Ktkins31 Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I was wondering what interesting gadgets there are out there (supplied by Groundspeak or not) that you use to help find caches. Also, what do you use in your basic kit. I think that a space pen is pretty essential, but I am looking to expand my kit, and get ideas for presents for my geocaching parents. Quote Link to comment
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Basic kits include: Urban-- Tweezers (pointy ones -- not eyebrow tweezers) Pencil(s)-- even space pens can fail Spare batteries A reaching implement, magnetic or grabbing (both?) Flashlight to see into dark holes Gloves, to reach in dark holes Spare batteries A partner - to reach into dark holes A small first-aid kit for your partner Did I mention batteries? Non-urban-- All of the above TP (very important) Small roll of duct tape (can even just make a small roll 1 - 2 ft) Walking stick -- good for prodding into dark holes Spare logbook(s)/logsheet(s) Freezer-type zip-loc baggies Knife -- penknife is fine Don't forget spare batteries There's more, but you never seem to have enough. Quote Link to comment
NordicMan Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I was wondering what interesting gadgets there are out there (supplied by Groundspeak or not) that you use to help find caches. Also, what do you use in your basic kit. I think that a space pen is pretty essential, but I am looking to expand my kit, and get ideas for presents for my geocaching parents. Actually a felt tip pen is best when trying to write logs onto soggy paper Add to Gitchee's list, an actual mechanical compass, whether or not your GPSr has an electronic one. Quote Link to comment
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I was wondering what interesting gadgets there are out there (supplied by Groundspeak or not) that you use to help find caches. Also, what do you use in your basic kit. I think that a space pen is pretty essential, but I am looking to expand my kit, and get ideas for presents for my geocaching parents. Actually a felt tip pen is best when trying to write logs onto soggy paper Add to Gitchee's list, an actual mechanical compass, whether or not your GPSr has an electronic one. Shame on me! An(other) oversight on my part. I always carry a GOOD magnetic compass. It is tied to my geo-pack. Shame on me on forgetting an important item. Quote Link to comment
+Chief301 Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 +1 on the felt tip pen. After a suggestion on these forums I started using the Sharpie brand pens (pen, not marker). Writes well on damp logs. Quote Link to comment
+popokiiti Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Doesn't fit in the pack, but a hiking stick is great for poking in the woods. The sound of found plastic is wonderful! We bought a pair for around $70 Cdn about 3 years ago. Others have mentioned tweezers - the best I have found are the ones retired from the dental office. I also have a telescoping magnet with light which was fairly cheap, flashlight, gloves (rubberized gardening type)pens,camera, cell phone, batteries in my new favourite bag - a sling type. Must NEVER forget my reading glasses or I can't read the GPS! Quote Link to comment
+Chief301 Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Oh, in addition to the Sharpie pen I also ALWAYS have on my person (caching or not) a Swiss Army Knife (Super Tinker) and a small 1AAA LED flashlight. I have used the tweezers from the knife to extract logs from nano caches. If I'm on a planned cache outing I will usually pack a little larger flashlight. I don't usually bring much more than that because most of the caches around here don't involve getting very far off the beaten path, so not much gear is needed. Quote Link to comment
+kwcahart Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I always carry two bottles of water. Sounds like a lot, but recently I was on the "hiking and biking" trail in San Antonio and only had a partial bottle with me. It got over 80 that day and the bottle ran dry and I wished I had at least one more. A good magnetic compass is always a good ideal even if you are in urban settings, sometimes it really helps to know which way you are going if your GPS fails. ( and it will ) Also a good knife, tweezers, extra logs, and leather gloves. Where I live the rubber gloves would just get you in trouble. Here everything stings, sticks or bites you. I got stung by a scorpion last July and it was not fun. Now I carry good leather gloves to poke around in. Just last week I was looking for a cache and found four scorpions. I carry two flashlights and extra batteries, the same type that will work for the GPS. Why a flashlight when caching in the daytime? Sometimes you just cannot see down into a dark place without a flashlight even in bright daylight. Swag. Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 I carry a maxpedition shoulder caching bag with some items to help me out in most situations. I actually have 3 basic packs and items do change based on the season but I'll list some common items. flashlight spare batteries string small corded rope paperclips tweezers swiss army knife duck tape pens/pencils/sharpener(s) ziploc bags 2 first aid kits emergency poncho emergency blanket lighter/matches water snack bug spray rare earth magnet mirror misc For any walk/hike I also have my walking stick. I generally always wear a hat of some kind. Quote Link to comment
