Solving A Puzzle Geocache - Bring on the Android Apps.

It was an amazingly nice spring day recently and as I was finishing my lunch I sorted over some of the geocaches that were relatively close to me. For whatever reason a puzzle cache series caught my eye. There were three in total and all with the same first name. For example lets call these geocaches Geoseries #1, Geoseries #2 and Geoseries #3.

Geoseries#3 was a puzzle geocache and to resolve it you had to find the first two and somehow come up with the final coordinates. This sounded like fun and a great way to spend a few hours geocaching. What I did not realize at the time was all the tools that I would need to get through the series. Fortunately for me I already had them on my Android phone. Let me show you how.

Geoseries#1 was a traditional geocache. The terrain was pretty rough with the amount of thick briers one had to go through to get to it. Yet once I did the find itself was pretty straight forward. To do my geocaching on the fly I used my Android phone and a Geocaching Application. There are several out there and many really well done ones are free. If you are a GroundSpeak die hard you can pay your $10.00 for their geocaching application. I will be doing a complete review of the GroundSpeak App in the not too distant future. The point is, if you do not have your GPSr with you, having a geocaching application on your phone is a sweet way to go.

Once I found Geoseries#1 I was given instructions on what I needed to do next. The OP set up a "target" for me to find and some coordinates to get there. In this case there was a sign with some words on it. After a short drive and search I was able to write down those specific words for use later.  To save the words exactly I used my Smart Phone Camera. Cameras are pretty much a staple on just about any mobile phone out there and with the afford-ability of SD cards for storage we can take thousands of photographs. This is also a really nice tool to have with you while geocaching.

Geoseries #2 was done the same way as Geoseries #1. Inside was another set of coordinates and another target to find. Again I took pictures of everything including the clue cards which gave the instructions. I did not want to have to come back through these dense brier patches.

With all the information now in my hands, err, camera. It was time to do some problem solving. What needed to be done initially was the words found on the signs were to be converted to numerics. To do that was a simple conversion where a letter needed to be substituted with a number. For example, A=1, B=2, Z=26. Now I could have taken the time to write all 26 letter-number combinations but I happened to have GCC: Geocache Calculator on my phone. This app has over 80 different encryption decoders at your fingertips with one of them being this format. All I had to do was plug in the words found earlier and I instantly had the numbers that I needed.


Finally all was needed was to take the numerics I had just decrypted and compute a mathematic formula which was in the description of the geocache itself. Again using a geocaching app to verify everything was great and to do the computations I had my handy dandy phone Calculator. The next thing you know I had the coordinates for the final geocache but was my conclusions correct? In this particular case the only way to know that was to go and find the final geocache. Luckily for me I was correct and my prize was waiting for me. There is however a really cool geocaching validator available called Geochecker. What geochecker allows is for the geocacher to put in the correct answer to the puzzle which in this case is the coordinates and see if you are correct BEFORE actually taking the chance at being incorrect.

So there you have it. A really sweet puzzle cache series that needed a series of tools now easily found right on your smart phone. Now does this mean you have to have a smart phone to go geocaching? Not at all, just remember that if you do attempt puzzle caches that you may need to bring some other ways of resolving them as you go geocaching...

See you out on the trails...

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Check Out Hintdecoder For Geocaching

A helpful hint from the HeadHardHat

Have an Android style phone and enjoy geocaching? There is a handy free app that you might want to keep near to quickly decipher those ROT13 and other types of encryption. It's an app called Hintdecoder For Geocaching and I have found it rather useful while geocaching, especially when trying to figure out some puzzle geocaches out in the field.

It is a really simple cut and past kind of application. Simply put in the text within the top text field and the results are shown in the bottom. The really nice thing is it does all sorts of other codes as well so when you do get that puzzle cache in the field you will be ready for it..

Be sure and try it out for yourself, it's a free app.
http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/communication/hintdecoder-for-geocaching_fehd.html

Another helpful hint from the HeadHardHat to you.

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
http://www.geosnippits.com

Android Apps Used For Geocaching

It is amazing how the smart phones have become so much a part of our lives. Believe it or not there was a time in the not too distant past when people actually went from coast to coast with nothing more than a road map and sometimes not even that. Now for many of us if we forget our phone at home we turn around and go back and get it before venturing out. We are that attached to our technologies.

I personally have taken the leap from my Blackberry phone recently and purchased an HTC Incredible. An android phone that quite frankly has completely assimilated me. Included in that assimilation are an entire host of useful tools to help while geocaching. I am not talking about the standard geocaching apps themselves. I will be doing several articles about them soon enough. No I am talking about all the other helpful apps out there for Android phones you may not have thought of.

