I forgot how much I dislike micros.

[nufdum]

I guess its just the kid in me, but I really like traditional caches. Its kind of like opening up stuff on Christmas. Minis and micros with just a log are boring.

We need toys to keep our ADHD in check. Besides I have a whole pack o stuff for trade goods.

[+Laughing at the Sky]

I would agree with you, but the problem is that most box size caches contain items which are meaningless to me. A while back I was really into finding travel bugs and geocoins, but I realised I was using too much fuel in my car because often you have to drive quite far between them.

 

I think the most interesting caches are those in interesting location, or those in interesting containers. In my experience, it's actually quite rare for the contents of the cache to be anything of interest, regardless of size.

[nufdum]

I don't think it's so much what the stuff is, as much as what the stuff could be.

[+Mudfrog]

I used to feel the same way. We use to enjoy looking through a cache and making trades but we hardly ever do that these days. I've gotten to where i don't carry hardly anything to trade anymore. In the rare instances when we do come across something interesting, i'll throw in some, (GASP!) cash if we really want it. Geocoins and travelbugs used to be fun for us but we slowed on those as well. Signature items are what i like to collect so it's always good when i come across those.

 

This being said, and for some reason, larger caches are my preferred size to find,,, most of the time. Creative containers (doesn't matter what size), challenging hides, challenging terrain, and/or caches hidden in nice locations are what we're after these days.

Edited May 10, 2015 by Mudfrog

[+on4bam]

I guess its just the kid in me, but I really like traditional caches. Its kind of like opening up stuff on Christmas. Minis and micros with just a log are boring.

We need toys to keep our ADHD in check. Besides I have a whole pack o stuff for trade goods.

 

Do multi's they have an higher chance of not being micro's.

[+Laughing at the Sky]

I guess its just the kid in me, but I really like traditional caches. Its kind of like opening up stuff on Christmas. Minis and micros with just a log are boring.

We need toys to keep our ADHD in check. Besides I have a whole pack o stuff for trade goods.

 

Do multi's they have an higher chance of not being micro's.

 

Or you can just specify the container size when doing a search or pocket query. Simple.

[+Laughing at the Sky]

Another thing you can do is to just go for caches that say they have trackables in them. This is not a guarantee that they will have, but it increases the chances. You might get about a 50% success rate with that, maybe less, it varies.

 

One thing I used to do a while back was to just go for the ones supposedly with trackables in, then if they didn't have one in I would take delight in appointing myself the Trackable Police, and I would alert both the cache owner and the trackable owner that it was not in the cache.

 

Alternatively, if you want to find trackables and want an almost 100% success rate at finding them in caches, you can look at the log. If travel bug or geocoin is not mentioned in one of the recent logs, it's not likely to be in the cache because people tend to take them pretty quickly.

 

It can be good fun finding trackables, because they are usually more interesting objects than the average geocaching swag. Especially the beautiful geocoins.

 

The only problem is, once you've found a whole bunch of them in one day, you then have to find somewhere appropriate to place them. But you can always just dump them in a TB Hotel.

[+niraD]

FWIW, in case on4bam's comment was too subtle, micro is a cache SIZE, but traditional is a cache TYPE.

 

If you like traditional caches, then that's in contrast to multi-caches, mystery/puzzle caches, Wherigo caches, letterbox hybrid caches, and other cache types.

 

If you dislike micros, then that's in contrast to small, regular, and large caches, which are other cache sizes.

[+on4bam]

FWIW, in case on4bam's comment was too subtle, micro is a cache SIZE, but traditional is a cache TYPE.

 

I thought it was a good hint

At least in these parts of the world traditionals are micro's most of the time while multi's usually have larger containers. I do know the difference between TYPE and SIZE but there's a link between the two in many cases.

[TahoeJoe]

I've noticed in least in my area, the better though out geocaches tend to be in containers that are not micro sized. Perhaps the reason for this is more effort is required to find and place a hide with a larger container.

[+L0ne.R]

I guess its just the kid in me, but I really like traditional caches. Its kind of like opening up stuff on Christmas. Minis and micros with just a log are boring.

