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"X" Ring or "O" Ring Chains? Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

wemedge: This puzzle was brilliant in concept and elegant in execution, but back when it was created LandRocket was allowed to insist that a finder prove their solution or face the deletion of their log. The puzzle was tricky and, as a result, it never saw that many finders.

As time passed, Groundspeak made the absurd decision that such "additional logging requirements" weren't allowable, taking the teeth out of some truly excellent caches; SquamLoon's once-fun "Plus ça change…" is a great example, as is this cache.

The rules changed, and so did the nature of the logs. I don't believe many of the finders since 2007 actually solved the puzzle and, because of Groundspeak, neither its original adopter HockeyPuck nor myself have had the power to maintain the puzzle's integrity.

LandRocket's intent was very clear with this cache, and so it's time to let it go. I know he'd agree.

More
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

“X” Ring or “O” Ring Chains?

The actual cache is not located at the posted coordinates.

Roller chains utilize a “ring” seal to keep lubricant in, and dirt and grime out. There is considerable debate regarding the pros and cons of using a “ring” seal of an “X” configuration or an “O” configuration.

My personal preference is “O” ring chains. They are less expensive than their “X” ring counterpart, and if properly maintained and cleaned, appear to have a similar service life.

This is a micro cache located at the coordinates you will obtain when you solve the mystery.

The cache is located in plain sight. It is a cylinder approximately 13mm in diameter and 39mm in length.



No spoilers please.

Enjoy.

The mystery:

94 90 94 92 94
93 91 92 90 92
90 95 89 94 88

Help or confuse?
ANSI C
ASCII
Bugs Bunny's favorite snack.

This additional hint was added on 10/31/2006 due to a significant amount of email received from Geocachers who are still working on this hide.

[“Software Engineers” are CHEATING if they read this hint! – All others welcome.]

Bapr lbh svther bhg gur ahzore bs yvaxf sbe gur punva zragvbarq va gur uvag, gur ahzoref jvyy erdhver n “ovg” bs “znavchyngvba.” Bu, jung'f va n anzr naljnl? Vs lbh’er n “fbsgjner ratvarre” “ovg onatre” be “xreary unpx” lbh whfg purngrq. Funzr ba lbh!


Most of us are accustomed to reading from left to right and down. *After* you solve the puzzle, you might want to take a different approach in “reading” and interpreting the final results.

Verified Finder List:

FTF -> Mr. Ducky 09/20/2006
2nd. -> HockeyPuck 09/20/2006
3rd. -> JEM3 10/29/2006
4th. -> rjb43nh 11/07/2006
5th. -> g-o-cashers 12/21/2006
6th. -> Kayak Kouple 01/11/2007
7th. -> Team Bullis 01/11/2007
8th. -> plumb69 01/21/2007
9th. -> muchado 01/28/2007
10th. -> Princ3ss 05/11/2007

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Xabjvat ubj znal yvaxf n fgbpx punva sbe n 2001 EP46 unf zvtug uryc. [You'll know it when you solve it.] Nf sbe gur svany, jryy vg'f abg ba n hgvyvgl cbyr, ohg vg vf pybfr ol naq vg'f jvagre sevraqyl hayrff gurer vf zber guna 5' bs fabj.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)