BDSmileys Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 im not sure if your like me but i think you should be able to make your own travel bug, without having to pay $10 for just one travel bug.... if anyone agrees with me or knows something i dont know about that, please post it ^^ ( i want to make a travel bug but i dont have a paypal nor a credit card so i cant get them ether way ) Quote Link to comment
+moop Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 The fee you pay to own a travel bug isn't for the hardware, it's for the tracking number. Once you own that you can do what you like with it. You don't even have to use the dog tags you receive after making the purchase. The tracking number allows it to be identified and updated in Groundspeak's database. Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 The fee you pay to own a travel bug isn't for the hardware, it's for the tracking number. Once you own that you can do what you like with it. You don't even have to use the dog tags you receive after making the purchase. The tracking number allows it to be identified and updated in Groundspeak's database. ayep. Quote Link to comment
+USA 45 Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 (edited) im not sure if your like me but i think you should be able to make your own travel bug, without having to pay $10 for just one travel bug.... if anyone agrees with me or knows something i dont know about that, please post it ^^ ( i want to make a travel bug but i dont have a paypal nor a credit card so i cant get them ether way ) No one says you have to pay $10.00 to make your car a TB. The person who sells Turn Your Car in To A TB has his own site and sells them. Just like my Picture on the left .I sell my Ultimate Sacrifice Soldier Tags for 8.50 and you can't buy them any wheres else (Cointracking.com). So if you want something unique you pay for it. The TB he sells is really neat. I bought 2 . There are people who have posted there cars on here some where .I think there is a Volkswagon that has a LARGE tag on it. and its a reg TB tag from Groundspeak.Thanks USA 45 Edited November 27, 2007 by USA 45 Quote Link to comment
+USA 45 Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Oh wow I forgot about the Guy who made him self a human TB , had the TB Tag number tatooed on his arm. A real Die hard Geo Cacher.lol Quote Link to comment
BDSmileys Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 well how do you buy just the tracking #? it cost 5.99 for the dog tag + there fee of 5.25 for shipping. i think thats to much for just a #. Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 At bulk rate TB's are $4.75. On occasion I'll go in with other cachers' orders to cut shipping costs. You might want to try your local club and see who wants to go in together. Buy a few extra for when that newbie cacher is looking for a break in price. Quote Link to comment
BDSmileys Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 ok that works ^^ Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 And if you are a patient person and willng to wait until it happens, sometimes people leave them for trade items in a cache. Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Oh, but don't forget to trade up, trade even, or don't trade at all. Quote Link to comment
+ThirstyMick Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 I'm not sure if I can post specific sites here, but if you look at the list of approved geocoin vendors Many of them also sell Travel Bug Tags. I know some of them sell them at $4.25 for a single tag, and the shipping is much lower than $5.25 (unless you buy a whole bunch, of course).....just don't go browsing the geocoin section(s); you might get hooked! Quote Link to comment
+fairyhoney Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Sure, you can make your own travel bug but unless you buy a tracking # , nobody will be able to track and get credit for finding it . Quote Link to comment
+EScout Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 I just got a number of geocoins from a major vendor's "bargain bin" for $3.50 each. These are some nice coins, and I am starting to release them. They each have a tracking number, and you can attach things to them just like a Travel Bug (I drill holes and attach tags to them.) Quote Link to comment
rszarka Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Hi i was just wondering if it is ok to make your own travel bug or geocoin??? or do you have to buy an official one....if you do make your own how do you go about assigning it a serial number and activation number any guidelines for that?? Thanks RSZ Quote Link to comment
tomthemagicman Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 If you want to make your own TB then you'll need to purchase one from Groundspeak first. Then use the activation code off of it. If you want your own trackable geocoin you usually have to make lots, and you need to buy codes from Groundspeak. It is allowed though! Quote Link to comment
Billwaa Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I guess if you don't want to pay, you can always make your own sort of Travel Bug (not really) "Where's George" Dollar for free. Quote Link to comment
+moop Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 This topic covered the same question. Quote Link to comment
