Bonus Cache Feature Suggestion

[+x7Kevin]

I love bonus caches, but there's a few issues in my opinion....

 

• A bonus cache can't be made with all types of caches. For example, an Earthcache or Virtual that fits with the theme of a series could not be used as part of the bonus cache since there is no way to add a clue. 
• The majority of bonus caches in my area are associated with Adventure Labs, even though this is not reccomended by HQ because it can create a confusing experience. It makes sense though since this is currently one of the easiest ways to create a bonus cache. 
• A bonus cache for a series basically requires me to pre-plan the entire series. I could theoretically create a bonus cache for my series when it's complete, however it would be frustrating/annoying for finders to return to caches they've already found simply to find the clue. 
• If I need to update my bonus cache for any reason, it requires me visiting perhaps many other caches. I would argue that it is more work on average than any other type of cache to setup and maintain. 
• I sometimes lose/forget the clue I found in one cache, so by the time I find the other caches required for the bonus cache months later I still can't find the bonus and would have to return to caches I've already found. 
• It is the only type of cache that can be broken completely by a wet/smudged log. 
• It can be difficult to add clues to nano logs, and then every time I replace the logs I need to make sure to add the clue. I recently did a series of creative nano caches and thought a bonus would be cool, but it would've been so much extra work I didn't bother. 

 

My dream for bonus caches....

 

The ability to create bonus caches whose coordinates are simply revealed once cachers have found a set list of my caches I choose. It would be similar to challenge checkers, but it is only checking if the cacher has logged a find on the specified caches I've chosen. I can add any of my own caches to this list, regardless of type. It could be one or more caches.

 

There could also be an option that if one cache on this list is disabled to automatically remove it from the bonus cache requirements, or instead disable the bonus cache. 

 

I think this would encourage newer players to find more caches as well, and allow for creative series and themes to be more easily created. I'm not sure if HQ has ever considered this, but just wanted to suggest it. 

 

Bonus caches could still be created like they always have been, but this would be an alternative way to create them that does not require placing physical clues in caches or posting clues in Adventure Lab descriptions. It would also mean I can create a bonus cache involving my caches that have already been placed, and some cachers may then already automatically qualify to get the coordinates for the bonus cache. 

 

EXAMPLE:

 

Cache1 (multi-cache)

Cache2 (adventure lab)

Cache3 (virtual)

 

BonusCache - if user finds Cache1 + Cache2 + Cache3 = reveal BonusCache coordinates

Edited November 2 by x7Kevin
added issue

[+Max and 99]

47 minutes ago, x7Kevin said:

I sometimes lose/forget the clue I found in one cache, so by the time I find the other caches required for the bonus cache months later I still can't find the bonus and would have to return to caches I've already found. 

You could put it in the personal note of the geocache or the bonus cache. 

48 minutes ago, x7Kevin said:

 

The ability to create bonus caches whose coordinates are simply revealed once cachers have found a set list of my caches I choose. It would be similar to challenge checkers, but it is only checking if the cacher has logged a find on the specified caches

Logging a find on previous caches is not a requirement to find the bonus.  I mean you can't require it. The only requirement is to sign the log. 

[+x7Kevin]

1 hour ago, Max and 99 said:

You could put it in the personal note of the geocache or the bonus cache. 

Logging a find on previous caches is not a requirement to find the bonus.  I mean you can't require it. The only requirement is to sign the log. 

You could also just write it on a piece of paper or make a note in your phone, I know there’s many ways to remember but it’s just something I don’t always remember to do. 
 

My suggestion for this alternative way to find a bonus would require someone logging a find on the previous caches. If that goes against current guidelines for some reason it would require them to be changed. 

[+barefootjeff]

2 hours ago, x7Kevin said:

The majority of bonus caches in my area are associated with Adventure Labs, even though this is not reccomended by HQ because it can create a confusing experience. It makes sense though since this is currently one of the easiest ways to create a bonus cache.

 

Bonus caches can certainly add a bit more fun to an AL, but can be a pain for the creator. Firstly, there's no clean way to reveal the bonus's coordinates once all stages are done unless the AL is made sequential, and often this is the only reason for making it sequential. It also negates the benefit of ALs being completely virtual, which makes them useful in places where physical caches are problematic or not allowed, but if you create an AL without a bonus you're likely to get complaints from those who think they've been dudded out of an extra smiley.

 

2 hours ago, x7Kevin said:

It is the only type of cache that can be broken completely by a wet/smudged log.

 

Not so, multis where the coordinates of the next stage are written on something at each waypoint can have the same trouble, as I found out when doing one a couple of years back that had printed QR codes in MKHs at the waypoints but some of them became torn and tattered and couldn't be scanned. The same applies to multis with virtual waypoints based on signs that can get mutlilated or replaced with a new one having different wording (I've been caught out by that too). It really boils down to good design to make the bonus information robust and sufficiently frequent checks to make sure it all remains in good order.

 

2 hours ago, x7Kevin said:

My dream for bonus caches....

 

The ability to create bonus caches whose coordinates are simply revealed once cachers have found a set list of my caches I choose. It would be similar to challenge checkers, but it is only checking if the cacher has logged a find on the specified caches I've chosen. I can add any of my own caches to this list, regardless of type. It could be one or more caches.

 

Call me cynical, but my immediate reaction is that some people would post fake logs on the caches in the list just to get the bonus coordinates, then immediately delete those logs to cover their tracks. I suppose it could be made to work if requiring finds on the listed caches was an allowable ALR that the bonus's CO could enforce, but I still wonder if it might be opening a can of worms.

 

But maybe it does have merit, it would certainly have made it easier for me when I've become so engrossed in finding the caches that I've forgotten to photograph the bonus info and have had to go back for it.

[+thebruce0]

26 minutes ago, barefootjeff said:

Call me cynical, but my immediate reaction is that some people would post fake logs on the caches in the list just to get the bonus coordinates, then immediately delete those logs to cover their tracks.

This. Bonus caches requiring the technical action of posting a Find would encourage the posting of Find logs, legitimate and not. Guaranteed. Just like HQ doesn't want to allow challenge that encourage people to place caches in order to qualify, they won't allow a prerequisite that be to post Find logs on cache listings. 

 

 

Secondly, another easy way to hide a bonus completion isn't to put the final coordinates in AL stages or make them sequential - just use Certitude and require a phrase via that checker to reveal the coordinates. Use the correct AL stage answers all together as the pass phrase. Easy peasy. If there's a change everything can be edited on the fly.  Just make sure the AL answers and the certitude phrase remain consistent after any change.