Partially in ground

[+jasonrn2000]

I found a cool key hide container that looks like an inground sprinkler head. It must be pushed partially in the ground to look right.

 

I have read the rules that state a cache should never be buried. Would this container be ok to use as a cache since it's not fully buried? The base of the container is the only part in the ground.

[+StarBrand]

I've seen those before.

 

While common and perhaps not strictly againist the guidelines - I don't think they are a good idea. I have seen way too many sprinkler heads in the same area half dug up, tugged on and disassembled while folks looked for a cache. It just encourages bad behavior (IMHO).

[+Ms.Scrabbler]

I would never place one of these. Nor would I try to open any container that looks like a sprinkler head unless it was far away from where there could be working units.

 

When real ones are messed with it's expensive for the property owner to have repaired or replaced.

[AZcachemeister]

unless it was far away from where there could be working units.

 

Two miles up the trail and it's hilarious!

 

'Blended in' along the golf course and it's a LEO encounter waiting to happen.

 

The commercially produced ones are at least a bit waterproof, but where you put it is always the key.

[+jasonrn2000]

I wouldn't put it with other sprinkler heads... I was thinking in the woods might be funny, but wasn't sure about the digging issue.

[+BaylorGrad]

I wouldn't put it with other sprinkler heads... I was thinking in the woods might be funny, but wasn't sure about the digging issue.

 

You'll have to consider that placing a cache like that on the grounds in the woods could very quickly become a "buried" cache, depending on your location. Around here, enough leaves fall in October for some woodsy areas to have 2 feet of leaves on the ground. You would definitely have a buried cache on your hands then. Think about snow as well. Just my two cents.

[knowschad]

Right or wrong, they have become so commonplace as to be close cousins to the common skirt lifter. I'm sure the first few were awesome hides. Today... not really.

[+Sol seaker]

These do encourage people to take apart sprinkler heads to look for caches.

 

As Knowschad said, they were clever hides, long ago. Now they're definitely not the "in" thing. We're trying to cut down on any bad image we can get from things like this.

[+ocklawahaboy]

I don't think they're the best but I've seen a couple that were done fairly responsibly lately. The fake sprinkler head sits inside a buried piece of pvc so as to lift up with the most minimal of effort. A slight touch reveals that it's not a real sprinkler head. I agree with all of the concerns about damage to property but I think if these were hidden with permission (I know one was because I asked the property owner before searching) they are ok by me.

[+Ms.Scrabbler]

A slight touch reveals that it's not a real sprinkler head.

 

Not everyone knows how they work and would be able to make that determination.

My job includes sending out invoices for irrigation repairs made by my company, none for caching issues but not everyone is careful around them, cachers or muggles.

[+Panther&Pine]

Having taken a real one apart before (and put back together correctly ), I'm not a fan of them in places where they might actually be part of an irrigation system.

[+Walts Hunting]

Really bad idea.

[+webscouter.]

To add to the previous comments, I can't remember ever finding a sprinkler head cache that had a dry log.

[+northernpenguin]

Placement is definitely key. You sure don't want to put that in a flower bed with other sprinklers. Ever.

[knowschad]

To add to the previous comments, I can't remember ever finding a sprinkler head cache that had a dry log.

Why do you suppose that might be? Because it is below ground level?

[+jasonrn2000]

Maybe I'll nix the sprinkler head idea. Thanks for all the input.

[+bflentje]

Right or wrong, they have become so commonplace as to be close cousins to the common skirt lifter. I'm sure the first few were awesome hides. Today... not really.

 

Not making a statement about right or wrong. I've only found 5 sprinkler hides out of my 4600 or so total finds. It's safe to say I've found hundreds of skirt lifters. While becoming more and more mainstream, I would agree. But as common as a skirt lifter? Not quite (yet).

[+wimseyguy]

unless it was far away from where there could be working units.

 

Two miles up the trail and it's hilarious!

 

'Blended in' along the golf course and it's a LEO encounter waiting to happen.

 

The commercially produced ones are at least a bit waterproof, but where you put it is always the key.

 

+1, and be prepared to put another container inside it to keep your log dry.

