Downloaded Garmin GPX file

[+bjkaufman]

I found a Cache I wanted to download coordinates. I connected my Garmin NUVI 205W and clicked the "Send to GPS". It found my device and starting downloading the software. I then clicked "Write", waited a few minutes and then, what is suppose to happen? I went into my Garmin Nuvi to find the Cache and couldn't find anything. Where do I look for it?

[+The A-Team]

I found a Cache I wanted to download coordinates. I connected my Garmin NUVI 205W and clicked the "Send to GPS". It found my device and starting downloading the software. I then clicked "Write", waited a few minutes and then, what is suppose to happen? I went into my Garmin Nuvi to find the Cache and couldn't find anything. Where do I look for it?

What operating system are you running? People have reported problems with using the Garmin Communicator plugin on Windows 10.

[+bjkaufman]

I have Windows 10. Who would I contact, Garmin?

[+kunarion]

It may be in the Saved locations, and listed by the GC code of the cache.

Edited September 4, 2015 by kunarion

[+bjkaufman]

just looked, nothing there.

[+JimmyM]

Neither Firefox nor Chrome will install Garmin Communicator in Windows 10, at least for me. Communicator uses a protocol not supported in W10.

If anyone has a solution, please post here.

[+bjkaufman]

HOW ABOUT MICROSOFT'S IE?

[+kunarion]

Here's a way to download and install GPX files without Garmin Communicator:

 

Go to a cache page.

Click the button labeled “GPX File”, and save it.

Plug the Garmin into the USB port of the computer.

Find the Garmin as a [DRIVE] or [storage device] and open it;

Therein, locate a file folder named Garmin/GPX/

Click, drag and drop (or copy) the downloaded GPX file(s) to that [DRIVE]:Garmin/GPX/ folder.

Right-click and select Eject, unplug the Garmin

Go Geocaching.

 

For a Nuvi, look in the Saved locations in its menu, for the GC Code of the cache. Once it's selected, you may also see some limited cache info such as the cache name. Remember that a Nuvi routes on roads, requires extra work to set it to off-road (mine keeps finding roads for me, regardless of the settings), and even then may be kinda unsuitable for Geocaching for bunch of reasons. But I did find two caches using a Nuvi, by watching the Lan/Lon count down to the cache spot.

 

The Nuvi is not optimized to store GPX files. And you may later have to delete both the GPX file and the saved "POI" cache location, for each GPX file you load.

 

I installed Win 10 this week, and I'm still setting it up. I'll see if I can use "Send To", but my own PC settings aren't always all that useful. Many people seem to not be able to use Communicator even after supposedly following steps that should cause it to work.

Edited September 5, 2015 by kunarion

[+Walts Hunting]

HOW ABOUT MICROSOFT'S IE?

The solution presented many times in this forum is change from edge to IE and all will be well.

[+kunarion]

The solution presented many times in this forum is change from edge to IE and all will be well.

Maybe not. I'm seeing what the OP experienced.

 

Before upgrading to Windows 10 yesterday, Garmin Communicator worked as expected. That is, one day it worked in Firefox, the previous week it worked in Chrome, just keep switching browsers and for this moment it's fine. But today, it's behaving quite a but differently in IE 11, after upgrading to Windows 10. It's much more odd that usual.

 

In IE 11, I go to a cache page and click "Send to GPS", and if the file exists on the GPSr, there's a warning that the file will be overwritten, so I clicked "OK". The file did not change (the new one was not sent). If I delete the file from the GPSr, there's no warning this time, it goes throuth the motions, but again, the file is not sent, it is not on the GPSr. Communicator is definitely broken now, in a weird way that almost looks like it's working, except for one important difference. The Communicator window never shows "Geocache GC5DFB.gpx saved successfully".

 

I tried it in Firefox 30.0, and this morning it worked as always, files, messages and all. But this was all installed and configured prior to upgrading to Win 10, and Firefox is downloading a new version at this moment, so again, this may all change without notice. As JimmyM says, after I upgrade FF, it may be broken. But I already posted the solution which avoids the craziness of Communicator for Nuvi and most Garman GPSrs.

 

Edge is not allowing Communicator to run, as others have mentioned.

 

For the OP, in Communicator after clicking Write, be sure the Communicator window shows "Geocache GC5DFB.gpx saved successfully". If it doesn't, the file did not get sent to the GPSr.

