Geocaching Rating System

So you just found a great spot to place you new Cache!! Now just because your a strapping young lad and can scale a mountain in an hours time doesn't mean everyone else can. To help the rest of us out, lets rate those caches appropriately. The couch potato in me wants to think I can do the moderates finds without having a cardiac arrest. But just to be sure use this Geocaching Rating System. This way we can all be on the same page when it comes to difficulty of the cash. So if I plan on huff'n and a puff'n up the mountain side, I'll be ready for it.

From the Web to Woods

GPS and Social Networking

I recently came across this new website for social networking. The cool part about this website is that is uses your cell phone as GPS devices and tracks where you are throughout the world using google maps. Through this you can also geotag pictures and share experiences all through the website. I have yet to sign up, because my dinosaur phone doesnt have GPS capabilities, but when I upgrade here in the future I'll make sure to check it out.

Here's the link: Bliin

GPS in a Camera!!!

Ok, I think this is pretty sweet. I mean what will they come up with next. A camera company by the name of Ricoh has created a GPS-ready camera. Which includes Wi-FI and bluetooth technology. Once again making our life a little bit easier, check it out at http://www.ricohsolutions.com/geo/

Garmin tailoring to the geocachers!

Garmin has added a new high sensitivity GPS receiver to the new eTrex models. Now this new receiver will save us from spending the last half hour scowering over a 30 foot radius, by hopefully pinpointing us right to the pot of gold. They also have a nifty feature on the Garmin website for easy waypoint downloads.

"Garmin has also launched a new “Go Geocaching” feature on https://my.garmin.com/. The Go Geocaching site simplifies downloading geocaches to Garmin devices and eliminates entering latitude and longitude coordinates manually. All geocaching data on the Go Geocaching site is from http://www.geocaching.com/, the most comprehensive source of geocaching information and caches. "

Dead drop

Ok, I thought this was pretty cool. I was cruising through Wikipedia and I came across a item called "dead drop" . This is a geocache for actual spies. I had no idea they actually used something so simple. Check out the article here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_drop

7 peaks in 7 continents

Want a birds eye view of the seven tallest mountains in the world ? Ok, so a bird would pass out that high, how about a 747 jet's eye view. Well here a google map mashup of the seven giants, and more detail than you ever wanted to know about a mountain.

Check it out: 7 peaks

Waypoint registry

Here is a website that is similar to waymarking.com but totally random. Its called "The International GPS Global Positioning System Waypoint Registry". Their goals is to build a world wide database of GPS coordinates. The site allows you to define your search by state or also by subject. It's fun to see what lengths are used to get that GPS coordinate. For example..

OJ Simpson's Rockingham EstateFormer home of OJ Simpson

Category=HomeWaypoint: N34.06249 W118.48989

Submitted by: jhyland##rocketmail.comSubmitted on: 03 Oct 1998

Signature Items

Many geocachers have signature items that they leave in caches (i.e. Calling cards, coins, trinkets). I've just been taking a bunch of stuff with me, then depending on the contents of the cache I'll leave something. But, I'm thinking this signature item thing might be a good fit. So if you have good ideas for gpssearch, let me know. In the meantime I've found a site dedicated to signature items from all over. Although this site probably doesn't even touch the thousands of signature items out there,they do have a good grasp on the majority.
Check it out: Geo-Creations: Geocaching Signature Items

Geocoins

Have you ever found a wooden nickle or a special geocaching coin! These coins are highly collectable and actually becoming more and more abundant.

If you have ever wanted to create your own geocoin, your in luck, there are a few companies that will make these coins for you.

thecachingplace.com
oakcoins.com
Coinsandpins.com
Travelers Tags

For a list of where to get activations codes for trackable geocoins that you have found :

Coincodes.com
http://www.tsbsales.com/geocache/coincode.htm

Geocaching Sweepstakes

Jeep just launched their third annual Jeep 4x4 Geocaching Challenge! From August 1, 2006 to December 31st, 2006. If your lucky enough to find one of these in a cache, you could be the monthly winner of a new Garmin GPSMAP 60CX GPS unit. If your lucky enough to find several of these you could win one a big one. For more info go to http://jeep.geocaching.com/



Büji announced a new sweepstakes, the brand that offers a complete line of products that help protect against poison ivy and poison oak, I guess this stuff geared entirely toward protecting geocachers as they journey into the woods. büji is encouraging outdoor exploration by giving away two Garmin handheld GPS units. With submission, entrants will also receive a manufacturer’s coupon for $2 off the purchase of büji™ Wash or büji Bock™.

