Vehicle Static Cling/Decal/Magnet Travel Bugs?

[GeoTeam13646]

the idea is to turn your vehicle into a travelbug. it travels with you from one cache to the next, and other cachers can discover it when they see it there.

That sounds pretty neat. I think I will invest in those and some travel bug dog tags along with some geocoins.

[+humboldt flier]

Probably not a good idea to just up and take one to the next cache if you find one with keys still in the ignition. Tee, Hee, Hee.

 

A car with multi colored flashing lights might show up in your rearview.

[+SeekerOfTheWay]

That's awesome! i'm going to get one for my subaru! So, do you dip the car bug into each cache you find?

 

Or is it just for other cachers to find?

[+dfx]

That's awesome! i'm going to get one for my subaru! So, do you dip the car bug into each cache you find?

 

Or is it just for other cachers to find?

you can do it either way. some people use it as personal TB to track their mileage.

[+ngrrfan]

I activated my vehicle TB, and stuck it on my vehicle. Is there anything I else need to do?

 

Other than selling them, Geocaching.com doesn't really provide much information these, and they really are a different concept than the traditional TB.

That's all you do.

 

OH!!.... you do have to drive your vehicle so we can spot it. It doesn't do any good to have a TB on a vehicle that you never take out of the garage.

[DJStarkiss]

i found a travel bug in PA at the tribute to Fred one! its on the move again

[+tmwed4]

So, are you only supposed to discover one if it's at a cache?

[+dfx]

So, are you only supposed to discover one if it's at a cache?

yes. unless you physically took the car, of course. GTA anyone?

[+ngrrfan]

So, are you only supposed to discover one if it's at a cache?

yes. unless you physically took the car, of course. GTA anyone?

You can discover a vehicle TB wherever you see it. It doesn't have to be "at a cache".

 

For example, if you see my vehicle at Main and First Street as you are going grocery shopping, you can log it.

Neither of us is at a cache but you discovered my vehicle TB.

 

Or you are driving down the interstate on vacation and I pass you. You see the TB number and record it and log it as "Seen westbound on I-70 near Frisco, CO".

[cejs]

The vehicle travel bug also advertises that you might have expensive GPS equipment in your car. Is this something you want to advertise?

[+ngrrfan]

The vehicle travel bug also advertises that you might have expensive GPS equipment in your car. Is this something you want to advertise?

How do you arrive at this conclusion? The average person has no idea what the TB emblem is.

 

This is like saying "If you have a BMW or Audi or Lexus emblem on your car you may have expensive stuff in it."

[+BlueDeuce]

The vehicle travel bug also advertises that you might have expensive GPS equipment in your car. Is this something you want to advertise?

How do you arrive at this conclusion? The average person has no idea what the TB emblem is.

 

This is like saying "If you have a BMW or Audi or Lexus emblem on your car you may have expensive stuff in it."

 

I would think that the thief would have to know what a travel bug was in the first place. Mine's just the scarab beetle image with a number underneath it. Not much to go on.

[+jellis]

First time I saw one up in the Alpine area near Yosemite, it was sold only on one website as far as I know of. They sent me two bugs and two dog tags. That was back in 2007. Later that year they started showing up more. I like them because you get a nice surprise when someone logs in they saw your car in the park or a shopping center. Nice to know you are being noticed by another cacher. And yes only a cacher or someone who knows cachers knows you might have a gps. I have a Pyro sticker too. No one breaks into my car looking for fireworks.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Traded in my Dodge Durango a few weeks ago that had my TB sticker on the window. Waiting to see who logs it next!

[BCProspectors]

What is the idea behind vehicle travel bugs?

the idea is to turn your vehicle into a travelbug. ...

Very nice.

Edited July 7, 2010 by BCProspectors

[+roziecakes]

Discovering vehicle TBs is really a lot of fun I think, especially if I'm just randomly driving behind someone and I see their TB, even if I'm not out caching.

[+tmwed4]

This was on another thread and someone said the car had to be at a cache site... what is everyone's opinion on that? I'm thinking you can discover it anywhere.

