RangerRicksClan

I remember searching a few months ago for my 'messages' when I couldn't find them. At the time I stumbled onto the forum with a lot of discussion about the problem, but not a solution. Over time (and from experience with a few other websites) I tried hovering my cursor where the 'message center' should be....and it appeared. I have seen this issue with sites on Safari and it goes away with Chrome, but I don't use Chrome. Anyway, I thought I would post a 'it is there, but invisible' to some of us. Kind of like looking for a Cache... Also, re: the message center being blank. I also get this and have to do a "command R" , and wait. It comes up eventually with messages. Using mac/safari.

chrome worked as safari used to. wish i had tried it weeks ago!

I am at the end of downloading queries for a 2 month USA road trip. I have NEVER had the issues I have had the last few weeks! Everytime I click on a view map or download gpx the page freezes and I have to go back. it is awful. I am running most current mac safari and this has never happened before. switching to chrome (from experience sometimes it helps with other programs) but why now?

ouch, Atlas Cached. I took a look. A USA tour (meaning all the maps together would really cost a pretty penny). Missing the free options.

Garmin. Not harming. 😏

Desperate! 2.5 month driving USA road trip this week and I can’t get free state maps for harming Oregon on OSM or gpsfiledepot anymore! Tragic! Need trail and street. Also New Zealand in a few mos. what’s with the sites being sticky? Even geocaching.com fox downloads are sticky. It keeps throwing me out of my search and I have to keep starting over. None of this is ever happened before. Help?

In another thread one of the GS lackeys (a Groundspeak employee) indicated that they have been working with Garmin to replace the plugin that is being blocked by most browsers with a new solution that will replace that functionality, and that they're fairly close to having that complete. Unfortunately, the new tool/plugin will only work with Garmin devices (sorry Magellan users, but blame Magellan for not collaborating with GS on this). so great to hear they are working on it.

Basecamp can send the files as GPX, into the proper folder on the GPSr. So that would be a work-around until you solve the "EXE" mystery. Yes, it seems if I open basecamp, hit the gpx file button it goes to my downloads corner AND desktop (set up for downloads) if I click either it goes to my basecamp 'my collection'. When I am done I highlight all the caches in my collection and up at the top of basecamp hit send to gps. It worked. All info is on gps as it should be. I am writing my steps for anyone after me who has had the same issues. A work around that works. All you need to do is download basecamp. I like being able to see what I am doing and that it is all going to basecamp, where if I drug it to gps I wouldn't know until I unplugged and rebooted gps to look at geocaches. I suppose it would work for non-premium members as well.

For the gpx file button: now that i have opened basecamp, the files on desktop are opening in basecamp when I click on them. When I tried to drag them to gps it is only an EXE file (unopened, I guess). I only see how to bookmark from the search area list but I would have to look at each one individually or on the map the first 1,000 option to figure out which one I want. When I go to 'map the first 1,000' I don't see a bookmark option. Typically when I want certain ones I go on the map and choose the cache, read it, decide if I want that one, and I used to send to gps...which of course doesn't work, then look at the next, and the next in the path I am taking. I am finding that when I click on GPX file button that basecamp opens automatically (now). The caches are being put in 'my collection'. I will try and take those to the gps when I have them all in. I have used BC off and on so maybe this will be a work around, just another step added but maybe better than placing on desktop. I will post later when I have time to go for it.

Sorry If I write this wrong, folks, but I never know how to make a comment on a thread. It usually goes to the wrong place. :} Anyway, It is a given that those of us who had a 'way' of loading caches are running into major time consuming efforts trying to find a work around with garmin and send to gps from computers. I have Mac as well and sure enough, was in a rush to load some stuff before going out of town and ?????..I am so glad it didn't happen before my major europe trip! I have tried doing the GPX file button but it puts an icon on my desktop. When I drag it to gps it is an exe file. Basecamp isn't helping either but I am trying to figure it out with it. We all agree there is a problem. Can ANYONE write down step by step how to place individual caches onto the gps for me? I usually can figure out techie stuff but this one has me pulling out hair. I could do a PQ, but sometimes I only want 5 or 6 caches (cub scout hike) to load. Maybe Garmin should post it someplace for their users. Thanks, RRC