+tomfuller & Quill Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Telescoping magnetic wand can pull caches out of holes you don't want to stick your hand into. Quote Link to comment
+nittanycopa Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 A comfortable, roomy backpack Hiking Boots. Good ones that will get you around higher terrain. Gloves - the utility sort they sell at Lowes that are designed for auto repair - they're flexible and stand up to a lot. They also dry out quickly. A good raincoat / windbreaker (if you live in a non-arid region) Bug spray WATER Sunblock, bug spray, etc. Small first aid kit Tweezers Small bag of cache maintenance stuff - extra logs, etc. Personal care items - sanitizer, wet ones, tp, tissues. Sunglasses, hat...though I despise wearing a hat and won't. I like the felt tip pen idea. I'll have to start making sure I've got my extra-fine tip Sharpie on me. Quote Link to comment
+nittanycopa Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Telescoping magnetic wand can pull caches out of holes you don't want to stick your hand into. Aww, that takes all the fun out of it! Quote Link to comment
+mpilchfamily Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 My pack includes things for both urban and non-urban caching. Some stuff i have on my all the time anyways. I keep a pocket sized multi tool with me all the time. It has a small knife, needle nose pliers, screw drivers and a small LED flashlight. Always have a hat and sunglasses as well. In my pack: Pens Pen sized Hand Sanitizer Batteries Small Note pad Batteries Couple of film cans Plastic shopping bag for CITO opportunities Leather gloves Swag 25 ft of para-cord Large knife with interchangeable blades (typical blade, blunt blade, slim utility blade, and a saw blade) Couple of 35 gal trash bags for emergency rain coats Small and snack sized freezer bags for cache maintenance Bottle of watter and some snack bars. On my walking stick is additional para-cord and a compass. Quote Link to comment
+nittanycopa Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I always carry two bottles of water. Sounds like a lot, but recently I was on the "hiking and biking" trail in San Antonio and only had a partial bottle with me. It got over 80 that day and the bottle ran dry and I wished I had at least one more. A good magnetic compass is always a good ideal even if you are in urban settings, sometimes it really helps to know which way you are going if your GPS fails. ( and it will ) Also a good knife, tweezers, extra logs, and leather gloves. Where I live the rubber gloves would just get you in trouble. Here everything stings, sticks or bites you. I got stung by a scorpion last July and it was not fun. Now I carry good leather gloves to poke around in. Just last week I was looking for a cache and found four scorpions. I carry two flashlights and extra batteries, the same type that will work for the GPS. Why a flashlight when caching in the daytime? Sometimes you just cannot see down into a dark place without a flashlight even in bright daylight. Swag. Had the same thing happen to me on the trail in San Antonio in January during a week of (what seemed like) really nice weather for a Northeasterner like me - mid to upper 60s. Only took a small amount of water along with me from my hotel and ended up having to stop for a drink at a place near the Pearl Brewery. Water is a good thing! Quote Link to comment
+Viridios Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Here is most of what I take with me for most caches Garmin eTrex Summit Rite In The Rain notebook (note taking and emergency logs) Nitrile gloves Emergency kit with: Candle Fox 40 Whistle Swedish steel (for fire starting) Small knife Mirror (for signalling, also helps to administer first aid if you cut your face or eye Flashlights with red filters (Red filter helps retain night vision) Bandana (so many uses, I have used it as a head band, emergency bandage, face cloth, coffee filter, etc etc etc) Tweezers (for removing slivers and micro logs) Spare batteries Map and compass (Always have a map and compass, it's awkward when you have to eat your friends...) iPod with Geocaching app Caching Bag with Geopatch Not Shown: Water bottle Inka pen Magnifying glass (for fire starting and to help remove slivers) Walking stick Victorinox swiss army knife Twine Cell phone Bug spray First aid kit Quote Link to comment
+shadowmib Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 (edited) Camouflage BDUs 1 each color Helmet/Hat matching BDU pattern 1 each color Jungle/combat boots 1 pair LBE with Ammunition pouches Ammunition 2000 rounds Hydration system or Canteen, w/cover Pistol belt Holster for sidearm Rucksack, ALICE type M4 assault rifle M9 pistol Ballistic goggles, ANSI Z87.1989 Gloves, tactical 1 pair Kneepads, tactical 1 pair Mirror, signaling Compass, lensatic Insect repellant 1 bottle/can Snap link 2 each Knife with scabbard Pouch, first aid Nylon rope, 12 feet Poncho, lightweight Global Positioning Satellite Receiver 550 cord, 1 roll Flashlight with colored lenses That's my equipment when I'm playing airsoft... Ignore the stuff in green and thats my Geocaching gear. Edited March 25, 2011 by shadowmib Quote Link to comment
+Chief301 Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 I like the felt tip pen idea. I'll have to start making sure I've got my extra-fine tip Sharpie on me. Get the Sharpie PEN, not the fine-tip marker. The marker will bleed through most paper, the pen won't. Quote Link to comment
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