zonie01 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 So i'm semi new to geocaching or atleast i haven't done it very often. Well me and my friend were trying to buy premium and instead we bought the paid app. What is the difference between buying the app and becoming premium other than i wouldn't be able to place a new geocache. Do we still have access to all of the caches? Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Here's a breakdown of options: http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=504 That's for the Android App. The iPhone App has a nice chart: http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=442 Quote Link to comment
+T.D.M.22 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 So i'm semi new to geocaching or atleast i haven't done it very often. Well me and my friend were trying to buy premium and instead we bought the paid app. What is the difference between buying the app and becoming premium other than i wouldn't be able to place a new geocache. Do we still have access to all of the caches? Don't know where you fo your information, but the apps, and membership have nothing to do with placing caches. And I'm not sure why you think buying the premium membership gives you access to less caches. One would think it's more caches (which it is- you can now view premium only caches.) Quote Link to comment
+Bear and Ragged Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 So i'm semi new to geocaching or at least i haven't done it very often. Well me and my friend were trying to buy premium and instead we bought the paid app. What is the difference between buying the app and becoming premium other than i wouldn't be able to place a new geocache. Do we still have access to all of the caches? Trial (Free) app shows the three nearest easy (suitable for beginners, ie no DNFs or Needs Maintenance logs) TRADITIONAL non-PMO caches. The Paid app shows all cache types, except PMO caches. Buying Premium Membership on the Trial (Free) app will show ALL traditional caches including PMO caches. Buying Premium Membership shows aALL cache types, including PMO caches. I'm amazed you got the app, most new cachers complain they tried to get the 'upgraded' app, and ended up with Premium Membership! *PMO Premium Member Only caches. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 As TDM22 pointed out, you can hide caches, even if you don't have the paid app and you're a basic member. Just do it through the website, after obtaining coordinates through your phone using a GPS app that does averaging (i.e. it calculates your location by taking multiple readings over a period of time for higher accuracy). As for the intro / paid app and basic / premium member... Gods, what a mess. Looks like you will see all the caches with the paid app, except for premium member only caches. Question for others : is there a limit to the number of geocaches that can be looked up (description, hint, past logs) per day using the paid app with a basic membership? How about download to use offline? Quote Link to comment
+doc73 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 When my premium membership expired for a bit a few years ago I have no limitations on the app, just could not see the PMO caches. Never was limited to seeing a certain amount or saving them. But, this was a few years ago. Quote Link to comment
+thebruce0 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Just keep the app and your membership as two completely separate ideas. Membership: A basic membership gives you access to all non-premium geocaches. A premium membership lets you see all geocaches. The app: The free/intro app is precisely that, it only lets you see a limited number of geocaches (which does not include premium geocaches, whether you are a premium member or not*) The paid app lets you see everything your membership level lets you see. * I believe this to be the case =P Quote Link to comment
+doc73 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I just checked the intro app on my phone, I can see premium caches (I am a PM). I do not know what one would see as a none PM. One area I checked only showed 2 of the 6 caches I know exist in a park next to me. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 The free/intro app is precisely that, it only lets you see a limited number of geocaches (which does not include premium geocaches, whether you are a premium member or not*) I just checked the intro app on my phone, I can see premium caches (I am a PM). See? See? This is why we can't have nice things! In thebruce0's defense, he did say in his tiny disclaimer that it is only his belief Quote Link to comment
+doc73 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I do not know if a non pm can view a premium only cache.. I was only remarking to the very riny disclaimer. So maybe we can still have nice things.... Quote Link to comment
+thebruce0 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) The free/intro app is precisely that, it only lets you see a limited number of geocaches (which does not include premium geocaches, whether you are a premium member or not*) I just checked the intro app on my phone, I can see premium caches (I am a PM). See? See? This is why we can't have nice things! In thebruce0's defense, he did say in his tiny disclaimer that it is only his belief Glad that was clarified. So, minor adjustment: The memberships: A free membership gives you access to all non- premium geocaches. A premium membership lets you see all geocaches. The apps: (both show every cache your membership level lets you see, only including premium if you are premium) The free/intro app is precisely that, filtering and limiting the number of geocaches presented to you. The paid app shows you everything allowed by your membership level. Edited January 26, 2015 by thebruce0 Quote Link to comment
