Geocaching

[Celtic Dragon]

Anybody had a go at it??? I'm toying with the idea of getting a GPS receiver (not for this) but when out and about seeing if I can find any as a sort of by the by sideline.

Whats peoples views?

And anybody care to pass coments on gps receivers as I haven't a clue on them, I've only ever used them for sat nav in the car tied up to a pda.

 

[arctic hobo]

http://www.bushcraftuk.net/community/showthread.php?t=1101&page=3&pp=15

 

[Wolfie]

And anybody care to pass coments on gps receivers as I haven't a clue on them, I've only ever used them for sat nav in the car tied up to a pda.

My own personal opinion is that for navigation in the UK, I prefer a map and compass. GPS do have uses though. I would possibly consider using one as a backup to my navigation skills just in case I ever did get lost . Where I think they can be a problem is where inexperienced peolple use them to lead them up and down a mountain using a pre-set route with waymarkers. If the batteries run out (something you don't have to worry about with a compass!) they are in a lot of trouble. The other thing is that with a compass you are ( or should be) constantly looking at your surroundings and comparing it with your'e map That way you always have a pretty good idea of where you are and whats around you.

I use them at work for pinpointing plants / archaeolgical finds / locations of fixed point photography sites etc. This is where I find them most useful as the OS maps are pretty much useless for this kind of work on the dunes at Merthyr Mawr.

 

[Celtic Dragon]

D'oh.

 

[brucemacdonald]

There was a feature on it on last Sunday's "Countryfile" on BBC1. Looked interesting for those who like problem-solving.

Best wishes

Bruce

 

[Celtic Dragon]

Funnily, thats what got me looking at it!!!!!!

 

[MartiniDave]

My lot are hooked, especially my wife. Within 3 days of goetting the GPS we had done a few caches very close to where we live, and in the process had visited the site of a mott & bailey (sp) castle, an ancient path that was once the main Cambridge to Oxford route and one of the largest badger sets around. All things right on our doorstep that we would otherwise probably not have found.
Now, whenever we go away for a few days we look up the caches in that area. Its a great way to learn the area and see the less usual sites.

Garmin Etrex for about £75 has proven perfectly adequate, but I do carry a compass too.

Dave

 

[FeralSheryl]

This is ours if you're over Gloucestershire way.

Haven't maintained it for a while now (naughty!), but caches tend to live a life of their own once you've started them up. Last reports were that the camera is full and box has split, so we reallty do have to get up there again soon to replace them.

A Garmin Etrex is what we use too.

 

[Motorbike Man]

It's loads of fun. I've been doing it for a while now and I have found some fantastic bits of countryside that I would never even have known existed without it. I would reccomend it to anyone who loves being outdoors

 

[Andy]

Does anybody know if you can hire them?

It could be handy for a biking trip I'm planning as the tracks all look very similar and the route maps are known for being bad. Not worth my buying one (and I can't afford it)

 

[FeralSheryl]

I'm sorry I don't know ofanywhere that hires them. They seem to be going for around £41 on ebay right now, if that helps at all.

 

[Motorbike Man]

I don't know about hiring them Andy, but if you are planning more biking trips a gps unit like this Garmin Etrex Legend from Global Positioning Systems would be a great investment and you can even get handlebar clamps for them.