[+dfx]

This was on another thread and someone said the car had to be at a cache site... what is everyone's opinion on that? I'm thinking you can discover it anywhere.

i think that was a misunderstanding

[+DragonflyTotem]

I have one...amazing though that I've only been discovered a couple of times and they were after I'd pointed them out to cachers who arrived at a cache while I was still there. Had it sitting in a parking lot at my office when I had a cache at the end of the lot (and made mention of looking for my vehicle TB while visiting the cache) and still no discovery. Even went to a meet and greet and no discoveries there. I even picked up a magnetic one from a cache and slapped it on the back of my vehicle right below my own stuck to the window, drove with it on a trip and while around town for a week before I sent it on its way...and still no discoveries! I do like that I have mine but at this point would be pretty shocked to have someone discover it!

[+northernpenguin]

I have one...amazing though that I've only been discovered a couple of times and they were after I'd pointed them out to cachers who arrived at a cache while I was still there. Had it sitting in a parking lot at my office when I had a cache at the end of the lot (and made mention of looking for my vehicle TB while visiting the cache) and still no discovery. Even went to a meet and greet and no discoveries there. I even picked up a magnetic one from a cache and slapped it on the back of my vehicle right below my own stuck to the window, drove with it on a trip and while around town for a week before I sent it on its way...and still no discoveries! I do like that I have mine but at this point would be pretty shocked to have someone discover it!

 

Visit one MEGA event and that'll change...... park near the registration desk.

[+TandPSeeker]

We just ordered our travel bug for the car, we will see how many times we are discovered. I do not think that the travel bug advertises the GPS, if you are parked most of us have our GPS units on us to go caching, not stored in the car

[+nelson crew]

One of the nice things about having the TB sticker on your rig is that when someone else pulls up to a GZ, they know the other people hanging around are also cachers. May not apply to everyone, but I don't like to give away where caches are hidden, so it's a bit of a "load off" to know I'm not going to have to worry about muggles. Well, not as much, anyway.

[+Twitch Hugs Trees]

I do not think that the travel bug advertises the GPS, if you are parked most of us have our GPS units on us to go caching, not stored in the car

 

Even if it is in my car: my gps isn't anything worth being stolen. The tomtom doesn't work, and the Magellan Explorist 100 isn't exactly high tech equipment. I think I saw one on ebay for five bucks a couple of weeks ago.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

This thought just struck me... since I traded in my Dodge Durango with my TB sticker still on the windows it's truly been set free to travel. Does that mean I now own the largest TB in the world?

[+t4e]

The vehicle travel bug also advertises that you might have expensive GPS equipment in your car. Is this something you want to advertise?

 

and if the car is parked they should also figure out that the GPS equipment is not in the car anymore

[+LovellbirdAndScatter]

My son "discovered" mine when he came to visit this past week....he said he spotted it where we had lunch, and explained that he was having lunch with me

 

He is the only one that has logged mine so far, but we are going to a caching breakfast event next weekend, so I am hoping someone there will log it

[+Harry Dolphin]

I followed one down the highway until we got to a red light - so I could read the number. I think his wife uses it to check on where he's been. "Please tell us where you saw the TB."

[+Mike & Jess]

ya know... I have often thought about how potentially embarassing these might be when you get a log on your tbs page like "Discovered this while driving down HWY 1, and was cut off by a raging tb" or "Discovered this one as it blew a red light... watching your gps while driving?"

not that I drive like a maniac...

 

I had a guy follow me just over 100km of hwy. He was driving pretty close at some points. I figured he was out looking for a race (my car attacts a lot of street racers). Long story short, pulled into a mall, he pulled in the parking spot behind me. He was trying to get the number to discover the TB.

[+GeoSibes]

I have my first vehicle TB and I am at a bit of a loss as to what a 'mission' can be for it, or how to describe it or give coordinates, without just holding up a flag and yelling 'here I am!'

 

What kind of info is provided for a VTB and how are coordinates and/or GPS used to find it?

 

I am kind of at a loss with what to do with it now that I have it!

 

Any suggestions on the above?

 

Thanks

 

GS

[+Twitch Hugs Trees]

Coords/GPS aren't used to find a travel bug, especially not a vehicle travelbug.

 

A typical mission is something along the lines of "To travel with me to all caches and events, meeting people" etc.

