+InBrainWeTrust Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 Sorry, but I have a few questions... I'm considering getting the Geko 201 unit... do you think this is suitable for a starting GeoCacher? What qualifies as a nice cache? I've read some complaints on the boards about bad newbie caches, and I'd rather not repeat that mistake About what is the average cost of a good cache? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment
peter Posted June 8, 2003 Share Posted June 8, 2003 The Geko 201 looks like a nice unit and is very compact, but is limited by the lack of mapping capability. Since there's a $50 rebate currently on the eTrex Legend I'd recommend that instead ($190-50= $140 currently at Amazon), including the computer cable. So the price is almost as low as the 201 and includes a pretty useful basemap and highway exit services database plus the ability to later add detailed maps, albeit for more $$. As to your questions on making a good cache, I'd suggest just finding for awhile first. You'll quickly form your own ideas about which were especially enjoyable and also get a feel for what spots in your area already have plenty of caches and which could use a new one. Quote Link to comment
+Tsegi Mike and Desert Viking Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 quote:Originally posted by FenrirWolf:+ What qualifies as a nice cache? I've read some complaints on the boards about bad newbie caches, and I'd rather not repeat that mistake + About what is the average cost of a good cache? Thanks in advance A nice cache is one stocked with a couple of hundred dollars worth of goodies and placed near my home.... Just kidding! Couldn't resist. Like your name, very Scandinavian mythic. Quote Link to comment
+Geo-Johnson's Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 We have the Geko 201 and the E-trex Venture. We like both alot. The Venture does have more features, although the Geko certainly has enough to keep you a happy geocacher. We recommend the Venture as a first-timers GPS. The Geko is good for a second unit.....for those of us that fight over it. he he he! The only complaint we have about the Geko is the space they give you to name your waypoints. They only give you 5 or 6 spaces to name them. I believe the Venture gives 12 spaces. Which makes a difference if you have one waypoint called "deer park" and "deer lake". The Geko is easier to learn how to use and of course is smaller. Children are natural mimics who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners. Quote Link to comment
+woodsters Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 We just bought the Gecko 201 the other day and liked it. Garming did their homework on doing hte Gecko. They made one that is better than the basic Etrex and the Gecko 201, but less in cost than the better legends, vistas and etc. They priced it where it's going to snag those like us where cost is important. Yes there are some deals out there with rebates. You have to check on the rebates and see if they are instant or mail in. As someone said they take the chance that people won't mail it in and you pay the full price. I've done that before. And then other times when I hbave done it, it normally take around 2 months, give or take a week or two, to get your money. Depending on weather you want to wait for the money or not I think depends on it all too. The Gecko worked ok for our first find yesterday. we did have trouble with it keeping up with our movement in the dense tree coverage though and had to stop and ralign with the satellites and then goto the cache. But we did it. Actually we were within 10 ft of it several times and we just didn't see it. I will tell you, if you haven't seen it up close, it is small! I have a small Samsung flip cell phone and it's almost the size of the phone when the phone is closed. Brian Wood Woodsters Outdoors http://www.woodsters.com Quote Link to comment
+Dave_W6DPS Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 quote:Originally posted by FenrirWolf:+ What qualifies as a nice cache? I've read some complaints on the boards about bad newbie caches, and I'd rather not repeat that mistake + About what is the average cost of a good cache? Thanks in advance Welcome! A good cache is one that is well thought out, in a place that is interesting to go to (especially is off the beaten path), and well maintained. The main thing that makes a "good" cache is the thought and preparation that goes into it. Is there a reason to bring someone to the cache location? Is the hide interesting? Did you do a number of sets of coordinates at different times of the day and average them? Did you include any needed information in the description (where to park, watch out for the 200 foot cliff 50 feet East of the cache, etc.)? The cost doesn't have to be very high. A decent container that will hold up to the elements, and handling by finders, until you are ready to replace it, a few decent swag items, and a durable logbook are all you need. I think my last couple of caches have totalled about $20 out of pocket each. If you find a couple of dozen caches before hiding one you can develop an idea of what you like to see and consider a "good" cache. If you like it, other probably will too. Think about what you liked and didn't like about each cache you find, and remember it when you are planning to hide a cache. Welcome again, and good luck! Dave_W6DPS My two cents worth, refunds available on request. (US funds only) Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 quote: * I'm considering getting the Geko 201 unit... do you think this is suitable for a starting GeoCacher? * What qualifies as a nice cache? I've read some complaints on the boards about bad newbie caches, and I'd rather not repeat that mistake Smile * About what is the average cost of a good cache? For about the same price as the Gecko, you can get the Legend ($139 with $50 rebate) at Amazon.com. Why get a basic, bare bones model, when you can buy a near top of the line model with mapping features? And it comes with the computer cable (a $30 add on for the Gecko). You WILL want the computer cable eventually, if not sooner. To me a nice cache hunt involves a nice hike, an interesting, or scenic spot, or all three. Also there should be a decent, waterproof container at the end. It's no fun to have to drain green, slimy water out of a cache and try to open a soaked logbook to log in. It's not all newbies who place lousy caches, but if you want my opinion of what a lousy cache is, it's a Gladware container filled with broken toys from the bottom of your kids toy chest, hidden in a non-descript, litter strewn lot, 50 yards from the parking lot. I spend about $20 - $30 to place a regular sized cache, including the container (usually an ammo box), and $8 - $15 for a micro. But I tend to really fill the containers up, so I don't have to go back to re-seed them as often. A decent cache could be put together for half of what I spend if you use your imagination. "Au pays des aveugles, les borgnes sont rois" [This message was edited by BrianSnat on June 09, 2003 at 12:52 PM.] Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted June 9, 2003 Share Posted June 9, 2003 A nice cache is what you as a cache finder make it. I've had lame caches be great because of events coming together when I was looking for the cache. These events have nothing to do with the cache but wout the cache I'd not of been there for them. ===================== Wherever you go there you are. Quote Link to comment
+Turtle3863 Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 quote:I spend about $20 - $30 to place a regular sized cache, including the container (usually an ammo box), and $8 - $15 for a micro. But I tend to really fill the containers up, so I don't have to go back to re-seed them as often. A decent cache could be put together for half of what I spend if you use your imagination. _"Au pays des aveugles, les borgnes sont rois"_ [This message was edited by BrianSnat on June 09, 2003 at 12:52 PM.] Wow, I want to find some of your $15 micros, I buy a M & M tube, gulp down the candy, add a logbook and boom you got a cache. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted June 10, 2003 Share Posted June 10, 2003 quote:Wow, I want to find some of your $15 micros, I buy a M & M tube, gulp down the candy, add a logbook and boom you got a cache. Oh, you're the one that everybody's complaining about "Au pays des aveugles, les borgnes sont rois" Quote Link to comment
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