Below are two lists. The first is a list of favorites that I have on my phone right now that I use for geocaching. The second is a list that was provided by fellow geocachers. I hope you find these items useful in your geocaching en devours.

These are in no particular order:

HeadHardHat's Favorites:
Android Flashlight App - No more trying to use your phone for a weak flashlight. This app which comes standard on many androids uses the high powered camera LEDs for a very powerful beam.

Voice Recorder - Sometimes it is just too clumsy to try and type your information while geocaching. Here you have a digital recorder you can just say what you want and it is right there at your fingertips.

Evernotes - For those times you need to type in what you want Evernotes rocks. Not only can you access all sorts of documents on your phone but on your PC as well. Since it is synced in the cloud you always have your documents available.

Loopt - Want to tell where you are via GPS? Loopt is a great application that allows you to check in where you are. Either at a restaurant, watering hole or out in the woods a gps record can show where you at when you want that information to be noted. Sends to twitter, facebook, etc.

Car Locator - You may have seen this application in a car commercial recently. I personally love it. Mark where your car is and then use the application radar to find it when needed.

From The Geocaching Forums:
Android Browser - (Default Installed)

- Connection to Internet information and websites

- Can download .gpx files

- Boulters Geocaching Basecamp - http://boulter.com/geocaching/ - a toolkit of utilities for calculating coordinates, distance, etc.

GPS Status and Tools - http://eclipsim.com/gpsstatus/

Display your GPS and sensor data: Shows the position, number and signal strength of GPS satellites. Check your position, GPS accuracy, speed, acceleration and bearing. A magnetic compass is included which displays both magnetic and true north. Use it as a leveling tool or detect magnetic anomalies in your area.

ROT13 Translator App - http://www.appbrain.com/app/rot13-translator/de.zieren.rot13

Plain and simple ROT13 encoder/decoder. Friendly copy/paste buttons. Useful e.g. to decrypt geocaching hints. No ads, requires no permissions.

Blackmoon File Browser App - http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-blackmoonit-android-filebrowser-qCD.aspx

Browse, open, rename, manage, copy, move, delete or even email files found on your phone. Aware of 100+ registered file extensions.

Google Docs - http://docs.google.com

Create and share your work online and access your documents from anywhere. Managedocuments, spreadsheets, presentations, surveys, and more all in one easy place.

Droid RPN Calculator - http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/tools/droid-rpn-calculator_loqa.html

An advanced calculator useful for those tricky puzzle geocaches.

WhereYouGo - http://www.androlib.com/android.application.menion-android-whereyougo-Dmmq.aspx

Android client for Wherigo Geocaching game! Core based on OpenWig client (well tested). Enjoy Wherigo hunt.

Barcode Scanner - http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-scanlife-jzj.aspx

ScanLife turns your camera phone into a all-in-one bar code reader - one of the only apps that can scan QR Codes and UPC Codes found on products.
Scan regular UPC/EAN barcodes from most products like DVDs, books, and food to see comparison pricing, reviews, accessories local prices (US only) and nutritional information (US only). You can even buy the product right from Amazon or over 25 other retailers.
Also scan any 2D barcode (QR Code, Datamatrix, EZcode) that you find in print, packaging, or business cards to launch specific websites, videos, or contact information.

Camera - Gallery Apps - Adobe Photoshop Express For Android - http://mobile.photoshop.com/android/

Perfect your pictures with Photoshop Express on your Android phone. Simply drag your finger to crop, adjust color, apply effects — you name it.

Navigation Apps - 3D Google Maps - http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/3d/

Get Google Maps on your mobile phone for free, and never carry a paper map again. Use your mobile phone to search for local businesses, and then get driving. 

Waypoint - http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/tools/waypoint-free_krxt.html

Use it to save the location of your house, work, car, finshing, or hunting spot and see how far you are from the waypoint or find your way back. Also serves as a speedometer. 3 waypoints allowed in free. Accuracy depends on your GPS signal and your device.

Locus - http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/travel_and_local/locus_hglj.html

Fast and useful Online/Offline map viewer. 

GPS Averaging - http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/tools/gps-averaging_irwl.html

Allows to save GPS location much more precisely. Great geocaching tool for placing new geocaches. Can be used to precisely pinpoint any location. Altitude support, GPX export.

