Welcome to Geochecker, a simple tool to check coordinates for geocaching puzzle caches. It's completely free, and it's very easy to use!
Since you either requested help, or visited this site without coordinates to check, you can read some simple instructions below, or watch this handy how-to demonstration video. You can also learn more about GeoChecker in the frequently asked questions.
If you'd like to try it, here is a sample geocache link for an imaginary cache. The coordinates are encoded for N38 00.000, W76 00.000.
You can learn more about these topics by clicking the [ + ] link next to each question to expand its answer. Or expand all the topics at once.
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Usage for Cache Owner
If you are a puzzle cache owner, and you would like to use this site to let solvers check their solutions, it's very easy. Simply enter the cache name, waypoint, and GPS coordinates to be checked in the boxes below and submit the data. The next page will present you with the HTML code for a hyperlink to be inserted into the cache description. It's important to use the complete link for the checker to work properly. It's also a good idea to make sure that the link works properly and that the correct coordinates return a positive result. (This tool assumes coordinates are in the typical WGS84 datum used by Geocaching.com.) As the cache owner, you will be able to track how many solutions are attempted - both good and bad. This is a great way to make sure your puzzle is not proving too easy or too hard.
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Usage for Puzzle Solver
On various puzzle caches, you will find a link to this site, with some encoded information. You simply follow the link to this site and enter the coordinates and submit the form. You will then be told if the coordinates entered match the code in the link.
If you don't find a link to this site on your puzzle nemesis, contact the cache owner and suggest this site. But don't bother with the form below - you'll just end up checking your own solutions! Naturally your own answers would agree with themselves... that really won't help, will it?
Once you have a correct solution, we even make it easier by providing a Google Maps overview of the cache location. How much easier can it get?
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Abuse Prevention and Privacy Policy
When you check cache coordinates, you will need to enter a five-digit numeric code. This helps to prevent automated solution attempts. Also, you are limited to 10 attempts in any 10 minute span - this should be enough to try a few solutions without interruption, but should prevent attempts to attack cache coordinates via scripting. For this reason, your IP address and what actions you take are logged, but coordinates are NOT logged. Log files are periodically recycled and are not permanently stored. You can read more about GeoChecker's security in the frequently asked questions.
Please note that because coordinates are not logged, and because of the one-way hash, it is IMPOSSIBLE to recover coordinates from this tool. Please do not ask - it simply cannot be done. If you lose the encoded link, simply create it again!
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Disclaimer
This is a free tool. You are guaranteed to get what you have paid for. In other words, there are no guarantees! This tool should work as advertised, but if it does not, please don't blame us. With that said, we welcome your feedback.
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