New member

[+SLVRFOX33]

Hello everyone, I'm a brand new member. It's good to be on this forum and I can't wait to start Geocaching! I loaded a few caches onto my GPS last night and have a question. Each cache has a link for driving directions that goes to a GOOGLE map showing the location of the cache. On one hand, this seemed kind of strange to show the caches location on the map becuse I thought the idea was to locate it using GPS. On the other hand though, it's nice to be able to see a quick preview of the area where it's located. Do most of you use these maps this way? Just to get a general idea of where the cache is located? I'm sure the location marked by GOOGLE isn't very exact and you still have to do some searching. I liked it because I camp 30-100 miles from the towns/locations that I enter a zip code for when looking for caches to find. This way I can click on the Driving Directions link and see how far it acually is from where I'll be camping or if it's even anywhere near where I'll camp. I don't mind driving my ATV far distances to find a cache, but, I do have limits. Is this what most people use the Driving Directions link for? Thanks and it's good to be on here!

[+capdude]

Welcome to our sport of geocaching! The map is for exactly what you thought it was for, to get you to the area. Once there, you use the GPS unit to find the cache. Some people load the cordinates right into their car's gps unit and the car tells them where to go and then if they need it they use the hand held GPS to find the cache.

[+geodarts]

I usually rely on street routing with my gpsr or use the iphone with geosphere/navigon to have voice directions to the cache. But i will look at online maps to give me a general sense of what is in the area. Its always nice to know where you are going.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Google maps are noted for sometimes being off quite a bit. If you feel you can trust them, go for it. We don't, never have, and never will.

[knowschad]

I don't use the driving directions, and don't know anybody that does. They are only useful if you're heading out from your home coordinates anyway. They won't help you for camping, for sure. They also won't help you when you leave one cache and head to the next.

 

I use a Nuvi in my car for driving between caches or parks. It has the added advantage of being able to load the cache page information (what we call "paperless" caching). I do not, however, use my Nuvi for the offroad phase. For that I use my trusty 60CSx.

[+roziecakes]

I also like having my nuvi for driving directions. It makes life so much easier to have driving directions of some kind, whatever works best for you though... welcome to caching!

[+Anti_Podean]

Coordinates or not, unless you're on an empty street with one postbox and nothing else, you're still going to have a challenge finding the cache. Particularly if you're in dense canopy woods with a lot of debris on the ground.

 

I still (says me sounding like he's been doing this for longer than a week!) use my phone's satnav to get me to a suitable parking area, then the rest is determined by the terrain.

 

Still no caches logged? C'mon... get out there and have at it!

[+SLVRFOX33]

Coordinates or not, unless you're on an empty street with one postbox and nothing else, you're still going to have a challenge finding the cache. Particularly if you're in dense canopy woods with a lot of debris on the ground.

 

I still (says me sounding like he's been doing this for longer than a week!) use my phone's satnav to get me to a suitable parking area, then the rest is determined by the terrain.

 

Still no caches logged? C'mon... get out there and have at it!

 

I know, I need to get going! I'm planning on Geocaching when I go camping in Northern AZ. I usually camp about once a month or so. Now, when it cools down around here in the fall/winter, I'll do alot more!

[colaboy1234]

Does anybody else think there is a conspiracy between the highway toll road owners, and apps like this that use a gps to navigate the streets? Is it just me or does all this software take you first off through the toll roads, even when it's not necessary?

 

as far as using your gps for the roads, do whatever you can, using whatever resources you have to reach the location,

 

when you get there however like the above have stated, the cache will hardly ever be spot on with the coordinantes, and even if it is, it is generally camo'ed / hidden very well, so you would still have to look a bit to find it. your gps gets you to a rough small area called ground zero (GZ) for short, from there the real hunt begins.

 

enojy the game, and i sugest not hunting micros for your first few caches, stick with small and larger, or you might be pullin your hair out lookin for a bison tube, or a pencil eraser sized nano.

[+roziecakes]

Does anybody else think there is a conspiracy between the highway toll road owners, and apps like this that use a gps to navigate the streets? Is it just me or does all this software take you first off through the toll roads, even when it's not necessary?

