What kind of gps do you need for geocaching




















Many users find it easy enough to read without being over the top. Additionally, the 2. It also features a 65K color technology for a more modern display experience. Users find it easy to navigate the menu on this no-fuss device, and beginners should find using it a breeze.

Another aspect that makes this device stand out from the crowd is the internal memory of 3. However, the reception tends to suffer a bit in covered terrains such as the thickly dense forests. With the support for geocaching GPX files, the Garmin 20x lets you download geocaches and eliminate paper to find caches.

If you need a navigator to serve you for several days, this might not be the best option. Rather, you might need to bring a power source with you. The average estimated battery life of this device is 25 hours on GPS, so we would advise that you only use it when you need it.

However, nothing would stop you from using it for two or three days if you take a power bank with you. We think it can still do a pretty amazing job for geocaching and other outdoor activities. The GPS is further surrounded by a thick plastic casing, with an ergonomically designed grip on the side, which feels pleasant to hold.

It has an IPX7 rating to easily survive getting exposed to water for up to 30 minutes. As with our previously reviewed Garmin GPSes, this option has a 2. They all have an iconic joystick on the face of the GPS for scrolling the different menus.

Additionally, the GPS has buttons on the sides for zooming in and out and returning to the homepage. The side buttons are also responsible for regulating the level of brightness.

The eTrex 10 lacks any mapping whatsoever. Instead, you get a Worldwide Basemap. Fortunately, the device can store up to 50 routes, waypoints, and tracks. But this is all you can store on this device since it only has a measly 6 MB of memory and lacks an internal SD slot for extra space.

The eTrex 10 might have lacked on the mapping, but it makes up for that with navigation. It employs HotFix satellite prediction to find and obtain a satellite lock on your position faster. The technology works by collecting your previous data and using this to predict your location. This way, you get all the information you need for your next treasure hunt, including a map, feature, location, hint, and so much more. After all, the device looks and feels like a smartphone, especially with its touchscreen and dual-orientation features.

Oregon, continuing with its smartphone theme, particularly the touchscreen feature, is easy to use and user-friendly. Users find it easier to operate the device compared to the traditional button and joystick design. Another pretty cool aspect of the screen is the dual orientation function that lets you move the screen around.

Another plus with Oregon is the smartphone connectivity that allows users to receive messages on the screen. More importantly, this feature lets you utilize other features such as live tracking data, and active weather reports. Alternatively, you can connect the GPS to the geocaching website wirelessly.

Finding a geocache with the device is pretty straightforward as the uploaded files have all the information you need. One of the selling points of the Magellan is the rugged build. This option is super sturdy and built to take on the severe outdoors. It takes on the hits, bumps, and falls like a champ and rarely breaks down. Magellan eXplorist features a 2. The device is compact and lightweight, perfect for those who have to trek for long distances for geocaching.

Using the Magellan eXplorist is a delight, and beginners will find it a breeze operating the device. Your email address will not be published.

Notify me of new posts by email. Photo courtesy Flickr: meddygarnet First off, you may be wondering, what is geocaching? So to help parse through the product offerings, compare the devices based on the following criteria: Screen size. Is it easy to see the information on your screen?

Can you resize maps easily? Will you need reading glasses to look at the maps? Ability to lock onto satellite signals. How quickly can the device find a signal? Will it work in cloudy conditions? Size and dimensions. Is it of a practical size and dimensions? Can it easily clip to your daypack or is it heavy and bulky? Many claim to be waterproof, but are really just water resistant. If you think you might drop yours in a stream or lake, make sure it is waterproof!

Battery life. A short battery life can easily cut a fun day of geocaching day short. If you are a hiker and backpacker, this will be important to you. Depending on your budget, you may also decide on a color display vs. There are touch screen displays, built in cameras and MP3 players, and many other features that are nice, but not necessary. Built in Geocaching Feature.

Some GPS devices have a geocaching mode that enable you to keep track of cache locations. Some even enable you to wirelessly download locations of caches. The Best GPS for Geocaching: The key is to get a device that is reliable, has the functionality you need, and fits your budget.

Finding a Geocache! Happy trails! And have fun geocaching! Happy geocaching and hiking. The first thing you need to do is create a free account at Geocaching. Pick a caching name and a password, and create your account. You'll need to give a valid e-mail address, but fear not. Validate your account by clicking on the e-mail you receive, and you're ready to go.

Once you're logged in on the Geocaching. You can seek a cache by address, zip code, state or country, or by keyword, GC code, or the username of the geocacher who hid or found the cache.

I like using the address feature if I know where I'm going, either using the exact street address, or just the city and state I'm searching. When you click "Go" you'll receive a list of caches in the vicinity, with the closest caches listed first. The compass shows the direction from the location you entered to the cache.

There's a check mark if you've already found the cache. Icons show what kind of cache it is, as well as any trackables currently reported in the cache. If you click the Google Maps link here, you'll get a map of north Seattle, the original home of Geocaching.

But when you click on those words on your cache list, you will see all the caches on the list overlaid on a Google map of your area. When you're looking at the map, you can click on a cache icon to learn a few details about it. Look for a cache with low difficulty and terrain ratings; 1 or 1. At the same time, look at the cache size. Caches come in size micro, small, medium, large, or unidentified.

