Using Your GPS

You will need a handheld GPS. Delaware Geocacher's does not sell these but there are links to the web sites for several popular GPS manufacturers in the Links section of this web site.

Setting your GPS
Since there is no way of knowing which make and model of GPS you have you'll need to consult the manual for your GPS for this step. Look for the information about entering waypoints. The manual will show you how to enter the coordinates and the waypoint identifier. Once this data has been entered you'll be able to use your GPS to guide you to the cache site.

Using your GPS to get to the cache site area
Again, this is an area where the kind of GPS you own determines this. All GPS's come with base maps, some come with detail maps. Both kinds will show you the way to a cache site but one will give a lot more detail than the other. On occasion the description of a cache site will include a set of coordinates for a parking place. If these were included, use them. They will often spare you a lot of driving or walking around trying to find a good starting point.

Using your GPS to find the cache
This is where the skill comes in. Some geocachers prefer to use the compass screen, others to use the map screen. You should experiment with both and find the combination that works best for you. The object is to keep moving in the direction your GPS indicates until the GPS shows that you have arrived at the cache site. The GPS may indicate 0 but be sure to also check its accuracy. It is not unusual to find an accuracy of 10 feet or more. The GPS is stating that the 0 point is actually in a 10 foot radius of where you are standing. So when you begin to search you'll need to check in a 10 foot swath.