The Making of a "SMART" Gadget cache

[@hyliston]

Great video! Covered the 3 aspects of wiring, programming, and building nicely! I'm amazed at how well you maintain all those gadget caches. I love the plexiglass idea - I may steal that ;) and thanks for the mention.

[@gadgetcaches]

Thanks for sharing your idea, it was a great one.

[@knkincabotkent9486]

Great job Tim!!!! Love the 'smart' gadget caches....

[@djwhouse]

Wow Tim! Not an easy thing to overview, but you did a great job to cover all the key bases! Great video! Nice to see your approach too! I tend to add a significant 'build' phase to my smart caches. Takes some time but saves size and some money. Great job!

[@gadgetcaches]

Thought you would like that cache release mechanism. : ) Thanks for sharing. I normally don't worry about size, most of mine I have plenty of room, so size isn't as important... but clearly there are applications that making it small is essential. Also, I'm working with bifocals now and those small ones are hard to see.

[@djwhouse]

I have a magnifier head thingy I flip over my glasses. Yes, tough to do all that close work any other way!

[@rachelynn3079]

I've been binge watching your videos on and off all weekend. I'm guessing you are some kind of retired engineer...I mean these ideas are genius. I'm not too far from you, in Bristol, VA. We don't have any gadget caches here, so I think I'll be taking a few of your ideas, thanks! 👍👍👍

[@olafgoette1954]

No, Tim is retired, me not. I have a lot of interests (my wife, my kids, my work at Airbus, my voluntary work for the kindergarten of my wife, programming, creating smart caches, new ones: 3D printing and my new drone). It's a matter of organization yourself... Greetings from Germany!

[@RiverLifeUS]

+Rachelynn 307 I'm from Kingsport and found a cool gadget cache in Blountville called Cache Withdrawal-www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC7BZ15_cache-withdrawal?guid=a24318f1-1fc1-4218-b254-a7e7f4d0a2bf#

[@joshbenedon1164]

Dude you are a legend. Why haven’t you been active in a whole year??

[@markholden8934]

totally amazing next level gadget cache going to have to check out all the stuff about building something similar

[@TheGreywolf238]

I wish I could give you a thousand thumbs up, that is an amazing geocache, some people are so creative and smart, Thanks

[@cheyroyece]

Come back soon Tim we miss you and your caches! Hope everything is well! 🤗

[@gadgetcaches]

so nice of you to say that, i really hope to put some new videos out soon.

[@booney69]

Great video Tim, I need to plan a geovacation to W.V. !

[@dadbro9397]

Great video buddy!

[@PDeRop]

Thanks for the great tip WVTim.. I bought my Arduino starter kit.. I already know some C++.. so.. I'll be ready for follow-up video's :)

[@baysword]

Your a real inspiration. I need to spend some time trying some of these hides.

[@ChristopherPayneMUA]

Really miss your videos, Tim! Come back!

[@luisramalho7051]

comeback here in 2019, to check for new videos from tim. hope soon.

[@gadgetcaches]

so nice of you to say that, i really hope to put some new videos out soon.

[@rapaladude]

That's such a great idea. I'd be afraid to put that anywhere but my front yard though.

[@gadgetcaches]

Location is KEY!!! This one is at a Hilton in a location very secluded, will only be found by geocachers and the hotel staff... which by the way are watching it for me. No muggles will ever see this cache. YET, its only 1 minute off a very busy interstate.

[@rapaladude]

gadgetcaches see, that's my problem... one of my most favorited caches was destroyed. It was a cache inspired by one of yours too. You should do a video on how you place them and the process you go through to get permission from places to put the caches. My area has a lot of the potentially great spots taken up but there's a few spots that would be perfect, like a firehouse down the street from me. I guess one of my problems would be how I look... I'm only 24 years old and have long hair and wear nothing but Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix shirts. I think the way I look will have an impact on the permission I would be seeking. I'm sure you're a very busy guy, and I'm sure you get emails constantly, but my area is definitely in need of more unique caches as all the ones around me are basically the generic micro hanging in a bush aside from mine. My area needs help, Tim! What should I do?

[@WelcometoRJOURNEY]

We have enjoyed your caches in the eastern panhandle for a long time! We were so excited to find you channel ...and bummed that you haven't posted in awhile. You are a LEGEND among the MAGPI group of cachers in the Morgantown/Fairmont/Clarksburg area! On Welcome to RJOURNEY, we post geocache videos along with hiking, rock climbing, caving, and other outdoor ADVENTURES. Hope you have a chance to check us out as well ! Thanks for all your hard work, Tim & Lani (aka Fishdoc91)

[@jaggeponken7073]

I hope you have a comeback - position soon(: You are very Good with others Words!

