advice needed

[rew]

hi,not yet a geocacher but looking to get into it . this site was suggested to me by a friend. i'm looking from some advice as to which device to get. is the garmin etrex suitable for a first timer. anywhere to buy secondhand maybe?all advice greatly received. i'm in surrey is this a good area?

[NeilFord]

Hiya Rew

To tackle these questions in a reverse order...

Visit http://stats.guk2.com/, click on the Caches link and enter your postcode into the search. This will give you an idea of how many caches are in your area.

Also visit http://www.geocacheuk.org and https://www.geocaching.com and check out their forums for equipment advice and discussion on the UK caching scene.

If you are looking for your first GPSr, I would recommend looking at the Garmin eTrex Legend, which has a sensible feature set which you can grow into. The problem with the lower-end models is you may soon outgrow them. The Legend would cost you roughly £175 from somewhere like http://www.gspw.co.uk.

Can't really comment on second hand units, though I suspect ebay (https://www.ebay.co.uk) would be a good place to start.

Hopefully this is of some use. Feel free to come back with any further questions, either here or on one of the other sites.

- Neil.

[Muggle]

Originally posted by rew@Apr 4 2004, 09:13 PM
hi,not yet a geocacher but looking to get into it . this site was suggested to me by a friend. i'm looking from some advice as to which device to get. is the garmin etrex suitable for a first timer. anywhere to buy secondhand maybe?all advice greatly received. i'm in surrey is this a good area?
You can get brand new basic Etrex's for £80 if you know where to look. A very good unit for starters. That's what lots of us here started with.

[BugznElm'r]

Try www.expansys.com ... they had a good price on the yellow eTrex.

[rew]

thanks for your help. thru a link on the geocaheuk site i got to navcity. they seem to have selection and some second had refurbed ones. popping to see them, surfing the net is great but a pic doesnt replace physically holding them..i'll let you know how i get on.

[NeilFord]

So pop into your local Outdoors shop and ask to have a look. Just don't buy from them :-) As an example, they have the Legend at £275 as opposed to £175 online!

Or find a local friendly cacher you'd be happy to meet up and show you their gear. Suggest a public location (pub, coffee shop, etc) so they'll feel safe just in case you're a homicidal maniac :-)

- Neil.

[rew]

ok been there done that got the etrex just need the t shirt!! went to london picked some brains.decided on the legend , but they were out of stock,found another shop and bought one for 195. bit more than online but i got it in my hands.and i'm just off to find my first so long as i dont run out of daylight.

[NeilFord]

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the wonderful hobby of geocaching.

Hopefully we'll see you on some of the other discussion boards at some point.

- Neil.

[rew]

hi again run out of daylight lol.yes u may see me on the other forum when i can get signed in !! so far its not lettingme. i see you are from billingshurst. weybridge here, looks like i just missed out on that meeting on april 1st.

[NeilFord]

Which one is giving you grief? You should get the confirmation email within minutes of completing the registration process.

I would have said it might be that your chosen username may have already gone, but the registration process should tell you that.

Keep at it, they'll let you in eventually.

- Neil.

[Pharisee]

Originally posted by rew@Apr 5 2004, 05:48 PM
............ but i got it in my hands.............
Have fun .............. :D :D :D

[paul.blitz]

Originally posted by rew@Apr 5 2004, 08:48 PM
hi again run out of daylight lol.
Running out of daylight shouldn't be seen as an excuse to not go caching :lol:

Seriously, once you are used to what caching is about, you might like to try caching in the dark... it's a VERY different experience.

All I say is to be careful. Take a spare torch. Take a mobile phone. And a compass is worthwhile too. Oh, and don't forget the GPSr!!!!

paul

[rew]

well just thought as it was my first time more sensible to do it in daylight. anyway today i've been out and found 3.