+BadAndy Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Has anyone encountered caches that use electronics or photo-voltaics in the cache, or waypoints? Webcams aside, I'd like to hear some ideas. Quote Link to comment
+nfa Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Hi, I heard about a night cache that utilized a perpetually blinking led attached to the cache container. nfa-jamie Quote Link to comment
PromiseKeeper Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Here's one! http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...8f-e4c71a94d602 Scott Quote Link to comment
+Binrat Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Here ya go. Halloween 2004: The Lost Cacher Binrat Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 In the Treasure valley there was a short lived cache that made noice when it heard a sound. The way it worked was as you looked all over eventually you would clank around close to the cache and you would hear a faint scream "Let me out..." It could of been motion activated as well. It was an interesting twist to the game. Of course anyone who walked by would set it off as well... Quote Link to comment
+Dan-oh Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 A local cache uses a digital voice recorder (Radio Shack kit) that speaks the coords when you turn a switch. The single 9v battery seems to hold up over a long time. It fits in quite well with the rest of the theme. Quote Link to comment
+IV_Warrior Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 I heard talk of doing a "night only" cache. You see, the cache container would have a photo-cell hooked to a locking mechanism. The cache would be "locked" anytime like was hitting the photo-sensor, so you could only open the cache to sign the logbook at night. (this would require mounting the sensor out of reach of cachers, so they couldn't just cover it and get the cache to open in daylight) Quote Link to comment
+TEAM 360 Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 (edited) I stated in a previous thread: In the near future, you will open the cache and simply plug your keychain jumpdrive into a small box that runs from a self-contained 5-year battery (available from GC.com, of course), and it will load the cache info into your jumpdrive instantly (also available from GC.com for $30, which includes a one-year premium membership). Go from cache to cache, and when you get home at night, you simply plug your keychain into your computer. You will have the option of typing in a log of your adventure, then hitting enter and doing it again for each cache you found, or you can have it automatically enter a pre-written log on each cache page and be done logging your finds in seconds! Finally, a way to get rid of cheaters! Edited December 5, 2004 by TEAM 360 Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted December 5, 2004 Share Posted December 5, 2004 There was one where the cache had a string attached to it. You pulled the string and the cache made a noise. Great idea until someone walking his dog reported a suspicious container with a "trip wire" coming from it. The local bomb squad got some practice. Quote Link to comment
[MTB]_Intrepid Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 (edited) Here's a look at a solar-powered beacon I put on my "Hardrocker" cache. It cost about $5 to make from an on-sale walkway light. After removing the diffuser, exposing the LED, and filling the innards with silicone (to make it waterproof) I fabbed up an aluminum bracket to attach it. It's visible for miles once darkness falls. I'm sure a few muggles have seen it from the lake below and would like to thrash it, but it requires some physical exertion to reach so it's quite safe. Lightning is another story... Edited December 27, 2004 by [MTB]_Intrepid Quote Link to comment
+Yellow Jacket Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 I have a cache that is a Night Only find. There is NO WAY to find this in the daytime. It is called "Find F.R.E.D. on Stone Mountain", GCJ9XT Quote Link to comment
[MTB]_Intrepid Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 I have a cache that is a Night Only find. There is NO WAY to find this in the daytime. It is called "Find F.R.E.D. on Stone Mountain", GCJ9XT Hmmm, FRED as in railroad talk? If you don't know what I mean, I apologize, it might just be Canuck slang. Quote Link to comment
+Kit Fox Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Although I never found this cache The Saciry Dariy I heard it had a pressure sensor. When you lifted the cache off of the sensor, a blood curdling scream would be heard. I'm afraid I'll give a geocacher a heart attack with a prank like this. Quote Link to comment
+Yellow Jacket Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 Yes, FRED as in railroad talk. Quote Link to comment
Pango Posted December 29, 2004 Share Posted December 29, 2004 What does F.R.E.D. stand for? I'm clueless. Quote Link to comment
[MTB]_Intrepid Posted December 30, 2004 Share Posted December 30, 2004 (edited) What does F.R.E.D. stand for? I'm clueless. Well, trains used to have cabooses' on the end. Then some brilliant accountant figured out money could be saved (and people put out of work) by placing an automated unit there instead and the Rear End Device was born. It wasn't long before those who actually work the train and are ultimately responsible for it's safety came up with FRED (guess what the F stand for?)...hopefully this will enlighten you. Edited December 30, 2004 by [MTB]_Intrepid Quote Link to comment
