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Original poster

Outdoors shite: Geocaching - how to get gpx file to Garmin

20 replies

VivaLeBeaver · 24/02/2012 15:28

Oooh, am reposting here as have only just realised we now have an outdoors topic. Grin

I've just spent $30 upgrading to premium membership as I want to be able to send the clue and logs to my Garmin rather than just the basic location.

Couldn't see how to get the data on my Garmin so asked on teh geocaching forums and someone posted a link to a thread that basicly says I need to send the GPX file to my Garmin. The thread also talks about downloading a macro and links to the macro - but the macro is just a page of coding. What do I DO with this page of coding?

I've clicked on the "send GPX file to GPS" and it tells me it can't open the file as its not supported. So I then clicked on the "find a programme on the net to help open it" option, downladed some GPX opener type thing but it still won't open.

There is a help thread on geocaching.com about it but I only understand one word in three on the thread. I'm not very tecchy.

OP posts:
SheepAreSuper · 24/02/2012 17:38

THIS thread on the GSAK forum is a bit more explanatory. This is assuming that you have the GSAK tool which is one of those listed HERE as a way of downloading the GPX file to your Garmin.

I'm a bit clueless on this GPX to GPS malarky. I'm not sure what GPS software you downloaded but EasyGPS (linked from the above page) doesn't look too scary so maybe give that a go.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 25/02/2012 00:34

Yeah I get to the create a directory, unzip this file to that location, copy the macro and I'm like WTF? mmmm GOnna have to ask DH to look at that thread for me I think, thanks.

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 27/02/2012 20:17

I can do it with mine, but I don't remember using a macro?!

I think you might have more than one issue going on - making your gps talk the the pc and then working out pocket queries

can you send individual gps files for one cache to your gps? that's the basic one you don't need premium membership for. Each cache page has a send to gps button towards the top. Can you get that to work?

bumpybecky · 27/02/2012 20:18

oh and which garmin do you have? I seem to remember a garmin configure tool thingy that I downloaded from their website at some point...

MollieO · 27/02/2012 20:21

Why are people posting on a topic that is two years out of date? Confused

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 27/02/2012 20:23

I've got a legend hcx.

Dh copied the macro. The individual cache info was going to the gps ok. Anyway after dh did the macro thing I can click on send the gpx file to gps but it doesn't seem to do anything. I can now create pocket queries which I couldn't do before but to be honest I'm not that bothered by them.

I've pretty much given up with trying to get the clue and log info to the gps. Just decided I could use my gps for the directions and then my phone with c:geo app for the log.

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 27/02/2012 20:31

noooo! pocket queries are fantastic! please persevere (sp?!) I'm not familiar with that gps though, so not too sure what to suggest

are you on facebook? there are several gcing groups on there and I'm sure someone could help

bumpybecky · 27/02/2012 20:32

Mollie, I think it's a sit in protest as there's no topic for outdoors stuff

MollieO · 27/02/2012 20:39

Ah. That makes sense! Blush

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 27/02/2012 20:43

I am on Facebook, will look for geocaching groups, thanks.

What do you use pocket queries for?

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 27/02/2012 20:55

www.facebook.com/groups/geocachinguk/

www.facebook.com/groups/thegagb/

and there's probably a local group to you too, mine is the Beds Bucks and Hearts groups...

www.facebook.com/groups/59790646970/

also big reminder - if you think you're going to get into gcing a lot, please try very hard to find a cache or go to an event next wednesday as it's the 29th so your only chance to fill in that box on your calendar grid for the next 4 years (might not mean anything now, but you'll kick yourself if you get really into it and have to wait another 4 years!)

bumpybecky · 27/02/2012 21:02

oops- Herts not Hearts, and I failed to make the links linky! Blush

right- pocket queries are really useful for lots of reasons

lots of cachers get interested in numbers, so might want to find a cache of every difficulty / terrain combination. You've got a difficulty / terrain grid on your gcing profile, there are 81 possible combinations and people like to try and get them all!

some caches have specific requirements that you must carry out before you can find the cache. They're often called challenge caches. Examples are that you must find a cache in every d/t combo, or every county / puzzles starting with every letter from a-z etc etc

pocket queries help you to find caches fitting certain criteria, so you can search by location, difficulty, cache type, cache size etc

with a PQ you can bulk download up to 1000 caches in one go - so much faster than clicking through from each page :)

also you can search for caches along a route, so if you're going on a long car journey you can put in your start and finish points, adjust the route to the roads you're using, search by distance from the road (so can pick ones very close, or just a bit near) - very useful :)

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 27/02/2012 21:24

Thanks, will investigate a bit further. Caches along a route sounds good.

I'm off to check out my grid now, didn't know I had one!

OP posts:
Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 27/02/2012 21:25

Oh and I'll try and find a cache on Wednesday. There's a few in my village I haven't looked for yet so will go and get them.

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 27/02/2012 21:35

going to an event counts as finding a cache :) do you get the groundspeak (that's gcing.com) newsletter? it comes out every thursday and lists events there are loads next wednesday :)

I've been to one before and will be going again next week. Everyone was very friendly at the last one.

Where abouts are you? I can look on my newsletter and see if there's one near, or if you pm your email address I can forward it to you :)

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 27/02/2012 21:54

I do get the newsletter, will go and read it.

OP posts:
Strawbezza · 02/03/2012 18:15

If you've got GSAK, you can use the special Garmin POI Loader (a piece of free software) to export geocache co-ords and their hints onto your GPS.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 19:59

Where do I get the garmin poi loadr from? It sounds good.

OP posts:
Strawbezza · 02/03/2012 21:35

www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/

You need to export a GPX/LOC file from GSAK (to a folder on your computer). You can play with the settings, I have Waypoint Name = %code %Name
Description = %typ by %By (%Dif/%Ter) [%con] (%hint)

Start POI Loader and select your folder from where the file is to be copied.

Remember that the caches go into the Etrex as points of interest, you have to select one, then change the icon to Geocache, and it will behave as a geocache.

I upgraded my Etrex to an Oregon last year so haven't done this for a while, hope I've got it all right!

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 22:48

Thanks, will have a go at this.

OP posts:
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