| crmsnidol |
http://www.geocaching.com/
It's called GeoCaching. People from all over the world hide trinkets in out of the way places and using GPS - you can find them. Now, handheld units probably have the advantage here but you could definitely get in the vicinity. People hide things like CD's, toys, knick knacks, etc.
According to the website:
As of today, there are 66199 active caches in 184 countries.
What is it all about?
http://www.geocaching.com/about/
Locate the cache nearest to you:
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/
If any acuramdx.org members try this out - let us know how you did. |
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| Aric |
Well, I've done 2 Geocaching trips now.
You can check out pics of the off-roading adventures in my gallery.
The first trip was in the middle of summer (on a 115 degree day) just North of Phoenix Arizona. Technically I think we were in an town named New River, although because we went off the freeway before seeing any of the town, I couldn't tell there was anyone living there.
We looked for and found, I think 5 caches. It was an all day thing. I packed some big lunches (I was the organizer) that my wife made for us (thanks dear :) ). We had 2 trucks and 6 people. 4 rode in my MDX. It was pretty hot, and while we packed a lot of water, we ran out and were pretty thirsty by the time we got back to town. We all downed a bunch of Gatorade at the first Circle K we could find. Ok, so pack more water next time. Also, I packed a lot of Pepsi and such, which isn't very good for a 115 degree day.
The next trip was pretty recent, and this time instead of north of Phoenix we went East to Surprise. This time we had 3 trucks and 4 people (two in my MDX). We didn't have as good a luck this time. We looked for 2 caches and found 1. We are pretty sure the second one was either stolen or washed away. We also had planned to find some other caches, but what looked like a road on our maps, ended up to be a 5 mile hiking trail. We decided we didn't want to hike that much, and several of the caches we identified were along that trail. Once it cools off some more, we'll probably go back there ready for some hiking.
The MDX has performed great off road. I will admit, more ground clearance would be nice, and the big difference between the MDX, and some other off road vehicles, is while they are rated all around 8 inches of ground clearance, the MDX has that same height for most of the bottom, whereas a lot of other trucks, have only 8 inches of ground clearance around the suspension components, but much higher clearance in the center area of the truck. It just means, I have to be a little more cautious when going over those rocks and plan the location of each tire carefully. |
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| RonH |
That's a pretty cool site! ... never heard of it before. I was surprised to find there's almost 300 'caches' within 50 miles of my zip code. We'll have to give it a try soon.
EDIT:
Better yet, I noticed there's almost 100 up in the area of WV where we're going on vacation next week. Will have to try it there! |
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| MDteX |
My kids and I have been doing geocaching for over a year. The MDX will get you close but you will need a handheld GPS along with a keen eye to actually find the cache. Most caches are in an area that you must hike to. The web site will show you how difficult the terrain is. It is a fun little thing to do with the family. Take a trinket, leave a trinket.
Have fun!!! |
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| Aric |
Yeah, it's pretty cool. I should mention, we specifically look for ones outside of town off the beaten track to enjoy our 4 wheel drive vehicles, but there are a lot of caches in the cities too. Often in parks, within walking distance of your home.
You don't have to go off roading to do this. But I've found the ones in the city (that get more traffic, no doubt) have a higher chance of being stolen/missing.
Also, I was surprised to find some people who call themselves environmentalists are against Geocaching. I consider myself an environmentalist and I think Geocaching is great so I was surprised to hear this. Apparently, some people feel it creates too much "traffic" in areas that would otherwise be "left alone." I think that's pretty silly as most of the areas I've been to are on state land that we all have a right to enjoy. And every person I know who Geocaches takes a trash bag and picks up litter they find so they actually leave the area in better shape than it was before they got there. Just wanted to give you a heads up, because I was really caught off guard the first time someone told me..."Geocaching? You do that? That's bad!" And to be honest, I've only encountered one person who felt that way so you may never find someone with that opinion. |
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| RonH |
I agree. In looking at the ones in my local area, there are a number I'll pass up for others. Example: one hidden in a Wal-Mart parking lot ... I think I'll pass that up for one on a trail.
On the environmentalist thing ... I too highly believe in taking care of our resources, but there are those who go waaaay off the chain. The second you mention anything offroad to them, they have images of you doing the baja routine, plowing down wooded areas with 50 inch monster-mudders making your own paths, setting rabbits ablaze with your exhaust and so on. Please. :rolleyes: Those type of extremists need to get a life. The day they see me boring through nature's untouched countryside in my X, then they can give me some flak about it ... I wouldn't suggest they hold their breath. :p
Anyhoo, we're really looking forward to giving it a try when we go on vacation this week! Let you know how it turns out. :D |
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| RonH |
We're back from WV. We were able to find 7 caches while up there. The most amazing part about doing these is that several led me to some really beautiful parts of WV I'd never seen before, even though I lived a short distance away.
