Spgmes

It was not very intuitive to have have to put "UNITED STATES: WISCONSIN", or whatever, in the Search Only filter when trying to do a partial cache name search. Once I figured that out finding a cache with a partial name was a breeze.

Can GSAK place files into DropBox? Emailing an attachment may also be OK. If people could get their new "GSAK'ed" files from any HotSpot over wifi, that would be pretty cool! I don't know if the OP is asking for specially filtered GPX files. He may make the usual PQ, and download it, without connecting to USB, by using a web browser and maybe a file manager. I hate when they do that. It's designed to control access (allegedly preventing users from messing things up), and causes additional work if you need access to the "controlled areas". I really appreciate all the feedback/help I have been getting on this topic. While I was offline most of the day I am back to provide an update on some testing I did. What I tested was the use of the 'GPX File' and 'Send to My GPS' button. Here is some background/setup info: - I deleted ALL previous file transfers I did - I attached the Monterra GPS unit via the mini USB cord to the Windows computer - Windows sees the devise and displays it under 'Portable Devises'as 'Monterra'. Clicking on that displays the 'Internal Storage' for that devise. Clicking on that provides the file system which then has the 'Garmin' directory listed. Clicking on that displays the sub-directories containing the 'GPX' directory. Inside this directory is where the gpx files need to be copied. I then went to the geocaching.com website and placed my cursor on the 'Play' drop down. I then selected 'Hide & Seek a Cache'. I then did a look-up for the postal code 53562 within a 2 mile radius to get a list of caches. I then: - selected cache GC4H836 and selected the 'GPX File' button. - a file called GC4H836.gpx was placed in the Windows 'Downloads' directory (under favorites). - I then clicked the 'start' button and the 'Computer' option and then selected the 'Downloads' directory. - I then clicked the 'start' button and the 'Computer' option and then selected the Portable Devise 'Monterra', then Internal Storage, then Garmin, and the GPX - I now have 2 windows open and I dragged and dropped the 'GC4H836.gpx' file to the Garmin devise - I then unplugged the USB cord which then loaded the file - I could now see that cache after pushing the Treasure Box icon on the Monterra I then repeated the above steps for GC314WG, GC3F9GG,and GC41CQP which all showed up on the Monterra. YEAH! However, what started this whole mess was the fact that when I first did these procedures it did not work. So I thought I would try THAT particular cache again. So I went back and and placed my cursor on the 'Play' drop down. I then selected 'Hide & Seek a Cache'and looked up cache GC29WE7. I then repeated the same steps. This cache does NOT show up on the Monterra, even though the file HAS BEEN transferred! Okay these step were somewhat tedious so I thought I would try the 'Send to My GPS' button. But now I only had to: I then went to the geocaching.com website and placed my cursor on the 'Play' drop down. I then selected 'Hide & Seek a Cache'. I then did a look-up for the postal code 53562 within a 2 mile radius to get a list of caches. I then: - selected cache GC1T5PZ and selected the 'Send to My GPS' button. - a file called GC1T5PZ.gpx was placed directly on the Monterra in the GPX directory!! - I then unplugged the USB cord which then loaded the file - I could now see that cache after pushing the Treasure Box icon on the Monterra (along with all the previous downloaded files) I then repeated the above steps for GC15YNB which showed up on the Monterra. YEAH! I then selected 'Hide & Seek a Cache'and looked up cache GC29WE7. I then repeated the same steps. This cache does NOT show up on the Monterra, even though the file HAS BEEN transferred! So bottom line getting the individual files to the Monterra from the geocaching.com website works as it should EXCEPT for some files!! Not sure if cache GC29WE7 is unique or if there are others that won't work. Not sure how to figure that one out. Any ideas on this would be appreciated. Next I will try the drag & drop approach for the Pocket Queries (PQ) gpx files. Stay tuned.

You can do it that way if you want to retain a copy of the GPX file on the computer but with GSAK that probably isn't necessary. I find it easier to simply give GSAK the path to the GPX folder on the GPS and let GSAK export directly to the GPS. Only problem with the Monterra is that it doesn't mount as a drive on the computer and GSAK won't allow you to select the folder on the unit as there's no path to create. My Monterra DOES mount as a devise on my computer! On the Monterra I am running the 2.20_1.15.00 software, Android version 4.0.4, Kernel version 3.0.21, build number IMM76D

