Next thing... Caches that find themselves. No humans needed!

[brdad]

QR code is an ISO standard and it's specification is open and widely known, you don't need special equipment to decode it. It can be done by pen and paper even at a cache site, but I wouldn't do it this way.

I'd forgotten it can be done by hand, but it certainly is not the preferred method of doing so. Much like one could swim to Monhegan island to do the caches there.

Different people like different way of caching. Different caches require a different equipment to find a cache. You may need GPS, car, kayak, climbing gear, QR code reader, what ever. In all cases you can choose from which manufacturer you buy. This cannot be said about chirp. It's a bad idea to have a vendor lock in the game.

I agree, that is why I have no problem if a few hiders want to hide a QR code cache. Regarding the Chirp, it may be proprietary, but it's the first of its kind. I'm guessing other similar devices which are more universal will soon follow. And I am guessing gc.com assumes this, too, since the attribute is not for "Garmin Chirp", it is for "Wireless Beacon".