New Jersey TJ
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Posts posted by New Jersey TJ
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It might also be the hiders issues. If you are coming within 20' of the cache most of the time I would doubt that it is your GPS. Sometimes the hider accidentally reverses a coupled of the number in the coordinates. Sometimes that person does not take the time to average his coords to make them more accurate, and I have found at least one cacher that thinks it should be more challenging so the coordinates are always off. If you really have concerns try caching with an experienced cacher and compare where you both zero out.
Depending on the degree of accuracy from the satellite reception I'm somewhere "close" except a couple of way off's that were in the 100's of feet and then we'll blame that on the hider. Thanks, Jim
For the "way offs", read back through the logs to see if others commented that the coords were "soft" (this sort of means "way off" . . lol). In some cases you may even see better coordinates posted. Unless the cache is new, if the coords are off, chances are someone would have commented to that effect.
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How do I load caches onto the SD card after I fill the internal memory?
Create a \Garmin\GPX folder on the card and put them there.
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There is no reason not to do a PQ just because you want to pick and choose caches. Take all of the caches you would normally load individually and bookmark them. Then do a PQ from the bookmark. Loading the PQ may solve your issue.
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I've noticed that the Premium Member filters on the "old" maps which allow you to display/hide caches by type are disabled. I cannot deselect individual types of caches to hide them on the map. My account status is properly shown as a PM.
Is anyone else having this issue?
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This question is asked about once a week here, so if you search, you'll find plenty of explanations. Here is a short answer.
Caches are stored in the 550T in .gpx files, which are located in \garmin\gpx. Connect the GPS to your computer and delete the gpx files containing the caches you don't want.
You didn't say how you are loading your caches, but since you are asking this question, I am guessing that you are loading caches one at a time with the web interface. As a Premium member, it's best to load caches using Pocket Queries, which makes managing caches much easier.
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Any way of getting multiple pocket query to the gps wihtout gsak?
Is there a specific folder on the device where I should place the .gpx file if I use
explorer to put it there vice gsak?
Use Explorer to copy the .gpx files to \Garmin\gpx .
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Just in case you're not aware, you really don't need to use GSAK to load the pocket query. Just unzip the .gpx files from the zip you downloaded and copy them to the \garmin\gpx folder on the GPS.
Thanks! I have finally figured this part out. One last question. I've got the two files in my gpx folder on my gps. ----gpx and -----wpts.gpx. When I load them to my gps, it loads them as caches and also as a few waypoints in my waypoint manager. How do I know which waypoints are used for which cache? The majority of the waypoints it put in were things such as parking lots. Do I have to follow a certain waypoint that loaded before I try and find the cache or do I just skip that part and go for the cache. Sorry for my noobness.
As Briansnat stated, the -wpts.gpx file contains just the "child" waypoints like parking areas for the cache (as you've already figured out as well.) You really don't need to load that file if you don't want those child waypoints. Just load the other .gpx.
If you load both files, I would start navigating to the cache to get close via streets, and then use the "child" waypoints for parking, etc if you need them. They should be reasonably close to the cache so you can match them up that way. I know that the cache GC code is embedded as a description in the -wpts.gpx file, but I'm not sure how that translates to showing on the GPS because I never load the -wpts.gpx file.
If I do wind up needing the info in the child waypoints, I'll just add the location manually for that one cache.
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Just in case you're not aware, you really don't need to use GSAK to load the pocket query. Just unzip the .gpx files from the zip you downloaded and copy them to the \garmin\gpx folder on the GPS.
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I just bought this for our trip to Colorado next week. Ive managed to load the caches I want using a PQ but none of them are showing a hint. Everything else is there. Any suggestions? I even deleted the entire cache listing and reloaded it with no different results
If a 62 is like an Oregon, you need to be navigating to the cache to see the hint. Pick a cache and select "go", then try to view the hint.
Maybe you can post the steps you've taken to try to view the hint. I.e. How you're trying to view the hint after you loaded the PQ.
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I am in maryland and have not heard of REI where are they.
You didn't say where you are in Maryland. Go to rei.com. There are six stores in the Baltimore/DC area.
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I have a garmin oregon 450t and would like to know what a good program for . . . . uploading the one's that I have found.
When you log your caches on the GPS, it populates a geocache_visits.txt file on the unit. You can upload those finds directly to geocaching.com by going HERE and uploading that file from your GPS.
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I have used both a 400T and a 450 in a ram mount on my bike with great success, to include reading the screen. I tend to use the backlight instead of just relying on available light, so I'm in the habit of touching the screen to activate it when I need to look at it. Having a touch screen for zooming is a benefit when you're on a bike.
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Even the routing street maps may be off to some point. Chances are that the GPS is accurate, but the maps may be off. If you wind up using routing street maps, the 400T has a "lock on road" feature that can be turned on. It will make the GPS display your postition on the closest road, so you won't be bothered by slight inaccuracies of the map. That feature won't work, though, with the built-in topo maps.
Actually it doesn't work that way. The 400t comes with the 100K topo which are not routable. It doesn't know where roads are so lock on road has no effect except for the major highway basemap roads.
For that feature to work you need city navigator or 24K topo.
You're right. That's why I said "If you wind up using routing street maps . . ."
