busternfruss

I've begun having the same or a similar problem. I've used the "Send to Garmin" feature with my eTrex before and it worked just fine. Then I downloaded an upgrade to some program (don't recall which) as suggested by the Garmin website (when registering another unit), and then this problem started with the eTrex. At first the computer couldn't even locate the eTrex, but I finally got that to work. But now, I get a message that the cache was successfully written, but it's not on the GPS. (They show up on the other unit fine.) I think something got messed up when I downloaded the Garmin program upgrade, but how do I fix it? Everything works fine with the other GPS. I couldn't find an option under "Display" to change it to "by name." I was going to try that, but don't know how! (Yes, I'm new and also technically-challenged.) I'm waiting to hear from Garmin CS (they are usually fantastic) but thought I'd post here, too, since I've had the same problem pop up just yesterday, when it worked fine before. ?? STOP RIGHT THERE. I HAD ALREADY GONE TO GARMIN. AND AFTER 45 MIN ON THE PHONE AND HAVING THEM RUN THRU MY COMPUTER. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT IT IS ON GEOCACHING.COM'S WEBSITE PROBLEM. WITH THERE RECENT UPGRADE TO THE WEBSITE. THIS SCREWED UP EVERYTHING. GO TO RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS OR NEW UPGRADE PAGE ON THIS FORUM. YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS. I WANTED TO CATCH YOU RIGHT AWAY BEFORE YOU TOO END UP USING 20 HRS PLUS OF THERE OWN TIME TRYING TO FIX SOMETHING THAT THE GEOCACHING WEBSITE SCREWED UP ROYALLY. Thanks for posting! I've re-downloaded the Garmin Communicator software and the drivers, and I'm stilling having problems with "Send to Garmin." It was working fine a couple of weeks ago. I hope they get the glitch fixed soon!

Just to prevent confusion-- I have a new eTrex Venture HC, and it has a USB cable included. It is yellow, too. I think the "H" means the new high-sensitivity receiver, the "C" the color screen. So, this model of the "yellow" eTrex does have a USB cable with it.

Someone said in another thread that there is a problem with the geocaching site. I had this problem yesterday, too. I'd just upgraded some Garmin software so I thought that was it, but now I wonder. Check out the other thread. Hopefully they get it fixed quickly.

Try this: Start up FireFox. go to: <a href="http://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/test/" target="_blank">http://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/test/</a> Select the Tools Menu in FireFox. Select the Options Menu. Select the Content Tab. Make sure that the Enable JavaScript box is checked. If not, check it and select the OK button. Reload the test page. WELL TO MY SURPRISE AFTER 22 HOURS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT AND TAKING ALL OF THE WELL PUT ADVISE FROM YOU ALL. I CALLED GARMIN EXPLAINED EVERYTHING OUT,JUST THE WAY IT HAPPENED AND TO MY SURPRISE. THEY SAID IT IS ON GEOCACHING'S WEBSITE ERROR. THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT GPS'S NOT UPLOADING CACHES FROM THERE SIGHT. I SAID ARE YOU SURE. HE SAID YES AND BY THE WAY HE ACTUALLY GOT ONTO MY COMPUTER, WENT THRU ALL OF THE STEPS AND YEP YOU GUESSED IT. ITS NOT ON GARMINS SIDE OF THE PROBLEM. MAYBE THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE NEW UPDATE. HHHMMMMMMM. I KNOW IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY COMPUTER. OK--then maybe that's the problem with mine too! Thanks for posting.

I've begun having the same or a similar problem. I've used the "Send to Garmin" feature with my eTrex before and it worked just fine. Then I downloaded an upgrade to some program (don't recall which) as suggested by the Garmin website (when registering another unit), and then this problem started with the eTrex. At first the computer couldn't even locate the eTrex, but I finally got that to work. But now, I get a message that the cache was successfully written, but it's not on the GPS. (They show up on the other unit fine.) I think something got messed up when I downloaded the Garmin program upgrade, but how do I fix it? Everything works fine with the other GPS. I couldn't find an option under "Display" to change it to "by name." I was going to try that, but don't know how! (Yes, I'm new and also technically-challenged.) I'm waiting to hear from Garmin CS (they are usually fantastic) but thought I'd post here, too, since I've had the same problem pop up just yesterday, when it worked fine before. ??

