Is a GPS mandatory?

[Guest Justin Thyme]

ars ago before anyone even thought about a GPS. I think I was pretty good in locating map coordinates by just using a compass and a topo map. Do I have to use a GPS to locate the caches or can I look for them with just my map and compass?

[Guest charlesml]

I guess it's possible to find out your coordinates just by using maps and compass, but I think it's gonna be a lot harder and may not be as accurate. Oh and you won't get that real time data like a GPS unit does, for my GPS, it updates every 1 second. Well since you said you are good at maps and compass, then I think it won't be a problem for you, why not try it?

[Guest makaio]

Not at all. In fact, some have already located caches using the method you describe. Give it a go and let us know how you fare.

[Guest Scout]

Go ahead and give it a try. But with orienteering, the control markers are usually easy to spot when you get reasonably close. In geocaching, the caches can be darn hard to spot even when you are standing right next to them. So, unless you have a VERY detailed map with VERY detailed lat/lon lines, you'll have a hard time locating many of the caches with just coordinates. Of course, the spoilers often give you a lot more than that, so it's not always impossible. Like I said, give it a try and make up your own mind.