GPSr

A friend of mine, recently suffered a broken GPS (whilst out caching) and is looking for a replacement. Misguidedly, she asked for my advice, which started me thinking.

There are a number of methods of finding caches, which I will try to summarise.

Naked Caching
The title is a bit of a cheat (similar to the Naked Chef - who kept his kit on). Using geocaching.com the target cache is looked up and it's position noted on streetmap. The cache printout and a print of the OS map is then taken to ground zero. Usually, especially for the easier hides, this method along with the hint, should locate the cache after a short search.

E-trex
The stand alone GPSr. This was how it used to be done (in the good ol' days, when I started). The co-ordinates are loaded into the GPSr (Global Positioning System Receiver) either manually (lots of room for error), directly from geocaching.com or from GSAK (geocaching swiss army knife.) The basic GPSr devices do not allow for cache descriptions so the paper printout is still needed.

PDA
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) have many uses in geocaching. At a basic level, a program such as Cachemate can be used to store the cache details, removing the need for the paper printout. A fairly basic, cheap, Palm handheld can be used for this.
If the PDA has a built in GPS (or can use an external bluetooth GPSr), we can move another rung up the ladder and use Memory Map (or strictly speaking Pocket Navigator) to display one's position on an Ordnance Survey map. When correctly configured, a click on the cache symbol will bring up the relevant details in Cachemate. This applies only to Windows Mobile devices.
Certain mobile phones (running Symbian software - e.g. Nokia N95) can perform a similar feat using ViewRanger software.

Mobile Phones
As mentioned above, certain mobile phones can be used to help locate geocaches. The iPhone has an app. and for most platforms, I believe, Geocache Navigator can be used. These approaches utilise the inbuilt GPS and download the cache information, directly, from geocaching.com so may cost unless you have an unlimited data package for you phone. This approach is great if you find yourself with some spare time but you don't have your regular kit with you. The accuracy of the GPS may not be a good as a dedicated unit. Usually, the record of your find, or otherwise, can be uploaded straight into geocaching.com.

Mapping GPSr
Many, newer and more expensive GPRs units, have either built in maps or have the facility to load maps onto them. More information can be added to the waypoints providing cache descriptions and hints. The top-end devices, such a the Garmin Oregon, can even have OS maps (but they are prohibitively expensive). With an Oregon, you can load upto 1,000 caches (enough for even an all dayer) complete with descriptions, past logs and hints. On the map, you can navigate to the trail head (with turn by turn instructions) then switch to Geocaching mode to home in on the cache. When approaching GZ, you can switch to the compass and go for the kill. Once found (or not, as the case may be), a push on the touch screen will record your attempt along with any notes you wish to attach.
Back home, all the day's field notes can be uploaded to geocaching.com which make the whole logging process so much easier.

Conclusion
As you can see, there are many methods to be employed to locate those elusive caches. As is so often the case, it's very much horses for courses.
Personally, I use my N95 with ViewMaster to get an overview of the area and to locate footpaths etc. and my Oregon to actually locate and log the caches.
I would be very interested to hear how you do it.