Wrong. Works only for newer GPS units and for PMs. I was answering mpulele who is PM. Main point is Communicator is end of life and it's time to move on and use another method. You wrote in what I cited "any user" - that's the only reason why I commented. I have not yet found any other method - the key issue is to obtain the GPX file (there are alternative methods to send such files to older GPS units). It would be very helpful if Groundspeak offered a way to get the file that is sent by send to gps in some other manner than via send to gps - that's an issue not at all connected to the life cycle of the communicator software. To avoid further nitpicking: Communicator is "end of life" and everybody should get used to using another method to get their caches onto their GPS (be it LOC, for members, or GPX file, for PM) in the correct folder (depending on make and model). I hope there are now no more mistakes in this answer, if there are, I'm sure you'll let me know. Not that I'm bothered by the communicator problems, PQ's, API and GSAK with macros is all I've ever used since I started caching.

I recently had a trip to AK. While there I dropped 2 TB's. One was mine after I took it from home, to europe, and to AK...requesting a photo be taken of the TB with luggage (A geocaching freebie of the wimpy kid series). The other was a coin I picked up in Germany. I WATCH all tb's I place to make sure they are safe and moved on, and have actually performed a few rescues after a time on the local ones. Here is a question (actually 2). As soon as I placed these TB's. Someone picked them up. This person did NOT log a cache find, only a pick up of the item. So, I figure they were watching the caches for drops and collects them, not leaving them for others to find. (both were in touristy places, one inside an aquatic visitor center for kids). In one case, after picking up mine, and logging miles, they report a week later that the cache is vandalized, empty and tb is missing. What? YOU have it, Sir. In watching these items, they are Still being moved around. Over a month. Logs every day...From AK, and then to UT....what gives? Doesn't he have a job or school? In checking his inventory, he has another which he has been carrying a year now. I wrote and asked him to please find a safe place to leave mine, and possibly the other, and let someone else have a chance at finding them. For me that is the fun, finding them, not carrying them around. Before I posted here, I read a 15 year old post about TB's being carried all over, and I see some people like that. Well, here is my thought. READ the GOAL. TB's are meant to be found, usually. Someone said that is a way to know they are safe. Are they? Are these carriers actually carrying these TB's around, or just logging them. (someone said there is an app to do it automatically). Maybe they are lost? I have had every tb i released so far go MIA after a very short time. It would be nice to actually see one travel.....from person to person, not mile to mile. I have actually given up on buying them. Input?

Thank you Moun10Bike for posting an explanation for the sudden stop of our beloved souvenirs. I understand that if there are technical difficulties in maintaining the system it needs to be worked out, and hopefully in time the GS system will be able to handle it. I for one would rather have 1 souvenir for a country rather than multiples for little states in another and give up that 1 country. For example I was disappointed to not have one for China, a HUGE part of the world. Then again, I am in the USA and we already have our states. I imagine that folks in little countries are just as tied to their 'state' awards and wouldn't want to give them up for 1 big country one. On the other hand, we in the USA have some beautiful artwork state awards that may as not even be because we can't see them anyway. Is it possible to just have countries be generic like our "state" ones, without the photo...and that would keep from offending people? Again, I would rather have that than none. I for one appreciate and love the artwork and individuality of the art, but would give it up to simplify and have more. You cant please everyone, but keeping it simple may help. Better to have simple and every country/continent recognized, than elaborate and too many issues. When I go to Germany next summer I would LOVE to get a souvenir for every area I cache in (not the point of the trip but I hope to grab a few if I can) , but I would be content with just one for Germany if it came down to it....and getting my 1 for China, and another for Hong Kong. Would there be a way to program the site so the user is responsible for 'grabbing' their own souvenir? Honesty isn't an issue because anyone can log a 'find' and get a souvenir anyway without ever being in the area if they wanted to.... rrc

I am not even going to try that one. There aren't enough caches around me to access anymore without a lot of time out of my day. If I get one on a day it will be nice, but do I really want my page cluttered with AUgust 2013?

