All you really need is a GPS that can point you to a specific Longitude and Latitude position, something that most GPS devices can do. Though there are some basic features to look for that will make your Geocaching experience much more enjoyable. General features to look for when purchasing a GPS unit to geocache include: (1) Lightweight and compact, makes it easier to carry especially on long hikes and when you need to negotiate through rocks and trees (look for a wrist strap too!). (2) Waterproof, caches can be hidden under or near water and you never know when you might slip crossing a creek or river. (3) Long battery life, a must for those hard-to-find, remote caches. (4) Waypoint storage, that will hold more cache locations (don’t forget to mark your car as a waypoint to ensure you find your way back.) (5) Screen readability, should be easy to read in daylight and at night.

There are some more advanced features to look for that will make it even easier for you to find that big cache that include: (1) WAAS-enabled, that means your GPS unit will give you better position accuracy, within 3 meters (10 feet) 95% of the time. (2) Built-in digital Compass, they are convenient and come in handy when you get within 100 feet of your cache (you’ll need to stand still for a few seconds to get a direction reading). (3) Altimeter, shows how high up you are for those vertically hidden caches. (4) Mapping Capabilities, makes it easier to navigate when you can download maps to your unit and are able to see the terrain you will be trekking through, as well as when looking for places to cross rivers and things. Garmin’s Colorado and Oregon GPS receivers come with topographical maps already pre installed. (5) External antenna, for use under heavy tree cover or difficult terrain where it may be difficult for the GPS to maintain a strong lock on the satellite signal.

There are, what are called “Paperless Geocaching GPS receivers.” Garmin has worked with Groundspeak to enable their Colorado and Oregon handheld GPS receivers to be compatible with the “.gpx file.” This allows you to download cache data including descriptions, hints, waypoint information, and cache logs directly from www.Geocaching.com to your Garmin GPS unit via a USB connection to the computer, so you can eliminate printing out paper cache pages. In addition, Geocaching data can be transferred wireless between two Garmin users in close proximity. This make the Garmin Colorado and Garmin Oregon handheld GPS receivers truly a “Geoaching friendly” GPS receiver.

Groundspeak has also created a interactive Geocaching experience with their “Wherigo player” that combines adventure games with GPS technology. Imagine playing Zork, Secret of Monkey Island or Myst, but in the park around the corner, or on the beach during your family vacation. Rather than clicking the mouse and selecting a location to move your character, you physically move from one location to the next to advance the story. Rather than searching for puzzle clues on a screen, you look for them in the real life. Garmin is the first GPS manufacturer to include the Wherigo player already installed on their Colorado and Oregon handheld GPS receivers. Using Wherigo, you can create interactive tours, adventure games and puzzles that give you endless possibilities of adventure.