I'm by no means an expert, but I like my eTrex Venture HC. It has the new, better receiver and works great so far. It's about $115 at amazon, free shipping, and probably some other places. It's the current basic color screen eTrex. There is a cheaper eTrex H that doesn't have a color screen. I'm not sure if it has a USB connection though. It's under $100. HTHS--

I'm sure it's just an oversight. It'll probably be back soon. In the meantime check, http://www.smittyware.com/palm/cachemate/ Thanks!

But then I wouldn't have gotten to correspond with all you nice folks here! I thought it was a geocaching website thing, sorry.

I've just bought an older Palm m500 on the advice of some threads here, many of which have also said that GSAK and Cachemate are two easy to use programs for cache info on the Palm. I need "easy to use", I can't do all the "fixes" and such, I'm one of those tech-challenged people. I should receive the Palm by this weekend and wanted to go ahead and get the software. But since the geocaching site has been updated, now I can't find Cachemate listed (but I remember seeing it there in the past). Does it just have a new name? There is an iSilo listed for Palms and a couple of others. I can't remember the old description for Cachemate, so I don't have a clue which one it would be, if it's just been renamed. If not, why is it no longer listed? Thanks!

I don't have this setup, so maybe someone will verify whether this is correct info or not, but I believe you can use the Vista for driving directions only if you buy the City Navigator maps, which are kind of expensive. I'm not sure whether you'd need the NT version or the other, but it's City Navigator. They would go on the card in the Vista. This is true for almost all of the "outdoor" units, I think. (I'm not sure about the Colorados and the ones in that price range.) That's why I agree with the folks who think that just having two units, one for each purpose, is a good way to go. There's no trade-off of features for either thing that way. I have a Nuvi 350 and an eTrex Venture HC, and love the combo. I don't have any extra maps loaded on the Venture, but for the caches that I do, it has not been a problem. I use the Nuvi to get to the general area, then walk with the eTrex. The City Navigator maps are included with the Nuvis, of course--nothing extra to buy. BTW, I love the "speak the street names" feature on my Nuvi 350. Very good in cities where cross-streets are close together. The Garmin website lets you compare features of all their models. HTH a little--

I think your negative experience is due to the fact that Garmin hasn’t implemented the auto Nuvi for hiking. So your opinion might change once they get the device design correctly. After all the Nuvi's were originally designed for car use. I’m almost 100% certain that the Nuvi’s general form factor is correct. They need to make a few changes to make it much better for hiking folks. First, they need to add more rubber to the casing for grip. They also need to reduce the case size a bit more so that it’s thinner and with a rounder smaller bezel. Add a small lanyard loop in the back and include a hand strap for people to put over their wrist. These small design changes as well as others can improve the handling of the device tremendously over the current auto Nuvi’s. Since this is their first crack at this I would give them a chance… Oh, my---Maybe I need to clarify! I don't consider that I had any kind of "negative experience" with my Nuvi 350! I love this unit, his name is Jonesy ala "Hunt for Red October," and he worked fine for caching and is a life-saver when driving. Had I not been afraid of getting it wet or getting dirt inside its ports, I'd still be using it for caching. I could be a Nuvi salesperson, I'm so pleased with it. That said, I was afraid of damaging it, so I got the little eTrex Venture HC. After using it for a few weeks now, imho it IS much easier to use for caching. I'm a woman with little hands, but the form is just better than the Nuvi's for the field, to me at least. To others, it might not make much difference, but I can only report on my own experience using the two kinds of units. The modifications you mention would make the Nuvi easier to carry, and would help a lot for caching or hiking. But if they change it too much, the driving factor could suffer. A big screen is needed for driving, for example, even if it makes the unit bigger. The speakers are so nice for driving, etc., etc. but may add to the weight or whatever, I'm not a techie. And then there are the battery issues. Jonesy runs out of power WAY faster than Blondie, in just a few hours. I'm still on the same Energizers that I put in when I got her. And I've used her a lot in those few weeks. One thing that Jonesy has me spoiled to and that I miss when caching is the touchscreen. I'm still getting used to the eTrex's toggles. I didn't mean to knock the Nuvi product, but my combo works well for me. At about $300 for both, I wanted to mention that option. As for giving Garmin "a chance," both of my units ARE Garmins, and I wouldn't want any other brand. I could also be a Garmin spokesperson. IMHO, they are super and have fantastic customer service. I did drop Jonesy on his head and he had to go to the Garmin hospital. They sent me another unit quickly, no questions asked, even though I had about 15 minutes left on the warranty and had dropped him. It even has the 2009 maps. (Although I was surprised he wasn't able to survive a 2-foot drop to my kitchen floor. Things happen, must've just hit the worst way.) And, as I said, the new Nuvi might be great for the occasional cacher. But I still stand by my thoughts that what makes a great driving unit is often different from what would make a great hiking/caching unit. Didn't mean to sound like I was disappointed with my Jonesy!! He's great. I hope the new Nuvi turns out well, and it will probably suit some people to a T.

