BIT Caches
BIT stands for "Bound ID Tag" to represent that the cache is bound in plastic, also known as laminating it. No container. No log sheet. No hassles. Endless new hiding places. Endless fun! All you need is a GPS and a free account at OCNA... and the desire to play hide and/or seek.
A BIT cacheTM consists only of a laminated tag with a password and other identifying information printed on it. This password is needed to log the cache. A BIT cacheTM may also be placed inside a container but this is not required... it is actually discouraged.
BIT cachesTM are placed using the same guidelines as other caches with one exception, it is not required to be any specified distance from another cache of a different type. However, a BIT cacheTM cannot be placed within 300 feet of another BIT cacheTM. See the Terms of Use.
To log a BIT cacheTM find, simply find the cache, then visit the cache page and log the find using the password printed on the cache. Be sure to leave a comment and give us the details of your find when logging your find. In the examples shown below, you would replace the word "SAMPLE" with the password needed to log the find.
Sample BIT Caches
How To Play
You will need a GPS and a free account on the OCUS site. The printed BIT cache tags are one-sided and can be attached to any flat surface or hung using a wire tie or similar device. Before deciding where to place your new BIT cache, it is a good idea to check the OCUS site to make sure there isn't one already within 300 feet. Right now that is not an issue, but it may be in the future.
If you don't know the exact spot where you will be placing your new BIT cache, you can create the listing using rough coordinates. This means the coordinates you enter when creating the listing will be edited later to be more precise before you make the listing "Ready for Search". You MUST specify in your initial description that you are using rough coordinates so the reviewers will know. Otherwise, your rough coordinates might be in a spot that would get the listing denied. Don't worry, the reviewers will be very flexible regarding new listings of this cache type. The other option is to go to the location where you will place the cache and get the exact coordinates, then create the listing and print the tag.
When creating the cache listing at the OCUS site, remember to include the log password or the cache will not be approved. Once the listing is created, you can visit the edit page where there is an option to print the bit cache near the bottom of the page. The script pulls the necessary information to create the tag from the database and passes it to BITcaching.com where the tag is auto-generated and ready to be printed.
Printing has been tested in IE and Firefox, however Chrome can't print them yet. You are free to create your own template designs and sizes as long as you include all the information shown on the official version. The QR code and OCUS logo are optional, the rest is required. The official template design is subject to change but older versions already printed will not have to be modified.
Once the cache listing has been approved by the OC team, you can then mark your listing as "Ready for Search". Instructions on how to do this are emailed automatically when a cache has been approved. To log a BIT cache that you found, visit www.opencaching.us or go to the printed URL on the tag itself that points to the cache listing. (Example: http://coord.ch/OUxxxx)
All BIT caches require a password to be logged and the password is printed on the tag. Leave a comment to the hider and enter the password to log the find. You only need a GPS to play, but smart phone users can go paperless! Everyone else can just write down the password and the shortened URL from the BIT cache and log it when they get to a computer with internet access.
BIT caches can be created at www.opencaching.us for users in the US, Canada and Mexico. We hope that the other worldwide OC nodes will implement this as well, but that is up to them. Contact your OC node admin and ask them to add bit caches.
Apps
No app is necessary to hide or seek any caches on OCNA, including BIT Caches. However, several third party Geocaching Smartphone apps are compatible with OCNA. The list of these phone apps, and links to them in the apps store is kept current on the Phone Apps for OC page on our website. At the time of this Wiki edit, there were 3 Android compatible apps, 1 iPhone, and 1 Windowsphone.