+TrinketTrailer Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 There have got to be work-arounds! What if you got a free website, like (and I'm making this up) www.34j85.com and put THAT number (as an address) on your travel bug, then hope that people will quickly open that website and post a note about finding and moving the bug? I bet that would work! And if you're willing to pay a $10 or so annual fee you can probably set up several bug pages on one site: like the site is named something simple and the page within the site is the TB number. Like: "www.trinkettrailersbugs/34j85" I wouldn't mind logging into a site to post a note that I found or moved the bug -- I mean you won't be able to show where it is on Geocaching.com, but that might not matter! Quote Link to comment
+TrinketTrailer Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 There have got to be work-arounds! What if you got a free website, like (and I'm making this up) www.34j85.com and put THAT number (as an address) on your travel bug, then hope that people will quickly open that website and post a note about finding and moving the bug? I bet that would work! And if you're willing to pay a $10 or so annual fee you can probably set up several bug pages on one site: like the site is named something simple and the page within the site is the TB number. Like: "www.trinkettrailersbugs/34j85" I wouldn't mind logging into a site to post a note that I found or moved the bug -- I mean you won't be able to show where it is on Geocaching.com, but that might not matter! Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 There have got to be work-arounds! What if you got a free website, like (and I'm making this up) www.34j85.com and put THAT number (as an address) on your travel bug, then hope that people will quickly open that website and post a note about finding and moving the bug? I bet that would work! And if you're willing to pay a $10 or so annual fee you can probably set up several bug pages on one site: like the site is named something simple and the page within the site is the TB number. Like: "www.trinkettrailersbugs/34j85" I wouldn't mind logging into a site to post a note that I found or moved the bug -- I mean you won't be able to show where it is on Geocaching.com, but that might not matter! There are free websites and people do not typically bother to log those travelers at those sites. That and the fact the the traveler will not be listed on the gc.com cache page those items tend to get lost quite easily. Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Buying a TB tag would be a whole lot cheaper, and it would actually be logged and tracked by cachers, and you get a copy tag if it gets lost. Why do people keep coming into this website, that allows you to do this all in one place, and ask if they can make their own trackable items for tracking somewhere else? If you were selling them, you would not be allowed a thread for your tracking site on this site. People won't recognize your travel bugs as such, and you couldn't call them Travel Bugs. That name is taken. You're basically asking if you can become a competitor for items that help fund this website and keep it going. So, yes you can, but you can't do it here. If you want to make your own geocoins, please refer to the current Geocoin Policy thread in the pinned threads in the geocoin forums. You can make anything you want to attach to the Travel Bug Tag, just don't release anything you aren't willing to lose. Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Merging with an already open thread on the subject. Quote Link to comment
Andronicus Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 You can save shipping by buying them from a local walk in store if there is one in your area. There are at least 2 in my city, so I can just go pick them up. Would work well, but I have sofar always just added them on to an order I was placing already. Quote Link to comment
pinkflamingo2010 Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I am just learning to use this site so I hope I am posting my question in the right place. I just bought my first travel bug on ebay. It is the aluminum Bonobo Monkey that I can register on geocaching.com. I don't want to send out the monkey so I copied the information from the monkey to a new bug that I made. Is this Okay? I think I have successfully logged it on but have yet to put it in circulation until I know I am doing this right. Quote Link to comment
+NWTreehugger Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 You can get TB's at REI for $4.95 and not have to pay shipping... tree Quote Link to comment
+power69 Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 You can get TB's at REI for $4.95 and not have to pay shipping... tree plus tax. Quote Link to comment
+Uncopyrighted Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 There have got to be work-arounds! What if you got a free website, like (and I'm making this up) www.34j85.com and put THAT number (as an address) on your travel bug, then hope that people will quickly open that website and post a note about finding and moving the bug? I bet that would work! And if you're willing to pay a $10 or so annual fee you can probably set up several bug pages on one site: like the site is named something simple and the page within the site is the TB number. Like: "www.trinkettrailersbugs/34j85" I wouldn't mind logging into a site to post a note that I found or moved the bug -- I mean you won't be able to show where it is on Geocaching.com, but that might not matter! There are free websites and people do not typically bother to log those travelers at those sites. That and the fact the the traveler will not be listed on the gc.com cache page those items tend to get lost quite easily. I second that. I have seen several other coins and tags that are trackable on other sites, but I never bother logging them. When I see one of these, I usually have a disappointed reaction, like "this is cool, too bad it's not trackable." In fact, I was pretty disappointed when I purchased the Geocaching Video with exclusive interviews with big players, and found out that the coin that came with it was trackable on some site I'd never heard of (i.e. basically, it was not trackable). The biggest non-Geocaching trackable site I've seen is Pathtags. Maybe one day I'll track something on there... just because their tags are pretty cool. If you use a non-Geocaching site to track your tag, don't expect it to log much action and be prepared to lose it quickly. Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 The biggest non-Geocaching trackable site I've seen is Pathtags. Tell me that isn't the biggest keep'em if you like'em site. Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) I am just learning to use this site so I hope I am posting my question in the right place. I just bought my first travel bug on ebay. It is the aluminum Bonobo Monkey that I can register on geocaching.com. I don't want to send out the monkey so I copied the information from the monkey to a new bug that I made. Is this Okay? I think I have successfully logged it on but have yet to put it in circulation until I know I am doing this right. There are a couple of options. You may add the word "Proxy" to the name of your trackable, so that people won't be confused by what they find. The other thing you can do is to post a picture of exactly the item you will place into a cache, so when people log it, they know it's the right thing. It's a "proxy", a substitute item for a trackable, and they're not uncommon. To add even more confusion, you have what's properly called a Geocoin, not officially a "Travel Bug". Your coin will have a special icon (it's a little monkey), with the added feature of also being a tag to attach an item. A Travel Bug is a dogtag shaped tag with a barcode bug, and has that bug icon. If you like to keep your coins (and why not!), you can use the tracking number in other creative ways. I made a trackable for my car using the tracking number from a Geocoin (which also stays in the car). So people can "discover" my trackable car, and it can "visit" caches. Edited March 31, 2012 by kunarion Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 There are no proxy travel bugs, only geocoins. Quote Link to comment
+thesmurfinator Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) The biggest non-Geocaching trackable site I've seen is Pathtags. I went on the pathtags website as I had seen some of their tags for sale and thought they were cool. However when I got to the site I got the impression that they weren't really trackable like the travel bug dog tags, as far as I could see they were more like signature items that could only be logged once, did I get the wrong end of the stick there? On a different note, there is a website called <removed by moderator> where you can make your own trackables. They are onyl trackable on that site and not on geocaching but it seems pretty good if you are reluctant to spend money. (just for the record me and my team have only recently become cachers and we have 8 official Groundspeak TB between the 4 of us, so I'm not one of the ones who don't want to spend, but I do think it is a good alternative, especially if you want to send out a few trackables, maybe for each of your kids etc). However I do think the costs for the convenience of using official TB's is fair, and it does give back and help support the hobby we all love.... Edited July 26, 2013 by Eartha removed commercial link Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) when I got to the site I got the impression that they weren't really trackable like the travel bug dog tags Any item that is not a Trackable may be traded and treated as Swag (some of those other-company tags are super desirable so people will trade "something worth about a dollar" for one in an instant -- yet not take a dollar in trade for one, go figure). If a coin or tag has an imprinted tracking code and says "trackable at Groundspeak.com" or "trackable at geocaching.com", it's an Official Geocaching Game Piece and is meant to travel (never trade/keep those). So if there's a URL that is NOT Groundspeak's, it's not a Trackable. One issue with other web sites (one you mentioned is somewhere in Europe), is that they come and go. You may have more control over your own email address, so if you'd like to try a super-inexpensive plan, make an item and write "send me an email when you move this" -- or just use your Geocaching name and people will figure it out. In that case, it's much less hassle to just make a nice inexpensive hand-crafted Signature Item with your nick on it, and enjoy some compliments from people who trade for it. But who wants to send out a whole bunch of items to track anyway ? You have a manageable number of Trackables, Groundspeak's tracking site usually works fine , and you can re-use the tracking code later if one ever gets lost. That's a good plan. Edited March 31, 2012 by kunarion Quote Link to comment
+mymren Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 The biggest non-Geocaching trackable site I've seen is Pathtags. I went on the pathtags website as I had seen some of their tags for sale and thought they were cool. However when I got to the site I got the impression that they weren't really trackable like the travel bug dog tags, as far as I could see they were more like signature items that could only be logged once, did I get the wrong end of the stick there? I do those also, they are for trading and dropping in caches as a signature item. The # on the back is for the entire batch of tags with that design, so no they aren't the same thing as geocoins at all. Quote Link to comment
