High-Tech Hide and Seek with Geocaching

Geocaching is a high-tech outdoor sports activity that is comparable to a game of treasure hunting played all over the world by those who love adventures. These seekers are provided with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver comparable to a Garmin GPSMap 76 Handheld GPS Navigator or other navigational systems to hide and look for containers or "geocaches" everywhere in the world. The term Geocaching is actually derived from two words: "Geo" means geography and "caching" is the term applied to the place used to conceal and preserve provisions during hiking or camping.

Although Geocaching shares certain aspects in common with other games of hide and seek, such as benchmarking, letterboxing and orienteering, it incorporates more technology. Usually the cache is a small, waterproof container in which a logbook is kept. The geocacher uses this in order to log the date that he discovered it. Sometimes larger containers such as an ammo box will contain objects that the geocacher needs to exchange. The object itself is not of any importance and could be something as insignificant as a toy or trinket and is not of any particular value outside of the game.

Geocaches are, at present, positioned in more than 100 countries all over the world and on every continent, counting Antarctica. There are more than 1.2 million geocaches actively published on different websites that are dedicated solely to this particular activity.

As stated above the game involves a GPS device. This enables the geocacher to determine not only their own location but that of the cache with fantastic accuracy at any time they choose. With an accuracy range of between 3 and 16 feet it certainly is an indispensable part of the game. In order to find their way from one place to another people will use one of these devices. The Garmin GPSMap 76 Handheld GPS Navigator and other units that are like it, are enabled to be able to provide the user with images and maps on demand and with surprising speed. But that is not all, they are also equipped with voice navigation and not all units can offer these features. The unit does not transmit the user's location to another device because it is a receiver. This means that it is constantly receiving signals from the satellites that are in space. The more signals that it receives the more accurate the reading will be as it makes use of a process called trilateration.

Before buying any GPS unit for the geocaching expedition, one has to decide whether to limit his geocaching activity in the city or to go after caches hidden everywhere in the world and in various types of topography. Geocaching within city limits would require units that would continuously receive signal even if the geocacher is standing between two twenty-story buildings or walking down a very busy street.

If targeting caches hidden off-shore, a GPS receiver with marine capabilities is advisable for use. For those who prefer trekking to find caches in rivers, bushes and woods, a more durable and waterproof unit is recommended. Casual geocachers are relatively happy with an inexpensive but durable unit. However, hardcore geocachers are more comfortable using a more sophisticated GPS receiver like the Garmin GPSMap 76 Handheld GPS Navigator or other navigational system. But whatever the choice would be, there are still basic features that need to be considered if one joins a game of geocaching.

Besides being lightweight the GPS unit you select for your game needs to be well made and waterproof while also offering you reliability and durability. The screen should have a clear display, there needs to be a good signal and the device must offer the best battery life possible. It does not matter what type of geocacher you are as long as your GPS unit is reliable.

Yahya Yusuf writes and educates his readers about Garmin GPSMap 76. Visit his site to learn more about Garmin GPSMap 76.