Taking the time to select the best GPS for geocaching, will definitely enhance your treasure hunting experience.

Right off the bat I’d like to tell you that the best geocaching GPS does not have to flatten your wallet. Click here for the Absolute lowest prices on GPS units suited for geocaching. You won’t find a better deal anywhere and they give FREE shipping to boot.

For those of you who haven’t yet heard, geo cashing  is now a worldwide adventure game that uses Internet access and a  global positioning system (GPS) to hide and locate treasure containers (caches).

Lists and descriptions of the caches can be found online.  Each cache listed will include the coordinates of the cache and a  description of  the terrain and the difficulty rating for that particular cache.

When selecting a cache, be sure to read the descriptions carefully as many of the caches located in hazardous terrain are just too difficult physically for the average enthusiast.

It can be fun, exciting, and challenging for the entire family, but it can also be a daring and thrilling adventure for even the most fit of enthusiasts.  For example, think about trying to locate a cache hidden on the side of a mountain where rock climbing skills and equipment would be essential.

While geo cashing  is actually spelled geocaching, it’s easy to see why anyone new to the sport would think otherwise.  Geocaching is pronounced and sounds exactly like geo cashing. The “geo” comes from geography, and the “caching” has a dual meaning for the geocacher.

A “cache” for campers and hikers is a stash of provisions which is hidden and stored until needed, while in computer lingo, a “cache” is a body of information stored in the computer’s memory which can be easily located upon command.

Caches can be hidden literally anywhere that the imagination dreams up.  In fact, the more imaginative the hiding place, the more difficult it is to locate the cache.

Common locations for caches are outdoor settings such as in stumps or fallen trees, and under or behind rocks, at the base of a cactus,  or they could be hidden from view with bark, sticks or grass.

They could be hidden as close as the local basketball court, inside or outside a building, or even on a building, or they could be in the middle of a desert.

They are hidden by individuals, clubs, and organizations , and then the cache is listed on the Internet for anyone to see.

When you find a listed cache, one that sounds like it fits your level of skill and location, pull out your trusty GPS and start putting in your present location (coordinates) and the location (its coordinates) of the cache.

It’s best to Start with a cache that has an easy difficulty rating, just until you get the hang of the sport; but, then, when you get your feet wet, you can advance anywhere your skill level will take you.

Why You Need The Best GPS For Geocaching

The most important part of geocaching is the GPS, in fact, that’s what the whole sport is built around.  The best GPS units for geocaching should take you to within ten feet of the cache your hunting, but from there it can still be difficult, almost like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

They are many GPS systems on the market ranging in price from around $100 up to $1,000 and more.  The electronics manufacturers, as you know, are always introducing new models, changing one feature or adding another in an effort to make you dump your old model for one of their hot new models.

And, as you might expect, their GPS systems haven’t escaped this  practice.  If you listen to the advertising, what was this year’s best GPS unit for geocaching will be next season’s dog.

In fact, there are new GPS models introduced practically every year.  This sales tactic is a win, win situation; the manufacturers get to make more sales, and the novice or bargain hunting geocacher can pick up a really good, dependable, and accurate GPS at a greatly discounted price.

One Of The Best GPS For GeoCaching

For example, recently, I found a terrific buy on brand new discontinued Garmin Nuvi 360.  It was originally introduced at close to $1,000 but I found it here for around $300.00.

It has every feature any goecacher could ever want, and at this low price, it’s truly a bargain hunter’s dream come true.

The nuvi 360 is a perfect example of the best GPS for geocaching and driving combined, but if you’re a hiking/camping geocacher, you may only be interested in finding the best handheld GPS for geocaching.

Here are some of the other supplies you’ll want to get together for your geo cashing expeditions:

1.  You must have Internet access, this is where the caches are listed.

2.   A goody-bag containing little objects and trinkets that you can trade for other treasure (swag) already placed in the cache, or they can be traded to other geocachers.  The rule is that if you take something out of the cache, you have to replace it with something of equal or greater value.

3.  A pen or pencil.

4.  Extra, dry clothing in case you get caught in a downpour or tear your clothes.

5.  Extra batteries for your GPS.

They say that you’ll be totally addicted to geocaching once you’ve experienced the exhilarating excitement of using your GPS skills and your own natural abilities to locate your first cache.

Again, and as a reminder, here’s where you can grab your

Best GPS For Geocaching At A Rock Bottom Price

Choosing the best gps for geocaching right from your first target cache will ensure many years of treasure hunting adventure.

However, if pricing is a consideration,  Click Here For The Best Price On A Handheld GPS For Geocaching.  I’m constantly searching online for rock bottom GPS system pricing, and this company ranks #1 virtually every time.

But, having said that, there are a number of geocaching  features that would be important to literally everyone when thinking about purchasing a handheld GPS for geocaching.

1. Is the screen easy to read? Look for a good-sized screen with good contrast on your portable handheld GPS.  For bright sunlight readability, you’ll want a screen that has trans reflective properties.

2.  Does the GPS device lock onto satellite signals with speed and accuracy? Will the unit continue to receive guidance through heavy cloud and tree cover, while in your pocket or backpack, or through the windshield of your vehicle?

If so, you’ll need the GPS to have 12 parallel channels, and you might want it to be WAAS-enabled so you can pinpoint your target caches with greater accuracy.

3. The best GPS for GeoCaching should be lightweight and relatively small so it will be easy for you to carry. Ideally, it should be small enough to fit into your jeans pocket.

4.  Can you easily make sense of the information you receive? In order to find caches easily and avoid getting yourself lost, you’ll want your handheld GPS system to be capable of marking at least 500 waypoints (significant points along the way).

5.  Is the unit waterproof? The best handheld GPS units for geocaching are waterproof.  Often, while geocaching you’ll run into foul weather, and while plastic baggies can certainly help, you’ll want the GPS itself to be watertight; in fact, you can count on its getting wet at some point in your treasure hunting adventures, so you’ll definitely want it to have the waterproof feature.

6.  Does the handheld GPS for geocaching have a respectable battery life? Where this is concerned, the longer the battery life, the better, but also the bigger and longer lasting the battery, the heavier the handheld GPS device.

If the weight of the unit is of concern to you, then, you might consider taking along some extra batteries.  One thing is for sure, when you’re in the thick of the cache hunt, you sure don’t want your portable handheld GPS to quit on you.

7.  How rugged is it? Part of the fun of geocaching, especially the camping and hiking variety, is that you’ll be out climbing and going through brushy undercover. You can be sure that your GPS will be banged around.

Here are a couple of handheld GPS for geocaching units that will easily fill the bill:

Garmin GMAP 60Cx Handheld GPS

From almost anywhere, this small lightweight unit will lock onto several satellites.  You’ll have no worries if you run into inclement or wet weather, heavy tree or cloud cover, or if you have to put the device in your pocket or backpack.

Garmin Geko 201 Handheld GPS

For a wallet saving GPS, the 201 is a terrific little basic GPS.  It is sturdy and performs very well in geocaching expeditions. You can count on the 201 to give you quick and accurate directions.

It doesn’t display detailed maps. But, it does clearly map out the route, and it shows clear landmarks and way points so you’ll always know where you’ve been.

As you can tell, the best GPS for geocaching is the one that fits your particular needs.

Any handheld GPS for geocaching that has the features mentioned in our check list should give you many years of fun, excitement and dependable accurate service.