Removing Pre-Loaded Geocaches GPSMAP 64st

April 3, 2014

Can anyone tell me how to get rid of / hide the pre-loaded 250,000 geocaches on my new 64st? They do not appear in BaseCamp, only on the device.

6k · April 3, 2014

I don't have one but the first place I would look would be in the Garmin subdirectories. Either in the GPX one or maybe they have a GGZ one.

April 3, 2014

They're in Garmin/GGZ in your 64 named "preload.ggz".

April 3, 2014

Thanks!

May 17, 2014

A question about the same - but in "reverse"

I was tampering with my new 64st, and all the preloaded cashes are gone... I can see the folder GZZ 347.226 KB in explorer..

How do I get them back ?

May 18, 2014

Why would you want to? Surely you would be better off loading current pq's if a premium member,sorry I didn't look to see if you are. Some of the preloaded caches may be archived and so you may be searching for something that is no longer there. Also many of the preloaded caches may not be near you or in places you are likely to visit.

May 18, 2014

Good answer... ;-) I am a premium member.

I just have to look more into how pq's work. I tried to download one, but it never worked - and in that "tampering" the rest got lost - I Will try again.

Thanks for the answer to my part of the question

5.2k · May 19, 2014

... all the preloaded cashes are gone... I can see the folder GZZ 347.226 KB in explorer..
How do I get them back ?

Rename the file so it isn't recognized, such as preload.xxx

Reboot the GPS. It will clear it's memory and show no caches.

Hook to your computer and rename the file back to preload.ggz

Reboot the GPS. This time it should read the file.

8.6k · May 19, 2014

Good answer... ;-) I am a premium member.

I just have to look more into how pq's work. I tried to download one, but it never worked - and in that "tampering" the rest got lost - I Will try again.

Thanks for the answer to my part of the question

Pocket Queries... easy as pie, with just a wee bit'o practice.

From the GS Help Center, a by-the-number method of creating a PQ: http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=118

Pay close attention to step #6 and its associated asterisk. It will allow you to run "practice" queries by checking the projected preview results rather than actually having ran a true query (you are limited to 5/day actual queries). This allows you to practice, make changes and check the preview again, and again, and... well, you get it.

Loading PQ results to your unit is a different story. After mastering queries, come back and ask about it.

It too, is easy once you got the hang of it.

May 19, 2014

Good answer... ;-) I am a premium member.

I just have to look more into how pq's work. I tried to download one, but it never worked - and in that "tampering" the rest got lost - I Will try again.

Thanks for the answer to my part of the question

Pay close attention to step #6 and its associated asterisk. It will allow you to run "practice" queries by checking the projected preview results rather than actually having ran a true query (you are limited to 5/day actual queries). This allows you to practice, make changes and check the preview again, and again, and... well, you get it.

Well that's cool! Been doing this for quite a while and never knew about that trick!

1k · May 23, 2014

The GGZ file on my 64s has a file date of December 2013. That's a little stale in my opinion. As an experiment, I loaded the whole GGZ into GSAK and sorted by my location. I had about 1800 within 50 miles (Chicago and suburbs). 34 were archived and 36 were temporarily disabled. So about 4% had 'gone bad' between December and late April or you could say about 1% per month.

February 8, 2015

They're in Garmin/GGZ in your 64 named "preload.ggz".

So all that needs to be done is to delete "preload.ggz" in GGZ ?

February 8, 2015

Hi, yes just delete that file. I copied it to my computer just in case I ever wanted it (but I doubt I ever will)

April 6, 2015

thanx heaps to previous posters , as i have just bought a 64st and the loaded caches were a pain !

i took the route of not deleting the ggz file but renamed it, the fix worked a treat

thanx again

April 6, 2015

thanx heaps to previous posters , as i have just bought a 64st and the loaded caches were a pain !

i took the route of not deleting the ggz file but renamed it, the fix worked a treat

thanx again

also i export gpx files direct from gsak to the gps gpx file directory have nearly 4000 caches loaded

coming from a very cool 60csx to the 64 is mostly the same but it better for the fact it paperless caches far easier

Edited April 6, 2015 by Scenic routers

April 14, 2015

I also recently upgraded to the 64s from the 60csx and find the ability to export all the geocaches from GSAK as a .ggz is wonderful - last logs and descriptions without needing a phone with connectivity (which can be a pain in the wilds). Currently have around 26000 caches loaded and run PQs for trips to get more as required. Finally can mostly do paperless caching - just need to plan routes in advance and maybe take a set of notes for multis :-)

July 2, 2015

I deleted the preloaded caches on the 64st but now my unit is stuck in the boot up what do I do now?

