Send to my GPS? GSAK? Pocket Query?

[Clarinetcat]

Hello all!

 

I'd like to get a few local caches loaded into my Oregon 650 so I can get my first few finds under my belt tomorrow or Monday. I signed up as a Premium Member today, and I also downloaded the GSAK program. I manually downloaded the GPX files of four local caches onto my computer, and GSAK automatically got the info and organized it. Very nice.

 

Now, how do I get all this stuff onto my GPSr? Do I have to load a Pocket Query onto my GPSr? (Problem is, I really don't really understand pocket queries) Do I transfer data from GSAK to my GPSr? (Not really sure how to use GSAK, either) Or, should I select caches one at a time and use the "Send to my GPS" option on the cache info page?

 

Basically, I want to be sure I load all cache info onto my GPSr as quickly and easily as possible, thanks!

[Pup Patrol]

Hello all!

 

I'd like to get a few local caches loaded into my Oregon 650 so I can get my first few finds under my belt tomorrow or Monday. I signed up as a Premium Member today, and I also downloaded the GSAK program. I manually downloaded the GPX files of four local caches onto my computer, and GSAK automatically got the info and organized it. Very nice.

 

Now, how do I get all this stuff onto my GPSr? Do I have to load a Pocket Query onto my GPSr? (Problem is, I really don't really understand pocket queries) Do I transfer data from GSAK to my GPSr? (Not really sure how to use GSAK, either) Or, should I select caches one at a time and use the "Send to my GPS" option on the cache info page?

 

Basically, I want to be sure I load all cache info onto my GPSr as quickly and easily as possible, thanks!

 

I've never used GSAK for anything.

 

What I've done for years is this:

 

1.) Create a folder on my computer and name it something like "geocaches xxx". Sometimes I make folders for an area, some times I make one for a particular day.

 

2.) I pick and choose which caches to search for, and save the gpx files to the relevant folder.

 

3.) Then I use GPSBabel http://www.gpsbabel.org/ to load each cache into the gps.

 

Lately, I've learned the ease of using bookmarks and pq's. I make a bookmark list for caches in certain areas, or for particular days or whatever. Then, at the bottom of the bookmark list I'm interested in, I click on "create pocket query" for that particular bookmark list.

 

When the pq arrives, I open it and save it to my computer.

 

It's fast and easy and I still do my pick & choose method.

 

Premium Membership

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.book&id=5

 

2. Pocket Queries

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=28

 

1.3. Bookmark Lists and Instructional Video (You can create up to 40 Bookmark Lists and each list can contain up to 1000 items)

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=283

 

B.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

After years of trying many things I settled on GSAK years ago and love it.

1. I make a PQ ( call it HUNT ) in GC.com ( premium membership )

2. I download the HUNT PQ to my desktop ( you get a zip file )

3. I create a Database in GSAK and name it HUNT.

4. Load the HUNT zip file om my desktop to the HUNT GSAK database ( In GSAK, File/Load GPX/LOC/ZIP )

5. Load the HUNT database to my handheld ( In GSAK , GPS/Send waypoints )

 

Thats it.....in GSAK you can create as many databases as you want and manage them countless ways but pretty much I just do the above. On a long trip I may have 40 databases or more in GSAK ready to load to my handheld....I can be gone for months and never need the internet.

[Clarinetcat]

Thanks for the info Pup and Bam

 

If I use the "Send to my GPS" option on a cache page, does is send the entire GPX file directly to my GPSr?

Or, do I need to go through a third-party program like GPSBabel or GSAK in order to have that information placed onto my GPSr?

I guess that is my main confusion... I assume third party programs are used to avoid having to load GPX files one at a time.

 

(I assume the GPX file contains all the info from the cache page in order to be "paperless"?)

[+kunarion]

Thanks for the info Pup and Bam

 

If I use the "Send to my GPS" option on a cache page, does is send the entire GPX file directly to my GPSr?

Or, do I need to go through a third-party program like GPSBabel or GSAK in order to have that information placed onto my GPSr?

I guess that is my main confusion... I assume third party programs are used to avoid having to load GPX files one at a time.

 

(I assume the GPX file contains all the info from the cache page in order to be "paperless"?)

"Send To My GPS" uses a plugin called "Communicator" to assist with the download, but you're walked through the process when clicking the "Send To My GPS" button. But it's so flakey, I almost always click "GPX File" and download & install it manually. In some cases, that's a lot faster.

 

But also see item #10 here: http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=175

Basic members don't get as much of the cache info.

 

As Pup Patrol linked, Premium Members can load a mass of caches all at once in "Pocket Queries". No special software needed to copy it to most modern GPSrs.

Edited June 21, 2015 by kunarion

[+kunarion]

Sorry, double post.

Edited June 21, 2015 by kunarion

[+geodarts]

There are lots of ways to send cache information to a gpsr through GSAK. I no longer use it to manage caches - it is easier for me to use a phone app to keep track of caches and transfer files to my gpsr - but I used to use the file export menu in GSAK to save a gpx file to the gpsr - there are also macros that do the same thing. Simply save the open database (list of caches) to a garmin/gpx folder either in internal memory or on the sd card.

 

You can also save gpx files to that folder without going through GSAK. Saving individual cache files to the gpsr can be tedious - and make it harder to manage what is on your gpsr. Learning to use pocket queries and/or taking advantage of the live search capabilities in GSAK (or other programs and apps) will allow you to work with groups of caches and help manage things. But as long as you transfer the gpx files to the garmin/gpx folder you will be good to go.

