearest Wally, no worries... :)

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