July 2, 2015

Hold OUT, MENU, and QUIT then press the power button to turn it on. You can release the power button now. Keep holding the other buttons though! After the Garmin logo appears, count to 10 and then release the buttons you were holding. The screen should flash white for a split second and the device will reboot. That is a forced master reset. If that fails, you can force it into mass storage mode by starting with it off, holding down the up arrow, and plugging it into the computer. Keep holding the up arrow for 30 seconds (maybe a little longer), and it will go to mass storage mode and skip the normal boot up process.

July 20, 2015

Thanks a lot for this topic. It help me with my new 64st.

best regards

Philippe

August 5, 2015

Thanks a lot for this topic. It help me with my new 64st.

best regards

Philippe

I just got my new 64s today and am having no end of trouble with it. first of all I couldn't delete the mega cache list on it even when I followed all the above advice. Then I tried loading a gpx file from gsak following all of the above advice. Nada. I keep getting the white bar across the bottom indicating it is loading but nothing happens. I've tried saving the gpx file and sending it direct to the "current.???" file, renaming it, etc. Nada. Kind of getting frustrated. I know from past experience with Garmin that phoning them would do no good because as soon as I mention gsak they clam up and blame everything on that software. Any suggestions? I have this wonderful fairly short (101 caches) gpx file sitting on my computer and I'd love to get it onto the 64s where It would process it properly for use.

Stan in Ladysmith BC Canada

1k · August 5, 2015

Thanks a lot for this topic. It help me with my new 64st.

best regards

Philippe

I just got my new 64s today and am having no end of trouble with it. first of all I couldn't delete the mega cache list on it even when I followed all the above advice. Then I tried loading a gpx file from gsak following all of the above advice. Nada. I keep getting the white bar across the bottom indicating it is loading but nothing happens. I've tried saving the gpx file and sending it direct to the "current.???" file, renaming it, etc. Nada. Kind of getting frustrated. I know from past experience with Garmin that phoning them would do no good because as soon as I mention gsak they clam up and blame everything on that software. Any suggestions? I have this wonderful fairly short (101 caches) gpx file sitting on my computer and I'd love to get it onto the 64s where It would process it properly for use.

Stan in Ladysmith BC Canada

Don't touch the Current.gpx file. Instead, take your GPX file and drag/drop it into the [DriveLetter]:Garmin/GPX folder of your 64. Do not call it Current.gpx. While you're browsing the 64's folder structure, just delete the whole [Drive]:Garmin/GGZ folder. That will get rid of the pre-loaded caches.

There are a couple ways to export from GSAK to the 64. One way is to use the Export to GPX menu function and navigate to your [Drive]:Garmin/GPX folder and have it saved there. If you use the 'Garmin Export' macro, you might need to download an updated version of that macro that recognizes the 64 by name.

6.4k · August 5, 2015

There are a couple ways to export from GSAK to the 64. One way is to use the Export to GPX menu function and navigate to your [Drive]:Garmin/GPX folder and have it saved there. If you use the 'Garmin Export' macro, you might need to download an updated version of that macro that recognizes the 64 by name.

The best and safest way is to use the "GPS/Send Waypoints" function. This ensures that the file is correctly placed and formatted for the specific device. In the case of a 64, it will make a GGZ file.

In any case.

1) Delete all GPX files that you have placed on the unit.

2) Remove the micro SD card if present.

3) Re-boot the unit to normal mode.

If the unit has problems at this point, perform a master reset. (Google for details).

4) Plug back in to the computer and ensure you choose "mass storage mode".

5) Add the caches to the units using GSAK's GPS/Send Waypoints feature.

If it all works, you should be good to know. If in the future, you want to use a macro, ensure it is modern and up to date one.

August 6, 2015

There are a couple ways to export from GSAK to the 64. One way is to use the Export to GPX menu function and navigate to your [Drive]:Garmin/GPX folder and have it saved there. If you use the 'Garmin Export' macro, you might need to download an updated version of that macro that recognizes the 64 by name.

The best and safest way is to use the "GPS/Send Waypoints" function. This ensures that the file is correctly placed and formatted for the specific device. In the case of a 64, it will make a GGZ file.

