Help with the Magellan eXplorist GC please...anyone

[+dutchie98]

Hi all,

 

I have been geocaching very happily with the Geomate for half a year now, and thought it would be nice to go paperless.

So Santa was good to me and got me a Magellan eXplorist GC. I have been looking online, reading manuals and exploring the darn thing but I can't seem to work it. When I go to 'caches' it shows a list of nearest caches. That would be great, if they were anywhere near to my location. It looks like the home location is put on Townsend NC. I'd love to go there some day but I'd like to start closer to home

Is there a way to put my location as the home location? So when I turn on my GPS and go to caches I can see caches close by on the list???

 

Please help me, I really don't know how to work it...

 

Thanks!

Marian

[+stirfrie2005]

you have to transfer them to your gps while connected to your computer and the website. yes, it comes preloaded. like you, the closest of the preloaded ones were over 100 miles away. since you are a premium member, you can put entire pocket queries onto your explorist. the easiest way to do this is to download VantagePoint from the magellan website. you just log in to geocaching.com through vantagepoint, it will recognize that you have created a PQ and all you have to do is sync it.

[+John in Valley Forge]

For me it seems to power up assuming you are in the spot where you powered it off last, then fixes itself once it gets satellite lock.

 

There is an option from the main menu, go to the tool section (the crossed screwdriver/wrench icon).

Next go to Settings, then GPS, make sure it is ON, and then choose "Set GPS Position". Enter your home coordinates.

 

Hopefully that straightens it out.

[+dutchie98]

Thank you so, so much for you fast reply. I am going to try it right now. Not sure if I understand everything you said, but I will follow the steps and see where I end. Is it ok to bother you with more questions if I don't get it?

 

you have to transfer them to your gps while connected to your computer and the website. yes, it comes preloaded. like you, the closest of the preloaded ones were over 100 miles away. since you are a premium member, you can put entire pocket queries onto your explorist. the easiest way to do this is to download VantagePoint from the magellan website. you just log in to geocaching.com through vantagepoint, it will recognize that you have created a PQ and all you have to do is sync it.

[+dutchie98]

I just bought it, never been to the place it automatically comes up with. But I'll try the tool section thing right away! Thanks for the info and replying fast!

 

For me it seems to power up assuming you are in the spot where you powered it off last, then fixes itself once it gets satellite lock.

 

There is an option from the main menu, go to the tool section (the crossed screwdriver/wrench icon).

Next go to Settings, then GPS, make sure it is ON, and then choose "Set GPS Position". Enter your home coordinates.

 

Hopefully that straightens it out.

[+John in Valley Forge]

Is it telling you that you are in NC or that the closest cache is in NC? I may have misunderstood the question.

 

Yes, fire away with the questions. I have my GC in my hand now.

[+dutchie98]

Didn't work. It has my home location in the GPS position and still gives the closest caches over 100 miles away

Thanks for the advice though!

 

I just bought it, never been to the place it automatically comes up with. But I'll try the tool section thing right away! Thanks for the info and replying fast!

 

For me it seems to power up assuming you are in the spot where you powered it off last, then fixes itself once it gets satellite lock.

 

There is an option from the main menu, go to the tool section (the crossed screwdriver/wrench icon).

Next go to Settings, then GPS, make sure it is ON, and then choose "Set GPS Position". Enter your home coordinates.

 

Hopefully that straightens it out.

[+dutchie98]

When I go to the Geocaches it comes up with a list (1 of 200 pages and it says nearest 1000).

The one on top is "welcome to Townsend" located 115 miles away in NC. It also says I found it, but I may have done that accidently myself when I tried to figure this out. Excuse my clumsiness (and my lack of English:) )

 

Is it telling you that you are in NC or that the closest cache is in NC? I may have misunderstood the question.

 

Yes, fire away with the questions. I have my GC in my hand now.

[+John in Valley Forge]

I think Stirfrie was on the right track. Have you tried to load any local caches on it?

The preloaded list is supposed to be the top 1000 caches or something like that. No all that useful honestly.

