I don't want PM, but can't make a cache without it.........

[+samnted]

This is my 1st post on the forums here although I've been getting the Geocache love for a good few years now. Unfortunately I've got a bit of a rant though.

 

I don't want premium membership - here's more than enough non-premium caches around to keep me happy for many more years. I don't begrudge anyone who does want Premium membership, that's fine by me and it will give them plenty more caches to hunt down, so totally understandable.

 

However, I am finding that when I go a make a cache for other to find, even though I am careful about placement, and location of other nearby caches - they get refused because they are 'too close to other caches'. These other caches it seems, are Premium caches, which don't show up at all on my iphone, and i cant see the location of on my PC - making it impossible for me to avoid them!

 

I'm sure i'm not the 1st to find this. Is there any way to avoid this without having to fork out on premium membership I don't want? It seems a bit silly if I can't hide caches as it spoils the fun for all non premier members.

 

Sorry for the grumbles on my 1st post.

[Andronicus]

Solution:

Just search based on your desired coordinates from the geocaching.com front page (the search is on the left side fo the page). Even as a basic member, it will tell you generaly what direction, and how far all caches are, even premium member caches.

 

You can still get tripped up by Multi caches, or Puzzle caches, but this will fix the premium member cache issue.

Edited October 29, 2014 by Andronicus

[+Lil Devil]

Well, since you can't actually submit the new cache using the app, you have to use the website for that. And when you open the website, you can first check the coords to see if there is anything nearby. Even as a regular member, the website will tell you if there are Premium Member Only caches nearby. You just won't be able to see details, but you will see distance.

 

Now if we were talking about hidden waypoints of puzzles and multis, that would be a different story. And one that applies to premium members as well.

[+L0ne.R]

This is my 1st post on the forums here although I've been getting the Geocache love for a good few years now. Unfortunately I've got a bit of a rant though.

 

I don't want premium membership - here's more than enough non-premium caches around to keep me happy for many more years. I don't begrudge anyone who does want Premium membership, that's fine by me and it will give them plenty more caches to hunt down, so totally understandable.

 

However, I am finding that when I go a make a cache for other to find, even though I am careful about placement, and location of other nearby caches - they get refused because they are 'too close to other caches'. These other caches it seems, are Premium caches, which don't show up at all on my iphone, and i cant see the location of on my PC - making it impossible for me to avoid them!

 

I'm sure i'm not the 1st to find this. Is there any way to avoid this without having to fork out on premium membership I don't want? It seems a bit silly if I can't hide caches as it spoils the fun for all non premier members.

 

Sorry for the grumbles on my 1st post.

 

I'm a premium member and I still have trouble when placing caches these days. Caches that are problems for me - mystery/puzzle caches that I can't solve; multi stages that I've done but forgot about all the stages that could be nearby; multi stages that I haven't done; caches that I put on my ignore list don't show up when I do a nearby search.

 

It's an all-round problem for everyone.

 

What I do now is scout out a location then write up a "Check Coordinates" listing which I submit so my reviewer will check for me. I find it decreases the frustration. Don't hide until you get the go ahead. Scout out a few locations, not just one while you're out there in case one or two don't pan out.

Edited October 29, 2014 by L0ne.R

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

I checked your area, and you certainly are correct that there seems to be an overabundance of PMO caches.

A local phenomenon perhaps? I don't see such numbers across the pond, nor for the location of your one listed placement... in fact, there doesn't seem to be any PMO caches there!

 

As pointed out in the post by Lil Devil, proximity check is the thing to do.

[+samnted]

Thanks for your replies. I've only just now discovered the proximity checker map, which will certainly make life easier - so sorry for going off on one there.

 

Gitchee - Yes, around my house, it appears that pretty much every square foot of earth that is worthy of a cache as already been bagged - 90% by one member who seems very prolific! It's a little demoralising to realise that the large area of woodland near my home, and in fact all the scenic/ interesting areas I can think of within quite a few miles, which until recently appeared devoid of caches (I usually use my phone, making PMCs impossible to see), are now out of bounds as regards all my planned cache placements which I've been looking forward to stashing.

 

Also - I've been reading a thread which goes along the lines of premium membership stopping inexperienced people from simply downloading the free app, finding a few easy caches, looting them, not re- hiding them, loosing trackables and generally spoiling it - which is understandable too - but do GS really need to charge £24.00 for the membership? I'm sure that most people who were not genuinely keen geocachers would be put off by even a cost of £10? £24 is a bit hard to swallow.

 

Anyway, I'll probably end up shelling out the PM money now that I realise how many more caches there are nearby, so I suppose GS win. Maybe I'll add premium membership to my Xmas list and see if Santa thinks I've been a good boy.

[Andronicus]

Thanks for your replies. I've only just now discovered the proximity checker map, which will certainly make life easier - so sorry for going off on one there.

 

Gitchee - Yes, around my house, it appears that pretty much every square foot of earth that is worthy of a cache as already been bagged - 90% by one member who seems very prolific! It's a little demoralising to realise that the large area of woodland near my home, and in fact all the scenic/ interesting areas I can think of within quite a few miles, which until recently appeared devoid of caches (I usually use my phone, making PMCs impossible to see), are now out of bounds as regards all my planned cache placements which I've been looking forward to stashing.

 

Also - I've been reading a thread which goes along the lines of premium membership stopping inexperienced people from simply downloading the free app, finding a few easy caches, looting them, not re- hiding them, loosing trackables and generally spoiling it - which is understandable too - but do GS really need to charge £24.00 for the membership? I'm sure that most people who were not genuinely keen geocachers would be put off by even a cost of £10? £24 is a bit hard to swallow.