 

Add whatever info you want-- a backstory about the car, something interesting about it (like a sticker or something that means something to you)... Or don't say anything. It's up to you. Make and Model are nice details to add.

 

I have a car travelbug you can look at for ideas: Bette Bug

[BCProspectors]

In the Mission field be sure to enter "Not Available". Otherwise the default "travel from cache to cache" line will be displayed and it doesn't apply to vehicles.

[+Eartha]

Good information, merging with the Vehicle TB Thread, to keep all information all in one place, for all to see.

[+GeoSibes]

It seems to me that it'd be a good idea for Groundspeak to add a few features for trackables, specifically the ability to "dip" a trackable should be more streamlined, perhaps as its own option (that doesn't leave two logs) and it'd be a lot cooler if you could post coordinates for trackables you discover, letting peoples' personal trackables develop maps based on where they've been spotted, rather than just a list of who's discovered them.

 

There is no reason why you couldn't poost the coords!

[+GeoSibes]

Coords/GPS aren't used to find a travel bug, especially not a vehicle travelbug.

 

A typical mission is something along the lines of "To travel with me to all caches and events, meeting people" etc.

 

Add whatever info you want-- a backstory about the car, something interesting about it (like a sticker or something that means something to you)... Or don't say anything. It's up to you. Make and Model are nice details to add.

 

I have a car travelbug you can look at for ideas: Bette Bug

 

Thanks for the tips. I see by your logs that one cacher sais she 'retrieved it from a cache'. How exactly is that possible?

[+GeoSibes]

Here are some examples of what others a re doing:

 

99 lovers TB

 

Subaru Outback Tag

 

GMC Sierra - Aggie Wanderer Edition

 

Travel Bug Window Decale

 

StarBrand's Ride #1

 

_TeamFitz_ Toyota Rav4

 

And yet another! (I need the exposure! )

 

http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?id=3084310

 

[+GeoSibes]

WOW! 261 replies! Guess I started a major worldwide thread here!! Thanks for all the ideas and tips. Looks like this Car TB thing can evolve into all sorts of things!

 

Here is an idea. For those who drive their TB to work, or other functions where the TB will be located for any amount of time, edit the description to add the coords and possibly the times and days it will be at any one spot. It will take more attention to the GC file, but add a bit more fun,

 

Gold Jeep Travel Bug

Edited July 16, 2010 by GeoSibes

[+ngrrfan]

Here is an idea. For those who drive their TB to work, or other functions where the TB will be located for any amount of time, edit the description to add the coords and possibly the times and days it will be at any one spot. It will take more attention to the GC file, but add a bit more fun,

Uh.... No thanks. While the idea sounds nice, I want people to be observant and find it on their own.

[+BlueDeuce]

Here is an idea. For those who drive their TB to work, or other functions where the TB will be located for any amount of time, edit the description to add the coords and possibly the times and days it will be at any one spot. It will take more attention to the GC file, but add a bit more fun,

Uh.... No thanks. While the idea sounds nice, I want people to be observant and find it on their own.

 

Heck, if you are that intent on logging a cacher set up a go-caching time.

[+GeoSibes]

Here is an idea. For those who drive their TB to work, or other functions where the TB will be located for any amount of time, edit the description to add the coords and possibly the times and days it will be at any one spot. It will take more attention to the GC file, but add a bit more fun,

Uh.... No thanks. While the idea sounds nice, I want people to be observant and find it on their own.

 

True if you work at home, or at a 7-11, but if you work where there are hundreds of cars in a lot, one would need to be fairly observant! ;-)

[+Manville Possum]

I have discovered a few at geoevents, and had to have one of my own. I also love the trackable geocacher geopatch that Groundspeak sells, I really had to have me one of those for my geobag. I may use it as proof of a vist in some EC photos now that Rule 6 in the EC guidelines has changed making some photo requirements ALR. Where another user discovers it at is not an issue with me, as some users post their tracking numbers on their avatar on GC. That's how I found out about them.