Had replied but seems it got lost in cyberspace. Shorter version: I've used both a Nuvi 350 and an eTrex Venture HC for geocaching, and I have to agree with g-o-cacher. The Nuvi is absolutely fantastic for driving and worked well for caching, but the eTrex is MUCH more convenient and easier to carry and use outdoors. I'm just a casual cacher, but its form etc. makes a big difference even to me, and I'd think it would be even more important for a serious hiker or wilderness cacher. What makes a unit great for driving navigation and what makes one great for hiking/caching are so different, it would be difficult for one unit to be best for both. Too much trade-off either way at present. As much as I love the Nuvi for driving, I don't see the new model being the ideal unit for most cachers or hikers. For around $300 you can buy both a Nuvi and an eTrex, and avoid the Jack of all trades factor. For the only occasional cacher/camper, though, it might be a great idea if the price were low enough. Just my experience using both types of units.

Well, now both my replies finally posted! Deleting this one, see farther down.

Sometimes amazon.com is cheaper, but I haven't checked on those models.

Oh, goodness, just saw a thread about a new "outdoor" type Nuvi 500! But I still think the two units would be a great combo!!

Hi, I've been recently researching paperless too, and was totally confused! This is the concensus of the replies I got, haven't tried it yet: Download GSAK to your computer, and Cachemate to your Palm. Get Pocket Queries from the geocaching site. That's everything needed! These are supposed to be very easy to use. I haven't bought a Palm yet, but am researching that. Hope this info helps you; please post how it goes. I need to know, too! B&F If this is wrong, someone please say so now!! Thanks--

I'm not an expert, but I (and my caching friends, theirs) use my eTrex for caching without any extra maps on it. The driving unit gets me to the general area of the cache (or the map on the website cache page), and then the eTrex points me to it. You don't really need a map for that as by that time you are in the general location of the cache and have parked. Now if you are in the wilderness, you might want a topo map loaded; I don't know anything about that. But for the caches around here, even the ones in the woods, you don't need any extra maps. The one that comes on all the outdoor units is very basic (shows towns and major highways), but maps aren't really needed once you've gotten to where you park to find the cache. Also, if you zoom the map on each cache page on the website ahead of time, you can see the general area of the cache in relation to roads and things; sometimes for the town ones, you can see which bush the cache is in by zooming in the satellite view map on the cache page. (Keep in mind the coords can be up to 10 feet off with any unit and the hider might have been off a little too, but this usually works.) The Vista HCx is a fancier model of the eTrex I have--it has a card slot and an extra electronic compass and an altimeter. That's the only difference, the eTrexes are all similar and all have WAAS. My friend has a 60CSx. My Venture HC and hers perform the same when we are caching, so far. The pointer pages look the same. Hers is larger and heavier, and the buttons are on the front. Hers also has the extra compass and altimeter but we don't ever use those around here. I don't know what extra features hers has; we don't ever use any others on either unit. I've done two multi caches that needed a bearing, and I used my little $5 W-mart compass for that and it worked fine. (She let me be the orienteer.) There might be a way to do it with the GPS units, I don't know. I think both of the units you mentioned get great reviews. The Vista HCx is less expensive, I think. It's the highest priced of the eTrex models, btw. Any of these units work right out of the box (imho). Personally, I like the eTrexes, but I know the 60 has lots of fans, too. There are some technical differences but in my limited experience, they work the same. Take your pick. Geocaching mode has the little treasure chest icon that changes to any open chest icon and notes when you've found a cache. Also, you can download some of the cache info from the cache page by using "Send to Garmin," even if you're not a premium member. There may be other features--I'm at the "88 found, 5 hidden" stage in geocaching, since beginning in April. The geocaches are basically waypoints, but there is a geocache page that lists them separately from other waypoints. All these units have the Geocache feature, trackback, etc. Maybe others can give more detailed info. I believe you can actually find the manuals on the Garmin site and read through them if you wanted. For my and all my friends' purposes, we don't ever use the extra features. I have found caches using the "Map" screen (purple line to cache) and using the "Pointer" (arrow) screen. Most people use the Pointer, I think. (The Nuvi didn't have the Pointer screen, so I got used to using the purple line. I can do it either way.) There are many models of Nuvis, depending on which bells and whistles you need. The 350 is a great unit, I've not used the other models. HTH, & Happy caching-- B&F

