Geocaching Gear
What supplies you need for the game really depends on what part you're going to play. You can either hide a cache for others to find or go hunting yourself. Of course, you can do both at the same time.
To hide a cache you will want to find an attractive spot. Treasure hunt is great fun by itself but it's even better when conducted somewhere nice. A spectacular clearing in the forest, a picturesque rock by a stream, a tourist attraction, a unique historical site… there are plenty of possibilities, as long as there's something to be seen nearby.
Another thing worth remembering is to place the cache in an appropriate spot. It shouldn't be too easy to find but not impossible. Slightly off the main road, under a characteristic tree or a big stone.
Your cache should be safe from animals and random passers-by, unfamiliar with the game. To achieve that, you will need a good container. It should be waterproof, snow resistant, etc. Some ideas suggested are: plastic buckets, tupperware (or rubbermaid) containers, ammo boxes, or unused sewer pipes (sic!). You'll also want to invest in some zip-loc baggies to put the items into in case your container leaks. It should also be clearly marked in case it's accidentally found by non-players. The name of the game and a brief description should suffice.
Now, the most important item inside your cache is the logbook for players to report their visit. A plain notebook and a pen will do the trick. As for other items, it might be coins, toys, trinkets, virtually anything you can think of. Some people also leave a simple camera there so that those who find the cache can take a picture of themselves. The pictures can later be uploaded to the website.
There are certain items produced especially for the game nowadays. Most popular are coins and pins. Check out various online shops if you're into that kind of thing. There are also varieties of the game, some of them include tracking the items' routes from one cache to another. You may note it in your cache that the coin is supposed to be taken and placed somewhere closer to its goal. It may be a specific country or, the goal may be to visit ten different countries for example. That way or another, it's even more fun.
Remember, when someone finds your cache, they're supposed to take something out of it and leave something else. Basically it means that the contents are changing all the time. The only permanent item is the logbook.
The act of placing the cache is, of course, not the end if your role. You're responsible for maintaining it and making sure it stays where it's supposed to. People will be reporting they have found your cache on the website so that you'll be able to monitor it that way. On the other hand, it's a good idea to have your cache somewhere in your area, or a place you visit often. Sometimes it may be necessary to check out the cache physically as well.
The other side of the game is looking for caches. In that case there are also several things worth remembering.
One of them is to dress properly. Depending on the climate and weather you will need warm clothing or sunscreen. In any case it's good to take ample supply of water and food. The journey might take longer than expected and you wouldn't want to find yourself in the middle of a desert with one last drop of water at noon. Of course, good boots are a must. Remember, you're embarking on a trip that might be harder than you think. Geocaching is supposed to be a family friendly game, therefore most of the caches are placed in fairly easily accessible places. Some, however, are not. It's always a good idea to check some maps of the area before going.
Now, the most important in hunting caches is, of course, the gps unit. There are several things worth remembering when you want to purchase one of these.
The weight and size of the unit is of utmost importance. Remember, there's no telling how long you'll be traveling on foot. You will also need to carry your supply of food and water, maybe some clothes to change, the items to put inside the cache. Make sure your device is light and easy to operate.
Waterproof. It is really extremely hard to anticipate in what conditions you're going to find yourself. This is especially true for longer journeys. Water resistance is the least precaution you can take.
Power source. Good batteries is something you can never underestimate. A solar charger is very efficient. You can also use a cigarette lighter power cable. Anything you do, make sure you will have the power supply that will last you long enough.
Memory. Obviously the larger memory the better the device but also the price is higher. Memory is used to load detailed topographic maps which is invaluable for you. Usually 8 MB is sufficient or you may want to buy a unit with an ability to accept external memory card.
Interface. It's also a good idea to make sure your device is compatible with your PC. Check if the device has data in/out ports and is NMEA compatible.
There are also some additional features that can make your trips more comfortable.
Basemap. It might raise the cost slightly but the benefits of this feature are really great.
Channels. Ask for a receiver with 12 parallel channels. Most of the newest GPS devices have this feature and it makes them all the more accurate. Older ones, usually older than 1997 might be slower and certainly not as reliable.
External antenna jack. This is particularly useful for your longer trips. There might be dozens of caches in your area, easily within your reach but later you may want to go exploring further. If you are using your car, the external antenna is a valuable asset. Receiving signal from the satellites through a windshield may be tricky. Getting off the car every few miles to check on your position is not much fun either. Even if you go backpacking, it's still comfortable to place your receiver inside a pack and have the antenna constantly sticking outside.
Rocker keypad. This is as much for a GPS unit as a mouse is for your PC.
Screen size. Obviously the larger the screen the easier it is to read your directions. Just make sure the whole device is easy to carry.