 

I would humbly suggest, please stop using Communicator and manage all GPSr files manually. Seriously. It works so much better that way in your favorite browser and OS, you'll be glad you switched. As an added bonus, you may load Pocket Queries with much the same manual process.

Edited September 5, 2015 by kunarion

[+bjkaufman]

OK, THIS WORKED. They're on my Nuvi, and your right it gives road directions even though I have it set for Pedestrian. Haven't been out yet to try it out, but will this evening.

 

 

Here's a way to download and install GPX files without Garmin Communicator:

 

Go to a cache page.

Click the button labeled “GPX File”, and save it.

Plug the Garmin into the USB port of the computer.

Find the Garmin as a [DRIVE] or [storage device] and open it;

Therein, locate a file folder named Garmin/GPX/

Click, drag and drop (or copy) the downloaded GPX file(s) to that [DRIVE]:Garmin/GPX/ folder.

Right-click and select Eject, unplug the Garmin

Go Geocaching.

 

For a Nuvi, look in the Saved locations in its menu, for the GC Code of the cache. Once it's selected, you may also see some limited cache info such as the cache name. Remember that a Nuvi routes on roads, requires extra work to set it to off-road (mine keeps finding roads for me, regardless of the settings), and even then may be kinda unsuitable for Geocaching for bunch of reasons. But I did find two caches using a Nuvi, by watching the Lan/Lon count down to the cache spot.

 

The Nuvi is not optimized to store GPX files. And you may later have to delete both the GPX file and the saved "POI" cache location, for each GPX file you load.

 

I installed Win 10 this week, and I'm still setting it up. I'll see if I can use "Send To", but my own PC settings aren't always all that useful. Many people seem to not be able to use Communicator even after supposedly following steps that should cause it to work.

[+kunarion]

OK, THIS WORKED. They're on my Nuvi, and your right it gives road directions even though I have it set for Pedestrian. Haven't been out yet to try it out, but will this evening.

 

That's a relief! Just remember how you did that for next time, and you're golden.

 

I have a Garmin 650 handheld GPSr, and have used Communicator (when it works) to send one quick GPX file to my Nuvi, for convenient street routing to a parking area at a cache-rich place. But Communicator is quite a high maintenance, finicky thing. In most cases it would have saved me time to just copy the file myself.

Edited September 5, 2015 by kunarion

[+JimmyM]

HOW ABOUT MICROSOFT'S IE?

IE is a definite no. I finally got it installed in Firefox. 1. Make Firefox the default browser in Settings. 2. Ignore all warnings.

[+on4bam]

I finally got it installed in Firefox. 1. Make Firefox the default browser in Settings. 2. Ignore all warnings.

 

When Firefox 42 arrives in December it will be over and out for the plugin in FF too. It's no use trying to find ways around to keep the plugin working. The reason it stops working is a security issue.

 

The only way to go is to save the GPX to your GPX without the plugin. (direct save to or via software like GSAK and others).

[+kunarion]

I found a Cache I wanted to download coordinates. I connected my Garmin NUVI 205W and clicked the "Send to GPS". It found my device and starting downloading the software. I then clicked "Write", waited a few minutes and then, what is suppose to happen? I went into my Garmin Nuvi to find the Cache and couldn't find anything. Where do I look for it?

If you'd like to set up Internet Explorer 11 to work with "Send To GPS", instructions are here:

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=334137&view=findpost&p=5536653

 

I tried that this evening, and instead of Communicator pretending to "send" the file, it actually does.

 

This will require using the IE 11 browser, not "Microsoft Edge". If you haven't found it, just type "Internet Explorer" into the Windows search box, it should be listed.

[+coman123]

When I save to my NUvi it saves in Favorites.

[Simson39]

Hm, I have the same problem (new User @Geocaching).

 

I also unable to download a GPX-File, because the button is grayed out...

[+deepo]

Hm, I have the same problem (new User @Geocaching).

 

I also unable to download a GPX-File, because the button is grayed out...

 

The "GPX file" button is only available to premium members.

If your browser supports the "Send to My GPS" function and your GPS supports GPX, then you'll get a GPX file sent to your GPS by using this function, but the GPX file is without cache description, hint and recent logs if you are a non-premium member.

 

/Mogens