+geodarts Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) Glad that was clarified. So, minor adjustment: The memberships: A free membership gives you access to all non- premium geocaches. A premium membership lets you see all geocaches. The apps: (both show every cache your membership level lets you see, only including premium if you are premium) The free/intro app is precisely that, filtering and limiting the number of geocaches presented to you. The paid app shows you everything allowed by your membership level. One other minor adjustment is that free Groundspeak iphone app is limited to traditional caches - although it shows any traditional (without limiting the number) with premium membership. Its live map search is interesting. I don't know about other platforms. It might be noted that the premium membership gives you better functionality with alternative apps that use the Groundspeak API, so that if there one you like better than the Groundspeak app, it will not be limited. Edited January 26, 2015 by geodarts Quote Link to comment
+doc73 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Another adjustment, the free android app even signed in as a PM only shows a few caches, not all. They looked like easy traditionals. No multi or whereigos. I think it also striped a micro near by as well. Quote Link to comment
+thebruce0 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 that free Groundspeak iphone app is limited to traditional caches - although it shows any traditional (without limiting the number) with premium membership. the free android app even signed in as a PM only shows a few caches, not all. They looked like easy traditionals. No multi or whereigos. I think it also striped a micro near by as well. ... The apps: (both display from every cache your membership level lets you see, only including premium if you are premium) The free/intro app is precisely that, filtering and limiting the number of geocaches presented to you. The paid app shows you everything allowed by your membership level. Changed "both show every" to "both display from every" for clarity - the point being that the repository of available caches to you from which the app decides what to show is based on your membership level. As for traditionals, sizes, difficulties, etc - "filtering and limiting" covers that, whatever the algorithm may be. But the inclusion of premium caches or not depends on your membership level, as noted above. *shrug* It's not complicated. But finding a clear and concise descriptive explanation apparently is Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 thebruce0, time to update your description http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=329421&pid=5468128&st=0entry5468128 I pulled up the intro app on my phone and was surprised to see that there were ORANGE dots on my map! I saw that I had found one of them and found out it was a multi cache! There was even a little prompt on what to do with multi caches. So Intro App is no longer traditional only. Quote Link to comment
+narcissa Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 thebruce0, time to update your description http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=329421&pid=5468128&st=0entry5468128 I pulled up the intro app on my phone and was surprised to see that there were ORANGE dots on my map! I saw that I had found one of them and found out it was a multi cache! There was even a little prompt on what to do with multi caches. So Intro App is no longer traditional only. Well that's devastating news. Multis were previously a way to keep caches safe without resorting to PMO status. Quote Link to comment
+thebruce0 Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 lol actually my description's safe - covered by the "filtering", no mention of Traditionals only Quote Link to comment
+trekgrrl Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Ok, after reading all of this I am as confused as ever. So, it sounds like the best bet to see everything is to pay for the $10 app AND to buy the premium membership. Buying the premium membership does not "unlock" hidden caches on the app even if you are logged in, which I had hoped. I think I finally get that they are not one and the same. Essentially, buying the app is "paying for the app technology". Forgive me if I sound like an idiot, I'm just kind of "talking my way through" this since I'm kind of new to caching. Sounds like neither one is worth it without the other. Since I'm kind of a luddite, I don't want to find free apps. The one good one I know about is for android anyway and I'm an iPhone. Has anyone had any good/bad luck with Groundspeak IT help? TIA for any assistance/advice. Quote Link to comment
+thebruce0 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Groundspeak's free app isn't very helpful if you really want to take up geocaching. It's only an introductory app, and really that's as far as it goes. I would suggest that the best combo, if you go with the official app, is to buy the full app, and keep your regular free membership. Buying a premium membership gives you a few features on the website (nothing to do with the app) that are certainly not required to really enjoy what geocaching has to offer. Here are what I believe are the best three geocacher levels, summarized: 1. Beginner: Register for a free account. You have standard access to the catalogue of geocaches. If you have a smartphone, download the free intro app and try out geocaching with a few nearby caches that are considered 'easy'. If you have a handheld GPSr, you won't be limited in the same way that the free app limits your live searching. Anything you can see on the website, you can find and log with a GPS device. The free app just limits what you can in the app. 2. General membership: If you're on a smartphone, upgrade to the full app. You now have access to the full range of geocaches in the app, while mobile. You still have the regular membership level, nothing's changed there. 3. Advanced membership: Upgrade to premium, and make use of whatever smartphone app you feel is the most versatile for your preferences. As premium, you now also have access to the geocaches flagged as Premium Member Only; they'll now show up in your smartphone app and on the website, and you have access to a number of other useful web features that are reserved for premium members. In short, the just look at the app as its own entirely separate thing. Because there are many geocaching apps out there. Groundspeak chose the free/limited and paid/full model. To enjoy geocaching all you need is a free account on geocaching.com and a device capable of GPS. That's it. The official free app is merely an introductory app for mobile geocaching on a smartphone. The paid app is the full featured mobile app. Those app levels have nothing to do with your geocaching.com membership level, except that if you pay for a premium membership, they'll now be able to show you PMO caches as well. Quote Link to comment
