Garmin Chirp Geocaching Wireless Beacon

This little unit met and surpassed my expectations. It works as advertised. I'm using it in a multi stage geocache setup. As people get close to the beacon, it transmits the location data and hint or note to a respective GPSr unit. Great fun!I would highly recommend this unit to other geocachers who are interested in placing a unique and interesting fun geocache.

Working great so far! Several people have already found my cache, but it does create equipment limitations for those with cell phones or older GPSes.

In reading the review I believed that the device could help find caches it can but it must be used in reverse. Several of the functions advertised dont seem to be in the instructions.

I purchased and then immediately returned it by the grace of Amazon because I guess that it's not normally accepted as a return - SO CHECK THE RETURN POLICY BEFORE YOU PURCHASE BECAUSE AMAZON MADE AN EXCEPTION FOR ME and accepted my return but they said that it's not usually accepted once you purchase it. I purchased the product because, stupid me, I expected it to work with my Nuvi GPS system, which it does not do. I like to think of myself as an intelligent person, so the shock that I experienced when I realized that it would only work with some 5 other non-GPS units. I suggest that you carefully research the product to be certain that it will work with your model first, and make no assumptions that it will work solely on its own as a tracking device, which is what I thought I was buying.

With a software update (currently up to version 3.60), you can receive chirp info on the Colorado, but unable to write to them or "own" a chirp. Only one GPSr can own a chirp, so if you buy a new one, you will have to use something other than a Colorado to create info on the chirp.With the updated firmware, you do get an option to listen for chirps which can be turned on or off. Only one chirp at a time, though, since any new chirps will erase the last one.Garmin has stated that they are unable to change the ownership of chirps for Colorado units, so receiving chirps only is good as it is going to get as far as using the two are concerned.This is new gadgetry for geocaching and there aren't many GPSr units that can use this beacon, yet. There is an iPhone application for receiving chirps as well, so as we move along, I hope to see more and more ways to use this tech.

I am just getting into Geocaching and stumbled on the "Chirp" via Garmin's web site and my Montana 650T device. When I set the Chirp up and went to my first cache, it made a "chirp" sound on my GPS a half mile prior to the cache site to alert me I was getting close. I found the cache and logged my entry. Between the GPS and the chirp you can be a more successful Geocacher.I would recommend this unit to anyone with Geocache software programming on their GPS that utilizes the Chirp technology.

I bought this beacon End of 2010 and used it in an geocache for 3 3/4 years before the original battery died!After replacement I put it back and the battery just died again.I think if you're looking for a beacon this is it. At least when you've a Garmin GPSr :D

Could not figure out how to get this product to work. I tried garmin.com's site, I tried the iPhone app. Ended up waiting my money and time for something that either does not work or is too hard to get working. Oh well. Neat idea. Fail.

対応するガーミン製品が近寄ると「hello！」と表示されるようにしています。ジオキャッシングしないこの身ではもはや自動挨拶装置と化してしまったチャープ君

Great product from Garmin and a very nice and easy way to create a less common geocache type... a beacon cache.Once out of the packaging the Chirp device is very small which is essential when hiding out at way points. It easily fits into an empty film tub which will keep it safe when hidden and such a tub will not impair it's broadcast signal, in fact Garmin state that other than burying it or placing it in a metal container most other hide types are suitable.For those unfamiliar with Chirp, it is a beacon device that broadcasts a message within about a 10 meter radius which can consist of a text formed message as well as new coordinates to put into your GPS device to continue your journey onward to the next way point or final destination.I am sure that this device has many applications but I am basing this review on its use as a Geocaching way point beacon as this is its purpose for me.The Chirp itself is easily enough programmed by a Chirp compatible Garmin GPS device though not all of Garmin's units support this, a quick check on their website will confirm which do so it is important to check before ordering one.The same is to be said for reading the Chirp's transmission where a compatible device is once again used although this is less strict a rule as many smartphones now support the Ant+ service which can also read the Chirp beacon with an appropriate app, 'Chirp Wolf' is a good example of a free app that translates the signal meaning more people have access to finding the cache.Once in place it makes for an interesting way of travelling through way points without intermediary physical caches and, of course, getting that beacon cache attribute!All in all this is a nice and small, stylish device that adds a different element to your published caches. ExcellentThe way it works is you would plan your cache including way points and take the GPS readings at each before programming the Chirp beacon/s with the way point data (ie a short message if required and the GPS coordinates to the next stage or final cache) and hiding the Chirp beacon, very well I might add, at the supplied coordinates as the beacon is not intended to be found but rather the signal it emits.Once placed you will place further beacons if required before placing the final cache

Exactly as advertised.

Todo perfecto. El dispositivo va a la perfección. Lleva una pila de marca original. El precio es muy bueno. Todo bien.

Au premier ça n'a pas fonctionné...Mais aucun souci, retourné à Amazon, le second me fut envoyé de suite et pas de problème, ça a fonctionné...Chapeau ! Chouette technologie !