I have a Nuvi 350 which is very easy to use, speaks street names as well as distance to turns, etc., for driving, and it is great! It also comes with the driving maps. I've had it for a little over a year. Recently I bought an eTrex Venture HC (like the higher-priced eTrex models but no card slot, no extra compass or altimeter) just for geocaching. I love this combo! At amazon.com among other places you could get both for around $300 or so, free shipping. I started geocaching in April, and the Nuvi worked very well for that, held signals well and was accurate. It has a pedestrian mode. However, the Nuvis really aren't intended for lots of outdoor use, and I always got a sinking feeling when I laid it down in pinestraw or whatever. It is not water resistant and the ports have no covers. That is the reason I bought the Venture HC--it is water resistant, it's shape is easier to hand-carry, it's made for the trail, etc. I really enjoy having a car unit and an outdoor unit. I did get spoiled to the Nuvi's touchscreen, but the eTrex is easy to learn and better for outdoors. f you want to load lots of extra maps on the outdoor unit, one of the eTrex models with a card slot might be better for you. I didn't need that--I don't do wilderness caching that would need the topo maps, and I have the Nuvi for driving. The Venture HC has 24 mb of internal memory, but I haven't loaded anything on it. Other threads have said that is enough space for a good area of topos. I agree that buying two units for the two different purposes would probably be more satisfactory than trying to use just one unit for both. There is a lot of difference between the two kinds of units. A note on the eTrexes: The ones with "H" in their names have the newer, high-sensitivity satellite receivers. C means color screen, x means card slot. There are still some of the older models out there, with the same names but different letters. I think you'd want the better receiver. The Garmin website will compare all their current models. You can find lower prices than the MSR prices listed, as noted above. HTHS--

Do you also use GSAK with Cachemate? The earlier replies to my post seem to indicate that those two programs are the only ones I would need, and would be very easy to use. I've never bought anything on ebay (I know, I'm the only one), but I did already make a bid of $31 on a z22 a little while ago. I doubt I get it because they seem to be going for a good bit more than that on ebay. I'm not about to pay much more than that, though, when a new one is only about $94. And, there is a very cheap warranty you can buy, apparently. I guess I need to check out those other two models just mentioned, too. We'll see. . . I expected them to be much cheaper than they are on ebay. At this point, I'm thinking I was correct in my opinion that amazon is a really good place for electronics! I did go to the Palm site, but they didn't have any discounted z22's, only the two higher-priced models. Only three models currently listed there, even new. Thanks so much for your reply! Sorry for the duplicate post--I got a message that the first one had failed.

Do you also use GSAK with Cachemate? The earlier replies to my post seem to indicate that those two programs are the only ones I would need, and would be very easy to use. I've never bought anything on ebay (I know, I'm the only one), but I did already make a bid of $31 on a z22 a little while ago. I doubt I get it because they seem to be going for a good bit more than that on ebay. I'm not about to pay much more than that, though, when a new one is only about $94. And, there is a very cheap warranty you can buy, apparently. I guess I need to check out those other two models just mentioned, too. We'll see. . . I expected them to be much cheaper than they are on ebay. At this point, I'm thinking I was correct in my opinion that amazon is a really good place for electronics! I did go to the Palm site, but they didn't have any discounted z22's, only the two higher-priced models. Only three models currently listed there, even new. Thanks so much for your reply!