 

as far as using your gps for the roads, do whatever you can, using whatever resources you have to reach the location,

 

when you get there however like the above have stated, the cache will hardly ever be spot on with the coordinantes, and even if it is, it is generally camo'ed / hidden very well, so you would still have to look a bit to find it. your gps gets you to a rough small area called ground zero (GZ) for short, from there the real hunt begins.

 

enojy the game, and i sugest not hunting micros for your first few caches, stick with small and larger, or you might be pullin your hair out lookin for a bison tube, or a pencil eraser sized nano.

 

I'm starting to think you *are* ashnikes. The lack of capitals at the start of sentences, the spelling errors, and the sentence patterns. If I'm wrong, I'll eat my hat.

[colaboy1234]

huh?

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

huh?

Hahahahahahahahaha! A pinehurst response!

[+Anti_Podean]

Is it just me or does all this software take you first off through the toll roads, even when it's not necessary?

Nope, it's just you. TomTom, CoPilot, etc, all have the ability to Allow, Block or Ask whenever the software tries to route you through a toll road or bridge.

[+roziecakes]

Is it just me or does all this software take you first off through the toll roads, even when it's not necessary?

Nope, it's just you. TomTom, CoPilot, etc, all have the ability to Allow, Block or Ask whenever the software tries to route you through a toll road or bridge.

 

Yep, very true. The software usually by default will pick the fastest route, which toll roads often are, which is how they can get people to pay to use them. Almost all car GPSrs have the option to select avoidances, like toll roads, u-turns, etc.

[wee_gerri]

Hey all

 

I am new to this here Geocaching. I was introduced to it by a relative just recently.

Not off to a brilliant start.. apparently there is a cache right here in my own area.. a matter of yards away so I started off with my trusty GPS enabled mobile (Samsung Jet Ultra) in my hand, but could I find the cache?

Still, you get nowhere by quitting so I'll keep trying.

[sodagirl4321]

Has anybody seen my husband?

 

I seen him ridin' the lawn mower over this a way yesterday and he ain't been home since.

[Pup Patrol]

Has anybody seen my husband?

 

I seen him ridin' the lawn mower over this a way yesterday and he ain't been home since.

 

Just how many sock puppets do you need?

 

Is there a button to push "report this abuser of the forums"?

 

And learn how to spell, already. Look it up....that ain't how you spell the name of that town. Geez.

Edited July 18, 2010 by Pup Patrol

[sodagirl4321]

wuts a sock puppet?

[+ironman114]

Has anybody seen my husband?

 

I seen him ridin' the lawn mower over this a way yesterday and he ain't been home since.

 

Just how many sock puppets do you need?

 

Is there a button to push "report this abuser of the forums"?

 

And learn how to spell, already. Look it up....that ain't how you spell the name of that town. Geez.

 

Legitimate question for the getting started forum.

 

Yes there is. It is at the bottom of every post.

 

I think this guy is looking for a new name: Banned4evr

 

To the original poster: Sorry someone tried to derail your thread.

[+Harry Dolphin]

Is it just me or does all this software take you first off through the toll roads, even when it's not necessary?

Nope, it's just you. TomTom, CoPilot, etc, all have the ability to Allow, Block or Ask whenever the software tries to route you through a toll road or bridge.

 

Actually, I frequently ask myself this question! I decided that Google and Garmin probably get five cents on the dollar. (nuvi will let me seek a different route using the 'traffic jam' button.)

The basic assumption (and it's only an assumption) is that Interstates and toll roads are quicker. From here to the Lincoln Tunnel, for instance, I take I-80 to US 46 to SR 3 to I-495. Google/Garmin would route me I-80 to I-280 to I-95 to I-495. Google claims that that's two minutes quicker, but no one in his right mind would go that way! And forget about going anywhere near the Garden State Parkway.

Blocking toll roads/bridges can take you far out of the way. The nearest non-toll crossing of the Hudson River is just south of Albany, New York. My GPS thought about that for a bit, and decided not to send me 300 miles out of the way. Through the Lincoln Tunnel. (Actually, it says 'on Lincoln Tunnel" not 'through'. Oh, well.)