HELP! Garmin 60Cx Garmin Plugin not detected

[tomandsue]

I went to download some Geocache waypoint files today and it says my device is not detected. I updated my Garmin Plugin and my device shows up on the plug in, but not on the website download box.

Some people have said download the gpx file directly to my device but the gpx button is grayed out and won't do anything. I am on a Mac running OS10 Sierra.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Tom

[Keystone]

Moving from the Geocaching.com Website Bug Report and Feature Suggestion forum.

[cezanne]

I went to download some Geocache waypoint files today and it says my device is not detected. I updated my Garmin Plugin and my device shows up on the plug in, but not on the website download box.

 

I'm not sure whether there is a solution for you as you use the Mac.

On Windows one can use the signed version of the plugin under the current version of Firefox but it is not clear how long that will continue to work.

 

Some people have said download the gpx file directly to my device but the gpx button is grayed out and won't do anything.

 

Because you are a basic member and not a premium member.

 

It's unfortunate that Groundspeak is not offering a way for basic members to get the file which is transmitted to the GPS-receiver via the send to gps plugin. That's not really a basic member vs premium member issue as the file which is sent by sent to gps is not the same for basic and premimum members and I cannot see a reason why the file which is available via the plugin to basic members cannot be made accessible to basic members by download.

 

Right now the only option except becoming a PM for you appears to be to only download the loc file but that file does not include the additional waypoints.

[Pup Patrol]

I went to download some Geocache waypoint files today and it says my device is not detected. I updated my Garmin Plugin and my device shows up on the plug in, but not on the website download box.

Some people have said download the gpx file directly to my device but the gpx button is grayed out and won't do anything. I am on a Mac running OS10 Sierra.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Tom

 

As a Basic Member, you can't download gpx files.

 

Were you a Premium Member in the past? How have you been getting geocaches into your gps until now?

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Searching for a Geocache

2.11. Download geocaches to GPS device

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=532

 

LOC waypoint file

 

This file type is available to both Premium and Basic members. It contains the listing title, GC code, and coordinates.

 

GPX file

 

This file type is available to only Premium members. It contains the listing title, description, public additional waypoints (such as parking coordinates), hints, and the 20 most recent logs.

 

B.

Edited January 31, 2017 by Pup Patrol

[cezanne]

Were you a Premium Member in the past? How have you been getting geocaches into your gps until now?

 

Most probably he did it via "send to gps" and the plugin which still works but apparently not on the Mac. This plug in sends a gpx file to the GPS-r. For basic members this is a reduced gpx file

but it serves the purpose perfectly fine and contains the additional waypoints.

 

Everything would be perfect if Groundspeak offered the file which is sent to the gps by "send to gps" for download instead of the loc file. Basic members would not get anything in addition to what they have been able to get during all these years when they used the plugin. In my opinion what basic members get should not depend on the OS and browser people use. As the reduced gpx file is transmitted via send to gps for basic members, it must be available at gc.com anyway.

Edited January 31, 2017 by cezanne

[+kunarion]

I went to download some Geocache waypoint files today and it says my device is not detected. I updated my Garmin Plugin and my device shows up on the plug in, but not on the website download box.

Some people have said download the gpx file directly to my device but the gpx button is grayed out and won't do anything. I am on a Mac running OS10 Sierra.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Tom

"Send To GPS" still works for many people. But as you see, security updates and site updates are slowly but surely eliminating it. Get familiar with your options, since the site's "Send To GPS" button seems to be going away.

 

Here's a Help Center page: https://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=532

 

You may try the "Other Devices" procedure, and see if it suits you. Depending on how you cache and which device you use, that file might be OK for you.

 

For most Garmin GPSrs, you can manually place LOC or GPX files into the "Garmin/GPX" folder of the GPSr.

[+Red90]

For most Garmin GPSrs, you can manually place LOC or GPX files into the "Garmin/GPX" folder of the GPSr.

 

Not with a 60cx. You must use a program to transfer waypoints/caches to the device.