I am posting another thought on country souvenirs. GS took the time to do little sections of countries, like Germany (which I hope to get fall of 2014) before getting the main boundaries like China and Mexico. There must have been a reason. I also think it odd because in our stats page you can see a map with all the countries cached in and how many. Our info is on our profile, just not the pretty artwork. I still think it is sad to not have a rep of each country I visit. More important than each 'state' of a small country imo.

I just returned from a 2.5 week in China, with a tour group no less, trying to get every cache I could break away to find which was next to impossible. I picked up 13 all over the country. I gave up my shopping and some touring time. Today I logged all my finds only to discover there are no more Country souvenirs? REally? I love those little guys! This is so sad to me.....sure I get credit, but I loved looking at the new pictures I was rewarded with. kind of takes some of the fun and incentive out of going to all the different regions if it is just a point stat added on...PLEASE bring them back?

We are leaving in a month and I am once again back at it. (this went on the back burner for awhile) I have a Garmin oregon 450t and a MAC. I need a map for geocaching in China, and don't want to pay for one. There MUST be an easy 'how to' install maps rather than a dozen steps it it taking me to load state and simple maps and I haven't found a compatible china map I can open/unzip/ or load.

Most maps from GPSfiledepot are not routable, so you won't be able to do much "searching" on your GPSr with those maps. Some maps from GPSfiledepot are "transparent". This means that they have a limited amount of detail, and are meant to overlay (show their data on) other maps. I posted some transparent topos there, Northern AZ and Southern UT. They only had topo, hydro, and trees, and were meant to overlay a routable map like City Navigator. Generally, the map download page will provide this type of information. Thank you for explanation. I am finally seeing the picture. Maybe the recommended maps aren't the right ones for me.

I enjoy logging trackables. If I come across more than one I take a photo so I have the number (takes work) , post it, and am considerate to let owner know I found it and where it was. Especially if it has been missing for awhile. If I take a tbI pretty much do the same. (I don't show the tracking number in photos). Since this summer I have come across many "trackbles" that are for discovery only. I don't get it. I take the time and make the effort only to find out "who cares"? it can't be logged as found or moved. I have moved a few because I didn't know they don't want to be moved until I access the records on my computer once home from my vacation, for example. I have had some that say don't move me, or this is a copy ...the original is in another cache so discover only...don't retrieve or grab., I found 2 CITO containers recently in the same town. They said don't move them but had a tracking number. When logging them I "discovered", BUT they had the same number. They had been discovered in other states as well, at the same time. I logged 2 but only 1 is on my list as they were identical. WHY??? What is the point of these? I am getting to the point where I am suspicious. When on vacation I certainly don't want to waste my time on these. I do find "copies' of tb's but understand they disappear and the owner is protecting their investment. Still there is only 1 copy floating around. That is different. Can anyone explain this? If you look at my account you can see several since November.

When I first saw these grey icons I thought something was wrong with my computer or site. As it is I have to switch from progressive glasses to computer glasses in order to see anything. The color change just makes it very hard. I also found it hard to see when I am outside in bad lighting, using my iPhone. Personally I was ok with the old way, with a few exceptions. I often got my d/t mixed up when scanning caches. I also would love my dnf to be (blue) on my cache search map so I can know I had been to that cache before. (that was a request long ago). No matter. I appreciate groundspeaks many efforts to constantly improve and make changes. In this case I think we just got too much, too fast, too drastic without warning. I rely on color with my not so great eyes. The tiny greyish icons all look too much alike. simple designs were good. The TB icons are especially hard to see and are confusing enough with the many options. I would love to see colors like green grabbed and or retrieved, red dropped, yellow discovered, ...sorry about those who are color blind. Maybe the up down arrow can still be used.

