[Garmin websites and services down due to massive ransomware attack]

10 hours ago, on4bam said:

Overstatement of the year "a ton of people".

Never heard about all info being gone when plugged into USB.

BTW, My first Garmin was a GPS12XL in 1999. Never lost any info plugging a GPS into USB ports, neither when connecting to serial ports.

 

Yes, sometimes a GPS crashes, they are computers and the crash can, most of the time, be traced back to corrupt data loaded by the user.

 

My Oregon 700 is as stable as it gets for a long time now but 2 weeks ago it crashed when opening one certain cache. I could trace the problem back to the loaded data. I always use GSAK to load GGZ files but since we were on a long weekend I also loaded a bunch of WPs and a few routes that included caches with basecamp. I removed the basecamp GPX that included the caches, reloaded the GGZ from GSAK... no more crashes when opening a cache.

 

Have you tried to post your problem here? Include all relevant info and I'm sure it will get solved.

 

 

This isn't the only forum on the internet with people complaining about Garmin. I found many while trying to solve my OWN garmin issues.

[Garmin websites and services down due to massive ransomware attack]

1 hour ago, colleda said:

May not be a Garmin problem. Specifics? Garmin model, type of information "gone"?

Have been using Garmins for eight years with no problems at all.

 

It might be easier for you to just look at the people posting here who have the same problem... Here is a couple to get you started

 

[Garmin websites and services down due to massive ransomware attack]

On 7/23/2020 at 5:44 PM, SamLowrey said:

I started off using a GPSr because it was before smartphones.  I only got back in to geocaching because of a smartphone.  My Magellan Map 330 stopped working but even if it hadn't I had to download waypoints using a serial cable.  I would like to have a proper GPSr to use but kinda felt I need to do a lot of research.  Not having to download stuff is so nice with the phone.  Really, my only concern with the phone is that it isn't as rugged.

I recommend against Garmin. A ton of people are complaining about garmin crashing and losing  all their caches. Mine included.  All you need to do is plug it into a USB port and all the information you have stored is gone. Seems to affect more than just one model. So far they have offered no fix for the problem and they keep on selling them.

[GPSMAP 64st - No geocache found]

I have a GPSMAP 66st  and it is no different. All I have to do is plug it into a USB to charge the Garmin battery pack I overpaid for and every cache (1100 of them)  disappear. Every time. That makes the unit pretty much worthless. I see they still sell them though. Thankfully I have a backup folder of my geocaches on my laptop. However that doesn't do much good when you are 100 miles from home. You would be surprised at how many people are complaining about the same issue. I have had many gps units over the years and this time I thought I would go ahead and put out the extra money for a garmin. BIG mistake.  I will be looking for a fix and will share if I find something.

[Premium cache storage]

Using Garmin GPSMAP 66st

Even with a basic account you can download information on premium caches by inputting the cache code and downloading the info from geocaching.com via wifi.  They are there even after rebooting the GPS. My question is where are they located in the Garmin unit?  The "basic" caches are stored in the Garmin's GPX folder. However the premium caches seem to be stored in another location. Maybe in another format? Does anyone have any idea where the premium caches are stored in the Garmin GPS when you have a basic account?

[Garmin GPSMAP 66 battery pack]

My experience with the batteries in my  Garmin gpsmap 66st is mixed.  I began using name brand rechargeables and then charging them externally. They would only last about a day. I switched to brand name non rechargeable Lithium batteries and they lasted for multiple days, but very expensive. I then bought the Garmin brand battery pack. They also last about a day. However I do like having the option to plug in the gps through USB in my vehicle and charging the unit in route to the next cache.  After all is said and done, I like being able to charge the Garmin battery pack in my vehicle but if I were out in an isolated area away from civilization where I REALLY relied on the GPS, I would have back up lithium batteries in my pocket.

[Need a Geocache partner.]

Thanks guy's......

 

[Need a Geocache partner.]

I'm looking for someone in the Lebanon, Mo area and surrounding locations that would like to join me in collecting some of the caches that require moderate hiking, as well as others.

I'm 56 and not a teenager anymore but I can hike 4-5 miles no problem. Just isn't much fun doing it alone.