bryanzera Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Last night was the first time my wife and I went 'caching. I had pulled only the coordinates from geocaching.com and not the maps, so when we went out, we really didn't have any idea where the coordinates were close to. My wife drove and I pointed in all sorts of random directions saying stuff like "We need to go 340 seconds that way", etc. We found and documented our first cache. When I went back to log our cache at geocaching.com, I see that there was a map available the entire time. Does anyone else think that by following the map, you're kind of cheating? I think it would be more fun to just get in the car/on the bike and just go rather than use a map. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment
+mogolloyd Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Whatever you like is the best way to do it. That's why they try to limit the rules. Quote Link to comment
+DadONine Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I've been doing more and more map-less caching. A lot of times I know what general area I'm going to so I just load a PQ onto my GPSr and my Palm, then keep an eye on the tracking screen on the GPSr. If any nearby waypoints appear I'll check the info using either Cachemate or a Plucker file and decide whether to try 'em or not. Yesterday I went mapless because I knew the area where the cache was hidden and could find it without a map. However, if there was a particular cache I was wanting to nab and I didn't know the area.... Well, you get the picture. I don't think either way is right or wrong, it's a matter of personal preference. DadONine Quote Link to comment
+woodsters Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Well the little maps are not really helpful in a lot of cases...they tell you in a general area basically...If you want to use some maps...use the topos....ExpertGPS is a great little program...I'm still on the trial version of it, but it has been great... I'm surprised that you were able to say go "340 seconds" and she knew what you ment. I wouldn't know what the heck you were talking about. I've noticed most caches around here will give you parking directions as well which are very beneficial.... Brian As long as you're going to think anyway, think big. -Donald Trump Quote Link to comment
+Stunod Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I mainly use maps for finding legal parking. After that it's follow the arrow. "Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson Eamus Catuli AC145895 Quote Link to comment
+O'Clan Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I like just going blind, too! Quote Link to comment
+Polgara Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 If I'm going somewhere that I'm somehwat familiar, I just use coordinates. I use the little street map on the cache page if i'm going somewhere i have never been. I use a topo map and/or trail map if i'm heading on a long hike into a game land. "The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the Creator." - Louis Pasteur Quote Link to comment
OuttaHand Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 When I first started, I went blind. Put in the coords and follow the arrow. But I prefer using maps and planning my attack now. I'm a planner. I enjoy laying out my route and thinking aout the best plan of attack. I use Mapsource for the roads and driving, and I use satellite images of the actual coords to see what the area will be like once I get there. I enjoy the preparation. Given that -- I completely understand the 'thrill' of going in blind. I just prefer the preparation. Quote Link to comment
+The Cheeseheads Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I mostly use maps if I'm going after a few caches at once just to see where they are in relation to each other so I do them in an "efficient" order. That, and if I'm caching in a completely unfamilliar area. I've given up on caches before because I couldn't even find the park they were hidden. - - - - - Uh oh... Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 340 seconds? Sounds like you used the Coordiates display to find the cache coordiates. This works but the pointer page on your GPS is much simpler to use. I use the rubber band map on my GPS for the most part to get close then the pointer to find the cache. For some of the remote caches that take you off road I might use Topo Software to plan a route to keep me on track. Quote Link to comment
Dinoprophet Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 quote:Originally posted by bryanzera:My wife drove and I pointed in all sorts of random directions saying stuff like "We need to go 340 seconds that way", etc. You weren't just looking at your current coordinates and extrapolating from that, were you? That'd be pretty hardcore. I like maps, and I don't like spending a lot of time finding parking, so I plan my hunts out pretty thoroughly. Especially in unfamiliar territory. The planning is half the fun for me. Well, maybe 1/5 the fun. But yeah, one of the great things about the game is being able to play it how you want. Be warned, though, that many caches have instructions on the cache page and/or false coordinates. Consider that possibility before going out *completely* blind (some people still do, even knowing that). Have fun! Well the mountain was so beautiful that this guy built a mall and a pizza shack Yeah he built an ugly city because he wanted the mountain to love him back -- Dar Williams Quote Link to comment
