+ham fam Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 (edited) Ok, now that I have gotten over the initial sticker shock of paying more money for the Geocaching mobile app. What are the benefits of paying the $30 per year for the mobile app, in addition to the $30 per year for the Premium Membership on the website. I recently (2 days ago upgraded to an Iphone 5c). I have been a Premium Member since 2010, on the website, and I have always used an Explorist GC GPSr. I am mostly happy with the Explorist GC, and don't plan to upgrade that any time soon. I use the pocket query function all the time and have found some really wonderful PMO caches that made the cost worth it to me. My question is, what would I benefit from by using the mobile app, that I may not be able to do with the Explorist GC? One item I read elsewhere would be that if a cache didn't get loaded into a pocket query I could still find it on my Iphone. I should mention that I will probably never go caching without both items. Thanks in advance for all the input. Edited October 22, 2014 by ham fam Quote Link to comment
+cerberus1 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 The mobile app is ten bucks for as long as you continue to use the same operating system on a phone. - A one-shot deal. As a past premium member, you're aware of what that thirty bucks each year gets you. Quote Link to comment
+Chief301 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 You don't pay $30 a year for the mobile app. You pay $10, one time purchase. The app is yours in perpetuity unless you change to another platform (iOS to Android, for example) then you would have to buy the Android version. If you get another iPhone later the app transfers to your new phone, no charge. The main advantage of the mobile app is that you don't have to do any prep work to go caching, like you do with a handheld. As long as you are in an area with decent cell signal, you can just look up caches live, on the fly as it were, wherever you are. You can also log your finds from the field as soon as you find them, no need to go back home and log on the computer. Plus, the app is a lot slicker interface, better graphics, better maps, satellite imagery etc. than a handheld GPS. Quote Link to comment
+Bear and Ragged Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Specific benefits of the mobile app? Caching 'on the fly' Quote Link to comment
+J Grouchy Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 I cache exclusively with a mobile app. Not the $10 one, though. The $30 you refer to is the Premium Membership. That's not a requirement, but it opens up other caches and features on the website for you. Quote Link to comment
Pup Patrol Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Ok, now that I have gotten over the initial sticker shock of paying more money for the Geocaching mobile app. What are the benefits of paying the $30 per year for the mobile app, in addition to the $30 per year for the Premium Membership on the website. I recently (2 days ago upgraded to an Iphone 5c). I have been a Premium Member since 2010, on the website, and I have always used an Explorist GC GPSr. I am mostly happy with the Explorist GC, and don't plan to upgrade that any time soon. I use the pocket query function all the time and have found some really wonderful PMO caches that made the cost worth it to me. My question is, what would I benefit from by using the mobile app, that I may not be able to do with the Explorist GC? One item I read elsewhere would be that if a cache didn't get loaded into a pocket query I could still find it on my Iphone. I should mention that I will probably never go caching without both items. Thanks in advance for all the input. As has been already explained, the Pro paid app is not $30.00. Here's the Help Center section about Apps: http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.book&id=12 2.2. What is the difference between the Geocaching Intro app for iPhone, the Pro app, and Geocaching Premium? http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=514 1.16. iPhone app Feature Comparison http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=442 Premium Membership http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.book&id=5 B. Quote Link to comment
+ham fam Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Actually at the App Store, when you click on details it shows 3-month membership $9.99 and 1-year membership $29.99. Something tells me they changed it recently. Quote Link to comment
Pup Patrol Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Actually at the App Store, when you click on details it shows 3-month membership $9.99 and 1-year membership $29.99. Something tells me they changed it recently. Again, that's about Premium Membership, not the app. PM has always been priced that way, as far as I know. Premium Membership and the "Premium" app are two completely different things. I think the Pro app might have been previously named "Premium", and it was changed to avoid the confusion between it and the Premium Membership. B. Quote Link to comment
+J Grouchy Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Actually at the App Store, when you click on details it shows 3-month membership $9.99 and 1-year membership $29.99. Something tells me they changed it recently. You're misunderstanding it. Those are "in-app" purchases for Premium Membership. Same thing as this page: https://payments.geocaching.com/?upgrade=true Quote Link to comment
+ham fam Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Wow really confusing. So what do I look up in the App store to find the "Mobile app" that I will use on my I-phone? So far I have "purchased" (for free), the Geocaching Intro app. And again I am a premium member of the geocaching.com website and have been for years. Quote Link to comment
+Bear and Ragged Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 (edited) Wow really confusing. So what do I look up in the App store to find the "Mobile app" that I will use on my I-phone? So far I have "purchased" (for free), the Geocaching Intro app. And again I am a premium member of the geocaching.com website and have been for years. Geocaching By Groundspeak Inc Shows ALL cache types. Excluding PMO caches, unless you ARE a PM. Paying for Premium Membership does NOT get you the app fro free. Getting the app does NOT get you Premium Membership. App payment is one-off. Premium Membership payment is 3 monthly OR 12 monthly, until you no longer renew. There are also other Groundspeak Approved API partners who make apps for the phoe. geocaching.com/mobile/partners/ Edited October 22, 2014 by Bear and Ragged Quote Link to comment
