And The Winner of the HHH's Great GPSr Experiment Flash Mob Is....

Everybody getting ready to start our Flash Mob geocaching event.

HeadHardHats's Great GPSr Experiment Flash Mob (GC2GM3X)

First off I want to thank everyone who attended yesterdays Flash Mob geocaching event hosted by Geoness and myself. We personally had a blast meeting up with everybody including a bunch of new geocachers where this was their first event ever. Way Cool!

Over all we had about 25 geocachers in attendance and tested over 30 different GPSr units. What I liked about this test was these were GPSr units that are used each and everyday by actual geocachers. So in my opinion this is as real as it get when it comes to in the field testing. Our Flash Mob geocaching event was held with a perfect blue sky in an open field. Couldn't ask for better testing weather.

Observe the rarely photographed GPS Two Step In Action

Before actually marking our flags and in true Flash Mob tradition everyone participated in doing the GPS Two Step and calibrated our units to peek performance. It was really fun to participate in this rarely photographed ritual and we caught it all on film and will be featured in a upcoming GeoSnippits video.

After everybody's eye balls stopped spinning it was time to get an assigned flag and start the GPSr experiment itself.

Right from the beginning a pattern started to form around Ground Zero

In no time you could see where the spread of potential ground zero markings was forming a pattern. We had a good selection of GPSr devices from hand helds, smart phones and even automobile units being tested.

The most common GPSr unit tested was the Garmin 60CSx. As for the smart phone side we had several different models and applications being used.


Here is the percentages of GPSr brands used:
Garmin       70.97%
Motorola      9.68%
Delorme       6.45%
Blackberry   3.23%
Iphone          3.23%
Magellan      3.23%
Samsung      3.23%

Geoness and HeadHardHat gathering the flag data

At the very end of the Flash Mob we handed out a bunch of prizes which included some free lanyards and some of my HHH and GeoSnippits pathtags.

Before we knew it the Flash Mob was over and everyone  broke off to do either some more geocaching in the park or to follow some other adventures of the day.

When all was said and done it was time for Geoness and I to start collecting the data. We marked ground zero and set marking tape to visually give a grid that I could easily duplicate on my graph paper. We used a measuring line that was marked every five feet to get our bearings and record each flag as we passed by. After a whole lot of circles and marking of information we finally recorded them all.

This shows how many GPSr units fell on the grid.










We will show exactly which GPSr unit and exactly who did well or not in another upcoming post.. Be sure to check regularly to see the interesting results.

As part of the Flash Mob event the person who was found to be closest to ground zero would win the event prize. This geocacher would be a featured in a GeoSnippits Video for both You Tube and to be seen on Michigan Magazine TV (RFDTV Network).

And The Winner Is....

Mike Huska (Mhuska)
Mike was using a Garmin 60CSx and was less than one foot from ground zero.

Congratulations Mike for winning our Great GPSr Experiment Flash Mob Event. Everyone will be seeing you soon on GeoSnippits!

Mike Huska (Mhuska) our Flash Mob GPSr Winner

UPDATE:
You can now see all the stats as to which unit fell where at this link:
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/2010/11/update-great-gpsr-experiment-stats.html


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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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This Week on Michigan Magazine TV Featuring GeoSnippits Geocaching Videos

Did you know that you can see our GeoSnippits geocaching segment on Michigan Magazine TV (RFDTV) on your computer? MMTV is now being shown on Ustream.tv check out below for more details.

This week on Michigan Magazine featured an episode about the Big Foot Bash that was held earlier this year on the Michigan Magazine grounds. Plus HeadHardHat's GeoSnippits segment is a  Geocaching Michigan Montage featuring finds all around the Great Lake State.

Check it out here:


If the video viewer is not shown above you can see it directly here:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/10450606


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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GeoSnippits - Make Your Own Geocaching Travel Bug

Pete The Parrot is a real party animal travel bug.

It never fails, not that it is a bad thing mind you. I have a tentative list of all the GeoSnippits videos that I want to do in the near future. Hundreds of them actually but I usually keep a list of about thirty near me at all times. I was just about to start the next on the list and suddenly I get a bunch of requests from our viewers that pertain to a subject I had no intention of doing right now but how can I let down my peeps? So that is why out of the blue I created this latest GeoSnippits - Make Your Own Geocaching Travel Bug. I literally received five requests from different viewers in the same week. So why not?

