Downloading caches to an etrex vista HCx

[belkar]

I have got an etrex vista HCx with a 4GB MicroSd card and have enjoyed using to find my first few caches. So far I have input the coordinates of caches manually, and this works fine. When I try to download caches directly to the GPS system I cannot seem to get anywhere.

 

For all of the below, I connected my GPS system to my PC, selected "setup" from the menu, then selected "interface", and on the next screen (where it says "connected") I pressed enter to get the Garmin screen. From this point I can see a new drive on my PC with a GARMIN directory on it.

 

First I tried selecting the "send to GPS" option on the geocaching.com site. This succesfully puts a file in the "gpx" subdirectory on my GPS system. When I remove my GPS system from the PC, I cannot find any new waypoints on it, and there are no geocaches on it. If I reconnect it to my PC, the file is still there on the new drive.

 

Secondly, I tried using the MAPsource software that came with the GPS system. I downloaded a LOC waypoint file, successfully loaded it into MAPsource, selected "send to device" (which comes up with the removeable disc), ticked waypoints, and selected "send". It says the data was successfully sent, and a userdata.gpx file has appeared in the directory on my GPS system, but I still cannot find anything new on my GPS system when I have disconnected it from the PC.

 

Thirdly, I went to the "Downloading GPX/LOC Files" page at geocaching.com. I have dowloaded and installed GSAK, used it to load GPX files from the removeable disc, but I get an error message "Error sending waypoints. Is garmin USB unit number 0 powered up and connected? Is it really a USB unit?" Well it is connected by USB, and I can still see the drive on my PC.

 

Lastly I tried EasyGPS. I loaded a LOC file into EasyGPS, but when I try send to GPS I get an error message "no GPS receivers are connected to the USB port". Well it is.

 

What am I doing wrong? If I get files onto my GPS system it doesn't seem to know about it, and the software I have downloaded doesn't seem to acknowledge the existence of my GPS system. Is there any option on the GPS system to let it know to look on the microSD card?

 

Please help!

[+Miragee]

I use both Mapsource or GSAK to send the waypoints to my Vista HCx and don't have the problems you are having.

 

Did you install the USB driver for the GPSr? That should be done first. If you don't have the disc for it, you can download it from the Garmin site.

 

Once the driver is installed and you reboot the computer, Sending from Mapsource should work. In GSAK, under the GPS Menu item, make sure the box for USB is checked.

 

For downloading directly from each cache page, you have to install the Garmin Communicator plugin, although I've never used that feature, so someone else can help you troubleshoot that.

[+viking0311]

if you have the usb driver installed, just simply plug the usb cord into the GPSr, then send the info.

 

Don't go into set-up, interface, usb mode. this makes the vista act like a mass storage device.

 

After you plug it in either using easyGPS or GSAK(well worth the 25 dollars) open your loc or gpx with the software and send the waypoints you want onto your GPSr. Make sure your program is set up for the GPSr you are using GSAK goto GSP, setup, select Garmin and check the usb box. not sure about easyGPS but most likely similar.

[belkar]

Thanks you for your help. Having tried out your suggestions, the advice that sorted me out was:

 

"Don't go into set-up, interface, usb mode. this makes the vista act like a mass storage device."

 

Everything works fine now, so thanks again.