We need toys to keep our ADHD in check. Besides I have a whole pack o stuff for trade goods.

 

I totally get you.

I too love the mystery and fun of what's in the cache.

Only a logsheet doesn't cut it for me. There's very little fun in that.

[+L0ne.R]

I think the most interesting caches are those in interesting location, or those in interesting containers. In my experience, it's actually quite rare for the contents of the cache to be anything of interest, regardless of size.

 

They can be all of those things plus swag size for those of us who like the swag part of geocaching.

 

 

[+L0ne.R]

I don't think it's so much what the stuff is, as much as what the stuff could be.

 

Exactly.

[+zookeepertx]

I understand micros or even nanos in a high muggle area, but I don't like to hike, crawl and fight my way through underbrush where bigfoot wouldn't even go only to find a little diabetic strip container tied to a tree.

 

If I was going to hide a cache in a spot where nobody, including wildlife, is never going to find it by accident, I'd feel like I was wasting my time not hiding something bigger/more fun.

 

I know, I know - I don't have to find them ALL, but there are a pretty static number of caches in my area and I don't have the time off work or the gas to go much of a distance.

Edited May 10, 2015 by zookeepertx

[+ByronForestPreserve]

Mmm...I used to prefer regulars, but I've found all of the ones fairly close by. I've also found a few micros and nanos done really well recently, so I've changed my mind about them. I also did part of a power trail that was all micros. While the hides themselves weren't super unique, they got me to ride 6 miles on a bike trail in a lovely area. I suppose I'm still a bit biased toward smalls and regulars, if only because I still like finding travel bugs and coins. Regardless, it's just nice to get out, yeah?

[+cerberus1]

Mmm...I used to prefer regulars, but I've found all of the ones fairly close by. I've also found a few micros and nanos done really well recently, so I've changed my mind about them. I also did part of a power trail that was all micros. While the hides themselves weren't super unique, they got me to ride 6 miles on a bike trail in a lovely area. I suppose I'm still a bit biased toward smalls and regulars, if only because I still like finding travel bugs and coins. Regardless, it's just nice to get out, yeah?

Yeah...

Just today I went on a plank walk across a bog on a preserve.

The containers were pill bottles of all things, but the awesome trip (and over two mile distance) I think kinda made up for 'em.

Others he has are maze-like routes through cliffs/crevices and some of the best views presented of any other local cacher.

Just has carpy containers.

 

I still prefer regulars and happiest if it's an ammo can.

- And still won't do parking lots, guard rails, or roadside.

But if you're sending me somewhere awesome (compared to the nondescript hides we're seeing lately...) I'll kinda forgive that the container's mediocre.

[+ArtieD]

*sigh*

 

The size of the cache does not matter. It has never mattered. Bigger does not mean better.

 

What matters?

 

The placement. The kind of container used. The location.

[+Path Pacer]

I'm the same way. I prefer a container big enough to have stuff in it. The harder it is to reach, the better the stuff, usually.

[+redsox_mark]

All things being equal, I prefer a larger container which can take trackables and swag - even if I don't trade swag myself (unless I have kids with me).

 

Though size is just one aspect of course. Especially in a populated location, a clever micro can be the perfect container. And I've found large containers which were poor containers (e.g. a large plastic bottle which doesn't have a waterproof seal).

 

Out in the woods though I generally don't like micros, unless it embedded in a larger object. As I don't like "needle in a haystack" finds. It is too easy to hide a micro (even if it is a quality micro like a good bison or a match stick container) in the woods, and too hard for me to find!

[+dprovan]

I've noticed in least in my area, the better though out geocaches tend to be in containers that are not micro sized. Perhaps the reason for this is more effort is required to find and place a hide with a larger container.

In my area, better thought out geocaches come in all sizes. In fact, the truly intricate hides are typically micros.

[+ByronForestPreserve]

Yeah...

Just today I went on a plank walk across a bog on a preserve.

The containers were pill bottles of all things, but the awesome trip (and over two mile distance) I think kinda made up for 'em.