This is actually a really informative and fun video to watch. Filmed almost entirely in green screen we show you how to make your own travel bug, register it on geocaching.com, package it so it is ready to go into the wild and finally actually show you it's placement into a nearby travel bug hotel.

By the way I don't actually note in the video that you can purchase travel bug id tags just about anywhere online. There are tons of online stores that sell them and they cost about $5.00US.

Hope you enjoy this informative GeoSnippits geocaching video and keep those suggestions coming cus yours might be the next one.

-HHH



If the video player does not show the video you can get a direct link here at you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiSdML5aigI

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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Here's A Neat Geocaching Tip If You Have A Smart Phone

Ever have one of those "Why didn't I think of that," moments?

That's what I had when fellow geocacher Kiltedkacher informed me of a rather obvious tip.
When I go geocaching there are many times that I want to take extensive notes. Sometimes it's something as simple as a travel bug code. Another example would be when I want to remember some location's coordinates and what I liked about it for a future hide. To do that I have used the notepad application that was provided on my smart phone. Similar to texting, it gives a relatively simple way of saving information.

What I realized via Kiltedkacher's suggestion is that many smart phones also have a voice recorder application. I always knew it was on my phone but never thought of actually using it to take notes while geocaching. When used it is clear and easy to save large amounts of spoken data.

Next time out, give it a try instead of manually typing your notes.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?

http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/ 

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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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Geocaching With NCBiscuit

I recently had the pleasure of filming an upcoming GeoSnippits segment for Michigan Magazine TV (RFDTV Network) that I called "Geocaching with NCBiscuit". When all was said and done, the segment which will air later in the year turned out just the way I wanted it. With that being said I really wanted to toot the horn some more about this amazing team. I say team because it shows the team effort between my good friend Linda a.k.a. "NC" and her very lovable canine partner "Biscuit". Linda has been geocaching for about five years now which coincidentally is how old Biscuit is. Together they have over 5000 geocaching finds.  In the geocaching community they are like peanut butter and jelly. When you see one of them you immediately think of the other.

Linda is an amazing geocacher that I have had the privilege to geocache with in the past. Her warm smile and energetic spirit is immediately apparent when you meet her. Biscuit is a bundle of raw energy and even though she has had two acl replacements, never stopped moving for a second and is an avid geocacher in her own right.

As we walked around the Jordan Lake Gamelands one of the geocaches was near the waters edge. Before you could say fetch Biscuit was diving for anything that resembled a stick. The issue was never if we could get Biscuit in Jordan Lake but if she would ever get OUT of Jordan Lake. Luckily Linda has trained her well and Biscuit would be where ever Linda told her to be. It was quite fun to watch how smoothly they worked together.

We had a great time filming the Geocaching with NCBiscuit segment and I can't wait till it airs. Now viewers in all 50 states will be able to meet and greet this fantastic geocaching duo.

Thanks NCBiscuit for such a fun geocaching adventure.

-HHH

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?

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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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UPDATE: Making Evil Nano Geocaches For Fall Fling Silent Auction

Well guys and gals the Evil Nano Geocaches are done and did they turn out nice!

I went with a green theme and a brown theme which falls in more of a wooded terrain.
The photos of the finished product are just below.
(This will give you an idea of the size of the nano geocaches)

(Is that a piece of bark I see or just some debris from that stump there. Couldn't be an evil nano geocache... nah.)










(Might be tree mold, a rock, anything but an Evil Nano Geocache.)











Here is a link showing then as they were being made.
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/2010/10/making-two-evil-nano-geocaches-for-fall_18.html

I had a real blast making these geocaches and good luck to the winners at the Silent Auction.

-HHH

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?

http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at

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Making Two EVIL Nano Geocaches for the Fall Fling 2010 Silent Auction

The NCGO or North Carolina Geocachers Organization conducts many different geocaching events every year. The biggie event in which they pull out all the stops is the Fall Fling. This year it is Fall Fling V and will be held Saturday November 6th. We are heading to the west end of the state and the beautiful Lake Norman State Park.

You can see my GeoSnippits video of last years Fall Fling 2009 here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqW5y8onn5I

As usual there are event days that Friday and a Sunday but the main festivities is going to be Saturday. One of the activities that I look forward to is the Silent Auction where all sorts of geocaching items are donated and the proceeds go to funding events like the Fall Fling. My donations this year will be including two of my Evil Nano Geocaches. I have been sending photos of them as they are being made. Below are some of what I have published.

