another newbie

[+juggalo30]

i was surfing the web one night and found this site. Since i like being outdoors with my two year old daughter i tought i would give this a try, so i guess what im trying to say is there any tips or tricks of the trade that would be helpful in get a dad and his daughter started on the right path?

[+juggalo30]

i was surfing the web one night and found this site. Since i like being outdoors with my two year old daughter i tought i would give this a try, so i guess what im trying to say is there any tips or tricks of the trade that would be helpful in get a dad and his daughter started on the right path?

[+Miragee]

Welcome to the Forums!

 

Do you already have a handheld GPS receiver? If not, what is your budget for one?

[+juggalo30]

i did some looking around on the internet i found a good starter unit was the magellan meridian, and i found one on ebay for 40 bucks plus shipping. i thought i was a good deal. if anyone has a better gps unit in mind im open to all ideas. if i had to but a new one im willing to spend up to 250.00. is there any tools or supplies i should get to make a caching bag to take along while hutning? thaks for all the help ya'll can offer.

[+Miragee]

You want a GPSr that will connect to your computer with a USB cable.

 

If you are checking eBay, I would recommend looking for the discontinued Garmin eTrex Legend C or Vista C. Those are excellent units that can auto-route you when you purchase the additional mapping software. Garmin has excellent Customer Service, should you need it. Magellans . . . not so much.

 

For a good deal on the current Garmin models, take a look at the Venture Cx. It has the data card for much more map storage.

 

I use a Mountainsmith Lumbar pack to hold my caching gear. It holds two 32 ounce water bottles as well as the other items I consider essential, Leatherman, First Aid kit, "swag," digital camera, etc.

[vtmtnman]

You may want peruse the GPS units and software section of the forum,there's always good info in there.For starting out,I'd recommend one of the etrex series by Garmin(Magellan folks could you recommend a starter unit?)READ THE MANUAL no matter what GPS you get.Make sure it's set to WGS84 map datum!!Once you find a cache,rehide the cache as you find it,always trade even if you take an item,and have fun.

 

Also,just incase you missed it,you can't change your username.

[+Miragee]

<snip>

 

Also,just incase you missed it,you can't change your username.

Now why would you want to empasize that . . .

 

[vtmtnman]

<snip>

 

Also,just incase you missed it,you can't change your username.

Now why would you want to empasize that . . .

 

I have no clue why, just a hunch.

 

EDIT-And that was just on the first three pages of the search.In THIS sub-topic...

Edited June 17, 2007 by vtmtnman

[+Boot Group]

Once you're all set with a GPS, you'll probably only want to try 1/1 caches. That means 1 difficulty, 1 terrain on a 1-5 scale.

[+juggalo30]

thanks you guys have been a big help! we are going after our 1st cache tomorrow on our way home in edenton nc, wish us luck.

Edited June 17, 2007 by juggalo30

[+Miragee]

Good luck! Have fun! Avoid the "Micros."

[+Chuy!]

What kind of GPS do you have?

 

EasyGPS is a very user-friendly program to manage your waypoints and upload to your GPS.

 

To get started, download coords from webpage, or click on the 'find nearby caches' link to download up to 20 at a time. If you encounter any problems or have other questions/comments, let us know.

[+StarBrand]

Start with larger containers and low terrain/Difficulty ratings for your first few caches. Find a local organization and attend one of thier meetings. And always have fun. When the fun metter hits zero - it is time for me to move on to another cache.

[+p-luv]

I would say to start out with some urban caches. Stay away from the caches in the woods for a bit, They tend to be much harder and a little more dangerous. Read the star rating for the cache. The fewer stars the better. Also look at the attributes for the cache. Ones that are kid friendly are excelent for beginers aswell. Once you feel you are ready to tackle some harder caches go up slowly. If you try to jump to the hard, Puzzle, Or long multi caches you might get discouraged. So keep it simple in the begining and enjy the hunt.

[+StarBrand]

I would say to start out with some urban caches. Stay away from the caches in the woods for a bit, They tend to be much harder and a little more dangerous.

 

Depends on who you are and where you are from I suppose but around here the rural caches tend to be a bit easier and much more scenic and much larger containers.

[+Knight2000]

I would say to start out with some urban caches. Stay away from the caches in the woods for a bit, They tend to be much harder and a little more dangerous.

 

Depends on who you are and where you are from I suppose but around here the rural caches tend to be a bit easier and much more scenic and much larger containers.

I agree with StarBrand. In most cases i think non-urban caches are larger and not as stressful to find. Who wants to search with people all around you? Most likely a much larger container too.

 

Have fun and keep us updated on how it goes.

[+juggalo30]

thanks for the advice i was hoping to go after my first cache today but do to an last minute chage of plans could not go. its really reading all about the sport and how much fun can be had doing it!

[+Knight2000]

thanks for the advice i was hoping to go after my first cache today but do to an last minute chage of plans could not go. its really reading all about the sport and how much fun can be had doing it!

