GPS differance

[+morocomole]

Hi all, new to geocaching. We did some on a boy scout trip, had a blast so the family and i got into it.

Anyway, we have found a few, but had a hard time with some also. We started using my phone app/ seemed close. Then i bought a garmin oregon gps. I went today to find a cache, and the phone and garmin were telling me two different places. Anyone every have this problem? Do i need to calibrate my gps or something? I dont think its user error lol, usually is though.

 

Any tips would be great,

Thanx

[+briansnat]

10 people can be at the same location and get 10 different readings, even if they are using the same model GPS. I've been at events where they have "closest to the peg" contests where everyone sticks a flag where their unit says ground zero is and the flags can be all over the place.

 

But yes, if your unit has a magnetic compass it needs to be calibrated each time you change batteries and sometimes if it sat unused for a while. Check your owners manual for calibration instructions.

[+wmpastor]

Hi all, new to geocaching. We did some on a boy scout trip, had a blast so the family and i got into it.

Anyway, we have found a few, but had a hard time with some also. We started using my phone app/ seemed close. Then i bought a garmin oregon gps. I went today to find a cache, and the phone and garmin were telling me two different places. Anyone every have this problem? Do i need to calibrate my gps or something? I dont think its user error lol, usually is though.

 

Any tips would be great,

Thanx

When they conflict, rely on the phone - it'll beat the Oregon every time.

 

Seriously, two devices are okay. Together they'll confirm you're close. Then it's time to search!

[+morocomole]

Thanx much, ill check the manual. Getting close is fine, searching is the fun part anyway.

I did have a feeling the gps was off, because it showed my location off too...phone seemed better at the time.

[+Chief301]

How far off are we talking about here? Neither of those devices is going to put you smack dab on top of the cache. There's always a little margin of error, and the hider's coordinates can be a little off too.

[+T.D.M.22]

Remember nothing will take you to the cache- best you can hope for is to be taken to the co-ords.

No amount of accuracy will help if the hiders GPS was off(various reading why this may happen) or they input the wrong co-ords. Or even in the likely case that the cache wasn't put back in the same spot.

 

I'll echo it- how much difference? If your talking miles, then there's a problem. A few feet? Well when you get with h 20-30 feet of the cache, stop looking at the GPS and look for the cache. You won't find it by stating at the screen.

[+K13]

I have used an Oregon 450 for about 75 finds, and my Samsung Galaxy S5 for maybe 15. The Oregon is more accurate than the phone, in my experience.

You may learn that having multiple units operating in close proximity can disrupt the signal reception by some of them. Your phone may be affecting the GPSr, causing it to read inconsistently. Aas some other said, once you get within 30 to 20 feet, quit looking at the unit and start looking for the likely hiding place of the cache.

Good Luck.

[+mrreet]

 

When they conflict, rely on the phone - it'll beat the Oregon every time.

 

 

I hope "" means you are being sarcastic. If not I fully disagree.

I have never had a phone closer than my GPSrs. Other than maybe indoors.