+bigeddy Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 Has anyone encountered caches that use electronics or photo-voltaics in the cache, or waypoints? I found one where you went to the coordinates and tuned in your AM radio to a recording that gave the cache location. The broadcast was from a small transmitter like used by real estate agents. Quote Link to comment
+º Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 There're several caches where blinking LEDs are used e.g. Training Unit Six Some of these caches have a IR-LED so you need to have a night vision device. Other nightcaches use reactive lights: You need to hit them with a strong flashlight before they start to blink for a short while. ... did I mention they are all in Germeany? Quote Link to comment
+BilboB Posted January 16, 2005 Share Posted January 16, 2005 CryptoNight is (or was) a difficult (5 stars) night-only cache that has been archived for the time being in NY. Tough crowd! Quote Link to comment
+Yerocrg Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 (edited) _Intrepid,Dec 30 2004, 08:37 AM] What does F.R.E.D. stand for? I'm clueless. Well, trains used to have cabooses' on the end. Then some brilliant accountant figured out money could be saved (and people put out of work) by placing an automated unit there instead and the Rear End Device was born. It wasn't long before those who actually work the train and are ultimately responsible for it's safety came up with FRED (guess what the F stand for?)...hopefully this will enlighten you. The 'F' stands for flashing, right? Yerocrg Edited January 21, 2005 by Yerocrg Quote Link to comment
[MTB]_Intrepid Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 _Intrepid,Dec 30 2004, 08:37 AM] What does F.R.E.D. stand for? I'm clueless. FRED (guess what the F stand for?)...hopefully this will enlighten you. The 'F' stands for flashing, right? Yerocrg Umm, ya, flashing....that's it. Quote Link to comment
+W7WT Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Sure glad we found out what FRED stands for. Here in Bremerton, Washington a cacher had a ammo box hid in his front lawn near the street in some bushes. When the top was opened it sent a radio signal to his house which was down the hill on Puget Sound. Then he would come up and meet the cachers. I believe it may be inactive right now. Dick, W7WT Quote Link to comment
+JanniCash Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 I stated in a previous thread: In the near future, you will open the cache and simply plug your keychain jumpdrive into a small box that runs from a ... You will have the option of typing in a log of your adventure ... My "jumpdrive" also plays and records MP3's, so I would have the option to "record" my log entry on the way back to the car ... unless it's a drive-through-cache Jan Quote Link to comment
+Red Eye Rebels Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 If anyone is ever around the Houston, TX area, there is a group of caches, all by one individual, which are all electronic. His name is Ivan Tofindit, and I enjoy his everytime. They range from lasers to whistlers, to garage door openers, and they are awesomely creative. Some of his are best at night, hope this helps. Quote Link to comment
+redstone11 Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 A local (North Alabama) (deacitvated) multi cache used a digital voice recorder connected to a small FM transmitter and the owner barked out the next coords..... Quote Link to comment
+Camo-crazed Posted February 10, 2005 Share Posted February 10, 2005 (edited) Hi, I heard about a night cache that utilized a perpetually blinking led attached to the cache container. nfa-jamie The cache Here's one kind of like that Edit: The letters changed between the time I clicked on the post button and the time it posted Edited February 10, 2005 by camo-crazed Quote Link to comment
+psychoraven102 Posted February 20, 2005 Share Posted February 20, 2005 Thanks everyone!!! You all gave me and AWESOME idea for a cache... I'll keep you posted Quote Link to comment
+Johnnie Stalkers Posted March 1, 2005 Share Posted March 1, 2005 Our Haunted Hollow cache contains the inner mechanism of a motion activated Laughing Halloween Rock. I paid $10 for the rock and took it apart and fabricated a small container for it that is fixed to the inside of an ammo can. My original intent is that the photo cell would activate when the box was opened, but it turns out that the shock sensor is pretty sensitive. It's hard to get within a few feet of the cache without setting it off and hearing an echoing "Muhahahaha!" Good times. Quote Link to comment
+caderoux Posted March 1, 2005 Share Posted March 1, 2005 We have one here which plays applause when you open the cache - light sensitive. All the night only ones around here are passive and use hunter's reflective markers. Quote Link to comment
+major tom Posted March 6, 2005 Share Posted March 6, 2005 Hi everyone I like these unusual caches, and some of the ideas on this thread are great, I used an old PC disc drive fitted inside a hollowed out piece of wood, I removed lots of the origional componants and fitted a recording of the mission impossible theme, and used the open and close switches to open the tray and reveal a small logbook inside, this was then all put inside an old tree, its called secret squirrels logbook, GCJPX2. I love the idea of the screaming cache, all the best Major Tom & Family. Quote Link to comment