Unidentified can mean it is a any size from nano to large, or the cache may be small but the container camo may be large, or for some reason the Cache Owner CO doesn't want you to know the size; unidentified regular caches tend to be tricky.

Micro-sized caches can be tricky to find, too, especially if they're actually "nano" size; you might want to start with a small or medium cache. When you're looking at the detail, you can click on the Name of the cache to bring up a page of details. There you'll get all the clues the CO provided, plus a list of all the logs already recorded for that cache. Make sure the most recent logs are not frowning faces or Did Not Find DNF , or you may be looking for a missing or extremely hard-to-find cache.

If you find yourself struggling in your search, click on the link to read ALL the logs for hints. Even though each geocacher may think they haven't given anything away, the combination of comments often gives extra hints beyond what the CO originally posted. In that detailed description, you will find the latitude and longitude of the location of the cache. You'll need to enter these into your GPS, or paste them into Google Maps to find the location of the cache. Google Maps is a great way to get started and to find caches located in the city, near the edges of parks, and other locations that are open to the sky.

But you won't be able to find a cache in the woods without a GPS device. Don't give up if you don't have a handheld GPS; many portable automobile GPS devices have a way to enter coordinates, and a battery so you can take the GPS with you into the woods. When you get to Ground Zero GZ , the coordinates of the cache location, you'll need to use the hints found in the name and description of the cache to locate the actual cache container. For another perspective, check out the video from Geocaching.

Selecting and Finding Your First Geocache! Sometimes caches are hard to find; sometimes they are missing. The first thing to do when you can't find a cache is to go back and check the cache description page. Have the last 5 loggers found the cache? Was the last one recent?

If not, the cache may or may not be missing. If the cache was last found, reread the description. What hints are in the description? Be aware that GPS devices tend to be a bit skittish in the woods, under power lines, or in between tall city buildings.

The best thing to do is find a vaguely clear spot and put the device down for a few minutes - literally. Then check your location again. Once your GPS settles down, we find we weren't where we thought we were, and it's much easier to find the cache when we go where we thought we were before Sometimes the GPS doesn't want to settle down and give a solid reading.

In these cases, a good old-fashioned compass and triangulation are your best tools. Walk away from the place you suspect, and get about feet away. Then take a reading on your GPS, and use your compass to locate the line that goes in the direction specified. You'll need to make a note of where that line goes; we often do this by having our caching partner stand in a line with several obvious trees or landmarks.

Walk around a ways, and take a second reading, and see where those two lines cross. That's the most likely place for the cache to be located. In this age of Google and Google Maps , we sometimes opt for a Google Maps sighting rather than compass triangulation. Go back to your computer and type the latitude and longitude of the cache into Google Maps. Then zoom in as far as you can, to get an idea where the cache is located from the map.

This sometimes tells us that, in spite of triangulation, the readings our GPS is getting here under the wooded canopy are just too erratic and the cache is really Hints to remember: looking for a geocache in a parking lot? Those things lift up! Yes, the "skirt" around the base of the light pole lifts up. Magnetic Key Holders MKH or film canisters or camo'ed prescription bottles hide well in these tight quarters.

Looking for a Nano? Either way, you are unlikely to be stuck with no battery! Finally, like the other GPS for geocaching devices, this Garmin product comes with built-in US topographic data, and adding more maps is a simple and intuitive process. All in all, if you are looking for the best GPS for geocaching, this is a fantastic Garmin product. The camera is a great extra feature, and each picture you take is geotagged with the exact location of where it was taken. The t also has a microSD card slot in case you need to add more storage.

You can also track your travels using the Multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems in more challenging terrain. Sync your mobile with Geocaching Live to make your Geocaching experience run smoothly, and enjoy accurate weather forecasting through the GPS too. Users have reported that this GPS device is almost always on point and shows very accurate coordinates.

For inexperienced geocachers, getting started can often seem overwhelming. A GPS device is something of a geocaching essential. While modern smartphones are equipped with GPS technology and several geocaching apps readily available, a GPS device will enhance your geocaching experience and in our opinion, are a must-have.

Still not convinced? We know, we know, virtually every phone has GPS these days. For this reason, you might be struggling to justify the cost of a GPS navigator.

Most modern GPS devices, especially those designed for geocaching, allow you to download and store maps onto them. Save your smartphone storage for the stuff that matters in your day-to-day life, and use your GPS device for geocaching. GPS devices allow you to disconnect from the world, while keeping track of your location. Instead, you can fully immerse yourself in your geocaching experience — appreciating Mother Nature in the process!

GPS devices with bundles of fancy features, backlights, and Bluetooth capabilities will not have as good a battery life as old-school devices — despite what the manufacturers may tell you! If your device takes regular batteries like many do, make sure you bring spares. Backlight, sunlight-readability, and a glove-friendly screen will make geocaching easier in more extreme weather. Keep in mind that these features will use more battery power and will also increase the cost of your device.

If you want to install extra topographic maps or anything extra on your device, you will need to ensure it has plenty of storage. Devices with a lot of built-in storage will be more expensive, but devices with memory card slots are readily available for those of you on more of a budget.

Geocaching can be hardcore!



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