The Hi-Vis Vest Test - http://bit.ly/9I0o36

[russ1985uk]

Just browsing some blogs written by other geocachers and I came across Coxydude's blog post about a novel way to avoid being caught geocaching in built-up urban areas.

 

Find out more at: http://bit.ly/9I0o36

[Clan Riffster]

A vest, a metal clipboard, sometimes a hardhat. Perfect urban camo.

[Chumpo]

I have used that method several times. I also wear an electrician's tool belt for extra (in)visibility on occasion. It is VERY effective.

[+thedeadpirate]

I use a Jazzy Jet 3. Makes you virtually invisible.

[+leejas72]

Kinda hard to wear a hard hat and have a clipboard when I have 4 kids following my drunken bee circles. Unless I get them a clipboard too. Maybe the muggles will think they're midgets. From a distance at least.

[+fizzymagic]

Just browsing some blogs written by other geocachers and I came across Coxydude's blog post about a novel way to avoid being caught geocaching in built-up urban areas.

Just curious: why do you say that this method is "novel?" It's been around since I started geocaching in 2002.

[+Cornell Finch]

I use a Jazzy Jet 3. Makes you virtually invisible.

 

I use a scooty puff junior. Doesn't make me invisible but it does make people run away scared. Means I don't get bothered...

[+geodarts]

Nobody would believe the vest and clipboard routine if I tried to use it. Perhaps a sign asking for spare change might keep people from looking at me very carefully. But if we have adequate permission then I feel free to get out the yellow tape and put up a sign saying "Geocache search. Do not disturb unless you can offer a hint." Other than that, I just go about my business and try not to do anything too outlandish.

 

It actually surprises me how little people pay attention. Just a few days ago I was sitting on some steps on a busy street inspecting a large pipe insert that I had pulled up and was holding to see if I could spot a nano and nobody looked at me twice.

 

But on the other hand, as one person said, after I retrieved a lamp post hide in the middle of a flower bed surrounded by benches that are used virtually all day, "People seem strange until you know what they are doing."

 

Edited April 14, 2010 by Erickson

[aniyn]

I use a Jazzy Jet 3. Makes you virtually invisible.

 

I use a scooty puff junior. Doesn't make me invisible but it does make people run away scared. Means I don't get bothered...

Scooty Puff Junior suckssssssss!!!!!

[+Chrysalides]

Just browsing some blogs written by other geocachers and I came across Coxydude's blog post about a novel way to avoid being caught geocaching in built-up urban areas.

Just curious: why do you say that this method is "novel?" It's been around since I started geocaching in 2002.

Because it's novel to him? Novelty is relative, I guess.

 

Personally I'm not comfortable with the vest / clipboard / hardhat routine. I find that not acting suspicious, limiting actual physical search time (spend more time observing and deciding where to look) and timing to be more my preference for urban hides.

[+power69]

A vest, a metal clipboard, sometimes a hardhat. Perfect urban camo.

having a placard on side of your truck that say "lamp post skirt services" works great for those pesky wal*mart LPCs

[+eightwednesday]

Personally, I'm a fan of just "forgetting" to remove my work ID and sometimes "forgetting" to leave my clipboard in the car. And if I "forget" to do those things, I still look like a state transportation employee.

 

But I think because most muggles won't get THAT close to you, any sort of ID clipped onto a belt or on a lanyard around the neck goes a long way. The clip board is just an added bonus.

[+wimseyguy]

I carry an orange safety vest in the car, but more for caching on gamelands than urban use. I act like I am doing what I am supposed to, and no one bothers me.

 

A few months ago as we rolled up to a parking lot LPC hide there was a muggle watching a soccer game leaning against the concrete post support. We handed him his coffee cup, lifted the skirt, grabbed, signed, and replaced the cache, and lowered the skirt. After a quick Gracias, to which he replied de nada, we were on our way to the next cache. He never flinched, nor cared what was under the skirt.

Edited April 15, 2010 by wimseyguy

[+thecaswellfamily]

Kinda hard to wear a hard hat and have a clipboard when I have 4 kids following my drunken bee circles. Unless I get them a clipboard too. Maybe the muggles will think they're midgets. From a distance at least.