[Pup Patrol]

For most Garmin GPSrs, you can manually place LOC or GPX files into the "Garmin/GPX" folder of the GPSr.

 

Not with a 60cx. You must use a program to transfer waypoints/caches to the device.

 

I've used GPSBabel for years and years, both as a PM and as a Basic Member.

 

Save the loc file to a folder on the computer, hook up the gps with the cable, open GPSBabel and transfer caches/waypoints to the gps.

 

https://www.gpsbabel.org/

 

This is amazing! What does it cost?

 

GPSBabel is free software. It is free to download and use, and it's free to modify for your use, as it's distributed under the GNU Public License.

 

Does it run on my computer?

 

Almost certainly. GPSBabel runs on Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 plus POSIX OSes such as Mac OS/X and Linux.

 

B.

[cezanne]

 

I've used GPSBabel for years and years, both as a PM and as a Basic Member.

 

Save the loc file to a folder on the computer, hook up the gps with the cable, open GPSBabel and transfer caches/waypoints to the gps.

 

The loc file does not contain the additional waypoints. The file sent by send to gps does contain them.

 

The issue is not how to transfer the file with the waypoints to the GPS (there are many programs that do that job and one for every platform). The issue is how to get the

file that is sent via send to gps.

[Pup Patrol]

 

I've used GPSBabel for years and years, both as a PM and as a Basic Member.

 

Save the loc file to a folder on the computer, hook up the gps with the cable, open GPSBabel and transfer caches/waypoints to the gps.

 

The loc file does not contain the additional waypoints. The file sent by send to gps does contain them.

 

The issue is not how to transfer the file with the waypoints to the GPS (there are many programs that do that job and one for every platform). The issue is how to get the file that is sent via send to gps.

 

I wasn't addressing the "send to gps" issue. I've never used "send to gps".

 

When you cherry-pick quotes in a thread, make sure the context is maintained.

 

For most Garmin GPSrs, you can manually place LOC or GPX files into the "Garmin/GPX" folder of the GPSr.

 

Not with a 60cx. You must use a program to transfer waypoints/caches to the device.

 

I've used GPSBabel for years and years, both as a PM and as a Basic Member.

 

Save the loc file to a folder on the computer, hook up the gps with the cable, open GPSBabel and transfer caches/waypoints to the gps.

 

https://www.gpsbabel.org/

 

This is amazing! What does it cost?

 

GPSBabel is free software. It is free to download and use, and it's free to modify for your use, as it's distributed under the GNU Public License.

 

Does it run on my computer?

 

Almost certainly. GPSBabel runs on Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 plus POSIX OSes such as Mac OS/X and Linux.

 

B.

 

 

b.

Edited January 31, 2017 by Pup Patrol

[cezanne]

 

I've used GPSBabel for years and years, both as a PM and as a Basic Member.

 

Save the loc file to a folder on the computer, hook up the gps with the cable, open GPSBabel and transfer caches/waypoints to the gps.

 

The loc file does not contain the additional waypoints. The file sent by send to gps does contain them.

 

The issue is not how to transfer the file with the waypoints to the GPS (there are many programs that do that job and one for every platform). The issue is how to get the file that is sent via send to gps.

 

I wasn't addressing the "send to gps" issue. I've never used "send to gps".

 

When you cherry-pick quotes in a thread, make sure the context is maintained.

 

I have always been aware that you did not address the send to gps issue, but it is at the core of the issue for basic members.

 

It is no problem at all to transfer files (loc or gpx) to both old and newer gps units. The issue for Mac users that are basic members is how to get the files to send to the gps that contain the waypoint info.

 

The OP mentioned that people told him to download gpx files from the cache pages and that he realized that he cannot do that because they are greyed out for him (like for me). Downloading loc files instead and sending them to the GPS just does not solve the issue that is created by the fact that send to gps apparently cannot be used on Macs unter the native system any longer.

