Best GPS For Geocaching

Garmin Geocaching GPS

At present the geocaching GPS brands most in-demand among geocachers are Garmin, Delorme, Magellan and Lowrance. For anybody who is contemplating a effortless no frills geocaching GPS it is best to check out the Geomate Jr. Geomate is a affordable GPS which comes pre-loaded with 250,000 geocache coordinates, but does not have the functions of other units. It is a wonderful unit for kids who would like a GPS of their very own. Most of today's geocaching GPS manufactures make incredibly good reliable units, the problem is deciding on which elements do you really require and which are nice options. With GPS selling prices ranging from roughly $50 for a basic model, to upwards of $500 or more, selecting your first GPS for geocaching is without question a critical consideration. A little homework now can help save you a bundle (and dissatisfaction) later on.



Listed here is a list of what are viewed as the minimum features for the best GPS for geocaching.

Accuracy: Accuracy isn't commonly regarded to be a major point of difference between various GPS receivers since they all acquire their readings through the same set of satellites. Still WAAS enabled gps units are considered the most precise. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) was designed by the Federal Aviation Administration as an air navigation aid developed to enhance the Global Positioning System (GPS), with the goal of boosting its dependability, integrity, and availability.


Durability: Eventually, you are going to drop your geocaching GPS and, at some time, it will get wet! That being said don't forget to start looking for a GPS that is tough and waterproof (or at least water resistant)



Good Battery Life: The easiest way to mess up a day of geocaching is to have to give up your pursuit merely because you ran out of battery power. Decent battery life is also a principal safety factor. Following a day of geocaching especially in difficult terrain, you'll need your GPS to get you back to safety. Consider a GPS that uses replaceable AA or AAA batteries, and make sure you have a spare set on hand. Rechargeable lithium batteries are really a good choice since they last for much longer than regular alkaline batteries.



Backlit Display: While easily readable in full sun should you be in an area with thick tree cover, most notably on a over cast day you will want to have a backlit display. This really is crucial if you should get caught outdoors after dark.



Base map: A base map is essentially a map that is permanently stored in the GPS's memory. This is usually not a high-definition or highly detailed map, however it does display primary highways and terrain features like rivers and lakes. This will make the job of identifying a specific location far easier and can help you stay clear of major barriers. Basic GPS units without base maps simply display Speed, Bearing (Direction of travel), Distance traveled, and Distance to your objective.



Topo (topographical) Map: A major thing to remember when geocaching would be that your GPS points the direction to your destination in a straight line, or as "the crow flies". It isn't like a car GPS that takes into account the roads you happen to be driving on and shows exactly how much further you must go. Should you have to go up any hills or detour around a pond or lake the actual distance you will have to walk can be considerably more than what your GPS is showing. A topo map enables you to see these obstacles in advance and help save you a great deal of time and energy.



Computer Interface: The vast majority of new gps for geocaching can be linked to a computer through a USB cable. The higher priced models can likewise link up through a wireless network or a Bluetooth connection. Being able to connect to your computer permits you to download cache coordinates and other information directly onto your GPS at the click of a button. It is normally quite time-consuming to enter dozens of coordinates into the GPS by hand and if you happen to make a mistake you will never locate the cache.



Waypoint Saving: This function allows you to store a individual location (waypoint) within your GPS unit's memory. Repeated storage of waypoints can enhance your safety in complex terrain as it will make it possible for you to retrace your steps back to your former place. Various geocaching GPS units include a "Track Log" function that enables you to use previous waypoints as "breadcrumbs" to find your way back to where you started out. The best gps for geocaching will have an "Auto Tracking" function which will conveniently store waypoints.



Memory: The best geocaching GPS devices make use of microSD cards for saving maps and geocache locations. The microSD cards are also perfect if you decide you want to go geocaching in some other area of the country, (or the world) you're able to store all of your new maps and geocache coordinates on a spare card and simply switch it for the card you routinely use.



When contemplating the best GPS for geocaching, you should definitely give consideration to all of the available features. Although a basic geocaching GPS is obviously less costly, it might be in your best interest to purchase a costlier unit which has all the features you are looking for, as opposed to putting up with a cheap model that may lead to disappointing results and require upgrading down the road.

Geocache Containers

Despite the fact that the majority of geocaching containers are standard tupperware or ammo cans, occasionally you will find a container that is ingenious and distinctive.  The best geocaching caches are disguised to look like something else or to blend into their surroundings.

In urban areas, making the cache blend into the background is extremely important.  You want to make sure that those walking by don’t spot anything out of the ordinary so they will leave it alone.  Tiny caches like nanos and micros work well in an urban location.  Micros are typically the size of a 35 mm film canister.  Nanos are even smaller – with reference to the size of your fingertip.  Nano and micro caches are common choices in urban settings due to lack of other hiding places that would sustain a bigger cache.   Since these caches can be located practically anywhere due to their size, they can be exceptionally hard to find even without any camouflage on the container.

Nano caches are typically magnetic which makes them ideal for hiding under benches or on fences.  They can easily be mistaken for a bolt.  The typical muggle (non-geocacher) most likely won’t observe anything out of the ordinary.  Some of the best nano caches are hidden in plain sight and can baffle even seasoned geocachers.

