petalene Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 My husband got a dragon spinner geocoin and I think there is something I am missing. The top part has the alphabet on it and spins and there is a small space in it to see the letter under it. But it is very difficult to read and even when I can get it in the right light, you cannot see the letters except the one under the N -where the hole is. It looks like it can be used for codes, but I can't figure it out, because it is not much of a code if you can only decipher one letter. If anyone has one or knows, I am curious. Thanks. Quote Link to comment
petalene Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 (edited) I ment to include a link to a picture You have to scroll down a bit, its about half way down the page. <link including non-trackables removed by moderator, photo inserted instead.> Edited March 11, 2010 by Eartha Quote Link to comment
+Astartus Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 I'm pretty sure, although I don't own one, that it's a decypher for ROT13 code, the encryption, that Groundspeak uses for their hints on the website (A = N, B = O, ... M = Z etc.) Quote Link to comment
danoshimano Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 The coin is an example of "form over function", that is, they look great but don't really work as a decoder because it is too difficult to see the letters through the window. Quote Link to comment
+Droo Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 (edited) The spinner is based on the Rot13 cypher used for Geocaching.com's hints. You will notice that the pointed tail of each dragon is directly opposite to the other dragon's. That's a quick and dirty way of using the cypher. But if you can see under the little port then move the letter you want to decypher to the LOWER tail pointer and read the decyphered letter in the porthole.... magnifying glass recommended. Edited January 11, 2008 by Droo Quote Link to comment
petalene Posted January 11, 2008 Author Share Posted January 11, 2008 Its logical that it is the Rot13 cypher, but it is really designed poorly. No matter how you spin it, the only letter you can see the new letter under is letter N where the hole is, so it really doesn't do any good as a decoder or encoder. It looks cool though. Quote Link to comment
+9Key Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Its my favorite coin so far - I couldn't careless if it works as a decoder. My Pocket PC does the decoding for me. Quote Link to comment
+geocachingdragon Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 A very cool coin i am pretty sure if you line up a letter to the top tail the bottom tail points to the proper decoded letter so you dont need the little window. Enjoy the coin Quote Link to comment
+Steinwälzer Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Its logical that it is the Rot13 cypher, but it is really designed poorly. No matter how you spin it, the only letter you can see the new letter under is letter N where the hole is, so it really doesn't do any good as a decoder or encoder. It looks cool though. You have to look on the letter in the hole and the letter on which the tail points to, not which is written above the hole (which of course doesn't change). That's the way it is supposed to work, but as already mentioned, it is much easier to use if you just use both tails and use the letters they point to and ignore the hole Quote Link to comment
petalene Posted January 13, 2008 Author Share Posted January 13, 2008 Thanks you thank you thank you! I get it. It makes sense now. I like the coin much better now as does me husband. Quote Link to comment
+X-Fact Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 You do not have to look at the letter in the hole, it def works on tails, no matter how you spin it it is the rot13 that comes up, the lower parts and much unreadable you do not need. Quote Link to comment
+Maebius Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Whew... I was just reviewing this after purchase and going to post "Um... how to use?!?" because we too were confused at how the N and the little window were supposed to "decode" anything. Using the pointed tails works, but wish it woudl have come with a tiny card with those instructions..... Quote Link to comment
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