The ever-popular Altoids-tin cache hides...

[+Kabuthunk]

This question has been sticking in my mind for quite a while now. Mainly because of one reason.

 

Taking a general look at all of the Altoids-tin hides that I've found so far (probably about 20 or so at this point... I've only got 100 finds to my name thus far), up in Winnipeg, it's about a 50/50 split as to whether it's categorized as a Micro or as a Small. I've always considered them a 'small', since they're able to hold something vaguely resembling an actual small notebook (instead of those annoying rolled up log sheets), and usually has room to trade small items, like keychains, coins, even the occasional tiny travel bug. I can see the reasoning of why some would consider it Micro, because well... they're still frickin' small .

 

Hence... I was looking for the general consensus as to what an Altoids tin would be considered. I notice geocaching.com's guidelines don't specify Altoids tin, but it indicates a Micro as "35mm film canister or smaller", or something to that effect. It's definitely not smaller than a film canister, but what say the board? Should the Micro definition be migrated to Altoids-tin size or smaller, or is it a Small cache?

[+GreyingJay]

I think I've found a number of those Altoids tin caches in Winnipeg

 

I'd personally call them "small". They're certainly bigger than 35mm film cans, which is my point of reference for a micro.

 

I'm not so sure how much of a fan I am anymore of Altoids tins, though, having seen one at a cache nearby my house which has degenerated into a perforated and rusty pile of trash. The owner apparently doesn't care for maintenance. If you were planning to hide one, make sure you place it out of the elements and maybe give it a spray-over with Tremclad rust paint.

Edited October 13, 2006 by GreyingJay

[+sbell111]

I consider them 'small'.

[+baloo&bd]

Small

[+briansnat]

All Altoid tins I've found have been listed as micros, as are my two caches in Altoids tins. I'm pretty sure this website used to list Altoids tins as an example of a micro on the cache submission page.

 

To me a small cache is a about decon box size, or approximately the size of an average adults fist.

 

That said, they are among the worst containers you can possibly use.

Edited October 13, 2006 by briansnat

[+StarBrand]

Would that be before or after the inevitable rust forms inside and out??

 

I call them micros.

[+nfa]

I think of them as small, but on the small side of small...maybe a large micro...my confusion is likely why I have never hidden one...

 

Jamie - NFA

[+hikergps]

 

small

 

and

 

 

micro.

[+Maingray]

Same as NFA..a small small. They then become a micro after they rust a while.

 

My vague self-formed description for a "small" cache is can it comfortably hold an uncut TB tag with room for a small traveler + log book.

Edited October 13, 2006 by Maingray

[+Team Snorkasaurus]

In my area most Altoids-tin caches are listed as micros and so that is how I have become accustomed to thinking about them... A large micro. Considering how truly miniscule some micros are, I can see why they would be considered by many to be a small. Either way, they leak and become rusty so quickly as to be almost useless as a cache container unless it is entirely sheltered from the elements.

[+emurock]

Small

[+Kabuthunk]

Oh yes, I don't question it's ability to rust like there's no tomorrow, and don't offhand plan on ever planting a cache in an Altoids tin... but yeah, it was mainly just a curiosity as to what to name it. So at the next MBGA meeting, I can suggest that we get some consistancy with them, since they DO appear to be popular for some reason.

[+Prime Suspect]

A standard Altiods tin would be a Small. But "Small" is a fairly recent addition, so you may find older caches listing them as Micros, because Small wasn't available at the time.

[+Kealia]

Micro.

 

And ditto what Briansnat said below.

 

To me a small cache is a about decon box size, or approximately the size of an average adults fist.

 

[+Stunod]

Micro.

 

And ditto what Briansnat said below.

 

To me a small cache is a about decon box size, or approximately the size of an average adults fist.

 

 

I'll ditto this too.

 

My rule of thumb is that if it will hold a golfball, it's a small. Anything smaller is micro.

[+Blucruz]

Nano-Small! If we can have a Nano-Micro why not a Nano-Small?

[+Jhwk]

small

[+alexrudd]

Micro. I've never seen one with any trade items or anything more that a typical micro scrap of log folded up in a plastic bag.

[AZcachemeister]

Micro.

 

And ditto what Briansnat said below.

 

To me a small cache is a about decon box size, or approximately the size of an average adults fist.

 

 

I'll ditto this too.

 

My rule of thumb is that if it will hold a golfball, it's a small. Anything smaller is micro.

 

Small.

Many of these have trades in my area, and the climate ie amenable to them.

If it can hold a golf ball, I trash the #$&% thing out (the ball) and leave something useful!