:2: |
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| geosrx |
Geocaching is one my favorite activities (I've been caching for over a year now and have over 350 finds). My MDX's NAV definitely helps me get to where I need to go. Though you must have a handheld GPS too for geocaching...
If you haven't tried it yet, check it out at: http://www.geocaching.com
Do a search of caches near your local zipcode... you'll be amazed... I bet there are some within miles of your house.
Enjoy! |
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| Aric |
Yep, very cool.
I went on another trip a while back... still need to post those pics in my gallery, and we're planning another one in the Prescott Arizona area next, so if anyone has specific suggestions for Prescott geocaching, I'm all ears.
BTW I've always used a friend's GPS device. Maybe I should get my own. Are the color screen ones harder to read in the sun than the grayscale ones? All my friends just have grayscale ones. |
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| geosrx |
quote:
Originally posted by Aric
Yep, very cool.
I went on another trip a while back... still need to post those pics in my gallery, and we're planning another one in the Prescott Arizona area next, so if anyone has specific suggestions for Prescott geocaching, I'm all ears.
BTW I've always used a friend's GPS device. Maybe I should get my own. Are the color screen ones harder to read in the sun than the grayscale ones? All my friends just have grayscale ones.
I would highly reccommend the Garmin GPSMAP 60C (full color) http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap60c/
You can get it for around $375 (I know it's spendy) but it's worth every penny... if you spend around $100 more you can get the software for turn by turn routing (while you drive)... I have NAV in my MDX, but I use the Garmin in my work vehicle... it's amazing... allows you to select points of interest... and input addresses.
If you just want a GPS for geocaching, there are TONS of options out there... let me know what you want and I can guide you in the right direction. I have quite a bit of handheld GPS experience.
I use my handheld for geocaching and for turn by turn NAV in my work vehicle. |
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| Aric |
Cool. That looks like an awesome unit.
Have to ask...as a person who only like to buy the best (hence the MDX :D ) All my computers run Mac OS X. It looks like their USB cable/software is PC only.
Do you know anything about Mac OS X and GPS software compatibility? |
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| geosrx |
quote:
Originally posted by Aric
Cool. That looks like an awesome unit.
Have to ask...as a person who only like to buy the best (hence the MDX :D ) All my computers run Mac OS X. It looks like their USB cable/software is PC only.
Do you know anything about Mac OS X and GPS software compatibility?
It really is a great unit. I just looked at my manuals, the box, and read a few reviews. It looks like the software / connectivity on this on is PC only. Perhaps they'll make Mac software at some point, though I'm not sure. |
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| Aric |
quote:
Originally posted by geosrx
It really is a great unit. I just looked at my manuals, the box, and read a few reviews. It looks like the software / connectivity on this on is PC only. Perhaps they'll make Mac software at some point, though I'm not sure.
Cool. Thanks. Now I'm on a mission to find Mac OS X GPS software. :2: |
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| RonH |
| What type of software you looking for? If you're looking for software to upload and manage waypoints, then the Geocaching site lists a freeware OS X piece called GPS Connect for OS X . For mapping software, the only one I know of off hand is Route 66 Route USA 2004 .. but I've read mixed reviews on it. It's also available from Amazon, but still goes for around $40. DeLorme used to make a nice Mac version of their software, but have since stopped. |
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| Aric |
Cool, well I was already to buy a GPSMAP60cs this week, and now I'm presented with the new GPSMAP76cs!
Hmm can't see much difference between the two specs wise, although visually they look different. The new one has like twice the memory (115MB I think) but other than that, can't see any difference. Looks like availability is still limited for the GPSMAP76cs although some sites list it in stock, not sure I always believe them.
Anyway, back to research mode. :rolleyes: |
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| Aric |
So just to update y'all. I've purchased the 60cs and am going Geocaching with some friends on Saturday. Hopefully I'll get some good pictures to add to my gallery, and will have learned how to load Geocache locations into my 60cs from Mac OS X by then.
Thanks for the help/recommendations! This looks like the coolest GPS device I've ever used, and I've used several! |
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| geosrx |
quote:
Originally posted by Aric
So just to update y'all. I've purchased the 60cs and am going Geocaching with some friends on Saturday. Hopefully I'll get some good pictures to add to my gallery, and will have learned how to load Geocache locations into my 60cs from Mac OS X by then.
Thanks for the help/recommendations! This looks like the coolest GPS device I've ever used, and I've used several!
That's great! I'm willing to bet that you will love geocaching and love your new 60cs. Let me know how it goes! |
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