[+BlueDeuce]

I have discovered a few at geoevents, and had to have one of my own. I also love the trackable geocacher geopatch that Groundspeak sells, I really had to have me one of those for my geobag. I may use it as proof of a vist in some EC photos now that Rule 6 in the EC guidelines has changed making some photo requirements ALR. Where another user discovers it at is not an issue with me, as some users post their tracking numbers on their avatar on GC. That's how I found out about them.

 

Sounds like a good way to get your bug locked.

 

AND THIS MOST IMPORTANT ONE:

If you log a bogus virtual log on a TB, or offer your own TB up for virtual logging you will risk having that TB page locked forever. This means, if you never saw a bug, but got the bug number and you log it, that bug is in risk of being taken out of the game. Don't do this to TB owners who inadvertently might post a photo, or someone else posts a photo, of their TB number. Don't log it virtually. It's considered abuse of the system. And it's not fair play.

 

This post has been edited by Eartha: Apr 12 2010, 06:45 PM

[+vds]

Sounds like a good way to get your bug locked.

 

Can you explain what getting a bug "locked" means ?

 

Are TPTB running amok rules-crazy with bugs now too ?

Man there sure seem like a lot of rules.

[+Manville Possum]

Yes, can someone please explain. I try to play by the rules, which seem to be getting too many anymore to keep the game enjoyable. Dang, sounds like GC has a way to MUGGLE your TB for good online.

[+BlueDeuce]

Sounds like a good way to get your bug locked.

 

Can you explain what getting a bug "locked" means ?

 

Are TPTB running amok rules-crazy with bugs now too ?

Man there sure seem like a lot of rules.

 

That 'rule' has been in place for well over five years so I don't see much amock running going on.

Edited July 23, 2010 by BlueDeuce

[+Manville Possum]

Sounds like a good way to get your bug locked.

 

Can you explain what getting a bug "locked" means ?

 

Are TPTB running amok rules-crazy with bugs now too ?

Man there sure seem like a lot of rules.

 

That 'rule' has been in place for well over five years so I don't see much amock running going on.

BlueDeuce, where can I find that rule, or any of the others as far as that goes. I'm not trying to be a smart-cache, my question is legit. I almost made a mistake with MY trackable it seems. The way that I discovered the geopatch that Groundspeak sells was by tracking the icon to the users profile, I have it on my tracking list and users are logging that they found it on Facebook also.

Thanks.

 

Would you think that we should take this subject to the "What newbies need to know about TB's" thread?

I am not a newbie, but I missed some subjects in TB's 101 because I was out getting cached or something.

Edited July 23, 2010 by Manville Possum Hunters

[+BlueDeuce]

BlueDeuce, where can I find that rule, or any of the others as far as that goes. I'm not trying to be a smart-cache, my question is legit. I almost made a mistake with MY trackable it seems. The way that I discovered the geopatch that Groundspeak sells was by tracking the icon to the users profile, I have it on my tracking list and users are logging that they found it on Facebook also.

Thanks.

 

Would you think that we should take this subject to the "What newbies need to know about TB's" thread?

I am not a newbie, but I missed some subjects in TB's 101 because I was out getting cached or something.

 

I'm not aware of it being formally listed on the website other than here, but trust me it's enforced. Typically the cacher is notified and given the chance to remove the improper logs.

 

Another way to get a lock is to release multiple bugs with the same tracking number.

 

Profanity and pornography of course is always a quick response. That'll get you banned as well.

[+Manville Possum]

BlueDeuce, where can I find that rule, or any of the others as far as that goes. I'm not trying to be a smart-cache, my question is legit. I almost made a mistake with MY trackable it seems. The way that I discovered the geopatch that Groundspeak sells was by tracking the icon to the users profile, I have it on my tracking list and users are logging that they found it on Facebook also.

Thanks.

 

Would you think that we should take this subject to the "What newbies need to know about TB's" thread?

I am not a newbie, but I missed some subjects in TB's 101 because I was out getting cached or something.

 

I'm not aware of it being formally listed on the website other than here, but trust me it's enforced. Typically the cacher is notified and given the chance to remove the improper logs.

 

Another way to get a lock is to release multiple bugs with the same tracking number.

 

Profanity and pornography of course is always a quick response. That'll get you banned as well.