Most maps from GPSfiledepot are not routable, so you won't be able to do much "searching" on your GPSr with those maps. Some maps from GPSfiledepot are "transparent". This means that they have a limited amount of detail, and are meant to overlay (show their data on) other maps. I posted some transparent topos there, Northern AZ and Southern UT. They only had topo, hydro, and trees, and were meant to overlay a routable map like City Navigator. Generally, the map download page will provide this type of information. Thank you for explanation. I am finally seeing the picture. Maybe the recommended maps aren't the right ones for me.

Here are a couple of screen captures from my Oregon 550 showing how the combination of Open Street Map US overlaid with Garmins Birdseye satellite image looks. Hopefully this will help you get an idea of what these maps are like when used together. Wouldn't THAT be nice to see!

Automotive gave me a very messy street. The folks at Garmin told me to turn off Automotive, among other settings, when I called for help for something or another....so I didn't think to turn it back on. Strangely, all my disabled maps became enabled on their own. When I chose go to a local park, I get a message that maps don't have routable roads to the area. The maps "recommended" from gpsfiledepot I downloaded for AZ and UT were the same as CA...all topo and pretty useless. I wonder if I am getting the wrong ones? All I see are topo lines. I can't even find my street where I am. Thanks, I just turned marine chart mode from Fishing to Off...I was experimenting while on lake powell... but got nothing. No difference there. I have lots of profiles, but don't see how to choose one particular one. in setting/profile/ They all say edit/move/delete. Not choose one. I made a geocaching one, but it is no different. You know how sometimes you buy a product and spend forever trying to figure out how to work it and find out it is defective? :} (Or is it me? ) I had a microchip for my magellan that for 2 years couldn't figure out why I couldn't store maps on it only to find out the chip was defective. I took it to Staples and had them try and read it. Nothing. I find the garmin video helps very basic stuff and the manual still doesn't answer questions on how to do this and that. In fact, I had to ask Garmin 3x how to use my unit powered by the computer or car, and not use up batts when I am on it so much fiddling. First 2 people said only batteries are usable. The last person told me about Mass Storage mode. :} That buys me time to fiddle and not go thru batteries! I have so many questions....keeping a list. Any more ideas are certainly welcome. Or recommendations as to where better tutorials are? Thanks. rrc

Those Topo's do have streets, roads, etc. what is your zoom level? Have you adjusted the zoom levels for the map screen? Changing Zoom to on, and auto, no difference You have to use the [Profile Change] button from the Main menu to change from one Profile to another. Thansk. I did it. I now can see green background unless I zoom then it is brown. Topo, river, rr tracks. Still no streets. This time, I think maybe yes

Thank you, The maps "recommended" from gpsfiledepot I downloaded for AZ and UT were the same as CA...all topo and pretty useless. I wonder if I am getting the wrong ones? All I see are topo lines. I can't even find my street where I am. Thanks, I just turned marine chart mode from Fishing to Off...I was experimenting while on lake powell... but got nothing. No difference there. I have lots of profiles, but don't see how to choose one particular one. in setting/profile/ They all say edit/move/delete. Not choose one. I made a geocaching one, but it is no different. You know how sometimes you buy a product and spend forever trying to figure out how to work it and find out it is defective? :} (Or is it me? ) I had a microchip for my magellan that for 2 years couldn't figure out why I couldn't store maps on it only to find out the chip was defective. I took it to Staples and had them try and read it. Nothing. I find the garmin video helps very basic stuff and the manual still doesn't answer questions on how to do this and that. In fact, I had to ask Garmin 3x how to use my unit powered by the computer or car, and not use up batts when I am on it so much fiddling. First 2 people said only batteries are usable. The last person told me about Mass Storage mode. :} That buys me time to fiddle and not go thru batteries! I have so many questions....keeping a list. Any more ideas are certainly welcome. Or recommendations as to where better tutorials are? Thanks. rrc