Do you also use GSAK with Cachemate? The earlier replies to my post seem to indicate that those two programs are the only ones I would need, and would be very easy to use. I've never bought anything on ebay (I know, I'm the only one), but I did already make a bid of $31 on a z22 a little while ago. I doubt I get it because they seem to be going for a good bit more than that on ebay. I'm not about to pay much more than that, though, when a new one is only about $94. And, there is a very cheap warranty you can buy, apparently. I guess I need to check out those other two models just mentioned, too. We'll see. . . I expected them to be much cheaper than they are on ebay. At this point, I'm thinking I was correct in my opinion that amazon is a really good place for electronics! I did go to the Palm site, but they didn't have any discounted z22's, only the two higher-priced models. Only three models currently listed there, even new. Thanks so much for your reply!

I think that would be awesome. I went with an old Palm IIIxe that I got on eBay for $15 and that works great! The z22 can only be better. Thanks! I might check out the Palm IIIxe too. The used or refurbished z22's are around $70 for "Buy it now" at ebay, don't know what winning bids wind up being yet. I've never bought used or refurbished electronics, though. It's around $94 new. Any thoughts on that or any problems buying such from ebay? Hubby would say "Get a new one," but I am adding TOO much stuff to my new addiction as it is!!! All suggestions or comments are appreciated! Unless you already have a Z22, I don't recommend one of those. They are hard to read in bright sunlight compared to the less-expensive Palm m500 or m515. I wouldn't get an old Palm because those connect with the Serial Port. I have bought many things on eBay since 1999 and have very rarely been disappointed. Just check the Feedback of the seller and make sure they have 100% Positive Feedback (or close to it.) Also, make sure the shipping isn't outrageous. Some sellers charge way more than necessary. Thanks. I'll take a look at those models. I looked at the IIIxe but my laptop doesn't have a serial port. Also thanks for the tips about ebay. I'm the only person in the US who's never bought anything there!

I think that would be awesome. I went with an old Palm IIIxe that I got on eBay for $15 and that works great! The z22 can only be better. Thanks! I might check out the Palm IIIxe too. The used or refurbished z22's are around $70 for "Buy it now" at ebay, don't know what winning bids wind up being yet. I've never bought used or refurbished electronics, though. It's around $94 new. Any thoughts on that or any problems buying such from ebay? Hubby would say "Get a new one," but I am adding TOO much stuff to my new addiction as it is!!! All suggestions or comments are appreciated!

Sounds like GSAK and Cachemate are the two programs needed, thanks! Is the Palm z22 an OK pda for this?

What is the simplest way to go paperless for a non-tech person? I've browsed the forums, but the Q&A's there are very technical. I've never used paperless caching and don't really know where to begin. I have a Nuvi 350 for the car, but the paperless directions for that are way beyond my level, and I don't want to bring the Nuvi into the woods anyway. I recently bought an eTrex Venture HC to use for caching so that I wouldn't kill the Nuvi or drown it. If I become a premium member and get the Pocket Queries, how much info will display on the eTrex? I am guessing not a lot, but I don't know. I've gotten by fine so far just jotting down a few paper notes for the important info on a cache, but when our GNOC* group is going for 10 or more caches at a time, that's a good bit of reading and jotting down ahead of time. I'm wondering if there is a cheap and easy way to go paperless. I don't really want to invest a lot of time or money. I don't need to do anything fancy, just to have the cache info, hints, and maybe some of the logs for reference without printing out a bunch of stuff. I'm thinking of buying a Palm z22 as they are inexpensive, but I need more info first. Would that model work for downloading and using detailed cache info? If so, which programs do I need? GC University suggests Spinner and Plucker for Palms, but those directions seem a little complicated, just reading through them. I've also seen GSAK mentioned a lot and have been told it is the best program. I read through the GSAK 101 tutorial, which seemed easy to use, but it didn't give info on using with Palms and such. So much stuff out there-- Help!! Any suggestions for something cheap and very very easy? Or am I even headed in the right direction? (Geocaching was so simple when I began in April using the Nuvi I already had, now I'm adding more gadgets!!) Maybe the Pocket Queries are all I need, or maybe I don't even need them? Should I just stick with the pen and little notebook? Thanks for any help for us newbies-- *Girls' Night Out Caching