Garmin Oregon 600 & ipad

[+Tee4Par]

I have a Garmin Oregon 600 that I use for geocaching. After a day or two of geocaching, I upload my field notes via my laptop. This works great, when I am at home, but there are times when I only have access with my iPad. The iPad does not have USB port . Does anyone have a solution?

[+Walts Hunting]

Other than buying an android the only published method here so far involves a router system but it hasn't been brought up in shop long I can't remember exactly how it works.

[+Chrysalides]

This is essentially the same problem as reading a USB flash drive on an iPad. Maybe searching along that line can help. The only article I found in a quick 2 minute google search didn't sound very promising. Good luck.

[+kunarion]

there are times when I only have access with my iPad. The iPad does not have USB port . Does anyone have a solution?

I bought the Easy Acc Portable Wifi Router to attempt file movement very similar to what you are asking, and it didn't work. Don't buy it. It didn't recognize the GPSr as a USB drive. Maybe mine was bad. Whatever. It's just an example of one idea.

 

The router is a little wifi file server, with the connected memory cards or USB devices in its file directory. The problem is you can't connect to both the Router and the Geocaching web site by wifi simultaneously, so you'd first have to save the file into the iPad somehow (unless your iPad is on a data service and if you can connect both that and wifi simultaneously). Since the field notes file is a “TXT” file, I think the iPad would allow that to be added to its library, but I never go that far. You will also want to add a cache file or PQ of them to the GPSr, from the iPad. So add that to the mix.

 

If the idea seems to involve carrying extra devices, a simple solution would be to buy as cheap an Android tablet (even a used one) you can, that will move files well, just for this purpose. My old Acer A500 has a full-sized USB port, and I sent PQs to my GPSr just fine using a free File Manager App. So I'd expect no particular problems sending Field Notes files to the web site. But it all feels like a whole lot more work than doing it on a desktop PC.

Edited January 23, 2015 by kunarion

[+Chrysalides]

If the idea seems to involve carrying extra devices, a simple solution would be to buy as cheap an Android tablet (even a used one) you can, that will move files well, just for this purpose.

An alternative is a Chromebook. I brought that along on trips, and I use it to transfer maps and PQs to my Oregon 600. It could of course handle field notes without any issue, though I didn't need it to do that on my trip due to the low # of finds each day.

[+Tee4Par]

This is essentially the same problem as reading a USB flash drive on an iPad. Maybe searching along that line can help. The only article I found in a quick 2 minute google search didn't sound very promising. Good luck.

Thanks for the response. I have looked at the Airstach devise. It claims you can connect to the wifi and your iPad at the same time. However, i yet to have anyone confirm that they have been successful . Also the Airstach in Canada sells for about $150. In this case I could buy the 7" Hp stream tablet for $120. It's a Window 8 tablet, and not only solve my problem, but also allow me to run GSAK which seems to be only available for Windows operating system.

 

Again, thanks,

[+geodarts]

I use Kingston MobileLite to export GPX files from my iPhone or iPad to my Oregon 600 - which is very fast and easy through Geosphere (I use it as a mini-GSAK to manage caches). However, I have never transferred field notes from the 600 since I generally cache with the iphone and upload the notes with that. I decided to try it in response to the OP's question.

 

Importing the geocache_visits.txt file to the iPad was simple enough - just a matter of plugging the 600 into the MobileLite with a USB cord and saving it through the Kingston app.

 

From there, it's a little trickier. Most browsers, including Safari, will only let you open a graphic file using the upload button on the field note page. But iCabMobile - an alternative browser with good file support - did this without a problem. From the Kingston app, I opened the field note text file into iCabMobile and went to this site from there, uploading it from the field note page where it can be logged in with ICab or any other browser you prefer.

 

My description makes it sound more complicated than it is. The whole thing took less than two minutes - and it would be faster now that I bookmarked the field note page in ICabMobile.

