gps 45xl

[+splugar]

Hello all!

 

I have a dinosaur Garmin GPS 45xl which I love. (at least till I have funding for a smartphone to geocache in style)

 

My question is. Does this old Garmin interface with the geocaching website so I can download the coordinates of the caches from the website to my garmin instead of hand keying them in all time. If so, what all do I need to purchase and download to be able to do it. I am hoping some Garmin Guru can tell me how. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

[+PDOP's]

You'll need software for your computer and a cable. See http://www.easygps.com/gps-receivers/Garmin-GPS-45XL.asp

[7rxc]

As a 45xl user, glad to see some of us are still around. I never bothered to use the link, since mostly all you get is the ID# and coordinates, and sometimes you can load tracks. Hope you get better readings than I do here. It wasn't bad for the first many years.

And I usually found what I was looking for even when in use HERE... but the size and position of the mountains tends to block satellites and that is worsened by the trees everywhere. Now it is going back to general navigation use where ultra accuracy isn't that critical. Typical here is 11 metres, but on high ground it can go to 4 m. My map60cx will do 2 to 3 at the same time.

 

Don't know when you got yours or when. IF you were like me, I paid more than the best/newest these days. So I want to keep using it as long as possible. It also makes the dullest cache a difficult challenge to find, so that can be good.

 

Doug 7rxc

[7rxc]

You'll need software for your computer and a cable. See http://www.easygps.com/gps-receivers/Garmin-GPS-45XL.asp

That and will likely need a serial adapter or an adapter type cable. The 45xl is a serial output. USB hadn't been made or at least made common when it was made. Mine has a serial cable only. I haven't seen anyone making anything but the adapter, but they might have by now. I did see one for a Legend/ adapter /USB in one cable in another post recently. But that wouldn't fit a 45xl.

It uses the 'fat' 4 pin type connector on the unit. Don't know if GSAK can do it either. It seems to do anything!

 

Doug 7rxc

[+splugar]

I knew there had to be someone out there that could help me........thanks ever so much. I have a question though. Couldn't I just connect the serial port cable to a serial port on the back of my desk top computer without getting an adapter? Is the adapter just so I can plug my gps

into a usb port?

 

You all are so great to take the time to respond to my questions.

[+PDOP's]

... Couldn't I just connect the serial port cable to a serial port on the back of my desk top computer without getting an adapter? Is the adapter just so I can plug my gps into a usb port?

Yes to both questions.

[+splugar]

What a quick response. Thank you!

 

I ordered the cabel and I downloaded the software....I looked at the software.......but how do I get the coordinates from the geocaching website to the easy gps software to get it to my garmin? I guess when I am in the cache page I click on the tab "GPX file" as opposed to "send to gps"?

[+PDOP's]

As a premium member you can use Pocket Queries to have files of up to 500 caches each emailed to you or download files of upto 1000 caches from the 'Pocket Queries' webpage. See Creating Your First Pocket Query (link) and Pocket Queries: A Detailed Explanation(link) by Markwell.

 

IIRC the 45 only allows six character waypoint names/codes so you will have to shorten the GC numbers in EasyGPS. Usually this done by just dropping the "GC" from the number.

[+splugar]

Thanks for the info. I have made the queries before but I see that easy gps suppots those too!!!. I can hardly wait. I am starting to like my dinosaur more and more...If I get everything to work right. I don't mind the 6 charater waypoint names. Thanks for all the great tips! Anything to make things a little easier so I can cache longer. If I get this to work,I can stop at a coffee shop after work, make a query, send it to my gps and off I go. It will seem like a long wait till my cable gets here.

 

Thanks again. I may have more questions when I try to hook everyting up.

