+Cache In Hand 64 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Hi! I have just bought my first GPS, a Garmin etrex 20. I can easily download caches from the website but wonder if there is a way to do this when out on the field, via my mobile phone or do I have to link to a PC with a USB cable? Many thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 What phone do you have? Does your phone have a microSD slot? If it has, that is one way of transferring from phone to the eTrex. Some phones can function as a USB host as well (with a special cable or adapter). If it can, that's another option. Quote Link to comment
+user13371 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Chrysalides, can you list some smartphones which can function as a USB host? I'd be in the market for one. Quote Link to comment
+Cache In Hand 64 Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Chrysalides, can you list some smartphones which can function as a USB host? I'd be in the market for one. Portland Cyclist - are you actually from Portland? I used to live there... Quote Link to comment
+Cache In Hand 64 Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 What phone do you have? Does your phone have a microSD slot? If it has, that is one way of transferring from phone to the eTrex. Some phones can function as a USB host as well (with a special cable or adapter). If it can, that's another option. Thanks for that. I'm not sure I can download straight from the website to my phone anyway as the 'send to my GPS' button isn't visible when I access the website from the phone. Quote Link to comment
AZcachemeister Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I just successfully downloaded a .gpx file to my phone. I used the 'download GPX' button, not 'send to GPS'. I would need a (many possibilities here) file management app to move/copy it to a microSD card. My limited research only shows the Samsung Galaxy S II as a smartphone with USB host capabilities. There are other Google hits that describe ways to hack a special cable...etc. Seems like the long way around with so many dedicated Geocaching apps out there. Quote Link to comment
+user13371 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 AZC, you're right about there being so many dedicated Geocaching apps for smart phones. I use Geosphere on the iPhone and that' usually enough. But I also use an eTrex 10 and being able to export from the phone directly to the GPS would be a convenience (a minor one, sometimes), if I could get caches on both the phone and the GPS without using my computer. Not enough to make me rush out and buy a phone JUST for that one feature, but when I'm ready for a new phone it would be one possible feature to look for out of many. Quote Link to comment
Keystone Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I am moving this thread from the Geocaching Topics forum to the GPS and Technology forum. Quote Link to comment
+schwantzz Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Watching this with interest as I am in a similar position but haven't found a solution yet. Quote Link to comment
+eusty Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Me too, but I've a feeling I'm going to have to resort to the PQ/ microSD option. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 What phone do you have? Does your phone have a microSD slot? If it has, that is one way of transferring from phone to the eTrex. Some phones can function as a USB host as well (with a special cable or adapter). If it can, that's another option. Thanks for that. I'm not sure I can download straight from the website to my phone anyway as the 'send to my GPS' button isn't visible when I access the website from the phone. Don't use "Send to my GPS" - use "Download GPX" if you're a premium member. You may have a 30 day free trial with your eTrex 20. If you don't want to get a premium membership, you can ask someone to write a simple LOC to GPX converter, and download the LOC. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Chrysalides, can you list some smartphones which can function as a USB host? I'd be in the market for one. I've read that the Droid supports it. I first came across info that some phones may support host mode from the DSLR Controller Android app. What that app does is to allow you to control a Canon DSLR using the USB cable. In order to do it, the phone needs to support host mode. You can get a list of phones from here, and what's required for them to support host mode. My phone's not one of them, so I can't test. https://market.android.com/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller A special cable may (will?) be required. My Android tablet supports host mode just fine, but it will only see the microSD card of my Oregon. If I remove the microSD before connecting, it will see the internal memory. Quote Link to comment
+Bullygoat29 Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=273840&view=findpost&p=4706232 This is a workaround I found for the idevices. It works well for me as long as I have a data connection and has other uses. Quote Link to comment
+Chrysalides Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=273840&view=findpost&p=4706232 This is a workaround I found for the idevices. It works well for me as long as I have a data connection and has other uses. Great write-up! Thanks for sharing that. Quote Link to comment
+pars18 Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 I have been using my iphone4 for everything, save PQ's in phone no need for internet hookup while in the field. As long as I save them while being on charger it won't drain the power. Plus I keep plugged in while vehicle in running. Seems to work best for me. Quote Link to comment
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