NFC tags, anyone?

[John E Cache]

Interesting. I have searched for a list of URI prefixes and format without success. Can you recommend a site?

URI is a Web spec that predates Android. Android uses them in messages called "intents". Maybe searching Android intents. I just searched "geo: intent google maps"

[+Walts Hunting]

Thanks Mr. Cache. Eusty I will probably do mynfirstbone as a text file for them to read. The geo intents goes to google maps which wouldn't really get you that close since there is no compass while Locus Pro does.

[John E Cache]

Thanks Mr. Cache. Eusty I will probably do mynfirstbone as a text file for them to read. The geo intents goes to google maps which wouldn't really get you that close since there is no compass while Locus Pro does.

Sounds like a good plan. Thanks for getting me curious enough to make a useful tag for in my car.

[+Chrysalides]

The issue I have is that the only ruggedised tags I can get are Ultralite, so restricted to 46bytes.To fit the data on a tag with a single identifier you can only have a precision of four decimal places.

 

I got some of these for testing. Thick, rigid, 3M adhesive at the back (no idea what kind). I guess you're in the UK? buynfctags.com will ship internationally, but I'm not sure how exorbitant or slow it is going to be.

[+eusty]

The issue I have is that the only ruggedised tags I can get are Ultralite, so restricted to 46bytes.To fit the data on a tag with a single identifier you can only have a precision of four decimal places.

 

I got some of these for testing. Thick, rigid, 3M adhesive at the back (no idea what kind). I guess you're in the UK? buynfctags.com will ship internationally, but I'm not sure how exorbitant or slow it is going to be.

I can get similar to that over here, I was hoping for something like these as they are easy to fix to a post etc

[+Walts Hunting]

Attempted to publish a cache today using the tag and the reviewer note came back "Only 10 allowed world wide to see how it works out," Will keep you posted.

[+peejay]

Attempted to publish a cache today using the tag and the reviewer note came back "Only 10 allowed world wide to see how it works out," Will keep you posted.

Same result here, just have to be patient I guess but hope they approve soon.

[+coachstahly]

Good to know since I was planning on putting one out in a bit.

[John E Cache]

Attempted to publish a cache today using the tag and the reviewer note came back "Only 10 allowed world wide to see how it works out," Will keep you posted.

Bummer, dude. There are some enthusiastic finds, so far, if you google-> site:geocaching.com nfc -football -NFL

[+Walts Hunting]

I am guessing you are not a football fan. I believe NFC means National Football Conferance as opposed to AFC American Football Conference.

[John E Cache]

I am guessing you are not a football fan. I believe NFC means National Football Conferance as opposed to AFC American Football Conference.

the minuses are an attempt at removing the football terms from the list. Go Vikings!

[+Chrysalides]

Attempted to publish a cache today using the tag and the reviewer note came back "Only 10 allowed world wide to see how it works out," Will keep you posted.

 

That's strange. The beacon type is already an established type and the guidelines spell it out clearly. Will the reviewer publish it if there is an alternate method of getting coordinates (e.g. a physical container with coordinates written down somewhere, or deriving coordinates from something that can be seen at the site)?

[+Walts Hunting]

He didn't say. I guess they are being cautious with new technology. I really don't understand why there would be a problem.

[+eusty]

I contacted our local reviewer (here in the UK) as I was thinking about laying a multi using NFC tags and he said it wouldn't be an issue......

 

...guess it depends on the reviewer.

 

[+Walts Hunting]

Let me know when yours gets published in case mine hasn't been yet.

Edited December 10, 2012 by Walts Hunting

[+Walts Hunting]

Reviewers note posted today on my cache. "Sent to Appeals for review guidelines"

 

It appears that the froggie has not makde a final determination on it yet. I think they need to resolve this because they are going to be more and more since it is an obvious geocaching method.

[+peejay]

Reviewers note posted today on my cache. "Sent to Appeals for review guidelines"

 

It appears that the froggie has not makde a final determination on it yet. I think they need to resolve this because they are going to be more and more since it is an obvious geocaching method.

