Jump to content

make your own travel bug?


BDSmileys

Recommended Posts

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 )

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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 by USA 45
Link to comment

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 :blink:

Link to comment

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!

Link to comment

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!

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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 by kunarion
Link to comment

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 by Eartha
removed commercial link
Link to comment
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 :ph34r:? You have a manageable number of Trackables, Groundspeak's tracking site usually works fine :anicute:, and you can re-use the tracking code later if one ever gets lost. That's a good plan.

Edited by kunarion
Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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 by Eartha
To remove commercial link.
Link to comment

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 by Eartha
Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

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!

Link to comment

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 by ItTakesAThief
Link to comment
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 :anicute:). 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 :anibad:. At least do what you can to reduce the chaos. Have a securely attached info sheet or something.

Edited by kunarion
Link to comment
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 :anicute:). 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 :anibad:. 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....

Link to comment
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 :anicute: -- 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.

Link to comment
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 :anicute: -- 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.................

Link to comment
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 :rolleyes:.

 

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 by kunarion
Link to comment
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 :rolleyes:.

 

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?

Link to comment
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.

 

84bba5a9-394f-4e70-9c1f-935941660364.jpg

Edited by kunarion
Link to comment
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.

 

84bba5a9-394f-4e70-9c1f-935941660364.jpg

 

 

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........

Link to comment

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???

Link to comment

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.

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...