You can do it that way if you want to retain a copy of the GPX file on the computer but with GSAK that probably isn't necessary. I find it easier to simply give GSAK the path to the GPX folder on the GPS and let GSAK export directly to the GPS. CoachStahly / GeoTrekker26 - Okay I am probably going to sound really stupid here but what would GSAK do for me? I took a brief look at it's functionality and it seems like I am just extracting data from the geocaching website and putting it in a local database, then extracting it again from there and copying it to the GPSr. Other then probably having better filters on selecting which caches to send is it doing anything different then me running a PQ and dragging & droping the resulting gpx file into the plugged in GPSr? Also I am pretty sure I have downloaded the latest version of the plugin since it does transfer the single cache file. I just can't see it on the GPSr when I look for caches! It sounds like you are doing the same thing but it works for you. Lastly I don't quite understand what you are saying about copying multiple files. I can drag & drop multiple versions of PQ gpx files since they have unique names. Also the single cache files that are auto copied from the geocaching website also have unique file names (the actual GC code.gpx). Are you saying it will only load the 1st one it finds? Sorry for being a little slow but I am new to the GARMIN world. spgmes/Mark

Try it again. Usually when I see no caches, loading them again fixes it (at least on the old-fashioned Garmin hiking GPSrs). It's also possible to filter out caches in the settings. Also, try powering off then back on, and see if everything loads. It's good that you are starting with one thing before branching out. That's the way I'd do it. This article says that the "Garmin Outdoor App" (the built-in App) will find the GPX files, but maybe they mean only in the proper directories, I can't tell. Anyway, the article has a mass of information, and may answer your questions on how to get it working. It's not a smart phone and not a proprietary system, although it works like both. So you're in new territory here. One thing I saw in the article, is the guy uses DropBox and a File Manager. Here's the process: Place your unzipped Pocket Queries (or a single cache file) into DropBox, then you can start the Monterra and load those GPX files, no USB needed. THEN you cycle power on the Monterra, and the "Garmin Outdoor App" finds and loads the cache descriptions. If you have a web browser App and a File Manager, I'm guessing you could run and save the PQ, all from within the Monterra. But you probably need to unzip the PQ files. Hmm, tried a few more times with no luck. Plugin recognizes the file is already there and overwrites it. Need to run out for awhile, but I will review the info on the link you sent and see if it gives my any clues on what I am doing wrong. Mark

You are using are two separate Geocaching systems: The Monterra with it's built-in Geocaching abilities, and the Android Apps you loaded, such as the Official Geocaching App and C:geo. But the built-in Geocaching is not directly compatible with the third-party Android Apps and vice versa. Garmin uses the “Garmin/GPX” directory, the Apps don't. That is, the Apps are programmed for use on an Android phone that is NOT a Garmin GPS. The Apps will probably inherit that ability in new version updates over time (as these devices become ever more the same thing). For now, you need to treat Android and Monterra Geocaching as separate things. You don't need other "Apps" to Geocache, the Monterra has that ability out of the box. You can certainly use them both or either, but they don't necessarily get along, nor even talk to each other. When you download to a Garmin GPSr, you place the files into the GPX directory. “Send To GPS” also goes to the GPX directory. When you load a Pocket Query manually into an Android phone, you load into the “Downloads” directory – and some of the Android Apps will automatically download and manage the files directly over wifi for you in their own proprietary way, so you don't have to know where the Android App places the files. Once you figure out where an Android App wants the files, you can copy and move files with a free Android File Manager such as Astro. You will likely have to place your PQ in both the "Garmin/GPX" and "Downloads" directories. One for the Monterra's system, one for the loaded Apps. So you've got two different systems on the same device. If you require that much complexity, you will have to keep track of everything that's going on. You've got the learning curve of both to contend with, and their conflicts, too! I'd suggest abandoning the Android Geocaching Apps, or at most using them only to get a Pocket Query over wifi (which you'd then move to the GPX directory), and using the built-in Geocaching system. Manually load PQs the old-fashioned way, and have the wifi as a backup for loading PQs, for a spur-of the moment cache hunt (when you can find a Hotspot). Because unless you have a constant data connection, your handheld GPS (the built-in part) will work fine outside of a data connection. The Apps will all fail in various ways. I also greatly prefer the Garmin Geocaching (I'd assume the Monterra has a similar feel to other GPSrs, in it's built-in system), but that's just a matter of preference -- and I do realize you've become accustomed to the Apps. You're on the cutting edge of handheld GPS systems that are designed for hiking, yet can load data wirelessly. Now all you need to do is decide how to use it. Wow, thanks again for the very well thought out info!! I totally get what you are saying about the 2 systems, and agree. Basically I just got sidetracked with the Android stuff because that is what I am familiar with. That being said I still think I missing something so I will start with the simplest issue. I have a computer with the Garmin plug-in installed. I have the Garmin attached to the computer via the provided USB wire. I have removed ALL files that I have previously placed in the Garmin/GPX directory. Now on the computer I go to the www.geocaching.com website and bring up a cache page. For this example I am on the GC29WE7 web page. I click on the 'Send to My GPS' button which I am assuming will load the cache on the GPSr in the appropriate place. The plug-in sees my devise and I click the write button. It says the file is successfully saved. Using the Windows file manager I can see that a file call GC29WE7 has been placed on the GPSr in the Garmin/GPX directory. I unplug the USB wire so that the GARMIN can load up the file. Now what I THINK should happen is that when I select the GARMIN treasure box icon I should see the cache there. Instead I just get a 'NO RESULTS' message. What am I missing?

