Geocaching questions.

[Sonny]

First, what is a geobeacon?


And, when I was searching for the cache last night my signal kept bouncing around. First it would say 5.4 feet NW, I would take a step or two and then it would say something like 17 Feet S....and on and on. I figured it was just the area, so I made a big circle and searched inside of it. But when I got home and looked at the log again, other people said they went right to it, it was the first place they looked...:confused:

The only thing I can figure is that I entered the cooridnates while I was at home and then followed them there, could the elevation have been off enough to be messing me up? Should I wait to enter the coordinates until I get to the site?


:bang: :D

[deputycoz]

Sonny, I don't know about the geobeacon. I think the difference in the distances may have something to do with the satellites, but I am not sure. The GPS we got gets info from as many satellites as it can, maybe that has something to do with the differences because that was happening to us a little on Sunday.

[Kate]

A geobeacon is something that screams "the cache is here!". Sometimes called a UPS or UPR (Unnatural Pile of Sticks/Rocks), even when sticks or rocks are not involved.


also sometimes called the pickle pile.

Mnada has a great geosense-- she can asses the area and walk right up to it. For me, I have to search and hunt. I think you are naturally good at it or you have to build it over time.


No-- don't wait to enter your coords. GPSr have an about a +/-30 feet. The compass arrow only updates while you are moving (unless yours has a magnetic compass in it, but I don't think it does)

But onthe other hand you have to wait for the GPSr to catch up with you, if you are in constant motion, it can only be so fast with updating fromthe satellites.

I use mine up to about 30 feet-- then I usually put it in my pocket and search. I have given up on waiting for it to be 1 foot away, because it isn't that accurate (even the most $$$ ones have the same)

[Sonny]

Well that's what I thought, that there was just enough tree cover to interfere, or something like that. But all the other people who went there on the same day as me had zero difficulty.

[Kate]

Oh-- make sure you have a signal from at least 4 satelittes. And make sure your receiver is on at least 15 min prior to the final part of the search

[Kate]

yeah-- I know those 4 we did this weekend? |Every entry inthe logbook said, "easy find, thanks" :dunno: wasn't easy for me!

Manda found 3 out of 4. :blush:

Did it give a clue? I always use them

[Sonny]

A geobeacon is something that screams "the cache is here!". Sometimes called a UPS or UPR (Unnatural Pile of Sticks/Rocks), even when sticks or rocks are not involved.


also sometimes called the pickle pile.

Mnada has a great geosense-- she can asses the area and walk right up to it. For me, I have to search and hunt. I think you are naturally good at it or you have to build it over time.


No-- don't wait to enter your coords. GPSr have an about a +/-30 feet. The compass arrow only updates while you are moving (unless yours has a magnetic compass in it, but I don't think it does)

But onthe other hand you have to wait for the GPSr to catch up with you, if you are in constant motion, it can only be so fast with updating fromthe satellites.

I use mine up to about 30 feet-- then I usually put it in my pocket and search. I have given up on waiting for it to be 1 foot away, because it isn't that accurate (even the most $$$ ones have the same)

Okay.


On Saturday, we couldn't figure out how to enter coordinates, but we set out anyway. :blush: What we ended up doing was hitting waypoint every so often and altering our course based on our coordinates. We would find the desired coordinate and start looking, viola!

But I figured out how to enter the coordinates, so I followed the arrow...maybe I should go back to the other way?

[Kate]

:eek: no way-- don't go back! defiantly enter the coords and follow the arrow.

But read the whole page, including other logs if there are any. Sometimes the arrow is pointing west but the entry will tell you to stay onthe north path-- believe it the entry! The path might curve and save you from trying to bushwhack through dense forest.

[Sonny]

There weren't any clues...well they said it was at Frederick Miller's Spring, I found that easily enough. The first person to search said they may have been "distracted by the geobeacon"...that's why I was wondering what that was.

Now I think it may have been a big tree that had split and fallen over, I spent a lot of time searching there, but I did search a lot of other places as well....I'm going back tonight, I will not be defeated!!

[Sonny]

:eek: no way-- don't go back! defiantly enter the coords and follow the arrow.

But read the whole page, including other logs if there are any. Sometimes the arrow is pointing west but the entry will tell you to stay onthe north path-- believe it the entry! The path might curve and save you from trying to bushwhack through dense forest.


The area wasn't really like that, while I was in a wooded area, I could see the road the whole time...In fact at on point the kids went back to the van and Anna watched and yelled directions to me from the there. :rolleyes:

[Kate]

:rofl: we do those too-- don't think I hike into the great northern woods every day!

[deputycoz]

I want to find my first one :cry:

We only tried the one so far, with the days getting longer maybe the kids and I can go to the State Forest across the street and do some after school. I have looked up the locations for when we are in the Outerbanks in May and Clearwater, FL in July, we want to do some while we are there.

