Deleting Found Geocaches Query ?

[+Gunnerbob&Kiwijan]

Hi, can anyone tell me if it is possible to delete a geocache from your GPS once you have downloaded it.

I have a montana 650T, but have found no function for getting rid of Found Geocaches.

Any help on this would be much appreciated.

[+t4e]

no, you can't

 

when you load a new PQ they will be deleted

[+Walts Hunting]

It has not been possible for the Colorado, Oregon and now Montana models ever.

[TorgtheViking]

There is no deleting downloaded geocaches from the these Garmin units.

My GPSMap 62s is the same way. I found that I can only delete geocaches after I plug the unit into the computer and access the windows explorer. From there, I go to the cache listing under the \GPX subfolder on the unit; and delete the GC### file. This may work for the other Garmin units that are the same generation.

Edited October 5, 2011 by TorgtheViking

[+MichaelOH]

When I hook my Oregon 450t to the computer it opens a file folder. You can then delete any files from your pc folder. No way to do it from the unit alone.

[+renriquez]

There is no deleting downloaded geocaches from the these Garmin units.

My GPSMap 62s is the same way. I found that I can only delete geocaches after I plug the unit into the computer and access the windows explorer. From there, I go to the cache listing under the \GPX subfolder on the unit; and delete the GC### file. This may work for the other Garmin units that are the same generation.

 

This also works for the Garmin Etrex 30. It has no other way to delete geocaches.

[+kentwoodkrew]

YO GARMIN FIX THIS! Sorry for the shouting but why can't they figure this out?

[+keehotee]

YO GARMIN FIX THIS! Sorry for the shouting but why can't they figure this out?

 

Perhaps they - like many users - don't think there's anything to fix?

 

When you find a cache it disappears from the unfound caches list, and instead appears in your list of found caches. Why would you need to edit the list of found caches in the field?

[+Cacheoholic]

Exactly! There is nothing broken to fix unless you never want to update your loaded caches. My only guess is that people who want to delete caches manually from the controls of the GPS are not using PQ’s (Pocket Queries). Otherwise it’s so easy to do it automatically with PQ’s. It takes less than 2 minutes once a week to update the PQ’s on your GPS. PQ’s can be set up to filter out found caches and automatically run any day of the week you want. All you do is connect your GPS to your computer, download the PQ’s to your computer, right click and extract the compressed PQ’s to your GPS or external memory. The new, fresh PQ’s overwrite the old, out dated PQ’s. All your found caches are gone, new caches are added and existing caches are updated.

[+steadhouse]

Not for us, this feature makes a big difference. We make extensive use of PQs, but we also travel a lot. It's incredibly handy to delete geocaches from our device that we've found.

 

Unfortunately, if we're on a roadtrip and use PQ Caches along a route for 5-10 routes, plus a few regular PQs for the areas we'll be staying, we download upwards of 10,000 caches. In this case, it's handy to delete all caches and start fresh when we've moved on from one area.

[+Cacheoholic]

Help me understand why you want to delete caches? You are traveling and want to delete found caches but don’t want to load new caches in their place? I could understand if you needed to delete caches to free up capacity to load new caches but you must connect the GPS to load a PQ with new caches so you just over write old PQ’s or delete them. I travel for a living anywhere in the world and have no need to ever delete old caches from the controls of the GPS. My Montana holds 12,000 caches so there is lots of capacity to load 4 PQ’s from home, 3 or 4 PQ’s for caches along a routes I travel and 3 or 4 PQ’s for my final destination.

[+steadhouse]

Being able to delete via computer is a huge help. Our old etrex wouldn't do it. One way transfer only, bah!

 

Seeing that I can do that now with this new etrex is amazing! Thanks for pointing that out!

 

I'd still love to delete found caches just to clean up the map. Heh... sometimes I go awhile without updating my query

[+mday740]

They can be deleted through the base camp program, but it only comes with the North America road map pack on disc form only.

[+Walts Hunting]

They can be deleted through the base camp program, but it only comes with the North America road map pack on disc form only.

Anybody can download basecamp for free on the garmin site. I wonder why if the op is traveling so much why not take a small netbook (I got one for $265) just to handle the cache logging stuff (and run GSAK). If you don't like that almost any android tablet or phone can be used to load caches and delete previous PQ's. You can even do it with an iOS device although it is a little more complex.

[+Mineral2]

Two easy solutions, both already mentioned in this thread:

 

1. Basecamp.

 

Basecamp lists the contents of your GPS and SD card. By default, it organizes everything by icon type, so all of your found geocaches are listed together. Just highlight and delete. Poof. They're gone.