You will find lots of great information on these forums. Although i can't get the search feature to work for small words, it is handy when searching for information about caching.

[+Tank22]

I too am faily new to geocaching. I take my two year old daugther out. We currently have 14 finds. We try to stay within 20 miles of home. Try to look for caches no more than a 3 star difuculty. Make sure to use lots of sun screen and bug spay. And make suer that if there is play equipmet near the cache I let my daughter play for a while. Because even the best two year old in the world can only take so much caching with out a break. Have fun. One of my daughters favorite things to do with Daddy is as she calls it "treasure hunting."

[+HaLiJuSaPa]

I too am faily new to geocaching. I take my two year old daugther out. We currently have 14 finds. We try to stay within 20 miles of home. Try to look for caches no more than a 3 star difuculty. Make sure to use lots of sun screen and bug spay. And make suer that if there is play equipmet near the cache I let my daughter play for a while. Because even the best two year old in the world can only take so much caching with out a break. Have fun. One of my daughters favorite things to do with Daddy is as she calls it "treasure hunting."

 

As someone whose daughter was 2 when she first went caching with us (she's going to be 4 next month) I couldn't have put it any better myself! Bravo......

[+Miragee]

I would say to start out with some urban caches. . . .

No, don't. Please . . .

 

The rural, hiking, or park caches are much nicer, and easier to find than cleverly-cammoed urban micros, or non-cleverly cammoed film canisters under a lamp post skirt. The very first cache I found was an ammo can under a pile of rocks on a nice trail. I'm so glad that was how I started this activity.

[+YachtRocker]

One of my daughters favorite things to do with Daddy is as she calls it "treasure hunting."

 

Thats exactly what my kids call it to, "Treasure Hunting", this is a lot of fun to do with kids especially when they are the ones who find the treasure.

[+HaLiJuSaPa]

I would say to start out with some urban caches. . . .

No, don't. Please . . .

 

The rural, hiking, or park caches are much nicer, and easier to find than cleverly-cammoed urban micros, or non-cleverly cammoed film canisters under a lamp post skirt. The very first cache I found was an ammo can under a pile of rocks on a nice trail. I'm so glad that was how I started this activity.

 

And most of the truly "urban" ones are micros that will bore the crap out of little kids anyway.

[vtmtnman]

I would say to start out with some urban caches. . . .

No, don't. Please . . .

 

The rural, hiking, or park caches are much nicer, and easier to find than cleverly-cammoed urban micros, or non-cleverly cammoed film canisters under a lamp post skirt. The very first cache I found was an ammo can under a pile of rocks on a nice trail. I'm so glad that was how I started this activity.

My first was a multi.It ended with an ammo can in a place you'd never think there would be an ammo can.The best part was I'd been sitting/walking/fishing over the spot where the can is I don't know how many times.I GUESS you could call it an urban cache....if a town of 1000 is urban to you.But it sure wasn't a hike in the woods.The great thing about that cache is it taught me the little everyday spots you can find.

 

When you go to look for caches,enjoy yourself...just remember that there is no standard for 'what everone likes' in a cache,reguardless what the forum folks say.Seek what you like...hide what you like.

[+boda]

I've taken both my sons caching. My youngest is more into it than his older brother. He really enjoys holding the GPSr and following the arrow. His eyes light up when he finds the treasure before dear ol' dad.

 

BTW, he turned 34 a couple of months ago and, last year, took his 1 week old son on some really awesome short hike caches right near home in Colorado Springs.

 

Just enjoy the family time, and go to some nice caches in your area. Parks are a good place to find some "urban" caches. While I don't recommend micro caches for someone just starting out; kids are the perfect cover when finding those urban caches requiring stealth.

[vtmtnman]

I'm surprised the mods haven't closed this duplicate topic....

[+HaLiJuSaPa]

I've taken both my sons caching. My youngest is more into it than his older brother. He really enjoys holding the GPSr and following the arrow. His eyes light up when he finds the treasure before dear ol' dad.

 

BTW, he turned 34 a couple of months ago and, last year, took his 1 week old son on some really awesome short hike caches right near home in Colorado Springs.

 

Just enjoy the family time, and go to some nice caches in your area. Parks are a good place to find some "urban" caches. While I don't recommend micro caches for someone just starting out; kids are the perfect cover when finding those urban caches requiring stealth.

 

We are specialists in what I call creating "urban woods" hides. You'd be surprised what's out there even in the biggest of cities. They are perfect to take the kiddies too.

[+briansnat]

I'm surprised the mods haven't closed this duplicate topic....

 

One mod just merged them.

[+juggalo30]

ok guy heres and update, My wife and I and our 2yr old daughter just had our first find. itwas fun taking the little one she was a blast to watch. Altought it was a micro we found but she just loved being outside with us. Now i know why i wanted to get started in this. The time i can spend with her and my wife. So much fun, we are planing a weekend trek to go cache hunting. thanks for the help and advice. i bought a etrex gps, should be here at the end of the week. thanks again and good hunting to you all!