Lone Monkey Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 (edited) Hey all, I have been intending to make a cache that has some kind of sound record/playback module in it. I already have a sound playback chip from ®adio shack that cost all of $9.95. It uses a 9V battery for power. What I am trying to find out is what KIND of battery would work best for all weather conditions? for example, would NiMH work best or is there a better make. I assume that by paralelling sevral batteries, this will increase the life expectancy of the battery (I am looking for a 3 Year solution). Any input is welcome. -LM Edit: Just got a call from a friend of mine who recomended the Ultralife battery (this is not an ad, just what I have found) The Ultralife lithium 9-volt battery is a consumer-replaceable battery that lasts up to 5 times longer than ordinary alkaline 9V batteries and 10 times longer than carbon-zinc batteries. This primary battery has the highest energy density, flattest discharge voltage curve, longest shelf life, widest operating temperature range, and lightest weight of any comparable 9-volt battery. Ultralife 9-volt batteries are available in blister pack, foil pack, Contractor Pack, and bulk packaging. A 10-year service life makes the Ultralife lithium 9-volt battery the choice for major smoke alarm manufacturers for their premium lines of 10-year ionization-type smoke alarms. And as a consumer-replaceable battery, consumers can instantly upgrade their smoke alarms, too. The UL-recognized Ultralife 9-volt lithium battery contains no mercury, lead or cadmium and has a patented safety mechanism. These batteries are ideal for OEM applications, including medical, wireless security, safety, and industrial uses, or as a consumer-replacement battery in 9-volt devices for home safety, music/audio, and recreation. Spec Sheet HERE: http://www.ulbi.com/techsheets/UBI-3001_U9VL.pdf I hope this will help anyone who is interested in making electronic caches. -LM Edited March 14, 2005 by Lone Monkey Quote Link to comment
+richandsteph Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 For a good laugh you can always use a modified refigerator magnet. There was one in Portland, OR that played "Money Money Money" every time you openend it. No matter how mad you were at how hard the cache was to find, you would really laugh. It was stuck somewhere fairly protected from the perpetual rain out here but needless to say as the batteries started to go from all those finds and as the dampness got to it, it became really really funny sounding ... like a really really sad electronic rendition of the song. Quote Link to comment
+bob&emily Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Here is one I just hid: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...4a-022edbb93fbb Quote Link to comment
+soreyes Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 There is a cache on the island I live on that has an Audio Recorder. Pretty fun! No traditional logbook, just record a message. Quote Link to comment
+AtoZ Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Hey all, I have been intending to make a cache that has some kind of sound record/playback module in it. I already have a sound playback chip from ®adio shack that cost all of $9.95. It uses a 9V battery for power. What I am trying to find out is what KIND of battery would work best for all weather conditions? for example, would NiMH work best or is there a better make. I assume that by paralelling sevral batteries, this will increase the life expectancy of the battery (I am looking for a 3 Year solution). Any input is welcome. -LM Edit: Just got a call from a friend of mine who recomended the Ultralife battery (this is not an ad, just what I have found) The Ultralife lithium 9-volt battery is a consumer-replaceable battery that lasts up to 5 times longer than ordinary alkaline 9V batteries and 10 times longer than carbon-zinc batteries. This primary battery has the highest energy density, flattest discharge voltage curve, longest shelf life, widest operating temperature range, and lightest weight of any comparable 9-volt battery. Ultralife 9-volt batteries are available in blister pack, foil pack, Contractor Pack, and bulk packaging. A 10-year service life makes the Ultralife lithium 9-volt battery the choice for major smoke alarm manufacturers for their premium lines of 10-year ionization-type smoke alarms. And as a consumer-replaceable battery, consumers can instantly upgrade their smoke alarms, too. The UL-recognized Ultralife 9-volt lithium battery contains no mercury, lead or cadmium and has a patented safety mechanism. These batteries are ideal for OEM applications, including medical, wireless security, safety, and industrial uses, or as a consumer-replacement battery in 9-volt devices for home safety, music/audio, and recreation. Spec Sheet HERE: http://www.ulbi.com/techsheets/UBI-3001_U9VL.pdf I hope this will help anyone who is interested in making electronic caches. -LM Why 3 years most caches wouldn't last that long. It also depends on the environment cold and heat will sap a battery life. SO it depends. cheers Quote Link to comment