 

LOL, I was just thinking that too! Get them all vests and REALLY draw attention.

[+cerberus1]

I have to sorta agree with Chrysalides.

CJ usually just goes straight to the cache and signs in as if it's an every-day routine - no one notices.

We use vests for game lands and CITOs.

 

Previously, someone posted that they "forget" to take off gear associating them as a state worker...

Does that really work for you?

Most in law enforcement are made aware of what's happening on their watch.

You think a guy "resembling" a state worker in an area not familiar wouldn't look suspicious ?

This new age of terrorism has law enforcement looking for those who don't belong. I'd guess that impersonating a public official would get a car to pull up to you quick.

 

People are curious. If they see a person in a vest with a clipboard, I believe someone will approach you out of simple curiosity. The least they'd be concerned with is whether another strip malls coming in and their property value now's gonna plummet or they're gonna get taxed on a new sewer line.

Edited April 15, 2010 by cerberus1

[+boulist44]

Well, you cachers over there do have your problems.

Here in France if we want a muggle around we have to send out invitations it's so quiet.

Anyway the French are too busy eating to notice a wierdo on his knees searching in the bushes!!

[+sseegars]

Clipboard and a Dickies work shirt have worked really well for me on occasion. We usually carry a clipboard with a list of caches when we go on a big numbers run.

[Bolivar Bill]

I also have the truck with company logo's and flashy lights to go with the vest/ clipboard. I drive 100+ miles a day at work and stopping for caches is how I spend my morning and afternoon breaks. Logged four today, there's lots of different routes to take to get to the jobsite and they all have caches. Off the job I just go with the act like you own the place method.

[+chasclifton]

I also have the truck with company logo's and flashy lights to go with the vest/ clipboard. I drive 100+ miles a day at work and stopping for caches is how I spend my morning and afternoon breaks. Logged four today, there's lots of different routes to take to get to the jobsite and they all have caches. Off the job I just go with the act like you own the place method.

 

All this gives me an idea. I am a volunteer fireman, so for urban geocaching, I should wear full turnout gear and carry the big Maglite flashlight while peering into dark crevices, etc.

 

On the national forest, the wildland gear (yellow shirt, green Nomex pants, yellow hard hat) would be more appropriate.

 

And I would be invisible!

[+The VanDucks]

My disguise as a rather plump, harmless-looking sixty-two year old grandmother works every time - oh, wait, it's not a disguise!

[+chasclifton]

My disguise as a rather plump, harmless-looking sixty-two year old grandmother works every time - oh, wait, it's not a disguise!

 

"Harmless-looking sixty-two year old grandmothers" could assassinate heads of state and walk away buttoning their cardigans -- no one would suspect them. The CIA probably has a team of them.

 

(Apologies for going off-topic.)

[BCProspectors]

It actually surprises me how little people pay attention. Just a few days ago I was sitting on some steps on a busy street inspecting a large pipe insert that I had pulled up and was holding to see if I could spot a nano and nobody looked at me twice. 

Wearing any sort of reflective vest, hard hat, ID card etc. and looking remotely official allows one to get away with just about anything. Muggles are actually quite unobservant. If they weren't they'd already be Geocachers. Edited April 17, 2010 by BCProspectors

[knowschad]

It actually surprises me how little people pay attention. Just a few days ago I was sitting on some steps on a busy street inspecting a large pipe insert that I had pulled up and was holding to see if I could spot a nano and nobody looked at me twice.

Wearing any sort of reflective vest, hard hat, ID card etc. and looking remotely official allows one to get away with just about anything. Muggles are actually quite unobservant. If they weren't they'd already be Geocachers.

Odds are that you could have gotten away with it just as well by simply being yourself. I am not a fan of these costumes. The best disguise is to simply be yourself and act as though you belong to be there, and that you are doing nothing wrong.

[+popokiiti]

Well, you cachers over there do have your problems.

Here in France if we want a muggle around we have to send out invitations it's so quiet.

Anyway the French are too busy eating to notice a wierdo on his knees searching in the bushes!!

 

I loved this post - thanks for making me laugh!!