james.f Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 (edited) Hi this is my first post but I have been geocaching with my wife now for a while. Anyway, I was reading this thread and so decided to do a bit of research and I came across this <commercial link removed by moderator> It is a gig on <removed by moderator> and it sounds like for five dollars they will send you 2 unactivated travel bug codes. It has not been rated but sounds like it is worth ago. What do you think? Edited July 22, 2013 by Eartha To remove commercial link. Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 (edited) Hi this is my first post but I have been geocaching with my wife now for a while. Anyway, I was reading this thread and so decided to do a bit of research and I came across this <commercial link removed by moderator> It is a gig on <removed by moderator> and it sounds like for five dollars they will send you 2 unactivated travel bug codes. It has not been rated but sounds like it is worth ago. What do you think? While they have gc.com tb photo it doesn't specifically say it's a gc.com traveler. Buyer Beware. And from experience my first thought is you are trying to post your own commercial. Edited July 22, 2013 by Eartha Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 If you pay just for the number and not the hardware, why not sell those online for .. $2? ... easy online service, you don't have to have tags physically mailed etc. Numbers sold individually would cost much more than that. Might as well receive a properly engraved tag for the price. Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Reminder to all: If it isn't trackable on geocaching.com, it cannot be promoted here. I've removed some commercial links and posts. If you want a Travel Bug that is trackable on geocaching.com, then it has to say "trackable on geocaching.com" right on it. Anything else, go to that website to discuss it. Thank you! Quote Link to comment
+ItTakesAThief Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 (edited) Reminder to all: If it isn't trackable on geocaching.com, it cannot be promoted here. I've removed some commercial links and posts. If you want a Travel Bug that is trackable on geocaching.com, then it has to say "trackable on geocaching.com" right on it. Anything else, go to that website to discuss it. Thank you! Can you take travel bug # of your own and transfer # to a personal made item....? IE: by wood burning it....etc... Edited July 26, 2013 by ItTakesAThief Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) Can you take travel bug # of your own and transfer # to a personal made item....? IE: by wood burning it....etc... I've heard of that, but have never seen one. TBs that are not official TB Dogtags seem to confuse people (even more than official TB dogtags do ). People ask if it doesn't have a tag, if they can trade and keep it. Without more info, it's hard to advise, to know just what the item is. Then again, after attending an Event Cache, I've written the cache number on my name pin badge and placed it in a cache container... and cachers thought it was a Trackable badge, due to having "a number on it". I guess my point is, if you use "Tracking Numbers" in non-standard ways, prepare for chaos . At least do what you can to reduce the chaos. Have a securely attached info sheet or something. Edited July 27, 2013 by kunarion Quote Link to comment
+ItTakesAThief Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Can you take travel bug # of your own and transfer # to a personal made item....? IE: by wood burning it....etc... I've heard of that, but have never seen one. TBs that are not official TB Dogtags seem to confuse people (even more than official TB dogtags do ). People ask if it doesn't have a tag, if they can trade and keep it. Without more info, it's hard to advise, to know just what the item is. Then again, after attending an Event Cache, I've written the cache number on my name pin badge and placed it in a cache container... and cachers thought it was a Trackable badge, due to having "a number on it". I guess my point is, if you use "Tracking Numbers" in non-standard ways, prepare for chaos . At least do what you can to reduce the chaos. Have a securely attached info sheet or something. Thanks Kunarian....I've place a couple travel dog tags already ...was just curious on personal items.... Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Thanks Kunarian....I've place a couple travel dog tags already ...was just curious on personal items.... Yeah, like on a hiking stick or a backpack or shirt! I have seen those. I have a Trackable hiking stick, but I've attached a Geocoin "medallion", so that doesn't count -- that is, it's not a number engraved in the wood. I made a Trackable TB shirt, and usually wear the TB dogtags with it, but it would also be fine without them. And my car sends a digital beacon Tracking number, no number shown, so you need to read it via "Chirp" or you can't get the code. Except that I display the actual coin inside the window at Events, for people who don't have Chirp readers. Quote Link to comment