[@gadgetcaches]

Thank you, i have lots of new ones I filmed while i was making them, i just need to film them now they are out.

[@BurkenProductions]

Usually you dont use lab cables and lab boards in the cache in production, those will come loose and it will glitch. You make a pcb or solder it to a veroboard

[@Suzismart]

Where did you go?

[@reeceburns5681]

I’m about to put out my first cache 😂

[@MattMRDH]

Thank you! Very informative and inspiring

[@MattPiekarsky]

Your stuff is amazing. I have built 2 caches (currently trying to find a spot to place the second one though). Both are gadget caches, and I think I will out put out gadget caches, because there are never enough. Have you tried playing with the ESP32 chips? They are great for multis, or getting the cacher to hop on their smartphone to toggle something on a webpage the chip is hosting, and check a box. Both of mine use ESP32, but seeing your mechanical puzzle builds makes me want to do that next. Thanks for your awesome content on youtube, and clever geocaches!

[@gadgetcaches]

No, never done anything with ESP32 Chips. Your comments had me look into them. Thanks for sharing. I've decided I'm a gadget cache guy, I've tried the smart caches, they just don't see to last as long and don't take the abuse a well made gadget cache does. Plus, honestly, I prefer time in the shop, vs time on the computer.

[@MattPiekarsky]

@@gadgetcaches That's what has me a little worried, but I am keeping my caches close by so I can check in on them regularly. What parts seem to cause your smart caches to fail? In my tests I had to try a few containers to find something water proof enough to keep the moisture away from the electronics. Also I love the simplicity, and genius behind your gadget caches. It makes me really want to come up with some rubegoldberg style puzzle caches (plus the attractiveness of them working better, and lasting longer in the elements). A gadget cache will definitely be next on my to do list. I am not very good with computers as far as coding, but I can copy paste like the best of them lol. Though I'll still be spending time on the computer designing, and 3D printing custom parts. I wish we had more caches like yours up here in MN. Thanks again for all the awesome ideas, and inspiration!

[@explosionsandstuff7787]

I've had an idea in mind of a gadget cache using an old desk telephone but I couldn't figure out how to make it work. This might do the trick, thank you.

[@repje2010]

Yeah Tim, im also building smart caches. im now working on a very big Night cache as well with a lot of arduino stuff :-) it's really cool to make those things!! later i will send you a message with some photo's and movies :-) best regards, Mark from the Netherlands

[@gadgetcaches]

Mark glad your building smart caches. I would love to see your finished product. Best of luck on your build. Thanks for watching.

[@kellybrady500]

gadgetcaches To anyone who is thinking of visiting WVTim's SmartCaches, GadgetCaches or Caches in Martinsburg, WV, I would strongly encourage you to take the trip to WV it is so worth the trip. We spent the weekend hitting up a large majority of his caches and it was a blast! Unlike any you will ever experience and getting super cool souvenir coins at the end was a bonus! Clearly he puts in time to continually maintain his caches so they are always good to go. Even when you run into difficulty he actually answers the phone to give nudges ( even when you accidentally break the cache like I did). Special note, don't miss out on his "cave" cache for a real adventure! My advice is read up on all the info and supplies needed on each cache page, this way you're prepared when arrival at each cache. Oh yeah and don't forget to treat yourself to some delicious fresh fruit or ice cream at those caches! Thanks WVTim, you've taken Geocaching to a whole new level!!

[@gadgetcaches]

Thanks so much for those encouraging comments. Sometimes as cache builders you spend all this time and money building and maintaining and you wonder, "is it all worth it". Thank YOU!

[@geocachegadgetacademy4869]

gadgetcaches . I agree with you. I put out lots of gadget caches in my area. I have spent just over $1000 on one but all great logs and hearing about the fun people are having make it worth doing.

[@Sonyasha]

Hey there WVTim, i have been enjoying watching all you videos of your geocaches. I have also been wondering how you are able to place them in the location you have placed them in. i have a few ideas of some geocaches that i'm wanting to place but i'm not sure how to go about placing one and also getting permission in being allowed to place them. I was wondering how do you approach people or business in wanting to place a geocache such as yours?

[@BurkenProductions]

Haha if i dont make that cache the first try, i would just put some tape on that ring ;)

[@lukasn4538]

What's that orange cache in the background?

[@gadgetcaches]

Thats actually a bird house.

[@patrickmackay741]

Where are you now ? Tim ?

[@TheCuriousKiwis]

Noticed you reached 10.000 subscribers! Congrats!! Still subscribed - hoping you'll be making new videos again some day!