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Even the routing street maps may be off to some point. Chances are that the GPS is accurate, but the maps may be off. If you wind up using routing street maps, the 400T has a "lock on road" feature that can be turned on. It will make the GPS display your postition on the closest road, so you won't be bothered by slight inaccuracies of the map. That feature won't work, though, with the built-in topo maps.
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My understanding is that one cache is the same to the Garmin as one GPX file, sorta. So, if you had 200 individual caches loaded you will not be able to load any more of either, I think??.
If you load caches one at a time by using the send to unit function, then each time you load a cache, a new .gpx file is placed on the GPS. If you do it this way the 200 file limit is reached fairly quickly.
The idea behind pocket queries is to generate .gpx files that contain multiple caches in them. If you load them this way, the Oregon 400 and 400T can hold up to 2000 caches, so long as they are not contained in more than 200 .gpx (pocket query) file.
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The unit has 'several' limits for files.
Number of caches
Number of GPX files
Size of files.
I suggest removing ALL GPX files, and reload the ones you
With the GPS connected to the computer, go to the GPS drive and delete the .gpx files in \Garmin\gpx. This will remove all caches from your GPS.
You should now be able to load caches to the unit. You said you couldn't load ANY new caches. What sort of error message are you getting, if any?
At this point, I think I'd just create a PQ from the bookmark page. There is a link to do that next to the bookmark. On the PQ screen, tick mark today. The PQ will be emailed to you. Open the .zip file containing the .gpx files and copy them (the .gpx files) to the aforementioned \garmin\gpx directory.
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Ok, I figured out how to open the zip file and slide the file into the garmin BUT when I turn on my Garmnin click geocaches then I made two Quick Filters one named "Big Island" and "Maui" thinking when I slide in the two different pockey querys it would go into those filters but they all just went in all together. Can I seperate the two pocket querys or not? Thanks for your help.
Sorry. I think I misunderstood what you were trying to do. Naming PQs works great for managing them in general, but once they are on the device, they won't help you filter. You can only filter by what you see on the filter screen.
Do you really need to filter by area, though? I wouldn't think that at any decent zoom level you would see caches on an adjacent island. Additionally, some Garmin units won't show caches in a list view that are greater than 50 (I think) miles from your current location.
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Search by 'Name' the unit won't show 'Nearest' if it's more than 50 miles away.
To expound . . .
After you bring up the cache list, switch to the search by spelling function. Search for the name of one of the caches you believe was loaded to the unit. You'll see it as you start to spell it.
As Bear and Ragged noted, the cache list you first bring up will NOT show far away caches, so searching by name is the only way to "see" them if you are not close to them.
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I prefer Ram mounts. I have two with the goose neck suction cup windshield mount that work well. I also use a Ram cradle with a handlebar mount on my bike.
http://www.ram-mount.com/Portals/0/Skins/NationalProducts/images/rap1056224ga31.jpg
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Any way to make files like for instance can I make a file named the Big Island then put those caches in that file? Or do they all have to go in mixed together?
You can do separate pocket queries grouping your caches however you like. When you set up the pocket query, change the name of the query in the "Query Name" box at the top to what you want that PQ file to be named, such as "Big Island", to use your example. Then, at the bottom of the New Pocket Query screen, check-mark "Include Pocket Query name in download file name".
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Look into pocket queries, you can get one 1000 caches per gpx file.
As a premium member you can use Pocket Queries . . .
The OP has figured out how to generate pocket queries . . . he/she has referenced .gpx files.
The problem is, as you've properly figured out, is that the 60CSX does not support .gpx files directly. If you had an Oregon 450 series, or a 62 series, you could simply copy the .gpx to the unit and you'd be good to go, including being able to read the paperless cache pages and hints on the unit.
You're correct in that the caches have to be sent individually instead of encased in the .gpx, but you can still batch that operation so that it's just one step to you. I'd suggest using EasyGPS. It's freeware. All you need to do is open the .gpx in EasyGPS. Highlight all of the caches in the left pane and then send them to the GPS in one operation.
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Following on EC's post, make sure that you are NOT set to lock on the road for this test. If that is turned on, you might be snapping to that location instead of where you really are.
What maps are you using?
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Should I recalibrate the electronic compass built into my JEEP every time I replace the battery?
Only if you install a GM battery with side terminals.
Actually, I have them in my Jeeps and I have no idea on how to recalibrate them.
I think you press a button and then drive around in a circle!
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I haven't figured out how to display all my loaded caches and waypoints onto a map. In other words, when I am caching I want to visually see all my loaded caches and waypoints when I open my map. I am able to display a single GC when I open that particular GC. But sometimes I want to see all of the preloaded GC's on a map when I am hunting.
Make sure that you haven't inadvertently set a filter that's hiding things from you. By default, you should see all of your caches and waypoints.
Finding Caches along a Route FOR BIKES
in GPS technology and devices
Posted · Edited by New Jersey TJ
I've done a number of these along converted rail lines. The idea is to create a track with the points close together so that when you do a caches along along a route query, you can keep the search radius low so you don't have a lot of extraneous off-path hits.
Go to http://www.gpsies.com/createTrack.do and use that tool. Move the map to the proper area and then click on the create line/track button on the top left. Then, just start clicking along the route you wish to take, keeping the points close together. (The route should contain no more than 500 points.) When you're finished, export the track as a gpx track.
Then, go to http://www.geocaching.com/my/userroutes.aspx#Content and upload load the track to your account. You can then create a pocket query from it.