VistaCrewzers Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I,ve done both, but I use maps here in the canyon country where 15 feet can mean the differance between the top and the bottom of a 300 foot cliff and a 20 mile drive around. Quote Link to comment
+Lothar69 Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 So far in my limited experience I have used maps. Primarily because I don't have a ton of free-time to cache so when I do, I want to maximise my time. The best way for me to do that has been to plot caches on a map so I can see them all and plan a good route. Once in the general area, I only use my GPSr. ------------------------------------------------------------ I am Lothar, King of the Hill people. I have many tales to tell.... 24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not. - Stephen Wright ------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment
Fakk 2 Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I just grab the coordinates. Though I do have all the pages in my pocket pc if I have troubles I can refer to them. But Rarely use them, I like to think of my caching expereince from the time I pull out of the driveway as being the start of it. not when I park my Jeep. I bought a GPS. Now I get lost with style. Quote Link to comment
+Hiemdahl Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 I use the maps mostly to find legal parking spots. From then on, it's just the GPSr. Quote Link to comment
Tikiroy Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 I use what I call a three tiered approach... 1) Coordinates only till I find..If not found ) 2) Pull out the map and try from there, then> 3) Decrypt the clue...I've only done that once I like the challenge of coordinates only "There's so much comedy on television. Does that cause comedy in the streets?" Quote Link to comment
+StormShadow Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Hiemdahl:I use the maps mostly to find legal parking spots. From then on, it's just the GPSr. Ditto. Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 I have one letter for you, V. Get the Garmin V. http://fp1.centurytel.net/Criminal_Page/ Quote Link to comment
+Cadence Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 My wife and I cache 'blind' more often than not - we don't have any record of what the cache is, what type, or what clues. My Rino contains a notes page that let's us know what the name of it is, maybe that jogs a memory or two. If we hit a virtual or landmark, we write everything down. If we hit a multi, we decide if we have time for it. The amusing thing is finding caches without the cache info or a GPS, we laughingly call that "Caching Blind and Naked". OddTodd Cadence (OddTodd and CheleBell) FRS2,12GMRS22(WPXD965) Quote Link to comment
Dru Morgan Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 Can I do it just till I need glasses? Seriously, I love the maps. That is why this sport is so appealing to me, getting to pore over the various maps available. A good map is like a centerfold to me. Ever notice how anyone that caches more than you do is a maniac, while anyone that caches less than you do is an idiot? -Dru Morgan Quote Link to comment
Team Kender Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 I like maps. I like researching an area through several different map programs ranging from mapquest/terraserver to topozone and mapsend topo. I like also getting the history of a location or region. Not hard core enough to get even 5 or more caches a week, so I spend some time learning about the places I'm going to (if they are more exotic than an urban micro). Team Kender - "The Sun is coming up!" "No, the horizon is going down." Quote Link to comment
Micqn Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 I prefer to write the coords down in my little spiral notebook and try to find the cache that way. If I fail the first attempt at getting to the cache I print off the TopoZone map since the TopoZone is fairly accurate but not "right on" becuase the map datum is different. If all else fails and I decide that I really suck I will bring the encrypted cache page with no logs. I rarely have to use the hints. Don't Drink And Park: Accidents Cause People. Quote Link to comment
+yumitori Posted August 21, 2003 Share Posted August 21, 2003 quote:Originally posted by bryanzera: When I went back to log our cache at geocaching.com, I see that there was a map available the entire time. Does anyone else think that by following the map, you're kind of cheating? I think it would be more fun to just get in the car/on the bike and just go rather than use a map. Thoughts? Well, anything supported by the website can hardly be 'cheating', can it? There are those not familiar with the sport who don't see what the big challenge is if you have the exact coordinates. Those of us who have been at this for a little while recognize it's not as simple as it seems. That said, use or don't use whatever you want. Since ultimately the validity of your efforts rests solely in your own judgement, don't sweat whether or not anyone else thinks you are 'cheating'. Ron/yumitori --- Remember what the dormouse said... Quote Link to comment
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