Garmin Chirp

[theUMP]

Given that they're not going to be allowed as the only logging method (i.e. you still need an actual cache with a logbook), a whole new cache type doesn't seem justified on gc.com

(Don't really see why they're not just a type of virtual here on GCA... Unless it's part of the courting of Garmin's favour! )

[gmj3191]

I think the attribute approach is good given that they are open to non CHIRP equipped cachers.
It also covers the case where a CHIRP might be used to provide a clue for another cache.

Here's the first GC. com CHIRP equipped cache

http://coord.info/GC2FYWA

[Philipp]

Here's the first GC. com CHIRP equipped cache

http://coord.info/GC2FYWA

... and they guy didn't even write which beacon he uses / that you need a certain garmin device Good example how you shouldn't set-up your Chirp-cache.

[Mr Router]

Maybe Phillip you should put one together and show us lessor's how it done

[caughtatwork]

Given that they're not going to be allowed as the only logging method (i.e. you still need an actual cache with a logbook), a whole new cache type doesn't seem justified on gc.com

(Don't really see why they're not just a type of virtual here on GCA... Unless it's part of the courting of Garmin's favour! )

They could have a logbook in a container at the end and the devices as a multi-cache waypoints along the way. They could have a codeword which comes up on your GPS that you use to confirm the find. They could be used a a part of a mystery cache. They could be used in so many different ways we chose to offer a new cache type so the community could experiment with what works and what doesn't.

I see the GC perspective of not using them as the actual cache, but I also see them being used in fantastic other ways as well. After all a multi-cache and a traditional cache are just boxes under a bush with a different method of finding them, so as the same (or similar) could be said for the beacon devices why not just make a multi-cache a traditional cache with a "muli waypoint" attribute.

I suppose at the very least, if it's tagged as a Beacon cache and you know you don't have the necessary equipment you can simply exclude all caches of that type from your GPS rather than rely on an attribute that may or may not get set and may depend on the beacon type being used.

[Papa Bear_Left]

They could have a codeword which comes up on your GPS that you use to confirm the find.

No Additional Logging Requirements in GC caches!

They could be used in so many different ways we chose to offer a new cache type so the community could experiment with what works and what doesn't.

Umm.. all those different ways are basically the same... "Get some information when you're near this spot", just like reading a tag, or using the SSID of a wi-fi access point, or counting the tiles on a mosaic. A nifty and high-tech way of getting info, sure, but hardly a sea change.

After all a multi-cache and a traditional cache are just boxes under a bush with a different method of finding them, so as the same (or similar) could be said for the beacon devices why not just make a multi-cache a traditional cache with a "muli waypoint" attribute.

Now you're just being disingenuous. You can find a Trad with nothing but the coords, which is fundamentally different to a multi or a mystery. (The line between those latter types is more blurred, but at least you know that, with a multi, there's a point to going to the listed coords and then reading the description for what to do next.)

I suppose at the very least, if it's tagged as a Beacon cache and you know you don't have the necessary equipment you can simply exclude all caches of that type from your GPS rather than rely on an attribute that may or may not get set and may depend on the beacon type being used.

If someone's sensible and honest enough to use the right cache type, they're probably also on the ball enough to use the attribute. Especially the ones keen enough to spend USD23 on a waypoint!

(The reviewers will probably require Chirp-using caches to add that attribute, unlike other completely optional use of them. I know I'd be annoyed to find that my lack of high-end Garmin makes the cache I've started looking for inaccessible to me!)

[caughtatwork]

They can be considered waypoints of a multi cache which are no different to counting tiles, but if we don't experiment with new ideas and ways of playing the game we would have no innovation and everything would be a can of beans in a bucket buried in the ground.

I really don't know what sort of fun people might have with them, so we chose to allow innovation by way of a new cache type.

The cost to GCA to deploy the new cache type was about 2 minutes work and 5 minutes testing, so it's not like there's been a huge investment in making massive changes to the system to cater for something. If the community choose not to use the new cache type at GCA, then they're not forced to, they can continue to pick and choose the technology that they want to play by. Of course a beacon cache (or cache at GC with a beacon attribute) is not restricted to a Garmin Chirp. As you say it could be a wifi signal, a SPOT, a Chirp, a wireless FM signal, loads of different things. Not all of them will require new technology, but they are all related so we created a new type to explore the game.

We've had "podcaches" for about 2 years now, but no-one has listed one and it's no skin off my nose if no-one uses that particular type of cache. It's there if people would like to use it. Same deal with a Beacon cache. If you like to explore outside the box in technology terms, then there is an opportunity for you to define your cache as something different. Of course, you're welcome to hide caches with beacons as multi or mystery or anything really.

I think the possibilities are exciting for use in a myriad of ways, including personal beacons at events, attached to swaggies or your car as a swaggie, use as waypoints, providers of codewords, loads of different things. I look forward to getting my hands on one or two or finding a cache that uses them in a creative way, regardless of whether it's a GC cache as a mystery or GCA caches as a Beacon.

[Hoojar]

As you say it could be a ... wireless FM signal

http://coord.info/GCYB0Y

[covert]

I can't order one form the Garmin site

[gmj3191]

As you say it could be a ... wireless FM signal

http://coord.info/GCYB0Y

or a LAN WiFi signal http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_de ... 04c42a645d

[Zytheran]

I can't order one form the Garmin site

Yep, went to buy one and I can't ...
so, now I'll just wait for someone to reverse engineer it, say about a week, and then build one?

[PesceVerde]

Or maybe used as a personal safety beacon "You are within x metres of injured geocacher Sheelby Rightjack", or maybe just used for mischief.

What sort of range does the Chirp have? EDIT: Aha, up to 32 feet.

[McPhan]

A nifty and high-tech way of getting info, sure, but hardly a sea change.

Unlike Wherigo?

[Big Matt and Shell]

How about use one as a TB on a car? Once you were near it would pop up on the screen!

[caughtatwork]

How about use one as a TB on a car? Once you were near it would pop up on the screen!

Yes, exactly and it would fire you the password at the same time. These are very exciting devices and I really, really want a a couple.