 

As an aside, I don't think you could do this with Airstash since it only connects to an sd card, but there are other wifi/usb devices (such as RavPower) that would let you do the same thing. There may be other browsers that would import a text file and allow you to upload it to this site, but I have iCabMobile installed and it was the only one on my iPad that could handle the upload.

Edited January 23, 2015 by geodarts

[+Tee4Par]

I use Kingston MobileLite to export GPX files from my iPhone or iPad to my Oregon 600 - which is very fast and easy through Geosphere (I use it as a mini-GSAK to manage caches). However, I have never transferred field notes from the 600 since I generally cache with the iphone and upload the notes with that. I decided to try it in response to the OP's question.

 

Importing the geocache_visits.txt file to the iPad was simple enough - just a matter of plugging the 600 into the MobileLite with a USB cord and saving it through the Kingston app.

 

From there, it's a little trickier. Most browsers, including Safari, will only let you open a graphic file using the upload button on the field note page. But iCabMobile - an alternative browser with good file support - did this without a problem. From the Kingston app, I opened the field note text file into iCabMobile and went to this site from there, uploading it from the field note page where it can be logged in with ICab or any other browser you prefer.

 

My description makes it sound more complicated than it is. The whole thing took less than two minutes - and it would be faster now that I bookmarked the field note page in ICabMobile.

 

As an aside, I don't think you could do this with Airstash since it only connects to an sd card, but there are other wifi/usb devices (such as RavPower) that would let you do the same thing. There may be other browsers that would import a text file and allow you to upload it to this site, but I have iCabMobile installed and it was the only one on my iPad that could handle the upload.

Thanks for the info. I like this solution, and will certainly consider going this route. I may be back in touch regarding the actual process you have worked out.

[+BikeBill]

I did something similar to what Chrysalides did but probably even cheaper. I bought a used netbook for about $90 that runs Windows 7. I have GSAK on it and as long as I have a cell signal I can tether it to my phone and go online. I generally don't log in the field and if I do I use my phone, but I could through the netbook if I wanted to.

[+Tee4Par]

I did something similar to what Chrysalides did but probably even cheaper. I bought a used netbook for about $90 that runs Windows 7. I have GSAK on it and as long as I have a cell signal I can tether it to my phone and go online. I generally don't log in the field and if I do I use my phone, but I could through the netbook if I wanted to.

 

Great responses and suggestions from everyone. However, I think I am going with the Kingston solution as suggested by Geodarts. With three iPads, two iPhones, and two i touches in the house, this solution will allow file transfer between them easier than using iTunes. Also, we travel a lot with our RV and last year we came across two campgrounds in the US thAt while they had Internet, it was Ethernet only. The Kingston G2 unit will allow us to connect to an Ethernet system.

[+Tee4Par]

I use Kingston MobileLite to export GPX files from my iPhone or iPad to my Oregon 600 - which is very fast and easy through Geosphere (I use it as a mini-GSAK to manage caches). However, I have never transferred field notes from the 600 since I generally cache with the iphone and upload the notes with that. I decided to try it in response to the OP's question.

 

Importing the geocache_visits.txt file to the iPad was simple enough - just a matter of plugging the 600 into the MobileLite with a USB cord and saving it through the Kingston app.

 

From there, it's a little trickier. Most browsers, including Safari, will only let you open a graphic file using the upload button on the field note page. But iCabMobile - an alternative browser with good file support - did this without a problem. From the Kingston app, I opened the field note text file into iCabMobile and went to this site from there, uploading it from the field note page where it can be logged in with ICab or any other browser you prefer.

 

My description makes it sound more complicated than it is. The whole thing took less than two minutes - and it would be faster now that I bookmarked the field note page in ICabMobile.

 

As an aside, I don't think you could do this with Airstash since it only connects to an sd card, but there are other wifi/usb devices (such as RavPower) that would let you do the same thing. There may be other browsers that would import a text file and allow you to upload it to this site, but I have iCabMobile installed and it was the only one on my iPad that could handle the upload.