( Just out of the molds.)

( First layers of flat and textured paints.)












Will do an update after they have been finished and completely dried. They are so much fun to make and can be made to look like anything.

Here is my GeoSnippits video showing step by step how to make them.



If the viewer above does not work as expected you can see the link to the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isyT6_8ogFo

I hope you have as much making these evil geocaches as hiding them.

Have Fun!

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Twitter me at @headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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This Weeks Michigan Magazine TV / GeoSnippits Segment Features Geocachers The Fray Girls

Check out this weeks episode of Michigan Magazine TV which discovers something "way out" Project S.T.R.A.T. and our GeoSnippits segment features The Fraygirls from Wilmington, NC.

I had an absolute blast filming with Michelle, Katherine and Charlotte as they took us on an amazing hike near Fort Fisher. This amazing trail has four different terrains from forest, beaches, wetlands and more. You must see the photo opportunity that we were able to film as it happened. An osprey carrying a fish did a flyby while we were walking the trails. Amazing!


Check out the entire Michigan Magazine TV episode here.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/10214721

Here we are during the beach terrain of the hike.












Here we were just emerging from a small forest area.












You can see GeoSnippits on Michigan Magazine twice each week on the RFDTV Network.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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I Remember Those Years

Went to my local hot dog place and noticed they had their mascot "Mr. Snoopy" outside waving at the traffic. Not to miss a photo op I came over and asked for a photo. After talking a bit with the poor sole inside the costume I thought back to the times I was inside the costume of choice. Below are a few of them which took me to way back when.

Grimmis for McDonald's. Picture a costume made mostly of wool on the outside and layed over football shoulder pads for where the head was. Then standing outside in 102 heat. Booyah - can we say heat exhaustion? Had fun anyways but will never forget that one.

Donkey Kong for Toys R Us. I worked at one of the main Toys R Us stores in the country and for one of their promotions was asked to don the Donkey Kong outfit. Had a blast and surprised my younger brothers when they showed up at the event. Ahh memories.

Santa for McDonalds and Kmart. If you have seen my GeoSnippits videos you will see that I am looking more and more like the jolly old elf every day. So it is no surprise I have played him dozens of times over the years. My favorite moments was going to disabled childrens homes and watching their faces light up. That and being around dozens of kids at a breakfast with Santa. Ever get hugged by three dozen kids at once while being on tv at the same time? Just awesome and wouldn't trade it for the world.

So there you have it. Some of my many characters I have stored up inside somewhere. All part of the fun I call life.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Where In The World Is Pete The Parrot? - New Zealand

Apparently my travel bug Pete The Parrot (TB21K5T) has heard about the amount of miles his fellow traveler Wolfgang Von Pitter Pat (TB21K6H) has put on recently.

Not to be undone, Pete has now flown from China to New Zealand for an addition of 6,469 miles. This puts Pete in the lead for total miles with an accumulation of 22,133 to Wolfgang's impressive 21,083.

What is in store for either travel bug is uncertain but it is such a thrill watching them go from one country to the next. Pete is such a party animal. Let's see where they go next.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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"NOT Obsessed" Makes Site of the Week on Nature Center Magazine

Looks like we made another favorites list. I was informed yesterday and then verified today that our blog Geocache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right? is featured on the Nature Center Magazine as Site of the Week. Very exciting news.

Now even more people can see what Geocaching is all about and hopefully will take the whole family out on the trails in search of geocaches.

I would like to thank Emma Springfield for bestowing this honor. 

Be sure to check out Nature Center Magazine here: http://www.nc-mag.com/ and click on the Site of the Week link. 

Very Cool!

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right? http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at

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GeoSnippits - GeoBasics - Calibrating GPSr Units for Geocaching

I was amazed recently when I discovered how many geocachers who are just starting out (usually with less than 100 finds) can get frustrated geocaching. The biggest complaint is not having enough information from the start and not knowing what to do exactly or even where to start looking.

Well we are going to have to do something about that.

So I am creating a mini series of GeoSnippits videos that I am calling Geo-Basics.These will be geared for the absolute geocaching beginner and will cover everything from how to look for a geocache, what to look for and all the other tricks of the trade to help make everyone's geocaching experience as fun as possible.

Today's Geo-Basics describes the rudimentary aspects of a GPSr unit. How do they work or better yet, how can we make them more accurate. You even get to see the HHH do the GPS Two Step which for many is part of the calibration process.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the show. We hope you find it entertaining and informative.