Pup Patrol Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Wow really confusing. So what do I look up in the App store to find the "Mobile app" that I will use on my I-phone? So far I have "purchased" (for free), the Geocaching Intro app. And again I am a premium member of the geocaching.com website and have been for years. Back on post #6, I gave you very helpful links. Did you go to those? Whether you're a PM or not, or how long you've been a PM, has nothing to do with the iPhone app. The free, Intro app is free, so I'm not sure what you mean when you say you "purchased" it. B. Quote Link to comment
+ham fam Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Well the good news is I got the mobile app downloaded, and seem to be able to use it. Thanks for all the help. Quote Link to comment
+ham fam Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Wow really confusing. So what do I look up in the App store to find the "Mobile app" that I will use on my I-phone? So far I have "purchased" (for free), the Geocaching Intro app. And again I am a premium member of the geocaching.com website and have been for years. Back on post #6, I gave you very helpful links. Did you go to those? Whether you're a PM or not, or how long you've been a PM, has nothing to do with the iPhone app. The free, Intro app is free, so I'm not sure what you mean when you say you "purchased" it. B. What I mean by "purchased" is downloaded, I forget what their terminology is at the app store. That's why I put it in parenthesis. Quote Link to comment
+ham fam Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Seems like they could reword some stuff on there, to lessen some confusion. Thankfully I had some experienced people on the forums that were willing to jump in and offer some help. Thanks again. Cache on my friends. Quote Link to comment
+Chief301 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Seems like they could reword some stuff on there, to lessen some confusion. Thankfully I had some experienced people on the forums that were willing to jump in and offer some help. Thanks again. Cache on my friends. Believe us, you're not the first to be confused by this. It's been a hot button topic on the Forums here for a long time now. Quote Link to comment
+J Grouchy Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Seems like they could reword some stuff on there, to lessen some confusion. Thankfully I had some experienced people on the forums that were willing to jump in and offer some help. Thanks again. Cache on my friends. I think the whole "in-app" purchase term is a requirement set by Apple when a developer chooses to include purchasing of any kind through their app, even if it's purchasing of a membership or access to extended features. That's not GC, that is Apple. Quote Link to comment
+NYPaddleCacher Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 I cache exclusively with a mobile app. Not the $10 one, though. The $30 you refer to is the Premium Membership. That's not a requirement, but it opens up other caches and features on the website for you. The primary benefit of the official GS app + a premium membership is the ability to save pocket query results on the phone. Once it's been save you'll have access to cache data even if you don't have a cellular connection (especially useful when traveling outside your data roaming area). It would also be useful for working on a series or geoart. Quote Link to comment
+T.D.M.22 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 (edited) Seems like they could reword some stuff on there, to lessen some confusion. Thankfully I had some experienced people on the forums that were willing to jump in and offer some help. Thanks again. Cache on my friends. Actually at the App Store, when you click on details it shows 3-month membership $9.99 and 1-year membership $29.99. Something tells me they changed it recently. If it does indeed say membership and you're downloading an app there is nothing to be confused about. And if you questioned it why did you pay $30 for an app? Shouldn't you have asked these questions first? Although if sheeple are willing to pay $30 perhaps the price of the app could be raised. Good way to make more $$After all I wouldn't sell my car for a third of what people are willing to pay.... Anyway it wouldn't hurt to send Groundspeak an email explaining what happened. You might get your $30 back. Edited October 22, 2014 by T.D.M.22 Quote Link to comment
+ham fam Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 Seems like they could reword some stuff on there, to lessen some confusion. Thankfully I had some experienced people on the forums that were willing to jump in and offer some help. Thanks again. Cache on my friends. Actually at the App Store, when you click on details it shows 3-month membership $9.99 and 1-year membership $29.99. Something tells me they changed it recently. If it does indeed say membership and you're downloading an app there is nothing to be confused about. And if you questioned it why did you pay $30 for an app? Shouldn't you have asked these questions first? Well actually I didn't spend $30 on the app. I renewed my annual $30 payment for premium Membership on the geocaching.com website (which gains me access to Pocket Queries and other things), about 8 months ago. I didn't spend any money for the app, I simply got the "free" Geocaching Intro app. While reading about the Geocaching Intro app, at the app store, it talked about $9.99 for 3 months, and $29.99 for 12 months. I realize now that it was simply referring to Premium Membership which I already have. My confusion was that is that I thought it was requesting another annual fee. When I clicked on the actual Geocaching app (not the Intro app), it then asked for a $9.99 fee. Thus clearing up my confusion. Hope this helps clear up any you had. Quote Link to comment
+jwmoe1973 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Personally, I unplugged from the smart phone matrix more than a year ago. Getting our BS Troop out caching and have had a chance to see and compare the app on the Scoutmaster's phone. I love my Oregon 450, but even with topo maps downloaded, the phone's ability to display satellite/aerial photos has proven to be more useful on the phone than the topo's are on my GPSr at times. I've also seen how the ability to search for caches on the fly as opposed to having to download them individually or in a PQ before heading out can be advantageous. Logging from the field. Instant notifications (for those FTF seekers). There are probably other advantages as well. I'll probably never experience them though Quote Link to comment
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