Others he has are maze-like routes through cliffs/crevices and some of the best views presented of any other local cacher.

Just has carpy containers.

 

I still prefer regulars and happiest if it's an ammo can.

- And still won't do parking lots, guard rails, or roadside.

But if you're sending me somewhere awesome (compared to the nondescript hides we're seeing lately...) I'll kinda forgive that the container's mediocre.

 

I will never ever clear all of the caches close to my home and work because one is on a guardrail. I drive by it ten times a week...doing the math, I've driven by it over 3,000 times. And now I have to laugh, because I went to look up the placement date, and see that someone recently dropped off a geocoin in it. Maybe I will go find it after all!

[+niraD]

All things being equal, I prefer a larger container which can take trackables and swag - even if I don't trade swag myself (unless I have kids with me).

I trade only for personal signature items left by other geocachers, so...

 

All things being equal, I prefer a cache that is large enough to hold personal signature items and similar small trade items. But a lot of micro-size containers (e.g., film canisters) are big enough for that, and small-size containers are plenty big enough. Containers much bigger than a couple quarts/liters just provide more room for typical trade items, making it harder to find the personal signature items that I might be interested in. And the novelty of a large-size container with large-size trade items wears thin when everything inside is damp and mildewed.

 

But all things aren't equal. I enjoy challenging 4-star camouflage caches, and those are generally smaller (micros or nanos). And in urban/suburban locations, the caches that actually survive are generally smaller (micros or nanos), and are often puzzle caches as well (which I also enjoy).

 

One of my Favorites is even a micro, a proverbial film canister in the woods. Yes, it's all about the location. No, a larger container would not work at its location. No, a nearby location that can support a larger container would not be at all the same.

[TahoeJoe]

All things being equal, I prefer a larger container which can take trackables and swag - even if I don't trade swag myself (unless I have kids with me).

I trade only for personal signature items left by other geocachers, so...

 

All things being equal, I prefer a cache that is large enough to hold personal signature items and similar small trade items. But a lot of micro-size containers (e.g., film canisters) are big enough for that, and small-size containers are plenty big enough. Containers much bigger than a couple quarts/liters just provide more room for typical trade items, making it harder to find the personal signature items that I might be interested in. And the novelty of a large-size container with large-size trade items wears thin when everything inside is damp and mildewed.

 

But all things aren't equal. I enjoy challenging 4-star camouflage caches, and those are generally smaller (micros or nanos). And in urban/suburban locations, the caches that actually survive are generally smaller (micros or nanos), and are often puzzle caches as well (which I also enjoy).

 

One of my Favorites is even a micro, a proverbial film canister in the woods. Yes, it's all about the location. No, a larger container would not work at its location. No, a nearby location that can support a larger container would not be at all the same.

My only micro cache (which includes a mini logbook and pencil) is hidden in a location where no other size would work and was hidden before micros became overused and became the norm. There are places where micros are necessary, but it seems most of the time micros are used because they require little thought to throw together and can be hidden easier than a large container.

Edited May 11, 2015 by TahoeJoe

[+L0ne.R]

All things being equal, I prefer a larger container which can take trackables and swag - even if I don't trade swag myself (unless I have kids with me).

I trade only for personal signature items left by other geocachers, so...

 

All things being equal, I prefer a cache that is large enough to hold personal signature items and similar small trade items. But a lot of micro-size containers (e.g., film canisters) are big enough for that, and small-size containers are plenty big enough. Containers much bigger than a couple quarts/liters just provide more room for typical trade items, making it harder to find the personal signature items that I might be interested in. And the novelty of a large-size container with large-size trade items wears thin when everything inside is damp and mildewed.

 

But all things aren't equal. I enjoy challenging 4-star camouflage caches, and those are generally smaller (micros or nanos). And in urban/suburban locations, the caches that actually survive are generally smaller (micros or nanos), and are often puzzle caches as well (which I also enjoy).

 

One of my Favorites is even a micro, a proverbial film canister in the woods. Yes, it's all about the location. No, a larger container would not work at its location. No, a nearby location that can support a larger container would not be at all the same.