Thanks for the info. I like this solution, and will certainly consider going this route. I may be back in touch regarding the actual process you have worked out.

[+Tee4Par]

I want to thank Geodarts for his help and advise over the past few days. With his help, I was able to come up with a solution to my problem. The Kingston Mobilelite, geocaching with geosphere and icabmobile software work will together once they are configured properly. I can now do all my geocaching functions with my iPad and Garmin GPS without having to lug around my laptop.

[+geodarts]

I am glad we got everything working. The main problem we encountered was that an iCab setting needed to be switched within its network menu to provide for uploads from the app rather than iOS. It is the piece of the puzzle that allows you to upload the geocache_visits.txt file from the iPhone or iPad - which as far as I know is the only way to do it. I must have set that option years ago and forgot about it. For awhile it seemed like we were in alternative realities. But it is handy to be able to leave the laptop behind and have a work-around for one of Apple's most annoying limitations.

[+kunarion]

I am glad we got everything working. The main problem we encountered was that an iCab setting needed to be switched within its network menu to provide for uploads from the app rather than iOS. It is the piece of the puzzle that allows you to upload the geocache_visits.txt file from the iPhone or iPad - which as far as I know is the only way to do it. I must have set that option years ago and forgot about it. For awhile it seemed like we were in alternative realities. But it is handy to be able to leave the laptop behind and have a work-around for one of Apple's most annoying limitations.

When moving files (and then logging caches), are you connected to the portable wifi router device and to the Internet simultaneously? If not, I'm guessing you save the files onto the iPad, then switch wifi connections (in which case, where does the iPad allow misc. files to be stored?).

Edited January 31, 2015 by kunarion

[+geodarts]

When moving files (and then logging caches), are you connected to the portable wifi router device and to the Internet simultaneously? If not, I'm guessing you save the files onto the iPad, then switch wifi connections (in which case, where does the iPad allow misc. files to be stored?).

 

All the apps I use for caching or file management allow you to save files on the iPad for offline use, but I do not always need to do that.

 

Some wifi routers, including the Kingston Mobilelite model I own, will act as a bridge, allowing you to connect to the Internet through a separate network and do many of the transfers simultaneously. For instance, I can use mobilelite with Geosphere to export and unzip a GPX file in Dropbox using a bridged connection, and then open it in the Kingston device through the router to transfer it to my gpsr without saving it on the iPhone or iPad. Or I can do the same thing using geosphere's internal file management, without needing anything but the router.

 

To use iCab to transfer the log file from the gpsr, however, you have to first save it is a download within the app and upload it from there. You do not gave to open up a new wifi connection because the bridged network handles the job.

Edited January 31, 2015 by geodarts

[+kunarion]

When moving files (and then logging caches), are you connected to the portable wifi router device and to the Internet simultaneously? If not, I'm guessing you save the files onto the iPad, then switch wifi connections (in which case, where does the iPad allow misc. files to be stored?).

 

All the apps I use for caching or file management allow you to save files on the iPad for offline use, but I do not always need to do that.

 

Some wifi routers, including the Kingston Mobilelite model I own, will act as a bridge, allowing you to connect to the Internet through a separate network and do many of the transfers simultaneously. For instance, I can use mobilelite with Geosphere to export and unzip a GPX file in Dropbox using a bridged connection, and then open it in the Kingston device through the router to transfer it to my gpsr without saving it on the iPhone or iPad. Or I can do the same thing using geosphere's internal file management, without needing anything but the router.

 

To use iCab to transfer the log file from the gpsr, however, you have to first save it is a download within the app and upload it from there. You do not gave to open up a new wifi connection because the bridged network handles the job.

That's awesome! Thanks! I usually bring my laptop on a trip, but it will be handy to manage some of the Geocaching files, using a tablet.