Put PQ on GPS

[+stedmanrecon]

What are the proper steps to putting a PQ onto a Magellan eXplorist GC? I was able to get it working this weekend, but did not know if I was doing it correctly. Here is what I did:

 

1- Created the PQ and saved it to my computer (extracted the compressed file, which had a folder for geocaches and a folder for waypoints I believe).

2- Hooked up GPS to computer and opened up the GPS as if it were a thumbdrive or external hard drive.

3- In the folder for caches, I copy and pasted the caches folder that was downloaded/extracted. In the waypoints folder, I did the same with the waypoints folder that was downloaded/extracted.

4- Closed out and unhooked the GPS.

 

This seemed to work fine as I was able to use the GPS and successfully find caches this weekend. Was just wondering, was there a different way (and more official) to do it?

 

I am also wanting to know if there is a way to put more than one PQ onto the GPS and be able to switch back and forth without losing any of the information that is saved/tracked for either of the PQs. Basically, I did a PQ for my home area and will work on it over time, but don't want to lose any of that information. I am also wanting to do a PQ for an upcoming trip and use the GPS for that, but again, I don't want to have to delete the PQ info for my home area. When I created the PQ, I clicked the box for it to have the PQ name in the filename, but I didn't see it anywhere on my GPS. Was this because of the method I used to put the PQ on the GPS? If I did it another way, would I be able to two PQs on my GPS and switch between the two when I am in different areas?

 

Another PQ question: When I created the PQ, I didn't go through and select a lot of stuff to include or exclude. I was thinking that since I already have some Finds and Not Finds logged on the website, it would label those caches on my PQ/GPS. But, when I started using the GPS with the PQ on it, none of my logged information like Finds that I had already made were on there. I mean, caches that I had already found weren't labled as found. Is there no way to get the PQ to do that, or is this also probably a result of the method I used to load the PQ onto the GPS?

 

Lol sorry for all the questions at once haha.

[+eusty]

Sounds like you are doing it correctly, I've a Garmin but basically they are the same.

 

If you are changing GPX files on a regular basis them maybe look at something like GSAK or My Geocaching Manager as this will make your life easier!

 

[+Graculus]

I have both a GC and 710. I've written a 'how to' document explaining how to do a PQ and transfer it directly to the Magellan GPS. It also includes how to use Magellan's Vantage Point software which does it all for you (but not with a MAC!). You've got the right method sorted already so may find VP of interest (it also downloads all the cache page photos for you too). Also on my resource site (linked to below my signature) is my review of the GC explaining how to use it for geocaching including waypoints, caches, maps etc.

 

The GC has one excellent little feature. If you open a cache page description you have an option to view all the additional waypoints for that cache and the ability to just click and navigate to them. If you open the Waypoint menu it shows all the waypoints and which caches they belong to. Sadly on the much more expensive 710 this feature isn't there

 

I use PQ filtering to decide what caches I want to see in the PQ. GSAK (and similar programs) let you manipulate the PQ as you want and then transfer it to the GPS. I've not used GSAK with a Magellan so can't comment on what the export is like.

 

Re your question about loading multiple PQ's. The GC can't do this but the 'higher end' models like the 710 have a neat little file transfer facility. You load as many PQ's to a memory card as you can and then just transfer whichever one you want into 'active' memory to use.

 

Chris

Graculus

Volunteer UK Reviewer for geocaching.com

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