+Crystal Sound Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Edit: Just got a call from a friend of mine who recomended the Ultralife battery (this is not an ad, just what I have found) The Ultralife lithium 9-volt battery is a consumer-replaceable battery that lasts up to 5 times longer than ordinary alkaline 9V batteries and 10 times longer than carbon-zinc batteries. This primary battery has the highest energy density, flattest discharge voltage curve, longest shelf life, widest operating temperature range, and lightest weight of any comparable 9-volt battery. Ultralife 9-volt batteries are available in blister pack, foil pack, Contractor Pack, and bulk packaging. A 10-year service life makes the Ultralife lithium 9-volt battery the choice for major smoke alarm manufacturers for their premium lines of 10-year ionization-type smoke alarms. And as a consumer-replaceable battery, consumers can instantly upgrade their smoke alarms, too. The UL-recognized Ultralife 9-volt lithium battery contains no mercury, lead or cadmium and has a patented safety mechanism. These batteries are ideal for OEM applications, including medical, wireless security, safety, and industrial uses, or as a consumer-replacement battery in 9-volt devices for home safety, music/audio, and recreation. Spec Sheet HERE: http://www.ulbi.com/techsheets/UBI-3001_U9VL.pdf I hope this will help anyone who is interested in making electronic caches. -LM Ok, so I'm a little late in responding to this.... I just thought I'd chime in and mention that I've been a *VERY* satisfied user of the UltraLife 9 volt batteries. I first started using them around 1996, and was easily getting 4-6x longer run time as compared to standard batteries. I can attest to the fact that, one of these batteries will easily last the lifetime of a smoke detector. I just recently replaced one that was installed in December 1998 (I wrote the date in the compartment). I get them at dealer cost (i have a small business), so they are especially a good deal for me. Only problem is, I end up buying so many, and replacing them so infrequently, my supplier starts to think I've gone elsewhere to buy them. Quote Link to comment
+Tidalflame Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Yeah, adding more batteries in parallel would make them last longer. Quote Link to comment
+Team Snoopy Posted May 27, 2005 Share Posted May 27, 2005 We have one nearby called Morse Code. You go to a certain area (coords listed) and tune your radio to a specific station and listen to the morse code. The code is the coords for the cache. I have no clue how it is set up, but pretty cool! Quote Link to comment
+Susu306 Posted May 29, 2005 Share Posted May 29, 2005 There is one in England called 802.11b (Wiltshire). It doesn't give much details, but my guess is that you use your wireless network card to get the coordinates to the next cache. I haven't found another one like it listed, so I'm thinking of doing one in the US. Quote Link to comment
+Dan-oh Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 How about a cache using black light? It seems you could lay out coords to a multi just about anywhere and have cachers use a battery powered black light to read the coords. It could be a cool variation for a night cache. I'm sure the specialized equipment would keep the numbers down though. Quote Link to comment
+Kit Fox Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 How about a cache using black light? It seems you could lay out coords to a multi just about anywhere and have cachers use a battery powered black light to read the coords. It could be a cool variation for a night cache. I'm sure the specialized equipment would keep the numbers down though. That is in my plans for a future cache. Using invisible paint (only visible via UV light) to mark coords. Another handy use for the UV light is to mark your own caches. Suppose your cache turns up missing (overgrown vegetatio, etc), you can use the UV light to re-find your cache. Does anyone have the schematics for making a blinking LED set-up for caches. I'm not talking about the sill party LEDS for your shirts, I want to make one using a 9 volt battery. Quote Link to comment
+bob&emily Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 I have a solar powered lawn light that I would like to somehow incorpoate into a cache. Any ideas??? It uses 1 battery and will stay lit maybe 3 hours after the sun goes down. I guess if only night cachers searched for it I would have to tell them the light can only be seen from about sundown and 3 hours beyond sundown... Not sure how often it would need a battery change either but I think they last quite a while..............Maybe I can hang the light in a tree? Maybe have the cache attached to it or in a hole in the tree? Or make it a multi with coordinates attached to the light? Or say the actual cache is so many feet away in a certain direction? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............what to do.......... Quote Link to comment
pherring05 Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 Does anyone have the schematics for making a blinking LED set-up for caches. I'm not talking about the sill party LEDS for your shirts, I want to make one using a 9 volt battery. If you search 555 timer schematics you will find lots of stuff for flashing LED's These can be adapted with a little work to your cause Quote Link to comment