GPX files may be of several types, including Geocaches and Waypoints. A typical Pocket Query has two GPX files, one with caches, the other with waypoints (such as parking locations). All of the GPX files in the GPX directory get loaded into the GPSr, into the factory GPSr's Geocaching navigation system. You're using your Monterra in a hybrid way, so I can't advise if the Android Apps will get files from the Garmin "GPX" directory. If not (or if you wish to load only certain Pocket Query GPX files), you can move files using a File Manager App. You can send cache logs from the Geocaching App, and from the GPSr's Geocaching profile. If you have a wifi connection, you could send logs from an App. If you cache using the GPSr's system (not the App), you type a "Comment" as you log each cache, and these become "Field Notes" that you'd later manually upload to the Geocaching.com site. You can load and manage Pocket Queries directly inside the App, with no manual loading (if you have a wifi connection). If you manually load GPX files into the GPX directory, you'll need to manually delete the obsolete ones (or at least keep track of what's there). You may use the Apps vs the GPSr built-in system as you see fit, but be sure to keep everything straight. I'm getting confused just explaining this. Thanks for the quick reply! I sort of get what you are saying, I think! I understand what you are saying about the 2 files. I did copy both and saw the caches and the parking waypoints in the GPSr. I guess I don't understand how it knows which are cache files and which are waypoints if they have the same extension, but if it works I guess that is okay. However, I do not select the file to load they just appear when I open the GARMIN geocatching app. So if I have 2 different files how can I select which one I want to load? Or is that not an available option? Would both get loaded? If copying the files via the Windows file system is the issue, how else would I do it? Part of the my confusion is that when I use the C:geo app to copy a single file via the 'Send to my GPS' button on the cache web page, it does copy it directly to my GPSr, but the cache does not appear when selecting the GARMIN geocache app. So now I too am getting pretty confused. So I will list the steps I took: 1) on the C:geo web page I ran a Pocket Query 2) got an email with the result files attached 3) used the Windows file system to copy the files to the GPSr files system (../GARMIN/GAX directory. 4) on the Monterra GPSr, I select the geocaching application (treasure chest icon) and see the caches that I transferred. When trying to Use the C:geo app to copy a 'single' cache I did: 1) went to an individual cache web page 2) selected the 'Send to My GPS' button 3) file was successfully sent and I could see the file in the GARMIN/GSX file directory (files called GC29EW7.gpx). 4) on the Monterra GPSr, I select the geocaching application (treasure chest icon) and get a 'NO RESULTS' message. Help!!

GPX files may be of several types, including Geocaches and Waypoints. A typical Pocket Query has two GPX files, one with caches, the other with waypoints (such as parking locations). All of the GPX files in the GPX directory get loaded into the GPSr, into the factory GPSr's Geocaching navigation system. You're using your Monterra in a hybrid way, so I can't advise if the Android Apps will get files from the Garmin "GPX" directory. If not (or if you wish to load only certain Pocket Query GPX files), you can move files using a File Manager App. You can send cache logs from the Geocaching App, and from the GPSr's Geocaching profile. If you have a wifi connection, you could send logs from an App. If you cache using the GPSr's system (not the App), you type a "Comment" as you log each cache, and these become "Field Notes" that you'd later manually upload to the Geocaching.com site. You can load and manage Pocket Queries directly inside the App, with no manual loading (if you have a wifi connection). If you manually load GPX files into the GPX directory, you'll need to manually delete the obsolete ones (or at least keep track of what's there). You may use the Apps vs the GPSr built-in system as you see fit, but be sure to keep everything straight. I'm getting confused just explaining this.

Up until now I have only ever used the smartphone app for geocaching (the free one). Since I want to start placing caches I bought the new Monterra GPS from Garmin (Android OS). I got the Android app loaded and working off my home network and downloading the caches. However, I wanted to download using the pocket queries so I didn't have to download one at a time AND I could actually use the new devise software I bought! I created a PQ which created a gpx file which I manually copied to the ../Garmin/GPX directory on the Monterra. I then select the the Garmin geocaching app and this seemed to work since I can see the cache info, yeah! However, I noticed a few things and have the following questions: 1) There are some pre-loaded *.gpx files in that directory but these are NOT showing up. Are not ALL *.gpx file equal? 2) Some of the before mentioned files seem to appear under the waypoint manager. How does that work? 3) If I have more than one gpx file do they ALL get loaded? Is there a away to select which one you do want to load? 4) Is there any way, from the Garmin apps, to get the logs back to to the geocaching website? I actually have a a WHOLE bunch more questiosn, but I thought I would start with these, since I am new to forums as well. spgmes / Mark