Check them out at:http://www.bujiproducts.com/gpssweeps/

Map of the sun and moon

Watch the sun rise and set all over the world on this real-time, computer-generated illustration of the earth's patterns of sunlight, darkness, and cloud cover based on current weather satellite data. World Sunlight Map.

Just for kicks check out the Moon Phase map

geocaching with google and terraserver

I stumbled upon this website called Hackaday.com. There's a feature on How to: Geocache using only google and terraserver. I think it would be a little hard to find a ammo can with a map, but I guess some else knows more than I do about it.

Here's the site: Geocaching using google and terraserver

Boundary Maps

I recently came across a few google maps mashups that tell the boundaries of the county, or of a zip code.
Zip code map

Here's a similar map but for area codes
Area code map

One of the guys behind google maps

Geocaching programs

EasyGPS (GPX/LOC) - A free application for managing both LOC and GPX file types
GPX Spinner (GPX) - Geocaching Specific - Shareware application that can convert GPX files to iSilo and Plucker format.
ClayJar Watcher (GPX) - Geocaching Specific - Freeware application that helps you manage your Pocket Query GPX files
GPSBabel - A free console-based application for converting LOC and GPX to various other formats. Source code available
Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK) (GPX/LOC) - All in one application that allows you to manage GPX/LOC files, upload to your GPS, and convert to various other formats. Uses GPSBabel as the back end.
GPS Connect for Mac OS X (GPX) - Garmin Specific application that works with GPX

Applications that work on Palm or PocketPC based devices:
GPXSonar (GPX) - Free application for managing GPX files on your PocketPC 2003 or later
GPXView (GPX) - Donateware application for managing GPX files on PocketPC 2002 or later
Cetus GPS (LOC) - Free PalmOS application that interfaces with your GPS through a serial port (or connected GPS). It can read waypoint files in LOC format.
iSilo - Document reader for Palm OS®, Pocket PC, Windows®, and Windows® CE Handheld devices.
Plucker - Alternate web viewer that works with Palm OS® based handheld devices. GPX Spinner can "spin" GPX files into this file format.

LOC - The original download format for the search results page on Geocaching.com
GPX (GPS eXchange Format) - Currently available for Pocket Queries, which is a Premium Member feature on the web site. The GPX file format has specific geocaching information that can be used by supporting applications.
eBook - As a Premium Member you can also choose to have a list of waypoints compiled into MobiPocket eBook format. This format contains all the information from the cache details page.
KML - Google Earth is a desktop application that reads the KML file format. It also has drag and drop functionality for the GPX file format.

State and Country geocaching websites

Since the purpose of this blog is to be a resource for websites related to geocaching, gps, and google maps. I recently added links to individual states and countries geocaching websites. I plan to list all states and countries that have a designated site.

Geocaching: Caches Along a Route

Caches Along a Route!

Almost since the start of Geocaching.com, the ability to get a list of caches along a route has been the #1 requested feature for the site. This puzzle has finally been solved by the creative coding of Raine, Groundspeak's chief expert on Google Maps and Google Earth. With the use of Google Earth and other mapping tools you can now upload a route to Geocaching.com and create a Pocket Query of caches within 1 to 5 miles from your route. You can also share your route publicly so others can create their own Pocket Queries against it.

This new premium feature is available from your Pocket Query page, your "my account" page, or at the link below:

http://www.geocaching.com/my/userroutes.aspx

We're also testing a new Google Map system for browsing geocaches in your area.
It is linked from the "map it" link on every zipcode and coordinate search, or you can access it directly from the link below:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/gmnearest.aspx

Your own personal homing device.

Mobile phone Google Maps friend finder.

Mologogo is a free service that will track a friends GPS enabled cell phone from another phone or on the web. Mologogo also serves as a dirt-cheap tracking system. It's said to work on pretty much any Nextel phone with Java and GPS. A Blackberry client download is also available.