My only micro cache (which includes a mini logbook and pencil) is hidden in a location where no other size would work and was hidden before micros became overused and became the norm. There are places where micros are necessary, but it seems most of the time micros are used because they require little thought to throw together and can be hidden easier than a large container.

 

That's a big reason I don't like micros (despite really enjoying swag), most micros give the impression that the cache owner took the easy route. The CO carries around a sack full of film canisters and pill bottles and drops one wherever a spot is available. No consideration for whether the location can hold something larger.

[+ArtieD]

Unless trading swag is your thing, I don't see why a large container is better. Heck, even the larger containers we have around here become mostly empty after a while, so it makes them a pointless larger container.

[+Path Pacer]

Unless trading swag is your thing, I don't see why a large container is better. Heck, even the larger containers we have around here become mostly empty after a while, so it makes them a pointless larger container.

You're rubbing a sore spot with me. I recently put out a medium-sized cache with about five decent items in it, only to check on it a couple of weeks later and finding just two left -- and nothing else. I was very disappointed in my fellow cachers.

[+ArtieD]

Unless trading swag is your thing, I don't see why a large container is better. Heck, even the larger containers we have around here become mostly empty after a while, so it makes them a pointless larger container.

You're rubbing a sore spot with me. I recently put out a medium-sized cache with about five decent items in it, only to check on it a couple of weeks later and finding just two left -- and nothing else. I was very disappointed in my fellow cachers.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to! As a cache owner myself, I have done the same thing as you...place caches with great swag, only to find them plundered in quick fashion.

[+Path Pacer]

Sorry, didn't mean to! As a cache owner myself, I have done the same thing as you...place caches with great swag, only to find them plundered in quick fashion.

Hurts, doesn't it?

[+ArtieD]

Sorry, didn't mean to! As a cache owner myself, I have done the same thing as you...place caches with great swag, only to find them plundered in quick fashion.

Hurts, doesn't it?

 

Yes indeed.

[+L0ne.R]

Unless trading swag is your thing, I don't see why a large container is better. Heck, even the larger containers we have around here become mostly empty after a while, so it makes them a pointless larger container.

 

All things being equal, a larger container is better. Junk is junk. It's not fun finding a bison tube with a soggy tattered log. A film canister with a moldy mess. A magnetic keysafe with a tattered baggie and a scrunched, tattered, moldy, wet log inside. And that goes for any size cache.

Edited May 12, 2015 by L0ne.R

[+ArtieD]

All things being equal, a larger container is better. Junk is junk. It's not fun finding a bison tube with a soggy tattered log. A film canister with a moldy mess. A magnetic keysafe with a tattered baggie and a scrunched, tattered, moldy, wet log inside. And that goes for any size cache.

 

You do realize you can have a micro with perfectly fine logs...and most of them probably are, right?

 

However, you do say that in any size, a wet log is no fun, which is true.

 

That being said, it still does not in any way mean larger is better, unless you just have a thing against micros in general...

[+L0ne.R]

Unless trading swag is your thing, I don't see why a large container is better. Heck, even the larger containers we have around here become mostly empty after a while, so it makes them a pointless larger container.

You're rubbing a sore spot with me. I recently put out a medium-sized cache with about five decent items in it, only to check on it a couple of weeks later and finding just two left -- and nothing else. I was very disappointed in my fellow cachers.

 

I put about $3 worth of trinkets in the cache, some of it I traded from other caches. I go out a couple of times a year to check on our swag size caches and add a couple of baubles. Nothing major. Personally I haven't seen the serious degradation that others see. Lucky I guess.

 

Personally, as someone who likes to leave signature items I just want to find a quality, swag-size cache (doesn't have to be large - palm size is good - Lock & Lock's smallest cache 3 oz. will hold a small TB and a couple of geocoins) that is occasionally checked to remove the dirt and debris. If there's nothing in the cache, I'll leave something.

[+L0ne.R]

 

That being said, it still does not in any way mean larger is better, unless you just have a thing against micros in general.

 

How can I leave signature items in a bison tube? How do I get to enjoy seeing cool geocoins in a matchstick safe?