+Johnnie Stalkers Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 (edited) Ok, I've been toying with this idea for a while and thought that maybe I'd bounce it off the forum community. These solar powered walkway lights are getting pretty cheap and I wanted to see if I could incorporate one into a cache. I went to Home Depot and picked up a set of 4 for $20.00. Then I went to Radio Slack and got a 2 pack of cheap 2-way radios ($20.00). So I'm out $40 bucks. Now what? The light charges during the day and when the photo cell stops detecting light it turns on the LED. I clipped off the LED and soldered on wires and then ran them to the pos and neg posts on the Radio. I then soldered the LED to the speaker output. The radio fits inside the light chamber, so the unit is self contained and 'mostly' waterproof. During the day the radio is now off. When it gets dark the radio powers up. When a 2-way signal is received by the radio the LED pulses to the audio that would otherwise be heard. My idea is to place the radio-light in a tree and have the cacher go to a set of nearby coords and 'call' on a specified channel. (I think it would be funny to make the cachers sing yankee doodle dandy but I've got a wierd sense of humor.) The radio- light picks up the signal and pulses to the call signal, indicating the location of the cache at the base of said tree. Field test (my back yard) provided really good visability at 50 yards without any obstructions. I am currntly testing the units charging and battery life capability in the lab (again, my back yard). The light, on a full charge is supposed to run for 8 to 10 hours. I predict the radio will put less drain on the batteris than the constantly lit LED would. $15 bucks a piece isn't THAT bad. Edited July 7, 2005 by Johnnie Stalkers Quote Link to comment
+Crystal Sound Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Ok, I've been toying with this idea for a while and thought that maybe I'd bounce it off the forum community. These solar powered walkway lights are getting pretty cheap and I wanted to see if I could incorporate one into a cache. I went to Home Depot and picked up a set of 4 for $20.00. Then I went to Radio Slack and got a 2 pack of cheap 2-way radios ($20.00). So I'm out $40 bucks. Now what? The light charges during the day and when the photo cell stops detecting light it turns on the LED. I clipped off the LED and soldered on wires and then ran them to the pos and neg posts on the Radio. I then soldered the LED to the speaker output. The radio fits inside the light chamber, so the unit is self contained and 'mostly' waterproof. During the day the radio is now off. When it gets dark the radio powers up. When a 2-way signal is received by the radio the LED pulses to the audio that would otherwise be heard. My idea is to place the radio-light in a tree and have the cacher go to a set of nearby coords and 'call' on a specified channel. (I think it would be funny to make the cachers sing yankee doodle dandy but I've got a wierd sense of humor.) The radio- light picks up the signal and pulses to the call signal, indicating the location of the cache at the base of said tree. Field test (my back yard) provided really good visability at 50 yards without any obstructions. I am currntly testing the units charging and battery life capability in the lab (again, my back yard). The light, on a full charge is supposed to run for 8 to 10 hours. I predict the radio will put less drain on the batteris than the constantly lit LED would. $15 bucks a piece isn't THAT bad. I love it! A Rube Goldberg if there ever was one! Quote Link to comment
+Dan-oh Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Ok, I've been toying with this idea for a while and thought that maybe I'd bounce it off the forum community. These solar powered walkway lights are getting pretty cheap and I wanted to see if I could incorporate one into a cache. <snip> There's some critical point where the recharge day is shorter than the discharge night. Thats the reason you see dim path lights in the winter. If you really can use less power with the radio than the LED, you might be in business. I have a light that I'm experimenting with too. I want to have the LED light up a set of coordinates but make it visible only at night. I'll keep working on it in my spare time. Did I just say spare time? Bwahaha! Quote Link to comment
+Johnnie Stalkers Posted July 7, 2005 Share Posted July 7, 2005 Yea, it's almost a cache-22 (hehe). Right now these days are long, which limits night caching time, and the batteries are going to get full charge. In the winter, when there is a surplus of darkness for caching, there will be limited power supply. I'm hoping that by not transmitting I am increasing the energy conservation enough to balance it out. The LED drai is minimal. For a cache name I am considering Nocturnal Remisson. To risque? Quote Link to comment
+IV_Warrior Posted July 8, 2005 Share Posted July 8, 2005 I take it these radios have a real "on/off" button, and not a momentary switch? No "auto power off"? Quote Link to comment
+Dan-oh Posted July 8, 2005 Share Posted July 8, 2005 ...For a cache name I am considering Nocturnal Remisson. To risque? Um, not something I'd take my kiddies to but I'd be all over it. "Dad, what does that mean? Why are you laughing?" Quote Link to comment
+Johnnie Stalkers Posted July 8, 2005 Share Posted July 8, 2005 I take it these radios have a real "on/off" button, and not a momentary switch? No "auto power off"? That's correct, the radios I selected have manual on/off-volume switches and no time delay shutdown. This actually helps keep the cost down because the cheaper radios fit my needs. So far testing is going well. I have researched some less expensive radios and I can get my per unit cost down to $10. Of course, this envolves an initial cost of $40 for 4 radios and 4 solar lights. So does the need of an FRS radio to complete the cache qualify as special equipment? We don't have a 5/5 cache locally and this concept on the proper terrain could potentially be a 5/5. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.