 

I dont understand why there is a delay in approving this type of cache. I know the technology is a wee bit new but the underlying concept is no different to the use of a compass or a gps or a cellphone. Were barcodes put on a "trial" before they were allowed to be used? And what is the purpose of a trial anyway, what is that going to prove?

Edited December 12, 2012 by peejay

[+Walts Hunting]

I don't know either. Wherigo, Chirp and barcode caches all require special equipment. Why is NFC any different.

[John E Cache]

I don't know either. Wherigo, Chirp and barcode caches all require special equipment. Why is NFC any different.

I'm guessing adding a cache type involves a lot of work. Gpx schema, icon design, description, etc.

[+eusty]

But It's not really a new type, to me it's a wireless beacon?

[+Walts Hunting]

This is not a new cache type. Listed as unknown

[+chillypenguin]

I have created a bookmark list of all of the NFC Caches that I could find. If you know of any that I have missed or want your own added, please send me a message via my profile (not a forum PM) or post up the details here.

[John E Cache]

If it is not a new type, how would people without an NFC phone filter the caches out of their pocket queries. I'm just guessing why they would do a ten cache trial. I have no clue, really.

[+Walts Hunting]

They have no way to filter out Chirp caches but they exist. I agree there is no reason to do a trial . They should just be approved.

[John E Cache]

They have no way to filter out Chirp caches but they exist. I agree there is no reason to do a trial . They should just be approved.

I thought the caches that used chirps are of type "beacon". I may be way off.

[+eusty]

They have no way to filter out Chirp caches but they exist. I agree there is no reason to do a trial . They should just be approved.

I thought the caches that used chirps are of type "beacon". I may be way off.

Beacon is the attribute to use. the type would be Unknown if it wasn't part of a multi. Info

[+Walts Hunting]

That seems like a good idea.

[+menion.asamm]

Got the tags today and experimented.

 

3. Locus Pro: It opens and shows an icon which I can touch and it will either let me go directly (no turn by turn) or use a compass.

 

So it looks like Locus Pro would get the job done but I would have to touch the location icon and figure out how to drive there and then set it do compass and find it which is doable.

 

 

Hi,

just to inform you. You may write tag directly in Locus. Into this tag you may include not just coordinates, but whole point together with some specific action that should be done when this tag will be loaded. Anyway count that this tag may be then read only by Locus itself. Other apps will not be able to read it

[+Chrysalides]

They have no way to filter out Chirp caches but they exist. I agree there is no reason to do a trial . They should just be approved.

I thought the caches that used chirps are of type "beacon". I may be way off.

 

You're not way off. But Chirps are only one type of beacon. The "beacon" attribute is supposed to be a catch-all for all radio transmitting devices. From the way I read the guidelines, Walts Hunting is doing everything correctly, but I'm neither Groundspeak nor a volunteer, so my opinion only counts for... well... $30 a year I guess I'm very interested in the outcome of this one.

 

I've read about FM transmitters (morse code), wifi, bluetooth, for beacon types. Haven't actually found any though. I wonder if it is possible to make one that flashes light pulses. Need a long lasting power source and a way to trigger it remotely.

[John E Cache]

They have no way to filter out Chirp caches but they exist. I agree there is no reason to do a trial . They should just be approved.

I thought the caches that used chirps are of type "beacon". I may be way off.

 

You're not way off. But Chirps are only one type of beacon. The "beacon" attribute is supposed to be a catch-all for all radio transmitting devices. From the way I read the guidelines, Walts Hunting is doing everything correctly, but I'm neither Groundspeak nor a volunteer, so my opinion only counts for... well... $30 a year I guess I'm very interested in the outcome of this one.

 

I've read about FM transmitters (morse code), wifi, bluetooth, for beacon types. Haven't actually found any though. I wonder if it is possible to make one that flashes light pulses. Need a long lasting power source and a way to trigger it remotely.

I am confusing "type" and "attribute". A very long time ago there was a cache here in Portland where people would gather at midnight and wait for a timer cache to to start blinking.

[+peejay]

He didn't say. I guess they are being cautious with new technology. I really don't understand why there would be a problem.

 

I have sent a request off to appeals@geocaching.com on the advice of my local reviewer as he has heard nothing back. Will be interesting to see what happens now.