If the player does not show above you can see the entire video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MTCwjq31hU


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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Over A Quarter of a Million Views Can't Be Wrong - GeoSnippits Geocaching Milestone

If someone would have told me back when I first started making GeoSnippits Geocaching Videos that they would be as popular as they are now I would have literally laughed out loud. Geocaching is a growing and very addicting activity but let's face it comparatively to say a rock band or movie star we have a much smaller fan base. There are viral You Tube videos out there that get gazillions of hits but that wasn't why I make GeoSnippits. I do it for the geocaching community and apparently the geocaching community likes them just fine.

Yesterday I realized that GeoSnippits hit a milestone. We now have over 250,000 views on You Tube. That's over a quarter of a million times people wanted to see our geocaching goodness. How cool is that? We have put in a lot of work to bring informative geocaching videos to people all around the world and will continue to do so for a long time to come.

Yes, I know that doesn't include our exclusive GeoSnippits segments seen on TV in all 50 states via the Michigan Magazine TV show (RFDTV Network). That is another story.

We want to thank all of our viewers for getting us this far. Over 90% of the shows we do come from our viewer suggestions. We could not do it without you!

Speaking of not being able to do it without you. If you want to sponsor GeoSnippits via our websites, videos or on Michigan Magazine TV. Please contact HeadHardHat at headhardhat@gmail.com. You can also click on the Donate buttons on our websites (links just below this post) as well. We do appreciate it and all proceeds go to keeping us going. We thank you for your support!


GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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Twitter me at
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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Coming Up Next on Michigan Magazine TV for October 12th and 13th (RFDTV Network)

Hey Gang,

Take a quick look what is coming up on the next episode of Michigan Magazine TV (RFDTV Network).

Check out this cool preview with my GeoSnippits video that features the Fraygirls. An amazing trio of geocachers from Wilmington, NC.



If you cannot see the viewer above click on this link..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk9c4SOO39Y

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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Twitter me at
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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Taking A Look At The Joy Of Geocaching

There are books that deal with the subject of geocaching which will give you a good basic understanding. Yet I have found them lacking of the human element. With the book The Joy Of Geocaching by Paul & Dana Gillin you get all the information you need about our amazing activity from actual geocachers. Who knows better then the fine folks that are out geocaching and gaining amazing insights then sharing it with you.

The Joy Of Geocaching is a well rounded reference book that gets you out into the field quickly by giving solid examples from registering with geocaching.com, meeting up with other geocachers and all those amazing examples of geocaching adventures. Anybody can just define what a travel bug is this book gives real life examples for you to enjoy.


If you are new to geocaching and want to learn many of the tips, tricks and techniques from actual experienced geocachers while being regaled with geocaching recollections. The Joy of Geocaching is the book for you.

You can pick up The Joy of Geocaching at their website: http://joyofgeocaching.com/.


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Twitter me at
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at

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Winners to the GeoSnippits Viewers Suggestions Contest Announced

Wow, what a great viewer suggestions contest. With some really cool GeoSnippits pathtag prizes.

Once again we asked for some ideas from geocachers who know best - you.  We received a bunch of great ideas and unfortunately there were only five prizes. Here we go.

And The Winners Are....

Mike Guirdy - Cajunseeker (twitter)

Steven Sick 

Dave Clark

Tim Massaro

Collin French - Ukgcpodcast (twitter)

Thanks to everyone who sent in suggestions it was greatly appreciated. 

Congrats to our contest winners we will be contacting you shortly so we can send you your GeoSnippits pathtag.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Twitter me at
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
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Who Says Penguins Can't Fly - TB Wolfgang Von Pitterpat Update

                                                                                                 

Who says that penguins can't fly. 

My daughter Geoness's geocaching travel bug Wolfgang Von Pitterpat (TB21K6H) has just put on 10,572.67 miles in one swoop. The flight went from Southern England, UK to Victoria, Australia. Which means this is the closest to Wolfgang's goal of actually visiting Antarctica that it has ever been.


The total miles under this pesky penguin's belt is now 21083.1 miles. That beats our party animal Pete the Parrot (TB21K5T) who now is in second with 15664.1 miles and is currently enjoying China.


It never ceases to amaze me how and where geocaching travel bugs can end up. With any luck Wolfgang will hook up with a military person who will take him to his goal into the frozen tundra of Antarctica.




GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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Twitter me at
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at


http://www.geosnippits.com