Best gps for geocaching???

ambercole
ambercole Posts: 426
edited September 20 in Chit-Chat
I just started Geocaching with my sister and it is awesome! She uses her iphone gps which is ideal, but I currently have tmobile so that is not an option for me until my current contract runs out. I am wanting to buy a GPS but I am wanting one that gives accurate driving directions as well as be able to switch to accurate walking directions also. I am also not wanting to spend alot on one. (less than $100). Do any of you all use a gps for driving and walking? and how accurate and easy to use is it? What do you all reccomend?

Replies

  • rbc_racing
    rbc_racing Posts: 31 Member
    the iphone is supposed to be coming available on all carriers soon, but have you thought about an Ipod touch?

    What exactly is geocaching? I've seen it mentioned a few places I just havent actually looked into what it is.
  • ambercole
    ambercole Posts: 426
    http://www.geocaching.com/

    It's awesome! You go onto the website and you can look up "caches" in your area, or where ever you want to search. Sometimes the are just logs that you sign to show that you found it and sometimes they are treasures or goodies. It is basically treasure hunting! you punch the coordinates into your gps and then you drive to the location. Then you get out and walk around and try to find where they hid the "cache. Sometimes they are as big as a tacklebox or a 5 gallon bucket and some times the are only as big a a 35mm film container. When you find it you sign the log and put it back EXACTLY as you found it. If it is a cache with goodies. you can take one but you have to replace it with something of equal or greater value. Then you log it on your profile on the website and you can keep track of the caches that you have found. you can also create your own caches and hide them around your city. I bet if you went to the site and typed in your zip code you'd find some within a mile of your house!!! It is so addictive!!! it is a great way to spend family time. My 10 yr old son LOVES it!!! You also get some good excersize in there too with all the walking and hiking. It is especially fun too look for them in your local state parks. When I go I always bring a pen and a little bag of goodies to replace any that I take. (goodies can be anything small that will fit in the container. One time I found a tape measure, another time it was an old coin. My son found a coupon for a free cone at dairy queen and a $2 bill)
  • Dalepack
    Dalepack Posts: 1 Member
    HI, I have not went geocaching for a while now but have done a few. Garmin make the best gps units for doing this. The etrex is a good one. You should visit the website. You can pick one up on ebay for about $100 I would think. You can save cache info on them and they are also great for hill walking. I might just start doing some geocaching again this summer. Good luck and have fun from bonny Scotland.
  • magglett
    magglett Posts: 2,000
    Hi there MFPers ... I just did a search on MFP for Geocaching and came across this thread. A friend of mine just started geocaching and is so excited about it ... she told me about it because she knows I love hiking and thought this might add a new dimension to it. It all looks so interesting, I've checked out the web site and am now looking into getting a handheld gps, and I've registered for the basic membership too. I was walking a trail the other day and saw a couple of women with their gps's and pointing out into a field so I asked them if they were geocaching and they were. One of them has been at it for a couple of years and has logged over 900 caches ... holy cow eh? I can't wait to get started.
  • tattereds
    tattereds Posts: 120 Member
    Welcome to the wonderful world of geocaching, glad you are enjoying it! I really <3 it because it's great encouragement to get outdoors, discover new places, and take on different challenges. Hiking is also a fun and different type of exercise (and can burn some serious calories if you are at it long and hard enough!)

    I use my iPhone too and find it to be very decently accurate :) We also have a navman, but it seems to lose satellite signal often and can be bulky in comparison to the iPhone when you are climbing etc.
  • magglett
    magglett Posts: 2,000
    Well, I've been Geocaching now since May and I must say ... it's definitely my new addiction. I use a handheld Garmin with a Geocaching program that allows me to download 5 caches per day from their site. It's been awesome, I'm constantly amazed at the things I've discovered right here in my own neighbourhood ... trails, beaches, lighthouses, cemeteries, streams, waterfalls, you name it ...I had no idea these things were here, and I've lived here my whole life!!! My BFF and I went on a weekend road trip so I found out what caches would be in the area we were going to and we cached there too ... seriously, I love doing this and I get great pictures and memories along the way. If you haven't tried it yet I highly recommend it for fresh air and exercise :flowerforyou:
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