[+Walts Hunting]

Good. Having more people asking should get them to make a decision.

[+peejay]

Good. Having more people asking should get them to make a decision.

 

I have just been advised that GC have approved this type of cache, waiting for mine to move up the waiting list :-)

[+Chrysalides]

Good. Having more people asking should get them to make a decision.

 

I have just been advised that GC have approved this type of cache, waiting for mine to move up the waiting list :-)

 

Nice Thanks for the update.

[+Walts Hunting]

Give us the GC when it hits the big time.

[+peejay]

Give us the GC when it hits the big time.

 

I think it would be a long journey for you to find it

[+Walts Hunting]

True but I can forward it to my reviewer to spur him on.

[+peejay]

True but I can forward it to my reviewer to spur him on.

OK, will do.

[+peejay]

My NFC cache has been approved, published and found without the aid of an NFC device by a very determined seeker :-)

 

GC426FJ

 

Hope this helps others to get their's approved as well.

[+chillypenguin]

Added to my book mark list for NFC Caches.

 

I have included both caches that require NFC to find them, and one's that just use it as a link to the cache page. See the bookmark description.

[+Walts Hunting]

Reviewer says froggie approved but I have to make some changes. Speaking ill of iPhones is against Commercial guidelines. In the Que

[+Chrysalides]

Reviewer says froggie approved but I have to make some changes. Speaking ill of iPhones is against Commercial guidelines. In the Que

 

Probably for the better, you don't want legions of iPhone users barraging you with hate mail Congrats on having it approved.

[+eusty]

Finally got around to laying my cache today, it's a multi and you have to scan four tags to find the cache.

 

I started programming the tags using the method suggested by John E Cache here, but one of the issues is that there is a poor phone signal, so google maps doesn't open up very well. Another issue is that it programs the co-ordinates in decimal rather than DD MM.MMM as most GPSr units default to.

 

In the end I went for the best compatibility (and easiest to program) and used text format. Ironic really as I struggled to find suitable outdoor NTAG203 tags which would fit all the geolocation data on....and using text I could have used readily available Ultralight tags!

 

[+Walts Hunting]

I just did it in the decimal type but mentioned on the cache page that they should be ready to convert plus you can change most GPS's to accept that and they learn something. Any phone that grabs doesn't care. If you have the right app (I use Locus Pro) it maps it and allows you to go by compass of bearing.

[John E Cache]

I started programming the tags using the method suggested by John E Cache here, but one of the issues is that there is a poor phone signal, so google maps doesn't open up very well. Another issue is that it programs the co-ordinates in decimal rather than DD MM.MMM as most GPSr units default to.

OOPs, thats what you get for debugging in your living room. I think everybody should have GPSStatus installed. It is very useful for all sensor statuses and battery percent charged. Then if you scan my tag, one of the options is "Radar". The radar points to the target and has the added feature that the location of the target is displayed in the units you set in menu->options->Units&Formatting->Location Format. That way you can program your handheld GPS without conversion in you like.

 

I have been searching for way to do both the geo: and text: messages on one tag and got bogged down in the very hard to read specs.

[+eusty]

Although just using a phone to search for the tags seemed a good idea, in practice I remembered how much better a proper GPSr was, so tried to make it accessible for the use of both.

Edited December 22, 2012 by eusty

[+eusty]

Just noticed that NX Tag Writer now lets you put geo tags in DDMMSS format!

 

I guess text is still the best format due to the possible compatibility issues? I guess that when (if) it becomes more common things may change.

 

[+T4746]

I have been using these NFC tags for a while now. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008UD1RPQ/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00 I have them strategically placed throughout the house and car, each programmed from various tasks. While the memory is overkill for just about any NFC need, they work well.

Edited December 23, 2012 by T4746

[+Chrysalides]

I have been using these NFC tags for a while now. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008UD1RPQ/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00 I have them strategically placed throughout the house and car, each programmed from various tasks. While the memory is overkill for just about any NFC need, they work well.

 

Same vendor has NTAG203 tags as well, for a slightly lower price. May be a better choice.

[+chillypenguin]

From my research I understand there is a issue making the 1k write protected using android devices. So the NTAG203 would be better, if they are in the format required.