Anyone have any experience with using Eclipse mint tins?

mundoo · Post by **mundoo** » 11 July 08 7:04 pm

Does anyone have any experience with using Eclipse mints tins as cache containers?

My friend has offered me some empty ones for cache containers after she read in the wiki that they are used for geocaching

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_(mints)

Post by **caughtatwork** » 11 July 08 7:10 pm

They're not waterproof and they rust.
Apart from that are the actual mints any good?

mundoo · Post by **mundoo** » 11 July 08 7:19 pm

caughtatwork wrote:Apart from that are the actual mints any good?

My friend loves the cinnamon ones, only ones she has found that she likes.

Mr Router · Post by **Mr Router** » 11 July 08 7:27 pm

They make a top micro in a dry spot

setsujoku · Post by **setsujoku** » 11 July 08 7:34 pm

yep, they work great with magnets, and a dry spot. definatly wouldnt want to use them in an exposed area, unless you are prepared to replace the cache, and log reguarly

only down side is it can be hard to fit a pencil in there, unless you cut it down (this is where ikea pencils come in handy)

The Spindoctors · Post by **The Spindoctors** » 11 July 08 7:45 pm

Hard to get the logs out. Best to include a small silica bag for the moisture that WILL get in.

Sons of Callum · Post by **Sons of Callum** » 11 July 08 11:37 pm

you could use one for an offset cache and then you wouldn't have to fit in a pencil or a pen

Rabbitto · Post by **Rabbitto** » 11 July 08 11:41 pm

I have seen many and the logs are difficult to extract if they are too large. I have at least a couple of times seen a small bulldog clip used on the end of the folded up log sheet which gives it a little extra weight and helps it to drop out in one lump (so to speak)

pirate 63 · Post by **pirate 63** » 12 July 08 7:50 am

aaarrgh!
where would be without eclipse tins in brisbane!

best treasure chest yet for small,dry location.

Wingaap · Post by **Wingaap** » 12 July 08 8:03 am

I've used an eclipse mint tin or two

I agree with previously posted comments ie they are not water proof and logs books can be difficult to extract.

However, careful placement and the use of a custom made log book can overcome these problems.

Re pens/pencils: One of the larger office supply companies often has mico pens which fit these containers perfectly. Also it doesnt take much to cut down a pencil to fit. Just dont put it in the plastic bag containing the log book.

Silica gel packs also enhance the durability of the cache.

Used with 'care' they can make a great micro.......especially when used in conjunction with good quality magnet

In addition they can be used for the construction of larger cache containers eg DAK

I lost count...or rather I gave up counting how many eclipse mint tins went into that construction.

Yes, I love eclipse mint containers and will happily admit utilising somewhere around 300 containers. I hasten to add that I have not consumed the contents of these container....well not all of them

Map Monkey · Post by **Map Monkey** » 12 July 08 10:41 am

Having got that off my chest now

...... they seem to be very popluar as a hiding container for small urban caches mainly. The issues i see with using them generally relate to how they are prepared and their contents. As has been said by the Guru of Eclipses (^^^^) custom made logbooks are required. There are many eclipse tins out there that have too big of a logbook that "we" are forced to shove our foot into them just to close the lid....something to consider when making your logbook.

If you must use one, please spend some time to camoflague it to blend in to its environment, as there is at least one eclipse tin i know of that is just thrown on the ground, and looks like trash in a park. (not part of a theme, rather just inexperienced use of them IMO).

If you have the chance, check out "several" different eclipse tin hides and ideas to gain a better understanding on how good/bad they can be. There are some very clever and/or well disguised eclipse tin caches out there.....

mm

Wingaap · Post by **Wingaap** » 12 July 08 1:38 pm

Map Monkey wrote:

mm

Map Monkey's Lament GC18WXV

If · Post by If » 12 July 08 9:40 pm

I've seen a few of these "Eclipse" tins around

They are a great little container when used in dry locations with magnets attached

Burying them in leaf mulch at the base of a tree in a swamp should be avoided....

Udderchaos · Post by **Udderchaos** » 13 July 08 11:33 am

ive come across a few in the city strangly usually going rusty or full of water or both.

Luckily the plague of eclipse tins hasnt reached mt gambier yet.

They are far to big anyway

AussieRAVer · Post by **AussieRAVer** » 16 July 08 10:17 pm

Ive only found one so far and it was a great hide... as others have said though, they will rust and get damp...

Geocaching Australia

Anyone have any experience with using Eclipse mint tins?

Anyone have any experience with using Eclipse mint tins?

In the dark !!