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Groundspeak's Geocaching app turns 3.0

When it's warmer than the current 12°F here in Denver or I'm on a trip somewhere, I love to go geocaching. If you're not familiar with the pastime, geocaching involves using a GPS receiver to find hidden caches that can contain logbooks, "prizes," or even clues to other caches. To find out where a cache is hidden, you need to have an account with Geocaching.com and then search by city or location to see what's near you. The rest is up to your ability to find the cache based on the latitude and longitude provided, as well as clues that may have been supplied by the person who hid the cache, or by other people who have found the cache before you.

The company that popularized geocaching is Groundspeak, and they've just released version 3.0 of their self-named Geocaching app [US$9.99, iTunes Link]. Like a fine wine, this app is definitely getting better with age. Groundspeak added a pile of new features to the app, including the ability to view geocache photo galleries, rotate maps to match your heading (iPhone 3GS only), and view geocaching.com web pages without leaving the app.

One feature I like is the ability to save maps and photos for offline use. Sometimes when I'm geocaching in areas that don't have good cell phone service, I've felt that it would be nice to just shut the phone feature off. Now I can do that by searching for sites near a location, and then saving the information on my iPhone for future reference.

For geocachers who purchased earlier versions of the app, Geocaching 3.0 is a free upgrade. I highly recommend getting the update, and remember to restart your iPhone after installing the app.

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When it's warmer than the current 12°F here in Denver or I'm on a trip somewhere, I love to go geocaching. If you're not familiar with...
 

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burningspear

The update happened at least 10 days ago.
I suggest people interested in paperless caching also give Geocaching with Geosphere and Geocaching Buddy a look.

You should get yourself iGCT (Free!) to help with some of the calculations necessary in Geocaching.

December 04 2009 at 4:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SalemPirates

Ahoy!

Our crew has also crafted a geocaching application, iPlunder.

It is an app that can import a GPX file, map the caches, take field notes, update found/dnf status and even send an email detailing your daily activities.

iPlunder will work with or without data connectivity and even on an iPod Touch, though some features aren't available.

The SalemPirates

December 03 2009 at 9:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nick

Thanks, Justin. I appreciate it!

December 03 2009 at 7:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nick

Steve, how do you like the Geocaching with an iPhone experience? The only way I can go out and cache now is if I can do it spontaneously, which would mean that I would have to use the iPhone or Trimble's Navigator app. How do you like using the iPhone to cache?

December 03 2009 at 7:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Nick's comment
Justin

I know that your query was aimed @ Steve, but as an iPhone geocacher I can say that the experience is mostly positive. The spontenaity that the iPhone adds helps me stay active as a cacher, and I can't afford a dedicated caching device; so the iPhone is a wonderful way to go.

At the end of the day I'd love a more accurate GPS, but I cache solely with my iPhone and enjoy it immensely.

December 03 2009 at 7:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Justin

Update isn't showing up in the app store for me yet.

December 03 2009 at 6:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Justin's comment
Justin

Nvm, I figured it out. I haven't upgraded to iPhone OS 3.1.2 yet (as a jailbreaker it just isn't worth the hassle). Oh well, I have a 3G, not a 3GS so I don't think I'm missing much.

December 03 2009 at 7:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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