NorthWest Arkansas Cachers

One of my issues with geocaching is that I rarely have enough time to go on a real long caching trip, with all the preparation of downloading caches for where I want to go, looking at past logs and hints etc. So I am considering getting an I-phone for geocaching on the fly, when I have a spare hour or waiting for a meeting etc. Do any local geocachers have experiencing caching with the i-phone? Is the app easy to use? How is the GPS accuracy? How much is the data plan to be able to access the internet and see the caches?

Also, not a geocaching question but maybe someone can help: husband and I got an Altell plan last October (cheap voice only, no data or text as we rarely use our cells) and normal cellphones to go with it. Would it cost a cancelation fee to move to the i-phone, especially if I end up buying a refurbished I-phone off ebay or similar, rather than a new i-phone from a big store?

I have the geocaching app downloaded on my iphone but I haven't been out to geocache with it. In fact, I haven't geocached in a long time but the app does look nice and has all the information you need. When I do go next time, I'll use my iphone for the paperless information (description, logs, hints) but I may just put the coordinates into my Garmin rather than using the iphone navigation and mapping although it may work fine.

As far as the iphone information, the AT&T unlimited data plan is required at $30 (but they may be dropping it to $20 for limited). I had bought an LG Shine and was not happy with it and I took it back to Best Buy after only 6 months of my 2 year contract. I was able to upgrade but I had to pay a penalty. I ended up paying somewhere between the contracted phone price and the full retail price but I'm very happy with the iphone and all the features and apps. I'm anxious to get out and geocache now.

You may want to contact arkansas stickerdude (he's a member of these forums). He has used the i-phone for geocaching and from what I understand, he likes it quite well.

Another route you may want to consider is using a PDA. You can store 1000s of caches for places you might be and if you get a few minutes, you'll have everything you need.

You should be able to get a cheap PDA in the $20 range and together with Cachemate ($8-10) and GSAK (Free to $25) or easygps (free), you'll have everything you need for paperless caching for under $50.

Of course, if you really want the i-phone...

I might look into the PDA idea (4th wedding anniversary coming up... ). As we are locked into the plan with Altell, and AT&T are the only ones that have the I-phone, I don;t think I could afford to switch/ upgrade till October 2010 when the plan is finished.

Trust me.... Stickerdude raves about the iphone app for the iphone. I don't think he uses a normal GPS much at all

I've seen it on his phone a couple of times, it's basically like having the entire geocaching website in your phone with a few extra perks

OMG the iPhone is the best phone I've EVER owned and the GC app is unbelievable since the last update it has everything you need. The best thing about the app is it has a map with the caches on it in real time.

I have found over 100 caches (mostly on lunch breaks) since I got my iPhone a month ago. I have beaten my previous "caches found in a month" record by over 30. it makes caching on the fly really easy. and the compass in the 3GS is suprisingly accurate. everyone oce and a while you have to make a "figure 8" with it out in front of you (and look like a total geek to any nearby muggles) to get the gps happy. but it works great. This is the begining of a BEAUTIFUL Friendship!

The iphone is my main GPS. I do have a etrex vista as a backup in case I lose reception, but the information I can get from the app in real time out on the field is just too nice.