In any case.

1) Delete all GPX files that you have placed on the unit.

2) Remove the micro SD card if present.

3) Re-boot the unit to normal mode.

If the unit has problems at this point, perform a master reset. (Google for details).

4) Plug back in to the computer and ensure you choose "mass storage mode".

5) Add the caches to the units using GSAK's GPS/Send Waypoints feature.

If it all works, you should be good to know. If in the future, you want to use a macro, ensure it is modern and up to date one.

Thank you all for your excellent replies. I have solved the problem by....

1.) doing a master reset using the "Page & Enter" keys while booting up.

2.) Then I upgraded to 4.0 software,

3.) Then I used GSAK to "GPS...Send Waypoints" to the 64s.

It worked perfectly. I made up another file in GSAK using a different "bookmark" produced pocket query and it automatically made the old geocache list disappear from the GPS, it made the new one appear. Just like I wanted it to. I do wonder however, where does the old geocache list go when I do that? Does it erase it from the gps or does it save it on it somewhere?

Hope this helps someone else someday.

Stan

6.4k · August 6, 2015

Does it erase it from the gps or does it save it on it somewhere?

GSAK overwrite the old GGZ file. When the GPS boots up, it recognizes the file has changed and deletes all the caches previously associated with that file.

February 7, 2016

Just got a 64s and saw that a lot of the preloaded caches were found or archived. Newer caches obviously didn't appear.

I found instructions to remove the preload.ggz and version.ggz files from the gpsr. I followed the instructions and now my 64s doesn't work. I can turn it on and off. When I power-up the 'loading waypoints, tracks and routes' message appears, but does nothing. Even connected to the computer, I get a message saying it's loading wtr's and displays 1% progress...it doesn't change.

So, I'm wondering if maybe removing those two files caused my 64s to go toes-up. I don't know how large the two files are, but can someone send them to me (kg5u@att.net). If they are too large to send and can be opened in notepad (or similar) can you reduce the file sizes accordingly and send them?

I haven't gotten an answer from Garmin. The instructions I've gotten from them have not restored by 64s to 'normal' service. It's been 10 days since I received it and haven't been able to use it to find a single geocache.

Bummer

Thanks in advance for any help and/or advice

Dale

Houston, TX

6.4k · February 7, 2016

Do a hard reset.

What do you mean by "two" files? What did you remove?

2.7k · February 9, 2016

For those having issues with seemingly being stuck in the 'boot mode' with a perpetual white bar at the bottom of the screen AFTER removing or replacing the preload.ggz file, it can take more than 6 hours for the GPSr to index or remove that entire file. I have timed it on my GPSr both ways, and Garmin support says that is normal for such a large file. Just leave the unit alone for the rest of the day... It will finish, eventually.

2.7k · February 10, 2016

Pocket Queries... easy as pie, with just a wee bit'o practice.

I'm not sure that's the best analogy. Getting the perfect pie crust often takes some skill. And if you make your own fillings... well you find that pies can be an all day affair.

February 10, 2016

Maybe they are referring to "humble pie"? No ... wait ... that's not easy either.

Edited February 10, 2016 by alandb

September 3, 2016

G'day. Can someone assist me with the procedure to delete the pre-loaded caches from a GPSMAP 64. I've followed the topic here but when I delete either the pre-load file by itself or that along with the .sum and .ver files the GPSr will not boot. It freezes when it tries to load waypoints. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Should I just delete the entire GGZ file?

2.7k · September 3, 2016

G'day. Can someone assist me with the procedure to delete the pre-loaded caches from a GPSMAP 64. I've followed the topic here but when I delete either the pre-load file by itself or that along with the .sum and .ver files the GPSr will not boot. It freezes when it tries to load waypoints. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Should I just delete the entire GGZ file?

It's not frozen, it's just re-indexing (deleting the 250,000 entries in the sql database). It'll take a while. Just turn it on and let it do its thing.

2.7k · September 5, 2016

G'day. Can someone assist me with the procedure to delete the pre-loaded caches from a GPSMAP 64. I've followed the topic here but when I delete either the pre-load file by itself or that along with the .sum and .ver files the GPSr will not boot. It freezes when it tries to load waypoints. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Should I just delete the entire GGZ file?

It's not frozen, it's just re-indexing (deleting the 250,000 entries in the sql database). It'll take a while. Just turn it on and let it do its thing.