[Kate]

I have my vacation ones mapped out too :blush:

[Sonny]

We are going to do some at Itasca State Park when we are vacationing near there in July! :D

[Sonny]

Here's a puzzle cache I found. The clue is:

01001110 0100 0100 0100 0110 1001 0100 1000 01010111 0000 1001 0011 0011 0010 0100 0000 0001

Which I took to be Base 2, and solved as:

N 44*46.948 W 093*32.401


What do you think? :dunno:

[Kate]

:agree: looks good. I haven't done many puzzle caches yet.

you're really hooked, aren't you :right:

[Kate]

If you want, email the cache owner and tell them your solution to their puzzle before you hit the woods and wander-- they will usually (although not always) tell you if you are right ot not

[Sonny]

The cache is in the local park with the pool, I might wander but the terrain is definately less than a full star. ;)

Yes, I'm hooked :agree:


Thank you for introducing this to us, it's just what we needed. :hug:

[deputycoz]

Sonny, cool, how did you figure out the puzzle, I would have to have DH do them, he is good at that stuff.

[Sonny]

At first I thought it was computer code (I think it is, I'm not very good at computer stuff...) But I knew it was N 44* and W 093* because all the caches around here are (those are our degrees...) So I looked for a pattern. I learned bases in math....Our number system is base ten, you can have base 2,3, 4....So I just noticed it was Base 2, then it was easy. I like math.:)

[Kate]

I will remember who to come to with my puzzle questions!

[deputycoz]

At first I thought it was computer code (I think it is, I'm not very good at computer stuff...) But I knew it was N 44* and W 093* because all the caches around here are (those are our degrees...) So I looked for a pattern. I learned bases in math....Our number system is base ten, you can have base 2,3, 4....So I just noticed it was Base 2, then it was easy. I like math.:)

Ok, now I get it. :stars: Not. :killingme But I am not good when it comes to the math, that is DH's department.

[Lizz]

At first I thought it was computer code (I think it is, I'm not very good at computer stuff...) But I knew it was N 44* and W 093* because all the caches around here are (those are our degrees...) So I looked for a pattern. I learned bases in math....Our number system is base ten, you can have base 2,3, 4....So I just noticed it was Base 2, then it was easy. I like math.:)
Base 2 and Binary (computer lang.) are the same thing aren't they?

[Sonny]

We went back to our DNF tonight and found it. :dance:

But I'm a dunce, there is a big tree that had split and fallen over. I looked ALL over it, Pat climbed up on it, and there was the cache. :slaphead:

[Kate]

:banana: you are going to pass me in number soon! I am only up to 24. Since I mainly do the longer ones --

I thought I did a search and there were 940 in the surrounding 30 miles, but I realized that I typed in my mom's zip code.

I only have 94. Big difference!

[Sonny]

There are 60 within five miles of our house, that's where I stopped counting....I know there are a lot more out there.


I did a quick search of the zip code where we are going to vacation, and there are two on island's in a big lake. :banana:


Anna was at girl scouts last night when we went back to our DNF, and she was a little dissapointed that she didn't get to find it. I told her I would take her back there so she could find it, and then we are going to hit two others after the daycare kids go home. :D

[Kate]

within 5 miles of my house I have 1. :indiff:

[Kate]

OK-- here is the Junior Geocaching badge.

GIRL SCOUTS OF ERIE SHORES

GEOCACHING JUNIOR GIRL SCOUT BADGE

A Girl Scouts of Erie Shores Council’s Own Badge


To earn this badge, complete at least 6 of the following activities, including the starred ones.

Purpose: To increase one's knowledge and understanding of geocaching (high tech treasure hunting)! Please note, you will need a GPS receiver to complete this badge. Many late model cell phones have GPS receivers in them.

*1. Learn what GPS stands for and the history of GPS. Who invented GPS? Why was it invented?

*2. Coordinates are the keys to utilizing GPS. What are coordinates? How do they help a GPS receiver work? Using a GPS receiver, practice identifying your location using coordinates.

3. Geocaching is only regulated by the people finding and placing caches, meaning everyone involved needs to follow rules and guidelines. Using www.geocaching.com (http://www.geocaching.com/), identify the three basic rules for geocaching. Make a poster with these rules, and add a few of your own that will help Girl Scouts to remain safe while geocaching.

*4. Identify a cache you would like to find and go on a high tech treasure hunt! Be sure to follow all local and Girl Scout safety standards.

5. Visit www.geocaching.com (http://www.geocaching.com/) or www.navicache.com (http://www.navicache.com/) to learn more about geocaching. With an adult, create a screen name for your troop/group so you can explore different caches in your area. Find out how many caches are within a 25-mile radius of your troop’s meeting spot.