How do I find cool signature items in a micro?

 

[+Laughing at the Sky]

Unless trading swag is your thing, I don't see why a large container is better. Heck, even the larger containers we have around here become mostly empty after a while, so it makes them a pointless larger container.

You're rubbing a sore spot with me. I recently put out a medium-sized cache with about five decent items in it, only to check on it a couple of weeks later and finding just two left -- and nothing else. I was very disappointed in my fellow cachers.

 

Could have been muggles?

[+Path Pacer]

Could have been muggles?

Why would they put it back? And why wouldn't they take everything? The sad thing is most of the people who've logged a visit were premium members. Still, I suppose it only takes one bad cacher to ruin a cache.

Edited May 12, 2015 by Path Pacer

[+plucka99]

Can't say I've ever personally found anything interesting enough that I'd bother swapping. I've always considered the swapables more of a thing for kids to get fun out of. I grew out collecting toys probably around 14 years of age. For me it's about location and finding clever hides.

[+cerberus1]

Could have been muggles?

Why would they put it back? And why wouldn't they take everything? The sad thing is most of the people who've logged a visit were premium members. Still, I suppose it only takes one bad cacher to ruin a cache.

Sorry to the OP for being off-topic.

 

Do you believe a premium membership changes someone, makes 'em wiser, or instills moral values?

[+Path Pacer]

Do you believe a premium membership changes someone, makes 'em wiser, or instills moral values?

Well, if I did, I don't anymore. I guess I expected them to play by the rules since they are paying for it. Stupid of me.

[+L0ne.R]

Here's a message I received this week regarding swag:

• I just wanted to let you know, I'm always delighted to find your homemade items in caches, and always disappointed when I don't have something to trade when I find an especially cool one. I have a magnet of yours on my fridge, and a little pendant thing in my rear view mirror. Thanks for doing what you do!

[+cerberus1]

Do you believe a premium membership changes someone, makes 'em wiser, or instills moral values?

Well, if I did, I don't anymore. I guess I expected them to play by the rules since they are paying for it. Stupid of me.

We're talking about people.

They wouldn't change if they paid fifty bucks for a concert ticket would they?

I was a pm since we started and only dropped it last October (10yrs).

I'm sure most would agree I'm still the same mean old fart.

[+on4bam]

Can't say I've ever personally found anything interesting enough that I'd bother swapping. I've always considered the swapables more of a thing for kids to get fun out of. I grew out collecting toys probably around 14 years of age. For me it's about location and finding clever hides.

 

Same here. However, I enjoy TBs and coins so finding a larger container increase the chance that there is something to discover/retrieve.

[knowschad]

*sigh*

 

The size of the cache does not matter. It has never mattered. Bigger does not mean better.

 

What matters?

 

The placement. The kind of container used. The location.

 

Apparently it *does* matter to the OP. How you or I feel about it doesn't affect how someone else feels about it.

[+Team Microdot]

*sigh*

 

The size of the cache does not matter. It has never mattered. Bigger does not mean better.

 

What matters?

 

The placement. The kind of container used. The location.

 

Apparently it *does* matter to the OP. How you or I feel about it doesn't affect how someone else feels about it.

 

I think it does matter.

 

As a rule of thumb I think larger containers force CO's to think more carefully about where they hide the cache.

 

Tiny plastic tubes with a log the size of half a postage stamp, well you can stick them out anywhere and as they cost virtually nothing you can throw out hundreds of the little beasties in every pointless location you can squeeze one!

[+J Grouchy]

*sigh*

 

The size of the cache does not matter. It has never mattered. Bigger does not mean better.

 

What matters?

 

The placement. The kind of container used. The location.

 

Apparently it *does* matter to the OP. How you or I feel about it doesn't affect how someone else feels about it.

 

I think it does matter.

 

As a rule of thumb I think larger containers force CO's to think more carefully about where they hide the cache.

 

Tiny plastic tubes with a log the size of half a postage stamp, well you can stick them out anywhere and as they cost virtually nothing you can throw out hundreds of the little beasties in every pointless location you can squeeze one!

