Give a Gift of GeoCache?

[+Jerie]

Hi

 

I’ve heard of GeoCache but never participated in this sport. It sounds like something my family would enjoy.

 

There is a wonderful family of 6 that I need to buy a Christmas gift for. These are our best friends and for some reason I thought of GeoCache. I think this family would love the sport – they are very active.

 

How do I give a gift of GeoCache??? Buy a GPS and a book? Which would be the best entry GPS?

 

Do you like this idea or think I’m nuts??? :-)

 

Jeri

[+StarBrand]

I think that would be a lovely gift!!

 

For an entry level GPSr, I'd go with the Garmin Etrex "H" model (the "H" is important). About $90.

 

If you can spend a bit more, they might enjoy the Garmin venture HC. Color Screen, longer battery life, USB connection, rugged, routable mapping. About $170. Again the "H" is important.

 

Several good books out there. Might also condider giving thema gift membership - $30 per year to the website.

 

The sad part is: you'll never see your friends again unless you are out Geocachign together!!

[+Styk]

"Danger.....Danger, Will Robinson...." CAching is AdIcTiVe!!

Edited December 4, 2007 by stickman756

[+PaRacers]

Excellent idea Jerie! A gift of family Joy and Happiness....what could be better?

Edited December 4, 2007 by PaRacers

[knowschad]

I'd have to strongly disagree with the other replies. Unless you know for sure that this family will enjoy it, you're gambling. People either love this activity or find it to be a ridiculous waste of time.

 

I gave my first GPS to my brother-in-law as a Christmas present, and this was after I had taken him on a cache and he said that he thought that he could "get into it". He's a very outdoors-y guy, loves to go for walks & kayak, etc. But he hasn't used it once in two years.

[GeoPirates2007]

For a little more effort you could give them a set of clues and hide the GPSr in a cache that you hide somewhere. Make them work for it

[+joranda]

I think a Garmin Extreme Legend would be the right one for them to start out with. That's the first one I used and it works great for beginners. And the price has come down alot. I bought my son one last year for X-mas and spent arond 99 dollars for it.

[+Jerie]

Thanks Everyone!

 

I know very little about GeoCaching – my husband knows even less. But, he too thought this would be a good gift for our dear friends.

 

KnowsChad – I understand where you are coming from and if they don’t like it they can give it back to us and we’ll try it out (probably do so anyway) :-)

 

CashKing63 - For a little more effort you could give them a set of clues and hide the GPSr in a cache that you hide somewhere. Make them work for it

 

I LOVE this idea! Can you elaborate further? I have no idea how to begin…

 

Thanks for the recommendations on the GPS devices! I’m excited about this.

[+Jerie]

I’m having trouble discerning which GPS devices you are all talking about. What does the “H” stand for?

 

Could you perhaps post a link to the models you are recommending???

 

Thanks!

[Uberquandary]

The eTrex H is a yellow device that is cheap and can be found at most sporting goods stores. The H stands for High-sensitivity receiver and it makes a big difference. I started out with the yellow etrex (no H back then). I'm not sure but it might be the cheapest meat-and-potatoes unit you can buy.

[+Jerie]

I’m compiling a list of appropriate units. How does this look? Feel free to vote for your favorite or add/delete as you see fit! :-)

 

From Amazon (is there a better place to shop for these?):

 

Garmin eTrex H ($93)

Garmin eTrex Venture HC ($162)

Garmin eTrex Summit HC ($195)

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx ($210)

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx ($238)

[groundhog123]

I’m compiling a list of appropriate units. How does this look? Feel free to vote for your favorite or add/delete as you see fit! :-)

 

From Amazon (is there a better place to shop for these?):

 

Garmin eTrex H ($93)

Garmin eTrex Venture HC ($162)

Garmin eTrex Summit HC ($195)

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx ($210)

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx ($238)

 

Hey Jerie,

 

If you are thinking of spending as much as 238 bucks, I have an idea. Buy the Etrex H for your friends at $93 and then buy the Venture HC for me at $162. That would only be 255 dollars, just a wee bit more than the Vista HCx. You would be happy, your friends would be happy and I would be happy! Just kidding. All units would be fine except I think the Etrex H has no mapping capabilities. All the others do. 238 dollars will buy a receiver that is no more accurate than a 93 dollar receiver on the other hand. If I am wrong, someone will set me straight.

[+Miragee]

I’m compiling a list of appropriate units. How does this look? Feel free to vote for your favorite or add/delete as you see fit! :-)

 

From Amazon (is there a better place to shop for these?):

 

Garmin eTrex H ($93)

Garmin eTrex Venture HC ($162)

Garmin eTrex Summit HC ($195)

Garmin eTrex Legend HCx ($210)

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx ($238)

I purchased my Vista HCx from The Nerds. Even without paying for expedited shipping, it arrived just three days after I ordered it. Offroute.com is also recommended by other people. You might check Pricegrabber to see how much the prices vary and which places charge taxes and shipping, and which do not.

[+kraushad]

www.compuplus.com will save you money on the units but charge $15 for shipping. For my location it would save me around $6 going with compuplus (and I have used them in the past with complete satisfaction).

 

May not be worth it depending on where you are shipping it to, or if you prefer to remain with Amazon due to reputation.

 

Not sure about the other units.

Edited December 6, 2007 by kraushad

[Uberquandary]

I got my Summit HC at onsale.com for (don't tell anyone) $140. I think they misspelled the price, but we got a deal on it anyhow.