 

Anyway, I'll probably end up shelling out the PM money now that I realise how many more caches there are nearby, so I suppose GS win. Maybe I'll add premium membership to my Xmas list and see if Santa thinks I've been a good boy.

You can find those PMO caches, and log them. Try playing Hotter/Colder with the search results. Then log using the well publisized "Back Door" method.

[+L0ne.R]

Yes, around my house, it appears that pretty much every square foot of earth that is worthy of a cache as already been bagged - 90% by one member who seems very prolific!

 

Ugh. It does seem unfair in cache-dense areas when one cache owner dominates the area. Sometimes I wonder if there should be some type of sensible limit to placing caches by one owner. But then we wouldn't have power cache trails, and that just wouldn't be right.

[+L0ne.R]

One of the back door methods of logging a PMO cache:

 

http://www.geocachingadmin.com/

Enter GC Code. Click "Log".

Edited October 30, 2014 by L0ne.R

[+ras_oscar]

...and keep in mind that someone else can be planning a cache, and put in the coordinates to reserve the spot. These won't show up ANYWHERE except the reviewer's que until published, whch can be a significant amount of time.

[+Ladybug Kids]

Another alternative is to take cachers someplace new that isn't already saturated with caches. I generally make it a point not to place a new cache within a mile or more of the next nearest cache to encourage cachers to explore new areas.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Ladybug Kids

[+samnted]

Thanks again for your comments. I can now see how to 'backdoor log' a PMO cache - but, call me a bit simple, I can't figure out how to actually find one?? I can see the search locations screen you get when hiding a cache - with big pink circles showing PMOs - but no specific coordinates, and I think it'd be very difficult find a cache just by hazarding a guess as to where the middle of the pink circle might be? Is there any more accurate way?

[+narcissa]

Instead of trying to Battleship every last nook and cranny that doesn't already have a cache, find somewhere else to hide one. Or just accept that your area is already well-populated with caches and you don't need to add one.

[+NanCycle]

Thanks again for your comments. I can now see how to 'backdoor log' a PMO cache - but, call me a bit simple, I can't figure out how to actually find one?? I can see the search locations screen you get when hiding a cache - with big pink circles showing PMOs - but no specific coordinates, and I think it'd be very difficult find a cache just by hazarding a guess as to where the middle of the pink circle might be? Is there any more accurate way?

 

As a non-PM you won't be able to see the coordinates; if you do want to find PM caches, your two best options are to pony up the PM fee, or to make friends with someone who is a PM.

[I!]

I think it'd be very difficult find a cache just by hazarding a guess as to where the middle of the pink circle might be? Is there any more accurate way?

Andronicus's "hotter/colder" method works on traditional caches. Do a "find nearby caches" search (or something else specifying coordinates), then tweak the coords in the "http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat=YYY&lng=XXX" line and watch the distance markers in the listing change. If you play this cheeky game well, you can zero-in on the coordinates with fewer than five attempts.

Edited November 4, 2014 by I!

[+MartyBartfast]

Another angle might be, if you have a Garmin GPS (or know someone else who does, even an in car SatNav) register it on gc.com and get a free 30day PM trial (or alternatively pay $10 for a 3 month PM) Then use the time you have PM to do a PQ for all the PM only caches, and keep it safe, that would give you an idea of where all the gaps are which should be good for a year or more depending on the rate new PM caches are being put out.

[+hzoi]

I checked your area, and you certainly are correct that there seems to be an overabundance of PMO caches.

 

On a side note, I checked what I thought samnted's local area was and didn't see any. I normally assume that the area around one's cache hides is home -- and their one cache is hidden in Spain.

 

I hope you have a maintenance plan to keep that geocache alive, samnted, because otherwise you've hidden a "vacation cache," and that's not allowed.

[+samnted]

I checked your area, and you certainly are correct that there seems to be an overabundance of PMO caches.

 

On a side note, I checked what I thought samnted's local area was and didn't see any. I normally assume that the area around one's cache hides is home -- and their one cache is hidden in Spain.

 

I hope you have a maintenance plan to keep that geocache alive, samnted, because otherwise you've hidden a "vacation cache," and that's not allowed.

 

Hi

 

Yep - that was queried at the time I registered the cache. It is a short distance from my parents house who regularly walk around that area, so maintenance is not an issue.

 

Oh - and if you want to see the number of PM caches near my house, my postcode is sk146bb - I recently moved there and have only this week remembered to change my home address on this account, so apologies for any confusion.

 

Anway - I've added PM membership to my Xmas list for Santa, so after Dec 25th, I won't have any more problems.

 

Thanks for all your replies. I look forward to hunting down all these new caches! (and finding some virgin territory to stash my own!).

Edited November 5, 2014 by samnted

[+MartyBartfast]

 

Oh - and if you want to see the number of PM caches near my house, my postcode is sk146bb

 

Ouch! I see what you mean There's a prolific hider near me who sets all his as PM, but he's about the only one, but your area is peppered with PM caches set by a number of different hiders. I seem to remember several years ago there were problems with caches disappearing up in the NW, so maybe this is a tactic by COs to offer some level of protection.

 

Anyway good luck, you'll have a lot of caches to go after on your post Christmas dinner walk

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

I checked your area, and you certainly are correct that there seems to be an overabundance of PMO caches.

 

On a side note, I checked what I thought samnted's local area was and didn't see any. I normally assume that the area around one's cache hides is home -- and their one cache is hidden in Spain.

 

I hope you have a maintenance plan to keep that geocache alive, samnted, because otherwise you've hidden a "vacation cache," and that's not allowed.

Yes, I also assumed as did you, but checked a little further when I couldn't find a single PMO cache in that area.

Once I found the home location, I was simply astounded to see such proliferation of PMO caches.