6. Find out how GPS units work. What are the basic ways a GPS can tell you your location anywhere on the earth (hint: it involves 24 satellites)?

7. Geocaching is a relatively new “sport” that uses GPS receivers. Brainstorm other new “sports” that would use a GPS receiver. Make an advertising sign describing your new GPS sport.

8. Think about your future! What kind of job could you get where you could use a GPS unit? How would using a GPS unit make that job easier (or harder)? Write a want ad for a newspaper describing this job!

Attention Leaders:

The Geocaching Junior Girl Scout Badges are available from Juliette’s Treasures.

Juliette’s Treasures
Girl Scouts of Erie Shores
6111 S. Broadway
Lorain, OH 44053-3871

T: 440-233-6112 or 800-222-6119
F: 440-233-7393

Email: shop@girlscoutserieshores.org (shop@girlscoutserieshores.org)

www.girlscoutserieshores.org (http://www.girlscoutserieshores.org/)

REVISED 07/21/05\srt\shared\forms\# 083

[Sonny]

Ooooohhhhh, I don't think Anna is eligible for that? Maybe our troop can develop our own badge. :right:

[Kate]

I am calling my coucil today to see if we can earn it from a differnet council. This would be perfect, she needs to earn a Junior badge to fly-up from browines

[Lisa]

There is a double find really really close to here, at a train station.

How cool is that?

I think one, or both ( :right: ) of you should come down here and pop my geochache cherry.

[Kate]

:D

do it do it. Cliff wouldlove to buy more gadgets :right:

[Sonny]

Red, you realize if we do that, your life will never be the same? You will have those babies traipsing all over looking for "treasure". I blame Kate for the fact that I have not run since Sunday. :nono:

[Sonny]

LMAO!!

We're like a little devil and angel sitting on your shoulder! :rofl:

[Lisa]

Cliff is not the outdoorsy type.

[Lizz]

I sent Ian your article last night Kate and he seems interested, thinks it sounds fun. We are looking for more outdoor activites for Micah and Cam....well he just needs to run off steam all the time.

*hopeful*

There is a cache less than a mile from our house and a cool 18th century graveyard. (The place where we let those baby bunnies go.) It's a micro though.....I'd like to start Micah off on one where you can trade goodies.

[Kate]

but he could buy electronics...he would like that part!

[Kate]

I agree, start off finding a fun one for the kids

[Kate]

Sonny, i just called my council. Yes, the girls can definatly earn another council's badge. (as it has been approved for GSA) We just need to buy the patch from them directly.

There is a new IP (for theolder Studio 2B girls) called high-tech hide and seek. So GSA is definatly starting to notice geocaching.

[Sonny]

Oh, so even Anna could earn it? Yay! :clap:

[Kate]

:agree:

[Kate]

YOu just need to mail-order the patch form Erie Shores Council

[Sonny]

We found two more, and couldn't find one. But the one we couldn't find was a micro, and we only had 20 minutes to find the coordinates and look for the cache before we had to leave for dinner, so I am not logging it as a DNF. :D

[Lizz]

What GPS unit do you all use?

[Kate]

I use this one: but I don't recommend it.
http://caraudio.avdeals.com/gps/largeimages/explorist-200.jpg

Sonny's is better, easier to use, and less expensive. She uses an etrex. $99. :blush: mine was an impulse buy.

[Kate]

This is her's:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00003WGP5.01-AN9APEYXRHVW0._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[stacyspace]

I have this one - it is $91 at amazon:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00026ID5Q.01._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

It's as accurate as my SO's $350 gps :D

If you want maps and the ability to connect it to a PC you will need to spend more. I'm used to loading the coords on mine now (it's a pain), but I would love to just hook it up and download ALL of the coords within a specific radius of my zipcode. My SO's has that ability.

[Sonny]

I can download with mine ($99.99 at Target) But you have to buy the cord separately, and I haven't done that yet.

Does anyone know how to get a premium membership at geocaching.com?(I want to be able to scroll on the map) Whenever I go to that page it asks for the code they e-mailed me...they didn't e-mail me one because I haven't signed up for premium membership yet. :rant:

[stacyspace]

I'm a premium member, you can sign up for $3 a month

http://www.geocaching.com/subscribe/

[Sonny]

I guess I didn't pay enough attention to that page. :blush: I kept seeing the 'enter your code' part and was like WHERE DO I GET MY CODE!!!


I got it now,:slaphead: thanks

[Kate]

I love a little local forum-- they are friendly and will answer my newbie questions nicely.

I asked about PDAs Here were the answers


Advanced Member

Posts: 64
Joined: 5-October 05
From: Circleville, OH
Member No.: 216


http://www.geochums.com/forums/style_images/geochums/spacer.gif
I've got an old PalmOS PDA that only holds 8MB. I can fit 1000 caches pretty easily on that and I only paid $34 for it so if it gets ruined in the woods I'm not so concerned.