[@timeggleston1440]

I've got several NEW gadget cache out, on the Gadgets of Berkeley County GeoTour, now the most favorited Geotour in the world... I'm pretty proud about that. Hopefully this winter I will have time to edit and put out some more videos.

[@carlossmith5856]

Tim, Been watching your videos and really inspired by you and a cacher I found in North Dakota named Trycacheus who has a wonderful series near Gilby, ND. Is there a place I can get a copy of the arduino sketch ? I have a similar idea, but with a few other twists. Have a whole lot of arduino cache ideas that need to be placed. Thanks!

[@ismadiving16]

wow... please come to my city and put some of this!

[@billlemke8072]

Tim / Olaf Do you take any special precautions to protect the electronics from condensation or moisture?

[@gadgetcaches]

No, not really. I do chalk all the "seams" with a high quality outdoor chalk... making it waterproof. I do that with all my caches and I have never had a moisture problem.

[@olafgoette1954]

Hi, it's me, Olaf... This is one of the topics, Tim and me have different views - even when the weather in WV and north of Germany aren't such different. I'm putting the whole electronics into a Lock&Lock and carefully hotglue the hole for the wires going outside. In addition I'm putting some silica bags into the L&L. But my next cache will follow Tims design and will be somewhat unprotected Greetings from Germany - Olaf (th10gt)

[@markfisch1330]

Glad you are doing good!!! You are the best!!

[@lukasn4538]

Tim, what kind of wire do you use for this smart cache?

[@gadgetcaches]

just any low voltage wire will do.

[@ingridwinn9082]

I am trying to copy the bird house Battery cache. Taking me a long time just to get the mini motor . Not sure what I'll call it. Is it ok to call it wvtims copy cat? Or just like wvtims

[@gadgetcaches]

You can call it that, but honestly, no need to give me credit. It's all about sharing ideas. No credit needed.

[@sterlingmoose9335]

Tim, what's the GC# of this cache, we'd love to try it when we are in the area. Thanks.

[@gadgetcaches]

GC71XRP

[@sterlingmoose9335]

@@gadgetcaches Thank you!!

[@shanemorris7440]

Hope all is well Tim. No new content In a year now. Got some of us worried. God bless.

[@gadgetcaches]

I'm just so busy, but I'm not giving up. I have lots of caches out and ideas that have not been filmed.

[@TrueRueTube]

gadgetcaches hope all is well. Would you mind if i use some of your ideas for caches around my area? All credit would go to you of course.

[@Kevin-77]

What geocaching app do you use?

[@gadgetcaches]

Kevin 527 Cachly

[@platypusofdeath3582]

my biggest concern would be keeping something like this dry

[@patrickmackay741]

Where are you now ?

[@timeggleston1440]

Still here building and maintaining geocaches. I have filmed several NEW cache builds, I hope I"ll get some time this winter to edit and post them. I have several NEW caches out on the Gadgets of Berkeley County GeoTour.. now the most favorite geotour in the world.

[@patrickmackay741]

@@timeggleston1440 Yes yes yes I'm impatient to see that !! Thank you !!!

[@Goatguy2021]

I want you to make more videos Can you make a geocache that is a gadget cash for a. golf course it need to evolve golf balls

[@randomized4266]

Couldn't you bring a piece of copper to hit then red ball?? and then you win?

[@gadgetcaches]

You could use any metal that conducts electricity. It has to be connected to a wire that goes back to the Arduino.

[@fordtechfish-n-dad3077]

You must hate lamp post caches 🤣😂

[@BurkenProductions]

Coding arduino isn't a challenge at all

[@reeceburns5681]

vajje2k5 it is if your a beginner lol

[@mat-ventures]

I'm a programmer and I speak English and French, if anyone wants my programming skills ;)

[@gadgetcaches]

That's a great offer. Hopefully someone takes you up on it. Thanks for posting !!!! I know th10gt who helped me would also be willing to help.

[@mat-ventures]

Geocaching name: MystRanger

[@Kevin-77]

gadgetcaches what geocaching app do you use can't find your caches

[@gadgetcaches]

galerienature search on caches created by WVTim

[@WelcometoRJOURNEY]

We have enjoyed your caches in the eastern panhandle for a long time! We were so excited to find your channel ...and bummed that you haven't posted in awhile. You are a LEGEND among the MAGPI group of cachers in the Morgantown/Fairmont/Clarksburg area! On Welcome to RJOURNEY, we post geocache videos along with hiking, rock climbing, caving, and other outdoor ADVENTURES. Hope you have a chance to check us out as well ! Thanks for all your hard work, Tim & Lani (aka Fishdoc91)