First time hiding

[naoiseemily]

So I've everything set for hiding my first geo cache- secure and safe location, explanation note,logbook, small prize, secure container... The only problem is I haven't a clue how to figure out the coordinates of a location! Very technologically dense...? help please??

[Keystone]

It would help to know what sort of device you're using to obtain the coordinates - a dedicated handheld GPS, or a smartphone. If you're using a smartphone, tell us which type (iPhone or Android) and what geocaching and GPS apps you have installed on the phone.

 

You can begin by reading this article in the Help Center: Hiding a Geocache - How to Get Accurate Coordinates.

[naoiseemily]

Sorry- smart phone android!!!!

[+Graculus]

If you are using the official Android app then when you open it you'll see your location coordinates on the screen. If you are standing at the proposed cache location they will show you the coordinates you need but please read the Help Center article my colleague linked you to in the post above. It is important you understand how a GPS picks up the satellite signal and the time it can take to be as accurate as possible.

 

You may also find the Geocaching Policies Wiki very useful to help you with local guidelines and landowners when it comes to placing your cache.

 

Chris

Graculus

Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com

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UK Geocaching Policies Wiki

Geocaching.com Help Center

UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

Edited August 5, 2015 by Graculus

[naoiseemily]

Thank you!I've read up just wasn't sure how to get the coordinates! What's the official android app called? The one I'm using is just called geocaching so I'm not sure if that's it!

[+cerberus1]

Thank you!I've read up just wasn't sure how to get the coordinates! What's the official android app called? The one I'm using is just called geocaching so I'm not sure if that's it!

There's the Geocaching Intro (free) app and the paid, full Geocaching app.

An explanation of them/their functions is here.

[+CV Kurt]

You might also consider getting a "GPS averaging" app for your smartphone... these apps help with collecting and averaging' of GPS coordinates for your hide. I'm not an Android user... so have no specific recommendations here.

[+Graculus]

There is a lot of information in the Help Center about the apps and smartphones. This page lists lots of help for the Android geocaching app.

 

Chris

Graculus

Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

UK Geocaching Policies Wiki

Geocaching.com Help Center

UK Geocaching Information & Resources website

[naoiseemily]

Thanks guys- turns out I may need to rethink as absolutely no signal where I'd planned! Back to the drawing board!!!

[+cerberus1]

Mid price-range hand-held GPSrs are perfect for that.

[+Bear and Ragged]

Thanks guys- turns out I may need to rethink as absolutely no signal where I'd planned! Back to the drawing board!!!

 

There may be no PHONE signal or WiFi...

 

You should still get satellite signals, unless you're underground. (or in a tin foil building! )

[+Chief301]

What you'll want to do is search for an app that does waypoint averaging. Just type "waypoint averaging" or "GPS averaging" in the search. I don't know what specific app this would be on Android. You should be able to get GPS coordinates without cell signal, as Bear and Ragged mentioned, because modern smart phones have a GPS chip on board that receives signals directly from the satellites and not through the cell network. This is also a handy bit of information to know if you want to do some caching in an area with no cell service.

 

Once you find a good waypoint averaging app and learn how to use it, you'll want to obtain several readings, preferably at least 3 or 4, and on different days, for the most accurate coordinates.

[naoiseemily]

Didn't know that! That's great, will try it! Thank you! But by hiding a cache there am I limiting the people who can find it or do most geo apps run without signal?

[+niraD]

FWIW, I've found a number of caches where there was no signal at the cache location. It is still possible to use GPS to get accurate coordinates. For example, if you can get accurate coordinates at a location due west of the cache, then you can use the latitude of that location; and if you can get accurate coordinates at a different location due north of the cache, then you can use the longitude of that location.

[+Chief301]

Didn't know that! That's great, will try it! Thank you! But by hiding a cache there am I limiting the people who can find it or do most geo apps run without signal?

 

Geocaching apps, whether the official Groundspeak app or some third party app, run on smart phones, and virtually all smart phones these days have an active GPS chip on board, ergo, any modern smart phone can navigate without cell service. The hitch is, you have to have downloaded the cache information to the phone ahead of time (which most apps have a provision for), because you won't be able to look up new caches live without signal. But the navigation part will still work.

 

So, are you limiting the number of people that can go find your cache? No, anybody can still seek your cache if they know how to save caches to the app beforehand. Are they limiting THEMSELVES by not having learned how to do this or neglecting to save the info beforehand? Possibly.

 

Not to mention the fact that there are still a lot of us dinosaurs out there who geocache with an actual handheld GPS instead of (or in addition to) a smart phone app. They don't need cell signal, ever

Edited August 6, 2015 by Chief301

[+jellis]

I always use my Garmin 62 but if I only have my iphone I use GCTools app.