 

Neither downloading loc files from gc.com nor sending them to the gps does solve that issue which is at the core of the problem.

Edited February 1, 2017 by cezanne

[+PopokiNui]

I'm a premium member, and suddenly I'm having the same problem with my Garmin GPSmap 62st. Send to GPS worked perfectly for years on my Macbook and Garmin 62st, now it says "Garmin Communicator plugin NOT detected". Of course, I've download the latest Garmin plugin (confirmed by Garmin), but I cannot send caches to my GPS any longer. Nothing I try works.

 

No idea what to do next.

Edited February 5, 2017 by PopokiNui

[+Mineral2]

I'm a premium member, and suddenly I'm having the same problem with my Garmin GPSmap 62st. Send to GPS worked perfectly for years on my Macbook and Garmin 62st, now it says "Garmin Communicator plugin NOT detected". Of course, I've download the latest Garmin plugin (confirmed by Garmin), but I cannot send caches to my GPS any longer. Nothing I try works.

 

No idea what to do next.

The OP's problem is that he has neither a premium membership or a modern GPS that supports paperless caching.

 

As a premium member with a modern GPS, you have access to the solutions listed above. Click on the "save as GPX" and save it directly in the GPX folder on your device. Or better yet, start using pocket queries.

[tomandsue]

As a Mac User and a basic member, I am looking for the easiest way to load geocaches onto my Garmin 60CX. I get that the communicator plug in does not work anymore due to security issues. I tried to follow what people were saying about sending the .gpx file directly to my garmin, but the .gpx is grayed out with my garmin plugged in. What am I doing wrong?

[tomandsue]

I tried to use Garmin Express and it says my 60 cx isn't supported and to update the maps. When I try to do so I get caught in a loop and it does nothing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[+Mineral2]

The issue is that the "Save as GPX" feature is only available to premium members. The Garmin Express feature for sending lists won't work for you either because bookmark lists are a premium feature, and I believe that Garmin Express isn't compatible with the 60cx.

 

So your options are limited.

 

1. [not recommended as a long-term solution] Find an older computer with an older version of firefox that will let you continue using the communicator plugin.

2. Pay for a premium membership so that you can download GPX files and use pocket queries to bulk download caches

3. Upgrade your GPS to one that is GPX compatible (paperless caching feature)

4. Load caches via iCaching ($15 on the mac app store)

 

Option 1 is the the least preferred method and I wouldn't recommend it unless as a last resort.

 

Option 2 will only partially solve your problem. But the benefits of a premium membership I feel outweigh the nominal cost of supporting the game.

 

Option 3: I understand if you're not ready to upgrade your GPS if your current, but older model is working just fine. But technology changes. New file formats become standard, and the files for data and maps require more space and processing power than in the past. If you're an avid GPS user, I would think about upgrading in the near future.

 

Option 4: iCaching is the mac answer to GSAK. You can use GPSBabel to install GPX files onto older GPS, but iCaching might make that process easier. It uses GPSBabel as a framework for that anyway. It will be able to load the caches onto your GPSMap 60cx properly so you can keep playing the game. iCaching accesses the site via API, and will take advantage of a premium membership to view and download more caches than you are allowed with a basic membership.

 

Thus I feel that options 2 and 4 will make your life easiest if you are unable or unwilling to entertain the route of option 3.

[tomandsue]

Great! Thank you for your help. That all makes perfect sense now.... It is sad to toss a perfectly good Garmin Cx because it ages out... If I were to purchase a new GPS, what would you suggest? One that would be Mac compatible. It would be mainly for hiking and geocaching. Would the Garmin GPSMAP 64st with Bluetooth be a good choice?

Thanks again!

Tom

 

The issue is that the "Save as GPX" feature is only available to premium members. The Garmin Express feature for sending lists won't work for you either because bookmark lists are a premium feature, and I believe that Garmin Express isn't compatible with the 60cx.

 

So your options are limited.

 

1. [not recommended as a long-term solution] Find an older computer with an older version of firefox that will let you continue using the communicator plugin.