+ItTakesAThief Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Thanks Kunarian....I've place a couple travel dog tags already ...was just curious on personal items.... Yeah, like on a hiking stick or a backpack or shirt! I have seen those. I have a Trackable hiking stick, but I've attached a Geocoin "medallion", so that doesn't count -- that is, it's not a number engraved in the wood. I made a Trackable TB shirt, and usually wear the TB dogtags with it, but it would also be fine without them. And my car sends a digital beacon Tracking number, no number shown, so you need to read it via "Chirp" or you can't get the code. Except that I display the actual coin inside the window at Events, for people who don't have Chirp readers. So how do you have a trackable hiking stick....how do you hide that................. Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) So how do you have a trackable hiking stick....how do you hide that................. I don't place it in a cache container. People could log “Discovered” when they see me with it. I log a “Visit” on some memorable caches, and figured that if I lost it, it could possibly be returned, being trackable. As opposed to the carbon fiber hiking pole I forgot at a cache . There are some TB hiking sticks that are placed near a cache container. Cachers are invited to take the stick and place it at another cache site. One was supposed to be placed within a certain distance (50 feet) so it was called “50 Foot Walking Stick”. The finder was allowed to carry it as long as they like. Edited July 27, 2013 by kunarion Quote Link to comment
+ItTakesAThief Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 So how do you have a trackable hiking stick....how do you hide that................. I don't place it in a cache container. People could log “Discovered” when they see me with it. I log a “Visit” on some memorable caches, and figured that if I lost it, it could possibly be returned, being trackable. As opposed to the carbon fiber hiking pole I forgot at a cache . There are some TB hiking sticks that are placed near a cache container. Cachers are invited to take the stick and place it at another cache site. One was supposed to be placed within a certain distance (50 feet) so it was called “50 Foot Walking Stick”. The finder was allowed to carry it as long as they like. SO your walking stick is trackable, are you using a dog tag on it or a geocoins with tracking number? Quote Link to comment
+Gitchee-Gummee Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 SO your walking stick is trackable, are you using a dog tag on it or a geocoins with tracking number? The Shop Groundspeak store sells 'em: http://shop.geocaching.com/default/trackable-traveler-walking-stick.html You can make your own, from the ground up or buy a stick and attach a TB tag to it. Quote Link to comment
+ItTakesAThief Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 SO your walking stick is trackable, are you using a dog tag on it or a geocoins with tracking number? The Shop Groundspeak store sells 'em: http://shop.geocaching.com/default/trackable-traveler-walking-stick.html You can make your own, from the ground up or buy a stick and attach a TB tag to it. Thanks so much for the link and the questions answered.... Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 (edited) SO your walking stick is trackable, are you using a dog tag on it or a geocoins with tracking number? There's an attached "medallion" Geocoin, specially bent to for a hiking staff. I happened to find the medallion while browsing the net for Geocoins one day. As Gitchee-Gummee mentioned, you can be as creative as you like, so it doesn't have to be a specialized attached coin. Edited July 27, 2013 by kunarion Quote Link to comment
+ItTakesAThief Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 SO your walking stick is trackable, are you using a dog tag on it or a geocoins with tracking number? There's an attached "medallion" Geocoin, specially bent to for a hiking staff. I happened to find the medallion while browsing the net for Geocoins one day. As Gitchee-Gummee mentioned, you can be as creative as you like, so it doesn't have to be a specialized attached coin. That is awesome and i checked out the link where you can buy them too, thanks so much, I'm working on some creative items right now........ Quote Link to comment
+inferno092 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I have had the same question recently. We placed 5 different geocoins and travel bugs several months ago in various caches and all of them went missing before they were ever logged by anyone else. I would like to put replacements out into circulation with the tracking code, but can't figure out how to get the code onto a good replacement. I thought about a dog tag from the pet store, but Petsmart sells them at $7.50 and up. I know I can just buy new codes for less than $5, but would like to use the codes I already have in a productive way as well. Is there any place I can get a replacement tag or something that I can put the codes I already own on to get them back out into circulation??? Quote Link to comment
+fuzziebear3 Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 What I do is go to the craft store (Michaels, JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, etc) and look in the wood section -- they have all sorts of die cut and painted wood things, for just a buck or so. Pick one that is representative of the coin/bug you are recycling. Write the trackable number onto the item with a sharpie. Also make a laminated tag, with the trackable goal. Connect those two things together with a zip tie or cable/ferrule. On the trackable's web page, add PROXY to the name so folks know it is no longer the original. I think the tag is important to help people realize it is a trackable. I think all trackables should have a tag. PROXY keeps people from getting annoyed that they didn't find the real thing, and lets them know that you know it is copy out there. Quote Link to comment
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