 

2. Pocket Queries.

 

You can set up a pocket query to only deliver caches that "you have not found." Thus, if you go out and find a hundred caches and log them on the site, the next time you re-run the PQ, it won't return those caches. Load the new GPX file over the old one and you no longer have your found caches on your device.

 

3. GSAK. Similar to Basecamp, but also different, it manages your geocaches for you. Downside: it only runs on Windows. Too bad for us Mac and Linux users.

 

Of course, modern GPS's hold a lot of geocaches, so the need to delete found caches in the field shouldn't ever really be a priority. You have to connect to the computer to add new caches, so use that time to remove them too. Found caches don't show up in the "Find a cache" list, so you don't even have to notice they're there. They can clutter up the map screen, and that might be the only reason to remove them sooner than later if you're caching high volume days in a densely placed area.

[+richgps]

Instructions for deleting Geocaches from your Garmin Montana 650t.

I had no luck in deleting Geocaches stored in my Garmin Montana 650t by using any menu selections on the device. So I connected the device to my Windows 7 computer.

1. A few seconds after the device is plugged in the AUTOPLAY dialog box appears on the screen. Under “General Options” select “Open folder to view files using Windows

Explorer”. If this dialog box does not appear, click on the “Start Button” and then select “Computer”, which will give you a list of all of your computers disk

drives and external memory devices. Click on “Garmin Montana 650t”

2. This will take you to the Montana directory. Click on the folder labeled “Garmin”. This will take you to the folders and files stored within the Garmin Montana.

3. Click on the folder “GPX”. This will take you to a folder that lists all of the GPX files stored in your Garmin Montana.

4. Locate the geocache files you wish to delete by its GC number. For example GC1AMCR.

5. Either move this to a separate folder on your computer for backup or delete it just like you would do with any other file. This deletes it from Garmin memory.

6. Click on the “Safely Remove Device” icon on the lower right of your computer window, then click on the “Garmin Montana 650t”.

7. Disconnect your Garmin from the computer’s USB port, turn it on and verify that the desired geocaches have been deleted.

 

I have been saving all of my DNF’s and “Not Attempted” caches to a folder on my computer just for safety sake. I probably will end up deleting the entire folder someday.

Until Garmin gets its software straight, this should solve your problems fellow geocachers.

RichGPS.

[+highlandgrlz]

I too detest the fact that I gave up the easy delete available on my Garmin 60s when I upgraded to the 64s. I dont have a smart phone (which is why I wanted the logs and hints available on the 64s). So I go caching, then come home and log my caches all at once. I used to then delete them as each was logged. It was clean and efficient and I could do it all with my ipad. Not so now. I have to lug out the laptop and plug the GPS in. Argh!

 

And so far I have not found a way to delete just the found caches. I am using Basecamp Legacy for MAC. MY found caches come in the same list as my unfound caches, so I hunt and peck for them. Then I delete. But when I log back into my GPS, the found caches are still there. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Again. Argh!

Edited December 12, 2014 by highlandgrlz

[+Red90]

The found caches disappear from view when you log them as found. I've never quite understood why it is problem having them on the unit.

[+highlandgrlz]

The found caches disappear from view when you log them as found. I've never quite understood why it is problem having them on the unit.

 

When you mark them as found, they go to the Found folder on your GPS. Then, you can go to menu and go to Found Caches and get a great look at what you've accomplished for that day. And, they are all together for logging as found at geocaching.com.

 

The problem with not being able to delete them is they stack up in that folder. The next time you go out and find more caches, you have to figure out which ones were for that day and which were previous and already logged. The more this goes on, the bigger the mess.

 

I do think I tried emptying the wastebasket, but I can try that again. Thanks!

[+Bear and Ragged]

The found caches disappear from view when you log them as found. I've never quite understood why it is problem having them on the unit.

 

When you mark them as found, they go to the Found folder on your GPS. Then, you can go to menu and go to Found Caches and get a great look at what you've accomplished for that day. And, they are all together for logging as found at geocaching.com.

 

The problem with not being able to delete them is they stack up in that folder. The next time you go out and find more caches, you have to figure out which ones were for that day and which were previous and already logged. The more this goes on, the bigger the mess.

 

I do think I tried emptying the wastebasket, but I can try that again. Thanks!

 

Are you using Pocket Queries to get the caches to your GPS?

Why not select Have NOT Found for the PQ. Then you wont have Found caches being put back to the GPS...