2. Pay for a premium membership so that you can download GPX files and use pocket queries to bulk download caches

3. Upgrade your GPS to one that is GPX compatible (paperless caching feature)

4. Load caches via iCaching ($15 on the mac app store)

 

Option 1 is the the least preferred method and I wouldn't recommend it unless as a last resort.

 

Option 2 will only partially solve your problem. But the benefits of a premium membership I feel outweigh the nominal cost of supporting the game.

 

Option 3: I understand if you're not ready to upgrade your GPS if your current, but older model is working just fine. But technology changes. New file formats become standard, and the files for data and maps require more space and processing power than in the past. If you're an avid GPS user, I would think about upgrading in the near future.

 

Option 4: iCaching is the mac answer to GSAK. You can use GPSBabel to install GPX files onto older GPS, but iCaching might make that process easier. It uses GPSBabel as a framework for that anyway. It will be able to load the caches onto your GPSMap 60cx properly so you can keep playing the game. iCaching accesses the site via API, and will take advantage of a premium membership to view and download more caches than you are allowed with a basic membership.

 

Thus I feel that options 2 and 4 will make your life easiest if you are unable or unwilling to entertain the route of option 3.

Edited June 20, 2017 by tomandsue

[+cerberus1]

That all makes perfect sense now.... It is sad to toss a perfectly good Garmin Cx because it ages out...

If "aging out" is simply being able to load a ton of caches at a clip, we'd have to pick up new models every couple months.

If it is still "perfectly good"...

 

The other 2/3rds used routes and stuff years ago, but I've loaded caches manually into a 60csx since we've started.

No offense, but you're not a big numbers hound, so why a need to load with plugins and such, when simply loading manually will suffice?

I'd run that perfectly good GPSr until it croaks.

[+Atlas Cached]

That all makes perfect sense now.... It is sad to toss a perfectly good Garmin Cx because it ages out...

If "aging out" is simply being able to load a ton of caches at a clip, we'd have to pick up new models every couple months.

If it is still "perfectly good"...

 

The other 2/3rds used routes and stuff years ago, but I've loaded caches manually into a 60csx since we've started.

No offense, but you're not a big numbers hound, so why a need to load with plugins and such, when simply loading manually will suffice?

I'd run that perfectly good GPSr until it croaks.

 

Or.... Get an Oregon 7x0 series and load geocaches on the spot, any time, any where!

[+Fuzzywhip]

I'm a 60Cx user that has been inactive for several years. Tried to install the plugin (newest version 4.20) but Explorer will not recognize the plugin as being there. Did a rollback to Explorer 9 (under Win7) and reinstalled the plugin ... same problem. Is the plugin just dead or am I missing something?

Fortunately, my old GSAK still allows transfers to my 60Cx, but it's a pain to use just to load a few caches at a time.

Any constructive suggestions? Don't want to spend hundreds of $$$ on a GPSr when my 60Cx is still good.

Paperless geocaching? Not interested. I've tried to use my cousin's etrex 30, but the screen is so small and the text is almost too small to read reliably. Hey, not everyone has teen eyesight!

PS: Garmin Express does not recognize my 60Cx, so that is out!

 

Edited July 24, 2017 by Fuzzywhip
Added text

[+Mineral2]

1 hour ago, Fuzzywhip said:

I'm a 60Cx user that has been inactive for several years. Tried to install the plugin (newest version 4.20) but Explorer will not recognize the plugin as being there. Did a rollback to Explorer 9 (under Win7) and reinstalled the plugin ... same problem. Is the plugin just dead or am I missing something?

Fortunately, my old GSAK still allows transfers to my 60Cx, but it's a pain to use just to load a few caches at a time.

Any constructive suggestions? Don't want to spend hundreds of $$$ on a GPSr when my 60Cx is still good.

Paperless geocaching? Not interested. I've tried to use my cousin's etrex 30, but the screen is so small and the text is almost too small to read reliably. Hey, not everyone has teen eyesight!