Geocaching Videozine

I came across a guy named Icenrye who produces a weekly videozine and discusses different methods of caching and differnet types of caches. It's worth a visit, he has some good tips that could be useful. You can view one of his video right on this blog. Check out the website at Icenrye.com

It's like geocaching with money

I've worked at several banks in my day, and without fail whenever I'm hadling money, I'd come across bills that were stamped with Wheres George. So naturally I checked it out. The site is pretty cool. Where's george tracks your money by the serial number. It can tell you mph, current location, all kinds of info. If your lucky you'll even see a Where's George dollar in the cache.

Along the same lines there's also a site for books bookcrossing

http://www.wheresgeorge.com

http://www.bookcrossing.com

Got an Ipod? Try Podcacher

I recently received a Ipod for a graduation gift and I was searching for some podcasts to listen to. I came across a podcasts about geocaching! So I decided to give it a shot. I was actually surprised to find out that its actually good. It's a married couple (Sonny and Sandy), and they talk about good pertinent information like tips and tricks, unknown parts of the geocaching website, interviews with some of the top geocachers. Its good and its has quality sound. I recommend checking it out.

http://www.podcacher.com

Satellite Tracking

Now this is pretty cool, heres a google maps mashup, that shows the current position 0f the satellites that are in orbit, in real time. Check it out, you can look at the DirectTV satelllite or the International Space Station. It even has the satellites we use for geocaching.

http://www.n2yo.com/

Waymarking

Groundspeak, has created a new kind of caching. It has actually existed in the past and was formally known as the locationless caches. Now that the locationless caches have been discontinued, a new site has taken their place. Waymarking, is a gps game where everywhere and almost everything could be a new cache. The site makes already existing locations potential caches for people to visit, for example: ( famous graves, waterfalls). Its a great way to landmark our everyday life.

Sources:

Http://www.waymarking.com

Interactive Maps

Recently I have found some awesome websites that deal with maps. I figure that these maps and GPS's go hand in hand.

Flash Earth : This is a mix of Google maps and Virtual Earth.
Virtual Earth: This is Microsoft's version of google maps, its really pretty good.
Google Earth : This site is sweet, Google earth gives you a birds eye view of the world. Download a free copy at this link.
Google Maps Mania : This site shows everything that people have done with google maps. If you browse through the site you can find a ton of cool maps.

Map of Geocachers

Hey if your a geocacher then tell us where you are in the world. Add yourself to my map
Geocachers of the world. Sent it to your friends, let see how many people we can get out there.

Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile

A robot called "Alturito" found a hidden buried treasure worth over $10 billion dollars. Talk about a awesome GPS. How can I get my hands on one of those? Check out the story

Geosnapper

I found this website were you categorize places on earth with your GPS and Pictures. "A photograph captures a particular place at a particular time. With GPS Photography and GEOsnapper.com, you can easily share the photo as well as its location. Share your experiences and view other photographer's memories from locations around the world. GEOsnapper.com is the birthplace of GPS Photography.
GEOsnapper geo-tags your photos to make them searchable by location. You can also categorize your images via keywords, albums or groups so that they can be found by people who are interested in the same things as you."

Geocaching Lingo

When I started geocaching. I had no clue what half of the abbreviation meant, after a couple of years I finally got it, but every now and then there are some new ones that I've never heard of before. Here are some examples of what you might see:

TNLN: Took nothing left nothing
Muggle: This is a non-geocacher
TB: Travel Bug

These are the most common ones, but for a list of all the abbreviation click here

Where have you geocached?

Calling all geocachers, I found this website were you can map out where you've done geocaches in. They also have a worldwide version. As you can see I havent been in too many states.



create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

Geocacher biking across the U.S.

I recently came across this article about the guy named mike who has decided to bike across the United States and geocache all along the way. Check it out mike across America. Kind of make me want to do something like that.

What is a GPS?

Acording to GARMIN:
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.

Garmin's website tells how the GPS unit actually works really informative, Check it out. CLICK HERE

What is Geocaching?

Simply put, geocaching is treasure hunting for the 21st century. Armed with a GPS receiver, a set of coordinates that tell you the location of a cache, and a healthy sense of adventure, players go out and look for caches of goodies hidden by other geocachers. If one of the goodies in the cache strikes your fancy, you can take it--provided you leave another goodie in its place.
In addition to the goodies, caches nearly always contain a log book of some sort so that you can record your thoughts and scribble a note for future cache visitors.