[+Red90]

The found caches disappear from view when you log them as found. I've never quite understood why it is problem having them on the unit.

 

When you mark them as found, they go to the Found folder on your GPS. Then, you can go to menu and go to Found Caches and get a great look at what you've accomplished for that day. And, they are all together for logging as found at geocaching.com.

 

The problem with not being able to delete them is they stack up in that folder. The next time you go out and find more caches, you have to figure out which ones were for that day and which were previous and already logged. The more this goes on, the bigger the mess.

 

When you log the caches, it is best to use the "field notes" system. If you do that, there will be no confusion when you do your logging. Everything will be presented in order on the computer and semi-automated for you. It is much easier than looking them up on the GPS.

 

http://www.geocaching.com/my/fieldnotes.aspx

 

As above, if you update the PQ file on the GPS, the found caches will also leave the GPS with no other intervention.

Edited December 12, 2014 by Red90

[+highlandgrlz]

The found caches disappear from view when you log them as found. I've never quite understood why it is problem having them on the unit.

 

When you mark them as found, they go to the Found folder on your GPS. Then, you can go to menu and go to Found Caches and get a great look at what you've accomplished for that day. And, they are all together for logging as found at geocaching.com.

 

The problem with not being able to delete them is they stack up in that folder. The next time you go out and find more caches, you have to figure out which ones were for that day and which were previous and already logged. The more this goes on, the bigger the mess.

 

I do think I tried emptying the wastebasket, but I can try that again. Thanks!

 

Are you using Pocket Queries to get the caches to your GPS?

Why not select Have NOT Found for the PQ. Then you wont have Found caches being put back to the GPS...

 

Yup - always use pocket queries to load caches onto the GPS, and yes, I always only load Not Found. But a PQ lasts me a few weeks or longer. Once loaded I usually can go caching several times before I need to do another one. In the meantime, all those Found Caches can get to be a mess. I'd hate to have to do a PQ every single time I went caching.

[+highlandgrlz]

The found caches disappear from view when you log them as found. I've never quite understood why it is problem having them on the unit.

 

When you mark them as found, they go to the Found folder on your GPS. Then, you can go to menu and go to Found Caches and get a great look at what you've accomplished for that day. And, they are all together for logging as found at geocaching.com.

 

The problem with not being able to delete them is they stack up in that folder. The next time you go out and find more caches, you have to figure out which ones were for that day and which were previous and already logged. The more this goes on, the bigger the mess.

 

When you log the caches, it is best to use the "field notes" system. If you do that, there will be no confusion when you do your logging. Everything will be presented in order on the computer and semi-automated for you. It is much easier than looking them up on the GPS.

 

http://www.geocaching.com/my/fieldnotes.aspx

 

As above, if you update the PQ file on the GPS, the found caches will also leave the GPS with no other intervention.

 

Yes, thanks for the suggestion. This is another method that also will involve having to lug out the lap top and plug in the GPS. I get it, its a trade off in order to have to logs and hints and such, there is now this pain in the backside about clearing off Found Caches. No more easily sitting down with my ipad and taking care of logging them and just hitting delete. The only way now is with the cluncky laptop, either to use basecamp, do a new PQ or to use geocaching field notes. I was also responding to people who didnt understand why there was a need for a simple delete button. For some of us, it was very valuable.

 

I just really wish I could make basecamp work for deleting. It says its supposed to be easy, but I am obviously missing a step. or if I could wish for anything, its for a goll darn Delete button!

[+Red90]

Ahh. you are not following Garmin's chosen workflow... Perhaps one day they will add the ability to transfer directly via Bluetooth back and forth with your iPad. Simple bit of programming if they wanted to do it.

[+Red90]

I just really wish I could make basecamp work for deleting.

 

I use Basecamp all the time for deleting and installing caches. I load the PQs into Basecamp, send the ones I want to my GPS and then delete as required. It works flawlessly. Why it's not working for you I have no idea.

 

She states above that she is using an old version of Basecamp due to an old computer that won't work with the current version.

[+Tricotine]

I have tried the procedure to delete the caches from my Montana 650t from the GPX files on my computer, with no success. They do not appear in the file on my device, but they still appear on the map. I have turned in on and off, but nothing changes.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thank you

Edited December 13, 2014 by Tricotine

[+JohnCNA]

I just really wish I could make basecamp work for deleting.

 

I use Basecamp all the time for deleting and installing caches. I load the PQs into Basecamp, send the ones I want to my GPS and then delete as required. It works flawlessly. Why it's not working for you I have no idea.

