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Geocaching Information
•Geocaching.com
By far, the biggest gathering place for geocachers. A must-visit site!
•“Geocaching—Get in the Game!”
A very nice introduction to geocaching from outdoor equipment retailer REI.
•EarthCaches
Virtual geocaches based on interesting geological features. Run by the Geological Society of America. Great for families!
Benchmark Hunting Information
•Benchmark Hunting home page
A comprehensive introduction to survey marks on the Geocaching.com website.
• Benchmark Hunting forum
If you still have questions, you can ask for help on this forum.
Just for Fun
•Chocolate Benchmarks
Don't just hunt them--eat 'em!
•Geocaching Benchmark Hunting Statistics
See how many benchmark reports have been filed by geocachers.
•GEOCAC Recovery Map
A visual representation of survey mark recoveries reported to the NGS under the "GEOCAC" agency code.
Education/Career Development
•A High-Tech Career in Professional Surveying
Excellent information on surveying careers from the National Society of Professional Surveyors.
Software and Online Tools
Desktop/laptop software
•BMGPX (Windows, Mac, etc.)
Converts NGS county files into GPX-format files that can be used by geocaching/benchmark hunting software. For information on obtaining and using the Mac version, see the Groundspeak Benchark Hunting forum. The Parkrr.com site also offers the C-language source code for the program.
•dat2kml.awk (Windows,Mac,Linux,etc.)
Similar to NGSREAD, this script uses the awk command-line program to convert NGS .dat files and shapefiles into KML files.
•EasyGPS (Windows)
Transfers information to and from GPS receivers, and helps you plan geocache searches.
•GSAK (Windows)
Database and GPS transfer software for geocaching and benchmark hunting.
•MacCaching (Mac)
Displays geocache information, shows caches on Google Maps, and transfers cache information to and from GPS receivers.
•MacGPS Pro (Mac)
Lets you overlay geocaches and benchmarks onto maps and charts, and transfer data to and from GPS receivers.
•NGSREAD (Windows)
Produces GPX and KML files from NGS .dat files and shapefiles. Options let you assign different labels to the Google Earth pushpins, including PID, designation, and other important benchmark data.
PDA software
•Cachemate (Palm OS and Pocket PC)
Versatile database for geocaches and benchmarks.
Browser and online tools
•NGS PID Search bookmarklet
Puts NGS datasheet lookups right in your browser's toolbar.
•GPS Coordinate Converter
Converts between decimal degrees, degrees/minutes/seconds, decimal minutes (geocaching), and UTM coordinate formats.
•GPS Coordinate Grabber
Detects latitude/longitude coordinates from a web page and converts them into a LOC file.
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State/Local Geocaching Groups
•Geocaching Groups forum on Geocaching.com
Click on the region, then look for the list of geocaching organizations that's pinned at the top of the forum.
Survey Mark Databases
National databases
•National Geodetic Survey
The authoritative database of U.S. survey control points.
State and local databases
•Zhanna's "Sources of Local Survey Control Data"
Links to city, county, and state survey mark listings.
Auxiliary sites
•NGS Benchmark Viewer
Displays all entries from the NGS database for a selected state or local area.
•PID Prefix Map
Map of the U.S. showing the location of each two-letter prefix used in the NGS database point IDs.
Surveying Publications
National Publications
•The American Surveyor
•Point of Beginning
•Professional Surveyor
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