 

You kind of just confirmed A & T's point...that container quality, placement and location matter more than the container's size.

Honestly, a poorly maintained 'regular' can be worse than any micro...filled with water and moldy junk.

[+L0ne.R]

*sigh*

 

The size of the cache does not matter. It has never mattered. Bigger does not mean better.

 

What matters?

 

The placement. The kind of container used. The location.

 

Apparently it *does* matter to the OP. How you or I feel about it doesn't affect how someone else feels about it.

 

Thank you.

 

For example, let's say at a GC event there are 2 types of people, those who like both hotdogs and hamburgers. And those who like only hamburger - the ingredients in hotdogs turns them off.

The event host who likes both hotdogs and hamburgers, decides only hotdogs will be served because he likes them and they are cheaper.

Edited May 14, 2015 by L0ne.R

[+L0ne.R]

*sigh*

 

The size of the cache does not matter. It has never mattered. Bigger does not mean better.

 

What matters?

 

The placement. The kind of container used. The location.

 

Apparently it *does* matter to the OP. How you or I feel about it doesn't affect how someone else feels about it.

 

I think it does matter.

 

As a rule of thumb I think larger containers force CO's to think more carefully about where they hide the cache.

 

Tiny plastic tubes with a log the size of half a postage stamp, well you can stick them out anywhere and as they cost virtually nothing you can throw out hundreds of the little beasties in every pointless location you can squeeze one!

 

You kind of just confirmed A & T's point...that container quality, placement and location matter more than the container's size.

Honestly, a poorly maintained 'regular' can be worse than any micro...filled with water and moldy junk.

 

Well when you're comparing junk against junk, then a moldy margarine tub is a larger mess compared to a moldy film canister. Neither is good or acceptable.

 

[TahoeJoe]

*sigh*

 

The size of the cache does not matter. It has never mattered. Bigger does not mean better.

 

What matters?

 

The placement. The kind of container used. The location.

 

Apparently it *does* matter to the OP. How you or I feel about it doesn't affect how someone else feels about it.

 

I think it does matter.

 

As a rule of thumb I think larger containers force CO's to think more carefully about where they hide the cache.

 

Tiny plastic tubes with a log the size of half a postage stamp, well you can stick them out anywhere and as they cost virtually nothing you can throw out hundreds of the little beasties in every pointless location you can squeeze one!

 

You kind of just confirmed A & T's point...that container quality, placement and location matter more than the container's size.

Honestly, a poorly maintained 'regular' can be worse than any micro...filled with water and moldy junk.

 

Well when you're comparing junk against junk, then a moldy margarine tub is a larger mess compared to a moldy film canister. Neither is good or acceptable.

On the flip side of the coin, a well maintained larger cache container is much nicer to find than a well maintained micro.

[+Laughing at the Sky]

For me, it's like this:

 

Caches that don't interest me:

• A boring container in a boring location, without any travel bugs or geocoins (this doesn't just include boring micros, but also includes larger caches that are just a normal box filled with stupid little things that only kids might like)
  

 

Caches that DO interest me:

• A nice location, regardless of container or contents
  
• An interesting container, regardless of location or contents
  
• Travel bugs and geocoins, regardless of container or location
  

[+AustinMN]

For me, it's like this:

 

Caches that don't interest me:

• A boring container in a boring location, without any travel bugs or geocoins (this doesn't just include boring micros, but also includes larger caches that are just a normal box filled with stupid little things that only kids might like)
  

 

Caches that DO interest me:

• A nice location, regardless of container or contents
  
• An interesting container, regardless of location or contents
  
• Travel bugs and geocoins, regardless of container or location
  

 

+1

 

Except: With the grandchildren, it's fun to find SWAG.

[nufdum]

when my kids were little it was no problem to get them through 3 or 4 miles of hiking while "treasure hunting" if we came across a micro or nano it was a huge disappointment for them. As for myself, There is a bit of a thrill to open a box, neer knowing what is in there. just initialing a scrap of paper is just boring. Even if it is a box o stuff I seldom do any swapping.

Traditional caches are just more fun.