Edited June 21, 2015 by geodarts

[+on4bam]

I'd like to get a few local caches loaded into my Oregon 650 so I can get my first few finds under my belt tomorrow or Monday. I signed up as a Premium Member today, and I also downloaded the GSAK program. I manually downloaded the GPX files of four local caches onto my computer, and GSAK automatically got the info and organized it. Very nice.

 

Now, how do I get all this stuff onto my GPSr? Do I have to load a Pocket Query onto my GPSr? (Problem is, I really don't really understand pocket queries) Do I transfer data from GSAK to my GPSr? (Not really sure how to use GSAK, either) Or, should I select caches one at a time and use the "Send to my GPS" option on the cache info page?

 

Basically, I want to be sure I load all cache info onto my GPSr as quickly and easily as possible, thanks!

 

1. make sure the caches you're interested in are in GSAK. Best way to do this is via PQ (or via the "geocaching.com access > get geocaches menu) and then making a selection of the ones you want on the GPS by setting the user flag.

Hit F8 (you will now only see user selected caches.

Via GC.com access menu > refresh caches (select "all in filter") you can make sure you have the latest logs and up to date listing.

Via database menu > grab images get images of the selected caches.

 

To export all info use a macro "garminexport.gsk" this will allow you to personalize the exported file (GGZ format, waypoint as POI, WP names...)

Use macro SendImagesToGarmin.gsk to get the images to your GPS. That way you have spoilerpictures available in the field.

 

When you get back, connect your GPS to the PC and via gc.com access menu > publish logs import your founds/DNFs... and write your logs. Hit "publish all".... done.

 

It will take you some time to get GSAK to work as you want but it's very powerful and there are a lot of macro's that make life easier for you.

[+Bear and Ragged]

Thanks for the info Pup and Bam

 

If I use the "Send to my GPS" option on a cache page, does is send the entire GPX file directly to my GPSr?

Or, do I need to go through a third-party program like GPSBabel or GSAK in order to have that information placed onto my GPSr?

I guess that is my main confusion... I assume third party programs are used to avoid having to load GPX files one at a time.

 

(I assume the GPX file contains all the info from the cache page in order to be "paperless"?)

 

You're a Premium Member.

 

Set up a Pocket Query for the area you are caching in.

Run it.

Unzip it.

Copy/paste -Drag n Drop- the two files onto the GPS (into the correct folder)

Job done.

 

Worth a read, also has a "How To..." guide.

http://www.follow-the-arrow.co.uk/resources/paperless.html

No need for third party applications...

 

*

Load the GPX file from the cache page, you get the last 20 logs.

Load from a PQ and you get the last 5 logs.

Both include any of your logs from the cache/s

Edited June 21, 2015 by Bear and Ragged

[+on4bam]

No need for third party applications...

 

Need? No. But it makes life so easy to customize everything. And the TS already uses GSAK.

[+kunarion]

No need for third party applications...

 

Need? No. But it makes life so easy to customize everything.

The OP seems to mainly want to load the GPSr. This can be done without additional cost by following the steps Bear and Ragged posted above. The OP may decide later if he requires a special program to customize four caches.

Edited June 21, 2015 by kunarion

[+on4bam]

The OP seems to mainly want to load the GPSr. This can be done without additional cost by following the steps Bear and Ragged posted above. The OP may decide later if he requires a special program to customize four caches.

 

1. The OP has GSAK already.

2. The OP has the first 4 caches in GSAK already

3 I guess he's not stopping at 4 caches.

 

Following up on "2" the easiest thing to do is export from GSAK as all info is already there.

 

BTW, running a PQ for 4 caches is as much overkill as using GSAK but once you run a PQ software like GSAK makes getting your wanted caches to your GPS a breeze.

Edited June 21, 2015 by on4bam

[+Bear and Ragged]

...

 

I manually downloaded the GPX files of four local caches onto my computer, and GSAK automatically got the info and organized it. Very nice.

 

Now, how do I get all this stuff onto my GPSr? Do I have to load a Pocket Query onto my GPSr? (Problem is, I really don't really understand pocket queries) Do I transfer data from GSAK to my GPSr? (Not really sure how to use GSAK, either) Or, should I select caches one at a time and use the "Send to my GPS" option on the cache info page?

 

 

In GSAK. 2 options. Both need you to connect the GPSr and select the caches you want to sent to it.

 

1 - Select GPS in the top bar.

You may need to Set Up so GSAK knows which GPSr you are loading to.

Select Send Waypoints.

 

2 - (Slightly advanced!)

Use the Macro GarminExport.gsk to send the caches to your GPSr.

 

OR.

Just use the Send To GPS button on the web page to send individual caches.

 

Advantages of Pocket Queries, and GSAK, are the ability to download multiple caches in one go.

Most units have a limit to the number of GPX files they can hold. A Pocket Query, or GSAK, can send lots of caches as 1 GPX file.

 

IF you haven't already done so, it's worth registering your Garmin via http://www.geocaching.com/garmin/freetrial.aspx and getting an extra 30 days Premium Membership.

Edited June 21, 2015 by Bear and Ragged

[Clarinetcat]

Thanks for all the info, folks!

 

I took a couple GPX files that I manually downloaded and placed in GSAK and managed to load them individually into my GPSr by right-clicking the file in GSAK and selecting "Send to GPSr now", worked perfectly. I requested a local Pocket Query today, and will work on further customizing files and stuff later...

 

I'm going out to get my first find.