My Tracks - http://mytracks.appspot.com/

My Tracks is an application for your Android^TM phone that enables you to record GPS tracks and view live statistics – such as time, speed, distance, and elevation – while hiking, biking, running or participating in other outdoor activities. Once recorded, you can share your tracks, upload them to Google Spreadsheets and visualize them on Google My Maps.

Sundorid - http://www.appbrain.com/app/sundroid-sunrise-sunset/uk.co.sundroid

Calculates sunrise, sunset, twilight, golden hours, length of day, moonrise & moonset times for anywhere in the world. Handy for photography, hunting, outdoor activities, planning holidays and astronomy. Four widgets are included so the information is at your fingertips when you need it.

Critter Browser - http://www.androidzoom.com/uk/android_applications/books_and_reference/critter-browser_kjy.html?nav=recategorized

Look up animal/plant species by scientific or common name, accompanied with pictures, or explore the scientific classification system.

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
http://www.geosnippits.com

HeadHardHat Has A New Toy - Geekness Warning

HHH Gets His GEEK button pushed.

If you read my geocaching based posts or watch our GeoSnippits videos you will many times see me holding a BlackBerry Curve 8310 smartphone. I have used and abused that phone for over two years now. For me it was the center of my electronic life. Not only only could I use Geocache Navigator for some very accurate and real time geocaching but most of my Social Networking was used with it as well. Sure there were drawbacks like having to pull the battery out of the phone every few days otherwise it would lock up. That sort of thing. All in all it kept me electronically "connected" with the world. That was then this is now.

I have been watching the greener pastures of Iphones and Droids for quite a while now. Waiting for the opportunity to get just the right combination of camera, Internet, GPS and hyper-drive capabilities. Then with the sound of knocking rattling my brain I was able to get an HTC Incredible Android Smartphone. For Free to boot. My original contract had expired a while ago so I was able to get the phone on a special rate provided by a rather popular electronics store. Sweet!

This is where the geekiness goes into overdrive. I have been a geek since Pong. I have been there when Atari was king and an 8088 computer had a 10 Mhz turbo mode. I hooked up my stereo directly into my computer system before there was something known a sound card. Watched every advance in PC computer gaming since the original joystick. Spent up to $5000 on one once to have the ultimate gaming system. My daughter calls it our junk computer now. Anyhow I have not had my geek button pushed like with this new phone since the days back the gaming world was finding it's niche.

Seen above with a gel cover just like HHH's

This incredible Incredible gave me my first WOW factor right about the time I turned it on. I unlocked the screen with the swipe of my finger and it was like watching the opening of a stage play. It illuminated, immediately told me the time and weather and behind the partly cloudy sun a drape of background clouds parted reveling the actual wallpaper scene behind them. Wow.

Comparatively speaking, this phone is a rocket against the BlackBerry's old grey mare. The phone's build in features are amazing. 8 Gig of initial memory, 1Ghz processor, 8 Mp camera, oh and don't forget the hyper-drive.

Then there are the apps, TONS of apps, mountains of apps with a boat load that come already with the phone. Go to the Android or Google store and you have a choice of over 100,000 apps at your disposal. I spent three days going through just what I wanted to start with and all except two were FREE. I paid $4.00US for the two I purchased and yes they were games. With all the built in memory it is going to take me some time to fill up this puppy. Even when I do a 16 or 32 gig SD card will set things right. So cool.

WiFi is a life saver for me. I personally live in an area that has poor phone reception. It is in a low area and no matter what carrier I get a bar at best. So when I turned on my wireless WiFi functionality I now can stream video or download files in a flash by bypassing the phone connection and load things right off my router. That opened everything for me with using my phone.

Geocaching apps were definitely on my list as well. The second everyone heard that I now have an Android I was flooded with requests to do reviews on the available geocaching apps. I have C:Geo loaded already and all I can say is WOW. I will be doing a review on it and all the rest A.S.A.P., keep watch on my blog and most likely GeoSnippits videos as well.

So what can I say, I am so hooked on the Incredible. Right down to the Star Trek Tricorder app I am currently playing with to the amazing video quality to the ability to lock the front for a much needed lack of butt dialing. The one draw back that I do need to mention is that currently my carrier does not allow free tethering to my netbook. Not without a rather substantial fee. This is no longer a big deal due to all the things I can already do with my phone but it is my hope that down the line that tethering once again becomes a free service. Oh well you can't have everything.

If you are wondering if getting a smartphone is right for you all I can say is do your research for what is right for you. Be it a BlackBerry, Iphone or Droid. Know what you want and after you make your choice hold on to your potatoes because it is one heck of a fun geeky ride.

-HHH

* Hyper-drive not really included - yet.

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

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com