You need to download some local caches using pocket queries. Here is a "how to" llink

[+dutchie98]

Thanks! I am blonde, it may take a while, so I am going to try to figure this out right now with the answer you and Stirfrie gave me. I may get back to you and her later....Thank you so, so much to take the time to help a stranger!

 

I think Stirfrie was on the right track. Have you tried to load any local caches on it?

The preloaded list is supposed to be the top 1000 caches or something like that. No all that useful honestly.

You need to download some local caches using pocket queries. Here is a "how to" llink

[+dutchie98]

I created a PQ (thanks John for the link!) but when I go to VantagePoint it asks a user name and password and I don't see a link to geocaching. Got a link for that?

Thanks for putting time in helping me!!!!

 

you have to transfer them to your gps while connected to your computer and the website. yes, it comes preloaded. like you, the closest of the preloaded ones were over 100 miles away. since you are a premium member, you can put entire pocket queries onto your explorist. the easiest way to do this is to download VantagePoint from the magellan website. you just log in to geocaching.com through vantagepoint, it will recognize that you have created a PQ and all you have to do is sync it.

[+John in Valley Forge]

I created a PQ (thanks John for the link!) but when I go to VantagePoint it asks a user name and password and I don't see a link to geocaching. Got a link for that?

Thanks for putting time in helping me!!!!

 

you have to transfer them to your gps while connected to your computer and the website. yes, it comes preloaded. like you, the closest of the preloaded ones were over 100 miles away. since you are a premium member, you can put entire pocket queries onto your explorist. the easiest way to do this is to download VantagePoint from the magellan website. you just log in to geocaching.com through vantagepoint, it will recognize that you have created a PQ and all you have to do is sync it.

 

I've never worked with VantagePoint yet. I just transfer the PQ files manually. Here are the steps

 

1. Run the PQ and download it as a ZIP file.

2. Plug in your Explorist to the USB port, when the Explorist asks, choose Connect to PC.

3. Open the directory on the GC (to see all the files and folders)

4. Unzip the PQ file in another window. There will be 2 files in it, one with a number and ending in GPX, the other with the same numer, but with WPTS in it.

5. Drag the one with just the numbers to the GEOCACHE folder on the Explorist. This is a list of all the caches and the descriptions and hints and photos and such.

6. Drag the one with WPTS in the name to the Waypoints folder. This contains extra waypoints for the geocaches, parking lots, trailheads etc.

7. Close the windows and unplug the Explorist. That's it.

 

To confirm they are there (a good thing to do, especially if you are going to cache far from your PC), you could do a couple things on the Explorist.

a. Open the map from the menu and scroll to the area you going, then look to see if caches appear there.

b. Open the Geocache list from the menu and then hit the Menu button, choose Sort & Search and then search for a cache number that you know would have been in the PQ.

[+Kraziivan]

Heres a linky for ya for Vantage Point. http://www.magellangps.com/VantagePoint Too much time on reddit to not have a link to relevant info. Cheers

[+dutchie98]

Thanks a lot. I am so not familiar with all this, but I am going to give it a shot. Thanks for the link!!! Will go there right now!

 

Heres a linky for ya for Vantage Point. http://www.magellangps.com/VantagePoint Too much time on reddit to not have a link to relevant info. Cheers

[g_o_caching]

There is a good place to go for all kinds of information on geocaching for beginners like us. Try: www.geosnippits.com

It has many videos that will be useful. Geocaching 201 Videos has Loading POI's and waypoints. It won't actually be your type of GPS but it will show the steps you need to do. It may make it clearer to understand seeing the screens he uses.

[+dutchie98]

Thanks a lot!

I'll have to wait until tonight before I can

explore some more. Would love to go caching tuesday but will take my Geomate too,

just in case!

 

There is a good place to go for all kinds of information on geocaching for beginners like us. Try: www.geosnippits.com

It has many videos that will be useful. Geocaching 201 Videos has Loading POI's and waypoints. It won't actually be your type of GPS but it will show the steps you need to do. It may make it clearer to understand seeing the screens he uses.