[+niraD]

The one's I've found haven't been "buried" according to Groundspeak's definition (no "shovel, trowel or other pointy object" was used). They've been in loose bark/leaves/whatever, which is essentially the same as throwing handfuls of loose bark/leaves/whatever over an ammo can.

 

But the problem with them is that they train new geocachers to search real sprinkler heads. If they take apart a real sprinkler head, then the damage is done. Even if they manage to reassemble it, the water spray will probably be aimed incorrectly, which will cause damage to the landscaping.

[+popokiiti]

We found a neat cache that was plumbing pipes stuck together and leaning against a structure. It looked like a drain...but that particular type of structure doesn't have drains. There was a right angled part and caps at both ends and it unscrewed in the middle.

[knowschad]

Right or wrong, they have become so commonplace as to be close cousins to the common skirt lifter. I'm sure the first few were awesome hides. Today... not really.

 

Not making a statement about right or wrong. I've only found 5 sprinkler hides out of my 4600 or so total finds. It's safe to say I've found hundreds of skirt lifters. While becoming more and more mainstream, I would agree. But as common as a skirt lifter? Not quite (yet).

You have actually kept records of how many sprinkler head caches you've found? Wow!

[+briansnat]

Right or wrong, they have become so commonplace as to be close cousins to the common skirt lifter. I'm sure the first few were awesome hides. Today... not really.

 

Not making a statement about right or wrong. I've only found 5 sprinkler hides out of my 4600 or so total finds. It's safe to say I've found hundreds of skirt lifters. While becoming more and more mainstream, I would agree. But as common as a skirt lifter? Not quite (yet).

You have actually kept records of how many sprinkler head caches you've found? Wow!

 

I have. 1. But the record keeping isn't all that difficult.

Edited March 1, 2011 by briansnat

[GOF and Bacall]

I've never found one.

[Mr.Yuck]

I've never found one.

 

Me neither (2,100 some finds), and I'm from his area. I was going to say these things are probably much more common in warmer climates, but we've heard from someone in Minnesota who says they are almost as common as LPC's? I'm confused. I guess I will consider myself lucky to have not found any partially buried caches whose logs are always wet.

[+TXHooligans]

i've found 2.. one if them was in a flower box.. huge sprinkler head in a flower box.. with no flowers in it.. just dirt.. and in a very public place.. and it's still there. it's amazing the things you can put out and the public just walks by. now that i'm a cacher, i notice things that " aren't quite right"

[+bflentje]

Right or wrong, they have become so commonplace as to be close cousins to the common skirt lifter. I'm sure the first few were awesome hides. Today... not really.

 

Not making a statement about right or wrong. I've only found 5 sprinkler hides out of my 4600 or so total finds. It's safe to say I've found hundreds of skirt lifters. While becoming more and more mainstream, I would agree. But as common as a skirt lifter? Not quite (yet).

You have actually kept records of how many sprinkler head caches you've found? Wow!

 

I am sure that was a jab but I'll answer anyway..

 

I find it no different than having the ability to drive down the road with your wife, pointing, there's a cache there. There's another one hidden there. There's a cache at the next corner...

 

While I do keep records on puzzles and multicaches, I don't keep records on every cache. But it is not hard at all to remember caches that stand out. Love em or hate em, a sprinkler head cache stands out to me and I remember every one of them. I don't remember their names but I bet digging through My Finds in GSAK I could have all them them IDed in about 5 minutes.

 

-- spellcheck helps with context

Edited March 1, 2011 by bflentje

[+bflentje]

I've never found one.

 

Me neither (2,100 some finds), and I'm from his area. I was going to say these things are probably much more common in warmer climates, but we've heard from someone in Minnesota who says they are almost as common as LPC's? I'm confused. I guess I will consider myself lucky to have not found any partially buried caches whose logs are always wet.

 

Like Knowschad, I too am from MN. My claim is that I've found 5, or maybe 6. Yep, tough to find in the winter but all of mine found in the summer. And I also remember the logs not being anymore wet than any other cache. Again, I am not saying I agree with the idea of sprinkler caches. But if the hide is executed properly, they're no worse than anything else.