If you get a PDA spend the $8 and get CacheMate (http://www.smittyware.com/palm/cachemate/) if it's PalmOS based. They have a PocketPC version as well but I haven't tried it so I can't personally recommend it. It was most useful <$10 thing I ever bought for geocaching.


DAJJ is correct, pocket queries rock. They make the Premium membership worthwhile. We used paper pages for a while until a cacher in PA showed us GSAK ($20) and Cachemate ($8). The pocket queries arrive, you save them to a directory, open them in GSAK and you have a database listing of all the caches that are important to you. If you have a palm, you can set up filters in GSAK that can be exported to our GPS, Cachemate, and our Palm with a couple of mouse clicks. I'm sure there are other systems out there that work as well, but this system is the one we are familiar with and it is great. BTW if you can find a Radio Shack store closing out Palm Zire 71's, you can get a color PDA that accepts SD cards and a ton of features for $99. I also know two cachers that went the Ebay route and got their PDA's for $30-35. It can be done fairly cheaply.

[Sonny]

DAJJ is correct, pocket queries rock. They make the Premium membership worthwhile. We used paper pages for a while until a cacher in PA showed us GSAK ($20) and Cachemate ($8). The pocket queries arrive, you save them to a directory, open them in GSAK and you have a database listing of all the caches that are important to you. If you have a palm, you can set up filters in GSAK that can be exported to our GPS, Cachemate, and our Palm with a couple of mouse clicks. I'm sure there are other systems out there that work as well, but this system is the one we are familiar with and it is great. BTW if you can find a Radio Shack store closing out Palm Zire 71's, you can get a color PDA that accepts SD cards and a ton of features for $99. I also know two cachers that went the Ebay route and got their PDA's for $30-35. It can be done fairly cheaply.

Is this another language? :stars:


I may be over my head technology-wise as it is. :laugh:

[Kate]

GSAK-- that stands for geo-swiss army knife. That is a program that allows you to open the pocket quieries in your PDA

(pocket queries are just batches of chaches you download from gc.com)

[Sonny]

:rofl:


When I read that I was TOTALLY thinking "What are pocket queries?"


:love:

[Sonny]

Do you know if it will show the map (with the identify feature) on a PDA? I am obsessed with grouping them together by location. :rolleyes:

[Kate]

I think so-- but I am not sure. Are you a premium member yet? I am not :blush: but I akeep meaning too-- you can go to google earth and they will group them by type on a map

[Sonny]

I signed up for a premium membership today, but I haven't gotten a confirmation e-mail yet. :dunno:

[Kate]

did you check your bulk mail?

[Sonny]

Yeah.

[Kate]

oh.

[Lizz]

Wait...I'm REALLY lost. I can't use my PDA as a GPS. Can I? I don't know how that would work.

*has a feeling this is something totally diff*

[Sonny]

No, but you can store the locations of caches (and hints to finding them) in your pda...then you enter the coordinates into your gps to find the location.

[Lisa]

http://www.badgeplanet.co.uk/badges_large/geek-1.jpg

:D

[Sonny]

:eek:


:mad:

[Lizz]

:eek:


:mad:
Don't deny it.

[Sonny]

It's raining. :indiff: We will not be geocaching tonight.


See....a true geek would go in the rain, so clearly I am not a geek. :D

[Kate]

confession: I got teary eyed when I heard we were supposed to have .5" of rain tonight and 1" tomorrow. I was was going caching damn it!

[Lizz]

confession: I got teary eyed when I heard we were supposed to have .5" of rain tonight and 1" tomorrow. I was was going caching damn it!
Maybe it's time for an intervention.

[deputycoz]

This is the GPS we bought last Sunday.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap60cx/gallery/pt-gpsmap60cxRF-LG.jpg

Kate, thanx for all the info on the PDA stuff, DH has a Treo 650 PDA phone and can download all that stuff. He is such a techie nerd, he will love it.

I did get some clues from the guy I e-mailed and we are going back this Sunday to find the cache we didn't find last Sunday.

Sonny, you are seriously hooked, it is great. I need to get DH to show me how to use the GPS so the kids and I can go when I pick them up from school.

[Sonny]

I am hooked. Pat doesn't even know how to use the gps.:laugh:


Pat used to have a PDA, but he hasn't seen it for over two years...he has no idea where it went. :rolleyes: BUT when I asked him about it (thinking I could use it) he said to look on e-bay! :D :banana:

[deputycoz]

I can use the GPS, but stroke DH's ego by letting him teach me things. :right:

Have fun on Ebay :rock: :rock: :rock: :rock: