Good Coordinates

[+Jayeffel]

I placed a multi cache with two stages, the first virtual and second physical. I had questions at stage one to answer to find coordinates for the second. 

 

I used my iPhone MyGpsCoordinants  App  to get the coordinates  to use. After posting them they showed at slightly different spots on the geocaching.com map.

 

I went back and got several readings at each stage using that app and averaged them and the result was pretty much as before, showed at spots the caches were not placed, but possibly within 30 feet. I had taken my Garmin Eurex to get coordinates but the battery was dead, so after changing batteries went back and got three reading at each spot and averaged them. 

 

The results were a were bit different from before, but not that much. I averaged them and used them. 

 

The results are all at stage one or stage two, but on the map show they show further from the nearby building than they are. Someone relying on the map alone may get tired of looking at empty spots. I do not know how to get better coordinates, hate to wait until someone logs what they show are better ones. I think that by the description they may figure where stage one is.

 

I had a cacher this evening send several help messages asking about the coordinates. I think part of the difficulty was they did not know what a multi cache entailed.They mentioned they were at stage one by mentioning a physical object there, not sure they realized w they were at stage 1, but then a  little later they sent a message stating they were at a certain spot after figuring the second set of coordinates out. They were probably within 10 feet. The cache is a bit devious, a type they never ran into before( they have 44 finds)..

 

 

How can I get coordinates that plot closer to where a cache is? I was right at each stage when getting the data.

 

 

Edited August 28 by Jayeffel

[+Max and 99]

Why do your posted coordinates not match the virtual stage, which are the same?

You did a great job in the description explaining what needs to be done. May I suggest using the checker?

[+niraD]

37 minutes ago, Jayeffel said:

I used my iPhone MyGpsCoordinants  App  to get the coordinates  to use. After posting them they showed at slightly different spots on the geocaching.com map.

 

I went back and got several readings at each stage using that app and averaged them and the result was pretty much as before, showed at spots the caches were not placed, but possibly within 30 feet. I had taken my Garmin Eurex to get coordinates but the battery was dead, so after changing batteries went back and got three reading at each spot and averaged them. 

 

The results were a were bit different from before, but not that much. I averaged them and used them. 

 

It sounds like you've already done everything suggested in the Help Center article How to get accurate coordinates.

 

If you don't trust your coordinates, then test them.

 

Enter your coordinates into your device, and then approach the cache location from at least 100ft/30m away. The arrow should point right at the cache location as you approach. Repeat the process, approaching the cache location from various directions, from at least 100ft/30m away each time. No matter which direction you approach from, the arrow should point right at the cache location.

 

If it doesn't, then adjust your coordinates until it does.

 

Bonus points for repeating the test on another day when the GPS satellites are in a different configuration.
 

[+Jayeffel]

28 minutes ago, Max and 99 said:

Why do your posted coordinates not match the virtual stage, which are the same?

You did a great job in the description explaining what needs to be done. May I suggest using the checker?

Not sure about the posted and virtual coordinates -- too many numbers today, will look into it tomorrow!

[+colleda]

I always go with my Garmin averaged coordinates. I also check them on different days and take several averaged readings then average the averages. I also test them with my phone (Motorola). I never look at them on any map as this is, IMO, only a rough indication at best of times.

[+Max and 99]

1 minute ago, Jayeffel said:

Not sure about the posted and virtual coordinates -- too many numbers today, will look into it tomorrow!

The posted coordinates of a multi need to be at stage 1. It looks like you corrected one of them but not the other.

[+arisoft]

5 hours ago, Jayeffel said:

How can I get coordinates that plot closer to where a cache is?

 

The primary rule is that coordinates must be acquired wit a GPS device. Using a map is basically just for checking. If there is deviation with a map you can add this information in the description. For example, "Please, note that map coordinates are 30 feet off, use GPS instead"

 

If I myself faced such a problem, I would also recheck coordinates as you have already done. Sometimes, when the satellite coverage is bad at the GZ, I have acquired better coordinates by measuring many coordinates about 30 feet around the GZ to all directions. Mapping these coordinates usually gives visual hint where the GZ actually is.

 

 

[+Bear and Ragged]

Use the coordinates you have worked out with a GPS device. (Especially if you've rechecked them!)

I don't trust maps to be 'accurate' especially if it's satellite imagery posted over the map itself.