Mr.Yuck Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) thebruce0, time to update your description http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=329421&pid=5468128&st=0entry5468128 I pulled up the intro app on my phone and was surprised to see that there were ORANGE dots on my map! I saw that I had found one of them and found out it was a multi cache! There was even a little prompt on what to do with multi caches. So Intro App is no longer traditional only. Well, all I can tell you is that there is a cache about 15 miles from my house in a relatively small park. There have been a couple traditionals in there over the years (long since archived), and a still existing multi-cache that was placed in 2005. A couple months ago, a newer Geocacher put a traditional in this park, all while pontificating on the cache page they "couldn't believe there wasn't a cache in that park". Translation: intro app user, can't "see" the multi. I'm not calling crazy pig a liar, but I find it very hard to believe they're showing multis on the the intro app. If he sees this, are you positive it was the intro app you were in? Edited February 3, 2015 by Mr.Yuck Quote Link to comment
+Bear and Ragged Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 thebruce0, time to update your description http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=329421&pid=5468128&st=0entry5468128 I pulled up the intro app on my phone and was surprised to see that there were ORANGE dots on my map! I saw that I had found one of them and found out it was a multi cache! There was even a little prompt on what to do with multi caches. So Intro App is no longer traditional only. Well, all I can tell you is that there is a cache about 15 miles from my house in a relatively small park. There have been a couple traditionals in there over the years (long since archived), and a still existing multi-cache that was placed in 2005. A couple months ago, a newer Geocacher put a traditional in this park, all while pontificating on the cache page they "couldn't believe there wasn't a cache in that park". Translation: intro app user, can't "see" the multi. I'm not calling crazy pig a liar, but I find it very hard to believe they're showing multis on the the intro app. If he sees this, are you positive it was the intro app you were in? Intro app. Latest update. IF you are also a Premium Member, you can also see Multi's with the app. (And PMO caches) Quote Link to comment
+thebruce0 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Intro app. Latest update. IF you are also a Premium Member, you can also see Multi's with the app. (And PMO caches) Is that multi a PMO multi? Maybe the intro app doesn't show multis, but then allows all PMO caches. See if the intro app will show PMO multis but not show regular multis. Quote Link to comment
+thebruce0 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) *dup post * Edited February 3, 2015 by thebruce0 Quote Link to comment
Mr.Yuck Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Intro app. Latest update. IF you are also a Premium Member, you can also see Multi's with the app. (And PMO caches) Is that multi a PMO multi? Maybe the intro app doesn't show multis, but then allows all PMO caches. See if the intro app will show PMO multis but not show regular multis. Nope, never has been PMO, probably never will. Placed July 2005. However, what Bear and Ragged says makes sense. I could see TPTB wanting to let premium members see multi's on the intro app. I doubt there are very many premium members using the intro app, but I've been wrong before. I maintain I would find it "hard to believe" if they showed multi's to a basic member intro app user. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I think they should change their filtering rules. Show multis only every other Wednesdays, letterboxes if the total number of vowels in the title is a prime number, and show PMO caches to premium members who joined when the moon is waxing. Quote Link to comment
+thebruce0 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Intro app. Latest update. IF you are also a Premium Member, you can also see Multi's with the app. (And PMO caches) Is that multi a PMO multi? Maybe the intro app doesn't show multis, but then allows all PMO caches. See if the intro app will show PMO multis but not show regular multis. Nope, never has been PMO, probably never will. Placed July 2005. However, what Bear and Ragged says makes sense. I could see TPTB wanting to let premium members see multi's on the intro app. I doubt there are very many premium members using the intro app, but I've been wrong before. Oh, I read that as what B&R could see in the latest update, not a request... oops. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 For those trying to keep track, the intro app will show mystery caches for premium members. http://www.geocaching.com/blog/2015/02/happy-pi-day-earn-two-souvenirs/ Speaking of Mystery Caches—they’re now available for Geocaching Premium members in the free official Geocaching app for iPhone and Android. Quote Link to comment
+NeverSummer Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 So i'm semi new to geocaching or atleast i haven't done it very often. Well me and my friend were trying to buy premium and instead we bought the paid app. What is the difference between buying the app and becoming premium other than i wouldn't be able to place a new geocache. Do we still have access to all of the caches? can I just say how happy I am that you came to the website to ask? That's a big step in learning more about the game, and the differences between not only account or app types, but also cache types and other guidelines! I hope you come back! Quote Link to comment
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