Phone v's GPS - Which is best for Geocaching? (

[@jimrky6062]

We come squarely down on the side of.......BOTH! We have a GeoPouch which contains GPSr, travel PathTags, extra logs, etc. - a modified M4 3 mag pouch on a belt carrier (any belt). We also take the phone and a battery bank for it AND CABLE! Then I have my Cache Repair kit depending from a belt loop which goes into the field with us. It takes one 1/4 size tote bag to carry all this stuff - quite compact. If you you wanna be a Geocacher, you have to gear up! The main reason we carry both phone and GPS is the dread LACK OF SERVICE. We don't want to have to generate pocket queries all the time so loading lists into the GPSr is easy, then we patch in caches in the field, if needed, with the phone. Sometimes the phone is useful if there is GPSr "Dance" around electric field sources, too (2 GPS sources ARE better than 1!) Of course, if I had to carry an Apple phone for ANY reason, I'd just use the GPS 😂🤣😂🤣😂 Gotcha, Craig!

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Hahaha, just another Jealous Greenie... hahaha I do like the cache maintenance kit, where do you get yours from?

[@jimrky6062]

@@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell LOL! Craig, I was making business calls on cell phones in 1988 🤣 And now, Padawan, you must know that in order to be a Geocacher you must make your own Cache Repair Kit - or get one from me for make them, I do 😎

[@FixitFingers]

Hiding caches, particularly in low/no mobile signal areas (which phones use to augnment their GPS locations) or in places without clear skies can be done mcuh more accuractely on a real GPS too. Phones are pretty darn good with co-ords these day if you take your time and know about averaging etc, and in urban areas will do for hiding as search areas are small and hints easy to give if needed. In the bush where everything looks the same, tree coverage, and potentially massive search areas if the co-ords are bad... GPS is much preferable.

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Ohhhhhhh just you wait and see the next video coming out..... Obtaining coords with GPS vs Android vs iPhone.... Its very interesting....

[@Raydawg]

I use my phone as my primary but I do carry my GPS because I get into areas where My phone gets weird and just doesn't settle down and or loses site of the cache. My GPS works flawlessly in those spots

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Good to have a back up mate…

[@BrentSmithsimrebel]

cant remember the last time I used my GPSr use to just use it for hides and trail caches in the woods , but even gotten away from it

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Next video coming out is using different devices for placing a cache, we test out, GPS v Android v iPhone

[@adventureswithttfncachn3967]

The biggest con I found with cell phones is signal. If you go into an area that does not have cell towers then you're not getting signal like deep in some large patches of wood somewhere out in the middle of nowhere. GPS will actually help you find a road

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

I use offline maps in Cachly, so I never have that issue. They even show Bush walking tracks. 😍

[@adventureswithttfncachn3967]

@@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell I went to a family reunion trip to Gatlinburg TN. The group planned a trip into the smokey mountains that I wasn't privy to. I found out later we parked in a lot with a traditional, and 2 earth caches at the site. That puts it in line with GPS, to download while in WiFi or your stuck.

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Ohhhhhhhh that’s a killer.... 3 caches gone unanswered for... haha

[@cachetheline]

Battery on the phone really only dies crazy if you bring over handheld habits like keeping the GPS active all the time even when it's not needed. A phone could last a full day if you know how to optimize its battery use, and not use power needlessly :) And plenty of accessories are available to make the phone equal to a handheld - but there aren't accessories to make the handheld equal to the smartphone ;) This is an ongoing ongoing debate! hehe. IMO, use what you're comfortable with because they are both today VERY capable, more than sufficient for geocaching. Use what works best for your own caching habits. Neither is universally better!

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Well said mate, these are my thoughts also. If new Geocachers ask me if the 'need' a GPS to go caching, my answer is always no. I have only ever used a phone.

[@johnwilliam2575]

I definitely prefer my gps above using my smartphone.... It's nice to have a dedicated unit. I

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

I’ve only ever used my smartphone for over 8k finds in 7yrs, in 4 countries. I don’t see the point in the extra $$, but they both have good and bad.

[@jameshall5314]

So gamin devices can load geocaches via wifi

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

I’m not sure, as MattyRX knows all about the garmin stuff. I personally don’t or never will use one.

[@ianwong411]

i like dedicated. you can be sure you wont tinker much since its the only use you could do. phones are getting behind because of its battery in longer travel. but then there are huge bettery capacity available in the market together with phones who has better gps hardware. phones also had the advantage of added customization, making it more usefell other than gps. what i use is a 7000mah phone. it work so well. if only it was made to be rugged, its gonna be perfect

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

I’ve only ever used my iPhone for caching for the past 7yrs, that’s why I asked my mate Marty, who uses both.

[@ianwong411]

@@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell not sure which iphone you have, i find older iphones doesnt have the battery endurance. sadly in my country, branded dedicated gps are expensive that it actually makes midrange phones practical and better alternative.

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

I always upgraded my iPhone when the new one came out. I’m on a 12 pro now

[@ianwong411]

@@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell nice. if only i could afford. i only had iphone 6 that i actually own

[@jonathanwxm79]

I always take both with me but mainly use gps

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Old schooler.. haha... As long as the smiley's keep coming. hehe

[@purplecacheeater5008]

Ah yes the ol’ debate over GPS or phone. I predominately use phone, it’s really only if I know I’m going to a location that doesn’t have reception that I load up the eTrex10 👍 but even then I use offline lists 🤣 excellent pros and cons for each. Well done vid again 👍

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Ohhhh I didn't know you had a GPS seperate, you are young to have a GPS.. hahaha.. It was fun to make the vid, and Matty is really spot on as he has both devices. I don't think I'll ever see the need to spend the $$ on a GPS.

[@pipes_down_under]

GPS of course

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Well Sir Pipes, you are almost a charter member. Hehehe

[@katkaplan3]

Definitely phone. Had a gps fir Luke 5 mins back in 2012 and returned it. Too complicated.

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

I've always been a phone Geocacher, and have no issues finding or hiding caches. :)

[@katkaplan3]

The Aussie Geocacher Seemyshell same!!!! Hey when are you coming to my fine (lol) state?! My latest gadget cache is going to be on cover of the next FTF magazine and is pretty cool to find!!

[@roemerjonker284]

I want a gps for my birthday

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

I’ve never used one for geocaching, always a phone, and with offline maps on some apps, no need for a gps

[@roemerjonker284]

@@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell I’m clumsy with the hotspot