vaguely_clear Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Man, GPS technology isn't cheap! Is there any way to hunt old school with a compass and a map? PS - To answer your question, yes, I am a newbie. Quote Link to comment
+Lazyboy & Mitey Mite Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Sure there is and some cachers do it. It's tough though. Quote Link to comment
+Corp Of Discovery Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 No, you don't have to use a GPS. There are quite a few who do it that way. As long as your skill ith a compass and map is good enough- go for it. You can get a cheaper ($100 or so) GPS that would work fine for caching tho. Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Pirates didn't need no stinking GPS but it would of made their job easier. Quote Link to comment
+protocoldroid Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 (edited) yeah, a barrel of limes and a sam's club size pack of AA's and you're off to plunder the carribean i have done some orienteering (basically what you're talking about, finding a point on the map via map/compass) in the day, and... it's more intense than finding a cache with a GPS. anyhow... i found out about geocaching while shopping for a GPS on ebay... and I wanted to go caching before I got the GPS in the mail... and I gave it a shot. No luck in my case, I just couldn't swing it.... I still had an -absolute- blast though. And was back to find the same cache with GPS in hand. Anyways... I say, if you've got the patience, give it a go with the compass. You might want to try USAPhotoMaps, a progrm which downloads satellite and topographic maps... that is, if you can't buy a topo from the USGS... which are probably recommendable if you're going to try to hunt a coord w/ map and compass. edit: typo Edited May 8, 2004 by protocoldroid Quote Link to comment
+Melrose Plant Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 I also tried to hunt my first cache without a GPS--unsuccessfully. Back then, I did not think about the different map datum of the USGS maps versus what we use. Also, many of the landmark features have changed dramatically between when these maps were printed and the present day. Between these two, I was sunk. I spent $80 on my GPS at Target. It's the lowest of the low (Garmin Geko 101), but I've found 107 caches with it so far. Quote Link to comment
CoyoteRed Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 We used MapQuest and the hints to find our first few. Quote Link to comment
+Milbank Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 What! go caching without a gps? No way, would never do it. I'm having to much fun with my gps. I have not looked on ebay, but if you can buy a new one for under $100 I would think you could find a used one at a even better price. Quote Link to comment
vaguely_clear Posted May 8, 2004 Author Share Posted May 8, 2004 Thanks guys, I appriciate it. I guess I might as well try it, but I'll have to research the whole coordinate system. I don't know how I'll find a map with parallels and meridians down to the degree, though. Any Ideas? Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Try www.lostoutdoors.com I'll second that. The dot on an arial photo can get you within 20' or so. At least it did when I tried it. Quote Link to comment
+Torry Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 I found about 7 or 8 without my GPS. I suggest you pick your targets carefully -- Try for regular caches in small parks. I used the satellite photos and would triangulate locations from visible landmarks such as street corners, buildings, playground equipment. -- Read all the logs and clues carefully. -- Pick targets that have been well-visited ercently, the "geo-trails" are a big help. -- AVOID MICROS unless the clue is SO dead-on that you can't help but find it. -- Virtuals are do-able and there are many that don't require a camera, just find the target and e-mail some info. Quote Link to comment
drivec Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 I have found some just by looking at Satellite pics.www.globexplorer.com is a good site. Quote Link to comment
+writer Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 There is a geocacher out my way - WaldenRun - who the last time I spoke with him had something like 1500 or 1600 finds, and he doesn't own a GPS receiver. Aside from the other good advice you received, check out www.topozone.com for topographic maps. (Actually, if you are unfamiliar with an area, that's a good step even when you do have a GPSr - might as well plot out the intelligent and safe approach.) Quote Link to comment
dampeoples Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 What! go caching without a gps? No way, would never do it. I'm having to much fun with my gps. I have not looked on ebay, but if you can buy a new one for under $100 I would think you could find a used one at a even better price. Be careful on eBay, I've seen people pay more than new price for stuff! Quote Link to comment
+TEAM 360 Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Ghettocaching: no GPS required, just a flak jacket about 10,000 rounds, especially IN HERE Quote Link to comment
sillymamma Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Garmin eTrex is $80.99 shipped at Amazon if you shop for it *then* check your gold box. They've been running a special in the last few weeks for $10 off the normal $90 price. If you run into any problems with the discount not showing up, call customer service at (800) 201-7575 Quote Link to comment
+Brian - Team A.I. Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 No, you don't need one, but it DOES make it more difficult to find cache. I managed 4/4 on attempts without a GPS over the last few days, while I wait for m Vista to sell and my 60C to arrive (hopefully tomorrow!). One of them I knew from the location and guessed where it would be, another I had to search where I guessed the cache to be for a solid 20 minutes, another I had to consult a better map to approximate location (and still found it), and a fourth I was also familiar with the area to make the find pretty easy. It just depends on a number of factors as to whether or not you'll find it with ease. Quote Link to comment
+programmer64 Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 If you are really good with a map and compass it is possible, I've done a couple of caches sans GPSr. It was not easy but it was alot of fun! Quote Link to comment
Dirtbag Darrel Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 I’m new to pin point nav and have become interested in using the UTM system. You can use it with a greater degree of effectiveness but in order to make it work without gps you have to know EXACTLY where you are. You can download a free UTM overlay grid at: http://www.maptools.com/ I’m interested in using this to translate the info on the gps to the topo in my pocket for backpacking. They also sell a grid with an instruction book for about $6 which may be cheaper than buying the clear overlay to print the free download on. Quote Link to comment
SirPoonga Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Find someone in your area to go caching with. There might be a local or state caching website you can inquire at, or here. I frequent www.mngca.org. Quote Link to comment
Black Mage Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 I actually hit my very first cache with out a GPS. It was a 1/1 and in an open park, but it still took me on hour to find it. So it is possible, though a GPS sure helps. Quote Link to comment
+mihiker Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 I spent $80 on my GPS at Target. It's the lowest of the low (Garmin Geko 101), but I've found 107 caches with it so far. Hey-Another "budget cacher!" I've got the same one from the same place! I thought I was the only one! Quote Link to comment
vaguely_clear Posted May 12, 2004 Author Share Posted May 12, 2004 Hey, thanks for the replies everyone. I went for three caches on Sunday (two regular and one virtual.) Needless to say, I only found the virtual cache, as I knew exactly where it was. I think one of the others was gone, and the final cache was in a woodland area and I beleive I walked right past it on more than one occasion. I big thanks to the LostOutdoors.com suggestion. Their map maker is awesome! I suppose I will just try untill I have the cash for a gps (no pun intended). Quote Link to comment
+Carl LaFong Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 I found my first cache without a GPS device because it was a cryptographic kind of puzzle and the location was described very explicitly once you deciphered it. Of course, solving most puzzle caches only gives you the true coordinates, and then you have to find that spot just as you would with a regular cache where you have them from the outset. Having a GPS device doesn't mean you'll always go to the coordinates, reach out your hand and pick up the cache container. It may be camouflaged to make it hard to find even for someone who knows about where it must be. Logs that say "clever hide" frighten me. So regarding your original question, I agree with other posters that you can use map & compass or web tools to get to a location but the GPS makes it easier. After that everyone has to do the find, GPS or not. Quote Link to comment
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