She might not be navigating to the DEVICE folder list. Deleting found caches from the Basecamp database won't delete them on the device.

 

To the OP: if you scroll the folder list on the left all the way to the bottom and then click on the GPS icon in the folder list, it will show the caches on the GPS, which can be deleted one at a time as you would like. Also note that if Basecamp is set to sort by icon type, all the found caches will be grouped together, which should help with how the OP wants to work as well.

[+GrateBear]

Being able to delete via computer is a huge help. Our old etrex wouldn't do it. One way transfer only, bah!

 

Seeing that I can do that now with this new etrex is amazing! Thanks for pointing that out!

 

I'd still love to delete found caches just to clean up the map. Heh... sometimes I go awhile without updating my query

I'm with you! I could delete them on my Garmin Legend Cx, and found it very helpful, especially when traveling. Could log and delete, and then not have to go through the whole list to find the next day's find. Another nice function on the Cx was the ability to switch between on/off road with ease--one button and that was it. On my new ones, I have go through several steps to do that. Garmin really took a step backwards with the newer units w/o adding really anything to make them much better.

Ah, these first world problems........

[+JohnCNA]

Being able to delete via computer is a huge help. Our old etrex wouldn't do it. One way transfer only, bah!

 

Seeing that I can do that now with this new etrex is amazing! Thanks for pointing that out!

 

I'd still love to delete found caches just to clean up the map. Heh... sometimes I go awhile without updating my query

 

You can use Garmin's BaseCamp to delete individual caches, even caches that are part of a large PQ, without reloading the PQ. You just can't do it on the device itself, you have to be connected to the computer at the time.

[+AZjohn]

I don't care if they're deleted or not when I log them as found but when I tap on the treasure chest icon I expect to see only the ones I haven't found. This used to work but I unfiltered the found ones once to relocate a found one but now when I try to refilter out the found ones it doesn't work -all the ones that had not shown when I tap the treasure chest icon. Plus they now have the awesomeness icon which is totally useless to me and some weird graphic labeling system that seemed to appear in the last 1 or 2 Garmin software updates. So now my Oregon 650 which initially came with POS batteries with a charge life that quickly deteriorated to under 2 hours, POS accuracy with constantly moving directions to GZ (including 180 degree flips), and now POS geocaching software that forces you to run constant PQ updates. Whenever I Get a notice of a new geocache I put it in the GPS so now I have over 100 entries to delete shown by GC number which I have no idea if I have found it or not. Can anyone recommend a better GPS for Geocaching i.e. is Delorme any better or Smartphone? I would love to take this unit to a skeet range and let the shooters have at it but it would depend I'd there's something better out there. Any advice?

[+Mineral2]

The Garmin Oregon is as good as it gets. The Oregon 700 now introduces direct access to geocaching.com via API and a wifi connection. But otherwise, maybe we can help fix your mistakes.

 

1. Don't buy the Garmin battery pack. It's nothing more than two AA NiMH (think Eneloop) batteries combined together with a plastic wrapper that pushes a button inside the case that lets you charge the batteries within the unit. You can get an 8 pack of Eneloops for about $20, $30 if you need a charger (and comes with 4 AAAs) and it's not hard to just carry spares with you while you're out. If they're not lasting you about 8-10 hours, you aren't managing your power very well.

 

2. Accuracy is as good as any GPS. Your position is constantly estimated, which means even while standing still in an open field, your position will bounce a little bit. Stop expecting miracles from a GPS. It will get you within 30 feet (closer under good conditions). Then it's up to you to put down the device, read the description, and look for the cache with your eyes.

 

3. Garmin GPSs don't come with geocaching software, so I'm not sure what you're ranting about here.

 

4. Use Pocket Queries to load geocaches. Running them ~ weekly will keep the cache listings on your device up to date. And you can even choose to return only unfound caches. Thus when you update the file, your found caches will be removed from your Oregon. And then you don't have to worry about which individual files to delete. Manage them in bulk.

 

5. Before you take your Oregon to a range and shoot it up, perhaps you can donate it to someone else who will use it. I'll gladly take it off your hands and save you the cost of a few bullets.

[+Atlas Cached]

The found caches disappear from view when you log them as found. I've never quite understood why it is problem having them on the unit.

 

When you mark them as found, they go to the Found folder on your GPS. Then, you can go to menu and go to Found Caches and get a great look at what you've accomplished for that day. And, they are all together for logging as found at geocaching.com.

 

The problem with not being able to delete them is they stack up in that folder. The next time you go out and find more caches, you have to figure out which ones were for that day and which were previous and already logged. The more this goes on, the bigger the mess.

