Techniques for hiding and finding

[SirPoonga]

What techniques do you use? I just did my first hide. When I recorded the coordinates I took several readings and averaged them. In theory that should get you pretty close to the cache. If the error is off on my gps, say by 30ft, and I took one reading that happen to take it 30ft away. Then you come in with your GPS, say EPE 35ft, you could be up to 65ft way. That’s a large area to cover, larger than most houses

For finding I usually just get close to where the cache is and try and find it right then. But if I can’t my plan b is walk in a large T formation. I then look at the breadcrumb trail and try and get a bearing on where the cache should be located based off that.

[Miata]

If your GPS has a waypoint average feature like my 3 Garmins do, then I would set it down for 10 or 15 minutes and let it average the position 500 to 1000X.

I have done this and still ended up with the next finder posting coordinates that everyone felt happy with, but it was the most logical thing to do I thought.

I’m sure yours will be fine.

[Ray]

quote:

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Originally posted by Miata:
If your GPS has a waypoint average feature like my 3 Garmins do, then I would set it down for 10 or 15 minutes and let it average the position 500 to 1000X.

I have done this and still ended up with the next finder posting coordinates that everyone felt happy with…

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..Garmin’s Corollary to Murphy’s Law.

[Miata]

Hey, what’s ya gunna do Beast? The canopy was thick, and I had a few under the belt. It all works out in the end.

[This message has been edited by Miata (edited 06-29-2004).]

[sbukosky]

I applaud you for trying for accuracy. Yes, do the waypoint averaging and if you have WAAS, enable that and then average the waypoint. If you can’t get a good lock, I have sometimes walked to a clearing where I can get a lock and worked the coordinates using compass bearing and distance estimation.

Everyone should strive for a bullseye! I’ve been on caches where the owner seems to be happy just to hit the wall. When I check USAPhotomaps and the coordinates put the cache in water or on the opposite side of a river, fenceline or whatever, the cache owner is guilty of sloppiness. Yes, even with the most carefully created coordinates, you can return another time and they will be many feet off, but they WILL be more accurate and reduce the amount of area a hunter will have to search.

Finally, all this is why a good, usefull hint should be given. Sometimes a well hidden cache is tough to find even with great coordinates. A good hint will reduce damage to the area by reducing hunters overturning rock, wood and other disturbances to the surroundings.

[brkster]

Several factors can affect GPS accuracy such as tree cover, nearby structures, batteries going weak, and even changes in satellite signals. I think going to the site about three times and taking averages should be adequate to start out. I agree that leaving hints for difficult finds is a good idea too. If the coordinates are off by wide margins, someone will let you know. Hey, one GPS may vary slightly from another, and most of the fun is in the searching…otherwise, it would be too easy.

[Author]

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