[+dutchie98]

This sounds very complicated, but will try later. I did try to download cache by cache, but it didn't work. It said it didn't detect my device, but I had it plugged in, on and connected to PC.

Sigh, life was a lot easier with my Geomate!

 

I created a PQ (thanks John for the link!) but when I go to VantagePoint it asks a user name and password and I don't see a link to geocaching. Got a link for that?

Thanks for putting time in helping me!!!!

 

you have to transfer them to your gps while connected to your computer and the website. yes, it comes preloaded. like you, the closest of the preloaded ones were over 100 miles away. since you are a premium member, you can put entire pocket queries onto your explorist. the easiest way to do this is to download VantagePoint from the magellan website. you just log in to geocaching.com through vantagepoint, it will recognize that you have created a PQ and all you have to do is sync it.

 

I've never worked with VantagePoint yet. I just transfer the PQ files manually. Here are the steps

 

1. Run the PQ and download it as a ZIP file.

2. Plug in your Explorist to the USB port, when the Explorist asks, choose Connect to PC.

3. Open the directory on the GC (to see all the files and folders)

4. Unzip the PQ file in another window. There will be 2 files in it, one with a number and ending in GPX, the other with the same numer, but with WPTS in it.

5. Drag the one with just the numbers to the GEOCACHE folder on the Explorist. This is a list of all the caches and the descriptions and hints and photos and such.

6. Drag the one with WPTS in the name to the Waypoints folder. This contains extra waypoints for the geocaches, parking lots, trailheads etc.

7. Close the windows and unplug the Explorist. That's it.

 

To confirm they are there (a good thing to do, especially if you are going to cache far from your PC), you could do a couple things on the Explorist.

a. Open the map from the menu and scroll to the area you going, then look to see if caches appear there.

b. Open the Geocache list from the menu and then hit the Menu button, choose Sort & Search and then search for a cache number that you know would have been in the PQ.

[+debandrobin]

I have the GC and it took me a while to figure it out. I have never had a GPS before and spent a lot of time making mistakes. Here is a link to the owners manual. Look Here There are explicit instructions how to use Geocaching.com to load PQs and to upload your field notes to log your finds. A few times and you will be good at it. I have never used VantagePoint so I can't help you there. Sorry. HTH

 

This sounds very complicated, but will try later. I did try to download cache by cache, but it didn't work. It said it didn't detect my device, but I had it plugged in, on and connected to PC.

Sigh, life was a lot easier with my Geomate!

 

I created a PQ (thanks John for the link!) but when I go to VantagePoint it asks a user name and password and I don't see a link to geocaching. Got a link for that?

Thanks for putting time in helping me!!!!

 

you have to transfer them to your gps while connected to your computer and the website. yes, it comes preloaded. like you, the closest of the preloaded ones were over 100 miles away. since you are a premium member, you can put entire pocket queries onto your explorist. the easiest way to do this is to download VantagePoint from the magellan website. you just log in to geocaching.com through vantagepoint, it will recognize that you have created a PQ and all you have to do is sync it.

 

I've never worked with VantagePoint yet. I just transfer the PQ files manually. Here are the steps

 

1. Run the PQ and download it as a ZIP file.

2. Plug in your Explorist to the USB port, when the Explorist asks, choose Connect to PC.

3. Open the directory on the GC (to see all the files and folders)

4. Unzip the PQ file in another window. There will be 2 files in it, one with a number and ending in GPX, the other with the same numer, but with WPTS in it.

5. Drag the one with just the numbers to the GEOCACHE folder on the Explorist. This is a list of all the caches and the descriptions and hints and photos and such.

6. Drag the one with WPTS in the name to the Waypoints folder. This contains extra waypoints for the geocaches, parking lots, trailheads etc.

7. Close the windows and unplug the Explorist. That's it.

 

To confirm they are there (a good thing to do, especially if you are going to cache far from your PC), you could do a couple things on the Explorist.

a. Open the map from the menu and scroll to the area you going, then look to see if caches appear there.

b. Open the Geocache list from the menu and then hit the Menu button, choose Sort & Search and then search for a cache number that you know would have been in the PQ.