PS: Garmin Express does not recognize my 60Cx, so that is out!

 

There are tons of threads on this topic. The communicator plugin was built on an insecure and outdated platform called NPAPI. All browsers are now disabling support for NPAPI plugins due to the security risk they pose. Garmin (and all other gps manufacturers) have shown no interest in building a new communicator plugin on a more secure base platform, and so the plugin is essentially dead.

Your options really are to use GSAK because your GPS is also running on obsolete technology that does not natively support GPX files. If you're just loading a few caches at a time, and don't care about going paperless, then you could load the coordinates the old fashioned way: By hand directly into the GPS, or via BaseCamp (or some other GPS data manager). That said, the eTrex 30 does have a small screen, but the 62s, 64s and the Oregon series (450,600,700) have screens the size of what you're used to with better readability, and it really is nice to have all of the cache details and descriptions with you so you don't have to print it out ahead of time. So maybe it is time for an update? Either that or it's time for a smart phone.

[+noncentric]

3 hours ago, Fuzzywhip said:

I'm a 60Cx user that has been inactive for several years. Tried to install the plugin (newest version 4.20) but Explorer will not recognize the plugin as being there. Did a rollback to Explorer 9 (under Win7) and reinstalled the plugin ... same problem. Is the plugin just dead or am I missing something?

Fortunately, my old GSAK still allows transfers to my 60Cx, but it's a pain to use just to load a few caches at a time.

Any constructive suggestions? Don't want to spend hundreds of $$$ on a GPSr when my 60Cx is still good.

Paperless geocaching? Not interested. I've tried to use my cousin's etrex 30, but the screen is so small and the text is almost too small to read reliably. Hey, not everyone has teen eyesight!

PS: Garmin Express does not recognize my 60Cx, so that is out!

If you're looking to "load a few caches at a time", then the "GPX file" button might be a good option.  It's the button to the left of the "Send to My GPS" button you would've used when the communicator plug-in was working.

• Click the "GPX file" button on individual cache pages.
• Save the resulting file to your computer.
• With your GPSr plugged into your computer, drag that gpx file from your Downloads folder (or wherever else you saved it to) to the \Garmin\GPX folder of your GPSr.

I suspect that should work.

[+Mineral2]

1 hour ago, noncentric said:

If you're looking to "load a few caches at a time", then the "GPX file" button might be a good option.  It's the button to the left of the "Send to My GPS" button you would've used when the communicator plug-in was working.

• Click the "GPX file" button on individual cache pages.
• Save the resulting file to your computer.
• With your GPSr plugged into your computer, drag that gpx file from your Downloads folder (or wherever else you saved it to) to the \Garmin\GPX folder of your GPSr.

I suspect that should work.

Not with a gpsMAP60csx. 

[+noncentric]

22 minutes ago, Mineral2 said:

1 hour ago, noncentric said:

If you're looking to "load a few caches at a time", then the "GPX file" button might be a good option.  It's the button to the left of the "Send to My GPS" button you would've used when the communicator plug-in was working.

• Click the "GPX file" button on individual cache pages.
• Save the resulting file to your computer.
• With your GPSr plugged into your computer, drag that gpx file from your Downloads folder (or wherever else you saved it to) to the \Garmin\GPX folder of your GPSr.

I suspect that should work.

Not with a gpsMAP60csx. 

Ah, right.  Missed that.

If one doesn't want to use GSAK.  Instead of drag-and-drop, could it be done with a POI loader or something like EasyGPS?

[+DCexplorer]

Not to resurrect a dead thread, but as another GPSmap 60Cx user, I can confirm that you can still bulk upload geocaches using Garmin BaseCamp (currently ver. 4.7.0) and install fresh maps using Garmin MapInstall (currently 4.2.0)

 

However, you'll need to use a MicroSD card for maps; they can't be installed to internal memory. But they're dirt cheap. Running this setup on my MacBook running macOS High Sierra.