However, you aren’t just restricted to nano caches in urban areas.  Adding magnets to a regular electrical outlet cover and painting it to tie in with the background is a simple way to hide a cache in plain sight on utility boxes.  Of course this type of cache won’t have room for SWAG, but it will hold a baggie with a log when the plate is in place.

If you want to hide a micro in an area that has a fence, look for loose fence post caps. You can simply attach a micro container to the inside of  the cap that will hang down into the fence post.

A hollowed out book makes an excellent cache for hiding in a library or bookstore. Of course you must make sure you have the owner or manger's permisson first.

A number of ingenious geocachers disguise their urban caches to look like junk.  A cache concealed in a stinky old shoe and hidden in an area with trash will have other cachers scratching their heads. Skillful geocachers have also fashioned caches from old cans and  bottles.

If you are hiding your cache in a wooded area, it is still advisable to disguise your container in some way so it stands out less.  Interesting cache containers are much more fun to discover than ordinary Tupperware.  The camouflage can be as simple as gluing some leaves, twigs, and moss to the top of your container.

Consider duplicating things you find in nature for your cache containers.  You can acquire reasonably priced bird’s nests at craft stores and hide them up in a tree.  The one downside is that a bird might decide it looks like a good home! If you choose to hide a cache in a rocky area, think about those hide-a-key rocks.  If you need a larger cache, you can obtain a plaster mold and create your own rock cache.  .

If you are looking to up the difficulty rating a bit, one ingenious purpose is to drill out the end of a small log and insert a 35 mm film canister into the hole.  Then hide your cache in the woods surrounded by fallen limbs.

When it comes to geocaching containers, you truly are limited only by your imagination.  If you don't possess the tools or know-how to make your own, you can search eBay or Amazon for geocaching containers.  Regardless of whether you concoct your own or purchase one, a creative container can make the difference between a so-so cache and one that gets people excited about visiting your caches.

Geocaching is an enjoyable and rewarding game where people from all over the world conceal and search for “caches” using hand held GPSr (Global Positioning System Receiver) units. Ask any geocacher and they’ll tell you that there is nothing like the excitement of locating your first cache.

The word “geocache” combines the words “Geo”, meaning Earth, and “Cache” (pronounced cash), a French word for a place where supplies are hidden. So geocaches are like supplies (or in our case, goodies) that are concealed all over the Earth and geocaching is the sport of finding them.

Before the word “geocaching” was created it was referred to as “stash hunting”. On May 3, 2000, Dave Ulmer, a computer consultant, became the “father” of geocaching when he placed the very first “stash” in a wooded area near Beaver Creek, Oregon. The stash held a logbook, a can of beans, mapping software, five dollars in cash, and a slingshot. Prior too May 2000 the gps units that were available to the public didn’t have the accuracy needed to locate a stash.

Ulmer hid his stash and posted the coordinates on a USENET group and referred to it as the “GPS Stash Hunt”.

One of the first people to locate the “stash” was Mike Teague. After finding Ulmer’s “stash” he wrote about it on his website and formed a mailing list where members could receive locations of new stashes. One of the members of the mailing list was a guy by the name of Mike Stum. Stum is credited with inventing the word “geocaching” which soon became the universal term for the hobby.

Geocaching is not only fun it's a great family activity that provides excitement, exercise, and fresh air. Kids enjoy it and with over 1 million geocaches hidden around the world chances are you will find many close to your home. On our own geocaching hunts we discovered things close to home that we never knew existed.

Geocaching is not just for those who live close to the great outdoors. There are geocaches in small towns and large cities as well. Many geocachers also include geocaching on their vacations, allowing them an opportunity to locate caches that would be too far away during their regular outings.

Geocachers are an inventive bunch of people and have placed caches just about anywhere you could think of, even underwater. That’s part of the fun for cache hiders and seekers alike, making them challenging for both the mind and the body. Some geocaches even require you to have a boat or climbing gear to get to their location.

On one of our outings we found a cache was sealed with a chain and a combination lock so we had to explore the area for the lock combination. Another one we found was located in a swamp inside of a huge frog lawn ornament. The cache owner had appropriately named his cache as “Frog Bog”.

When you are geocaching you’ll most likely come across fellow geocachers during some of your hunts. You won’t find a nicer bunch of people, fellow geocachers are always eager to share tips and advice and you’ll learn a lot from them.

When looking for caches you’ll need to learn to think outside of the box. When you arrive at the general location of a new geocache, also know as ground zero, start looking for things that just don’t seem right. Some caches will be easy to spot while others will require some additional hunting, don’t get upset if your first geocaching adventure ends in a “DNF” (did not find). It’s happened to all of us.(and still does.lol) On the other hand maybe you’ll be one of the lucky “FTF” (first to find) geocachers and you’ll get a change to grab a special gift that a lot of cache owners leave for the first person to find their “hidden treasure”.

Finally, I suggest you make your first geocaching adventure an easy one if you bring your kids. After they’ve successfully located their first geocache they’ll be begging you to go again and you can start searching for more difficult caches.