Edited January 5, 2011 by debandrobin

[+dutchie98]

Thanks debandrobin! Will try that tonight when I have more time! I downloaded some caches yesterday, so I am making progress

Would love to learn to download my PQ's. Could you tell me what would be the difference between downloading a PQ or just go to the map of the area I want to go to and download every cache I see in that area?

Wouldn't that give me the same results on my GPS?

 

I have the GC and it took me a while to figure it out. I have never had a GPS before and spent a lot of time making mistakes. Here is a link to the owners manual. Look Here There are explicit instructions how to use Geocaching.com to load PQs and to upload your field notes to log your finds. A few times and you will be good at it. I have never used VantagePoint so I can't help you there. Sorry. HTH

 

This sounds very complicated, but will try later. I did try to download cache by cache, but it didn't work. It said it didn't detect my device, but I had it plugged in, on and connected to PC.

Sigh, life was a lot easier with my Geomate!

 

I created a PQ (thanks John for the link!) but when I go to VantagePoint it asks a user name and password and I don't see a link to geocaching. Got a link for that?

Thanks for putting time in helping me!!!!

 

you have to transfer them to your gps while connected to your computer and the website. yes, it comes preloaded. like you, the closest of the preloaded ones were over 100 miles away. since you are a premium member, you can put entire pocket queries onto your explorist. the easiest way to do this is to download VantagePoint from the magellan website. you just log in to geocaching.com through vantagepoint, it will recognize that you have created a PQ and all you have to do is sync it.

 

I've never worked with VantagePoint yet. I just transfer the PQ files manually. Here are the steps

 

1. Run the PQ and download it as a ZIP file.

2. Plug in your Explorist to the USB port, when the Explorist asks, choose Connect to PC.

3. Open the directory on the GC (to see all the files and folders)

4. Unzip the PQ file in another window. There will be 2 files in it, one with a number and ending in GPX, the other with the same numer, but with WPTS in it.

5. Drag the one with just the numbers to the GEOCACHE folder on the Explorist. This is a list of all the caches and the descriptions and hints and photos and such.

6. Drag the one with WPTS in the name to the Waypoints folder. This contains extra waypoints for the geocaches, parking lots, trailheads etc.

7. Close the windows and unplug the Explorist. That's it.

 

To confirm they are there (a good thing to do, especially if you are going to cache far from your PC), you could do a couple things on the Explorist.

a. Open the map from the menu and scroll to the area you going, then look to see if caches appear there.

b. Open the Geocache list from the menu and then hit the Menu button, choose Sort & Search and then search for a cache number that you know would have been in the PQ.

[+musthavemuzk]

first off good luck with your GC.

 

depending on how active a cacher you are will say what is best option on loading your gps.

most gps's have a max geocache limit as well as a max gpx file limit.

pq results can be up to 1000 caches centered around a given location (be it a zip or a cache) or along a route(up to 500 miles long and up to 6 miles off the route). there are lots of options in setting up and running a pq. markwelll on here has a faq about that. as well as there is info on the pq page now about how to set up a pq.

this would be 1 gpx file that contains up to 1000 caches. this would take just a little time to set the pq up and run it and then transfer them to the gps.

so you could load several pq's onto your GC at one time and or you could set up the pq's to get just the caches you wanted. such as my size or type or other attribute. not to forget the time it was placed or last found and so on. depending on your area is to how much area would be covered in a pq. centering a pq around my house i go 21.4 miles to hit the 1000 cache limit by including all caches, even the ones i have found. when i was looking for my trip to NW MN i had to go 90 miles to hit that same limit up there. when i was looking in the twin cities i would go from 6-9 miles to hit that 1000 limit.

you might also find you like certain sizes or types or d/t rated caches and you can set up the pq to filter that.

 

now if you use the send to gps feature you are adding 1 gpx file each time you do this. now if the gps has a 200 gpx file limit then you will be full quick like that. as well as all the time spent doing that.