Yes, I can understand the multiple bugs and the nasty stuff. But if it it is a rule to be followed that you have discover the TB in person and not by other means, then it should be written IMO. Maybe I have just not searched far enough in the right place. I still plan on taking photos of my goeopatch and posting on this site, but will make sure to cover the tracking numbers. I would not post the tracking numbers of any of my other trackables, I just missed the concept of the Geopatch. Thanks for the information, glad I posted first. I also understand the issues that the trackables mission is to be discovered, why not a mission to be shared and discovered on Facebook, ect...? I should be able to choose the TB's mission, as long as it is not profane or something like that.

Edited July 24, 2010 by Manville Possum Hunters

[+vds]

Sounds like a good way to get your bug locked.

 

Can you explain what getting a bug "locked" means ?

 

Are TPTB running amok rules-crazy with bugs now too ?

Man there sure seem like a lot of rules.

 

That 'rule' has been in place for well over five years so I don't see much amock running going on.

 

FWIW, I've been around here since March-2002 and things have continually gotten more rule crazy over time. I just don't understand why such rules are thought to be needed anyway. But so it goes.

 

Regardless, please fill us all in on where exactly such an apparently long-existing rule is actually documented so we can all learn. Sounds like 'double secret probation' or something.

 

You also didn't explain what 'locked' means nor what triggers TPTB taking action.

[+Manville Possum]

Sounds like a good way to get your bug locked.

 

Can you explain what getting a bug "locked" means ?

 

Are TPTB running amok rules-crazy with bugs now too ?

Man there sure seem like a lot of rules.

 

That 'rule' has been in place for well over five years so I don't see much amock running going on.

 

FWIW, I've been around here since March-2002 and things have continually gotten more rule crazy over time. I just don't understand why such rules are thought to be needed anyway. But so it goes.

 

Regardless, please fill us all in on where exactly such an apparently long-existing rule is actually documented so we can all learn. Sounds like 'double secret probation' or something.

 

You also didn't explain what 'locked' means nor what triggers TPTB taking action.

Yes, I would like to know more about the rules concerning how your TB can be discovered. I almost made an honest mistake by thinking that I could use my Geopatch in some EC photos, that's pretty darn good proof that you actually visited the site IMO. I have no issue with how a cacher discovers mine. It is like the Vehicle TB's where another user only has the option to discover or write a note for the TB. The way I "read" this rule, It does not include Geopatches and Vehicle decal TB's with a mission to be discovered, and to include where you discovered it in your log. Having your bug locked I can kinda understand. Sort of like my unpublished listing that I use as a refrence point for my trackables, I also used to store them there also, but the new collection feature on GC will take care of where I keep my collectables. I can view that cache, but you can't. But locked would likely mean that the page would be not viewable, and the TB # still active as locked? And I can understand that this need be in some cases. Sounds like you get a fair warning first. I in no way doubt the BlueDeuce is correct on this issue that a TB can be locked, they are a VERY savvy and helpful user. What concerns me is even BlueDeuce can't point to this written rule, or at least has not yet. I did see a comment from Eartha about virtual logging of TB's, and it being considered "not fair play" to do so, which I would not want to log someones collection as discovered, just like seeing on a log where someone writes that they took TB #GCXYZ or something. Yes rules need to be in place for TB's, but they need be avalible for TB owners to view, maybe they are?

[+Manville Possum]

O.K. here it is:

 

1.1. Groundspeak Travel Bugs

What is a Groundspeak Travel Bug?

 

Simply put, a Groundspeak Travel Bug is a metal tag. You can attach to an item of your choosing to it, such as a toy, book, doll, keychain, a cement block, a live dog or even a vehicle. The code stamped onto the metal tag is unique and allows that item to be tracked on Geocaching.com. The item becomes a hitchhiker that is carried from cache to cache (or person to person) in the real world; and you can follow its progress online. It is a way for you to live vicariously through inanimate objects.

 

Key words are "in the real world". Simply put, no virtual logging of TB's.

Also check out the thread on Facebook finds in the TB forum.

 

Now comes the good part, my Geopatch and Vehicle decal TB's are NOT metal tags. Are they exempt? IMHO, under this wording, yes. They are not metal tags as discribed here, they are another form of a TB.