A FizzyCalc Primer

FizzyCalc can be used in a number of ways.

It is an excellent way to convert coordinates. This feature can be used to locate a waypoint on a map using a mapping website. For example, suppose you are looking at a multicache that posts the parking lot on the cache page, and in the description gives the remaining waypoints. Clicking on the map links from Geocaching.com will only bring up maps of the parking lot. You can find out where each of the remaining waypoints with FizzyCalc. Copy the coordinates you want and click the first tab "Coord conversion," paste the coordinates into the top window, then click the "Go" button. The program shows the equivalent coordinates in all four common coordinate systems. If you want to use MapQuest, for example, you can copy the output from either the first or the third output line and paste those into the appropriate input window on MapQuest.

FizzyCalc also has a very handy distance calculator feature. This is the second tab on the top of the application screen. This can be used for determining where to place a cache. Geocaching.com does not allow a cache to be placed within 1/10 of a mile of an existing cache, so this is one place you can check it if you know the coordinates of the nearest cache.

Another use of this feature is to solve puzzle caches. Generally newer puzzle caches must be located within two miles of the posted coordinates, or in some cases the text tells you how far away it is. You can use this feature to judge a possible solution. Sometimes you can use it to solve the puzzle directly. Suppose you have a puzzle cache like Circular Reasoning that says the true coordinates are located in the center of a circle on which lie the three listed waypoints. One way to solve this is the guess-and-check method. The center of a circle will be the exact same distance from any point on the circumference. Guess about where you think the center is and find those coordinates on a map. Then use this feature to measure the distance from your guess to each of the three waypoints. Be sure to write them down or enter them into a spreadsheet. Then make adjustments so that the next guess is closer to the waypoint that was farthest away and farther away from the one that was nearest. Then measure all the distances again and repeat the process until the distances are all identical, or nearly so. There's your solution.

The third tab, projection, is almost identical in function to the projection feature on your GPS receiver, but much easier to use. It, too, can be used to find puzzle caches or multis that require a waypoint to be projected. Be sure to pay attention to whether you need to project in magnetic north or true north mode. FizzyCalc only projects using true north.

The fifth tab converts the GC identifier from a Geocaching.com cache page to a decimal number that can be used to access that cache page through the URL format http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?id=123456. It also works in reverse: input the number (e.g. 123456) and get the GC cache identifier (GCHYBC in this example). This feature can be used for solving some puzzle caches.

The sixth tab computes checksums for coordinates. It provides both an overall 15-digit checksum and the checksums of individual parts. These checksums are used in puzzle caches.