 

that is just a bit of info

 

Monty

[+dutchie98]

Thanks for your input. Sorry for my blondness, but what is a gpx file?

I understand you can set up a pq for caches around the house. I guess there is a way to do this quicker than to click on each and

every one of them? Could you explain to me how to do so (and if possible without too much technological and computer terms )

 

Thanks!!

 

Marian

 

first off good luck with your GC.

 

depending on how active a cacher you are will say what is best option on loading your gps.

most gps's have a max geocache limit as well as a max gpx file limit.

pq results can be up to 1000 caches centered around a given location (be it a zip or a cache) or along a route(up to 500 miles long and up to 6 miles off the route). there are lots of options in setting up and running a pq. markwelll on here has a faq about that. as well as there is info on the pq page now about how to set up a pq.

this would be 1 gpx file that contains up to 1000 caches. this would take just a little time to set the pq up and run it and then transfer them to the gps.

so you could load several pq's onto your GC at one time and or you could set up the pq's to get just the caches you wanted. such as my size or type or other attribute. not to forget the time it was placed or last found and so on. depending on your area is to how much area would be covered in a pq. centering a pq around my house i go 21.4 miles to hit the 1000 cache limit by including all caches, even the ones i have found. when i was looking for my trip to NW MN i had to go 90 miles to hit that same limit up there. when i was looking in the twin cities i would go from 6-9 miles to hit that 1000 limit.

you might also find you like certain sizes or types or d/t rated caches and you can set up the pq to filter that.

 

now if you use the send to gps feature you are adding 1 gpx file each time you do this. now if the gps has a 200 gpx file limit then you will be full quick like that. as well as all the time spent doing that.

 

that is just a bit of info

 

Monty

[+niraD]

Markwell's Pocket Query FAQ should have the information you need:

http://www.markwell.us/pq.htm

[+dutchie98]

Thank you so much!

[+WhoDis]

Magellan has a forum just for the GC here. Just click on the discussion board link on the left side of the page. You may want to check it out. I used to have one, but was not happy with it at all. I see there was an update for it a couple weeks ago, hopefully that worked all the bugs out of it, all though I doubt it. I never could get Vantage Point to work right with it, so I'd use John's method of loading the PQ manually. That worked for me. One suggestion, turn off the smart arrow! It will slow WAY down when you get close to the cache, say 100 feet, if you don't. Good luck with your new toy.

 

If possible, I'd return it and use the money towards a decent GPSr.

Edited January 7, 2011 by EddieB606

[+dutchie98]

Thanks for refering to the board and for turning off the smart arrow. I can't return it anymore I am afraid.

I'll try to work it out...When I am not too busy with daily life

 

Magellan has a forum just for the GC here. Just click on the discussion board link on the left side of the page. You may want to check it out. I used to have one, but was not happy with it at all. I see there was an update for it a couple weeks ago, hopefully that worked all the bugs out of it, all though I doubt it. I never could get Vantage Point to work right with it, so I'd use John's method of loading the PQ manually. That worked for me. One suggestion, turn off the smart arrow! It will slow WAY down when you get close to the cache, say 100 feet, if you don't. Good luck with your new toy.

 

If possible, I'd return it and use the money towards a decent GPSr.

[+John in Valley Forge]

Thanks for refering to the board and for turning off the smart arrow. I can't return it anymore I am afraid.

I'll try to work it out...When I am not too busy with daily life

 

The first time or two that you load a PQ will be the hardest. After that it will be a breeze and you will love your Explorist.

 

 

[+dutchie98]

Yep, I'm sure once this blond brain has figured it out it will be fun! I'm not blaming the Magellan, I am blaming my technically challenged brain! But with help of people like yourself, and some time and patience on my side it will all work out

 

Thanks for refering to the board and for turning off the smart arrow. I can't return it anymore I am afraid.

I'll try to work it out...When I am not too busy with daily life

 

The first time or two that you load a PQ will be the hardest. After that it will be a breeze and you will love your Explorist.