 

I do think I tried emptying the wastebasket, but I can try that again. Thanks!

 

Where is this 'Found Folder' on your GPS? I have never seen a 'Found' folder on any of my Garmin GPSr.

 

I have tried the procedure to delete the caches from my Montana 650t from the GPX files on my computer, with no success. They do not appear in the file on my device, but they still appear on the map. I have turned in on and off, but nothing changes.

 

Can anyone help?

 

Thank you

 

Turned what on and off? If you adjust the Geocache filters to not show found geocaches, they will not be displayed.

 

Being able to delete via computer is a huge help. Our old etrex wouldn't do it. One way transfer only, bah!

 

Seeing that I can do that now with this new etrex is amazing! Thanks for pointing that out!

 

I'd still love to delete found caches just to clean up the map. Heh... sometimes I go awhile without updating my query

I'm with you! I could delete them on my Garmin Legend Cx, and found it very helpful, especially when traveling. Could log and delete, and then not have to go through the whole list to find the next day's find. Another nice function on the Cx was the ability to switch between on/off road with ease--one button and that was it. On my new ones, I have go through several steps to do that. Garmin really took a step backwards with the newer units w/o adding really anything to make them much better.

Ah, these first world problems........

 

That is certainly debatable. I think each new evolution of their GPSr are generally improvements over the last. They have added much of great value to most of the units they have. I can not see how anyone could argue a 60csx being superior to an Oregon 7x0, for example. Heck, even the Colorado series was a step up, being the first Garmin GPSr to support paperless caching.

 

I don't care if they're deleted or not when I log them as found but when I tap on the treasure chest icon I expect to see only the ones I haven't found. This used to work but I unfiltered the found ones once to relocate a found one but now when I try to refilter out the found ones it doesn't work -all the ones that had not shown when I tap the treasure chest icon. Plus they now have the awesomeness icon which is totally useless to me and some weird graphic labeling system that seemed to appear in the last 1 or 2 Garmin software updates. So now my Oregon 650 which initially came with POS batteries with a charge life that quickly deteriorated to under 2 hours, POS accuracy with constantly moving directions to GZ (including 180 degree flips), and now POS geocaching software that forces you to run constant PQ updates. Whenever I Get a notice of a new geocache I put it in the GPS so now I have over 100 entries to delete shown by GC number which I have no idea if I have found it or not. Can anyone recommend a better GPS for Geocaching i.e. is Delorme any better or Smartphone? I would love to take this unit to a skeet range and let the shooters have at it but it would depend I'd there's something better out there. Any advice?

 

Your Oregon 6x0 is an excellent geocaching machine, only bested by the Oregon 7x0, IMHO. My Oregon 6x0 units see very little action now that I have the 7x0.

 

BTW, every one of those Geocache GPX files on your GPSr will contain either: <sym>Geocache</sym> -or- <sym>Geocache Found</sym> for EACH geocache. The ones with 'Found' are the one you found. Or you could just use the automated process provided by Groundspeak, or even GSAK (my preference) to log found caches.

Edited May 9, 2017 by Atlas Cached

[+AZjohn]

On point #3 of Mineral2's 5/8/17 response to my question at some Garmin update point  the filtering criterion of  "Awesomeness" appeared in addition to the  traditional ones  of  difficulty and  terrain. I assumed  perhaps  mistakenly that this was  a  Garmin software change and  have  not  seen awesomeness published  on geocaching.com' s cache characteristic lists.

 

I'm confused by some  of the  responses indicating  that you could  go to the "found" file( folder?) and  delete its contents I can't  seem to find this  file  anywhere in the  folders/files  either  in the Garmin  or  data  microchip. i don't do pocket  queries  very often just  enter  the new ones in my area that  are of  interest. I also have a windshield mounted  Montana that I used  to use  for geocaching (most caches in my area  are  in the  desert or on remote  mountaintops  only reasonably reachable by high clearance  vehicle) but  its now so cluttered  with  cache  symbols (most  of which  I've  found  and logged on geocaching.com, but they  still show  as unfound)  that I no longer  use  it  for geocaching using  the  smaller Oregon  or an Iphone instead.  Is there a  way  to completely delete all geocaches from the  Montana to make  it  easier to  use  for off road  navigation? 

Thanks John

[+Mineral2]

Yes. Geocaches are saved in the GPX folder. If you loaded them with the "Save to GPS" button, they'll be named <GCcode.gpx>. Just delete any gpx files associated with geocaching and they'll be gone.