A long while. Make sure the batteries are full, or it is connected to USB power, then go do something else, for a long while.....

February 1, 2017

Hey there,

Thanks for the advice on removing all those annoying pre-loaded caches. I'd rather pick my own to put on my device. your advice worked perfect. Thanks

-Dez

February 17, 2017

FWIW, I sent an email to Garmin tonight reference this and this was their response:

Hello Gary,

The GPSMAP 64, Montana 610, 680 and eTrex Touch series devices come preloaded with 250,000 geocaches from Geocaching.com. If you do not want these geocaches, they can be removed. In order to remove the files you will need to delete them from the GGZ folder internally. Deleting the GGZ files will permanently remove the preloaded geocaches from the device.

To delete* GGZ files from your mass storage device on a PC:

Plug device into computer

Click Window’s Start button

Double-click (My) Computer

Double-click Garmin device drive

Double-click Garmin folder

Double-click GGZ folder

Select both the preload.ggz and preload.ver

Press Delete on keyboard

Confirm that selected file(s) wish to be deleted

Right-Click on the Garmin device drive

Select Eject

Unplug device from computer

To delete* GGZ files from your mass storage device on a MAC:

Plug device into computer

Navigate to Desktop

Double-click Garmin device drive

Click Garmin folder

Click GGZ folder

Select the preload.ggz and preload.ver

Drag file(s) you wish to delete to Trash

Click on Trash

Click Finder

Click Empty Trash

Confirm you wish to permanently remove these items

Drag Garmin device drive to Trash

Unplug device from computer

Your mass storage device will no longer display the data you have deleted.

* NOTE: Use CAUTION when deleting. Do not delete unknown files outside of the GGZ folder; deleting the wrong files from your mass storage device can cause device failure.

Thank you for choosing Garmin,

Scott

Product Support - Outdoor Team

Garmin International

http://support.garmin.com

Going through the process I saw there was a third file, preload.sum. I asked about deleting it and they said to delete it as well.

I deleted all theee files and whoila no more preloaded caches!!

May 29, 2017

Just bought a 64S. Was able to remove the preloaded caches, but cannot use GSAK to "Send". The only way I'm able to get caches onto unit right now is by exporting a .ggz and drag/dropping it into the GGZ folder on the Garmin. Am I missing something?

2.7k · May 29, 2017

Just bought a 64S. Was able to remove the preloaded caches, but cannot use GSAK to "Send". The only way I'm able to get caches onto unit right now is by exporting a .ggz and drag/dropping it into the GGZ folder on the Garmin. Am I missing something?

Not sure this is the best place for that question, may be better served on the GSAK forum 8^)

FWIW, I use the Garmin Export Macro to send geocaches from GSAK to my Garmin GPSr.

6.4k · May 29, 2017

It should work. Do you have it setup for the correct GPS in the GSAK send waypoints settings?

May 30, 2017

Thanks to everyone (Particularly Phipps Family) for this much-needed information. The pre-loads on my new 64s were driving me nuts! I'v deleted the GZZ files, and have my unit sitting on the desk rebooting! Hopefully by morning it will be ready to load my PQ's into it.

May 30, 2017

Well, bummer. I still show the pre-loaded geocaches in my 64s. Any more suggestions?

6.4k · May 30, 2017

Are you using a Mac computer? If so, you need to empty the trash on the GPS.

June 5, 2017

Thanks to everyone for advice and suggestions. I was able, after reading and working processes above, to finally get someone on Garmin chat that was also helpful helpful in removing the pre-loaded caches (the hard reboot method has changed somewhat. I apologize for not thinking ahead far enough to do a cut and paste on the new instructions.) I have two cautionary statements for anyone looking to purchase a Garmin unit.

1- The owner's manual is helpful, if you are going to use it as pre-programed right out of the box. Garmin's website is not helpful at all.

2- There are some pretty helpful videos on YouTube regarding Garmin units, search for the topic GSAK.

My regards to all!

Bob and Kathleen Hartman

June 10, 2017

It should work. Do you have it setup for the correct GPS in the GSAK send waypoints settings?

As it turns out, no, I did not. Now that it's set up correctly, it works just fine! Had it set for generic GPSr, which had worked for years with my GPSMap 60CSx.

Thanks!

Removing Pre-Loaded Geocaches GPSMAP 64st

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