[7rxc]

Glad to see you are getting sorted out, I may look at that EasyGPS myself. Of course getting the listings into the 45xl is just the first part. As I said earlier, it will be a bit of work to find caches with it. At least these days there is no Selective Availability to deal with. That was a problem when it was new. I find the resolution is limited as well. Mine won't go below 0.01km which is 10 metres. I definitely keep a sighting compass around when using the 45xl, in order to triangulate for GZ while standing back a bit. Also you will likely do a lot more walking and looking, but that is part of the game anyway. Just expect a larger search area. I find that using it in a manner similar to an Avalanche Beacon is a help. Often moving fast and watching for the point where the distance starts increasing again (and the rate of change) can help resolve poor EPE days.

 

Anyway there are many things that can help. You just have to 'discover' or be taught them. Nothing will beat getting something newer, but the 45xl is a tough act to beat and mine still works just fine. It doesn't get a lot of use since the coming of a Map60cx, but I use it as backup and a loaner for teaching. Plus it's fine for drive in approaches to save batteries in the 60.

 

Let me know if you want to talk tricks of finding with the 45.

 

Doug 7rxc

[+splugar]

Thanks for the tips!! Who in the world can not use tips!!!

 

I bought the 45xl many years ago.....10?? for Dan to go hunting with. We were new to the whole gps thing and even with my college degree neither of us could figure it out. So...back in the box it went until 2009 after which I had been using a car gps and now understood about gps. I had my 3rd back surgery and had given up when my in home nurse said she was going geocaching. I asked what is that......the next day I got out of bed 3rd day out of the hospital.....I will make it to the porch....got to go geocaching........then.....to the drive way.........then to the road.......etc. Now I am as good as new. I dusted off the 45 box and since I had to walk that road every day till I was recovered I may as well figure out how to use it...and I did.

 

Sorry...That was waaaaaaaaaay too much unnessary information...anyway..

 

I really like the road feature on it as opposed to the compass. I do the same as you.....keep moving with it and watch where it leads before it starts jumping around. Tree cover is difficult but I try to do some of those in the spring and winter. It's cooler then anyway for hiking.

 

I like the challenge of looking around with it. If it's too easy.......it will get boring.

 

Sharon....splugar

[+splugar]

Glad to see you are getting sorted out, I may look at that EasyGPS myself. Of course getting the listings into the 45xl is just the first part. As I said earlier, it will be a bit of work to find caches with it. At least these days there is no Selective Availability to deal with. That was a problem when it was new. I find the resolution is limited as well. Mine won't go below 0.01km which is 10 metres. I definitely keep a sighting compass around when using the 45xl, in order to triangulate for GZ while standing back a bit. Also you will likely do a lot more walking and looking, but that is part of the game anyway. Just expect a larger search area. I find that using it in a manner similar to an Avalanche Beacon is a help. Often moving fast and watching for the point where the distance starts increasing again (and the rate of change) can help resolve poor EPE days.

 

Anyway there are many things that can help. You just have to 'discover' or be taught them. Nothing will beat getting something newer, but the 45xl is a tough act to beat and mine still works just fine. It doesn't get a lot of use since the coming of a Map60cx, but I use it as backup and a loaner for teaching. Plus it's fine for drive in approaches to save batteries in the 60.

 

Let me know if you want to talk tricks of finding with the 45.

 

Doug 7rxc

[+splugar]

Well all, I have my 45 xl all set up thanks to all of you. My waypoints download quickly. The software is great after playing with it a bit...I will probably like it more with more play time. The only glitch I ran into was with the driver and cable I got.....the software for the driver had a virus in it. I had to get rid of the virus....It seems as though I was successful........time will tell. But everything works like a charm......thanks to you all. I couldn't have done it without you. Happy caching!

[+splugar]

I went caching the other day with everything uploaded to my GPS 45 xl and it was great. So, if anyone is out there....their advice worked like a charm.

 

A final thanks to you all!

[+PDOP's]

Glad you got it working

[7rxc]

Same for me, Have fun! Older simpler GPSrs certainly add a degree of difficulty to caching, but can still work just fine.

I think I'll give mine some exercise once my truck is fixed. I'm having to reset the almanac right now... it's been a while and it lost everything. Now IF the mountains were just a little lower and better spaced with a few less trees... sigh!

 

Doug 7rxc