MnGCA

ghost640

Is there an easy way to selectively delete groups of caches from a Garmin GPS?

When I travel to different cities, I'll create a new GSAK database, and then upload all the caches for that zip code. But in the GPS, they simply merge with the other waypoints, and the GPS waypoint management options are Delete One, or Delete All.

How do you all migrate different groups of caches on and off your GPS?

I've also noticed that when you upload FROM the GPS to GSAK, it loses the state ID, which is unfortunate...

sir_zman · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:49 pm Post subject:

which gps are you using?

ghost640 · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject:

Garmin 76CSx

Supporting programs - GSAK & Cachemate

LucidOndine

ghost640 · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks Lucid - I was hoping for cuter or easier, but I think you're right on this. I wish they'd let you get to the system files.

One good piece of news - I thought the limit was 500 waypoints, which I'm bumping up against - it's actually 1000. I'm good for awhile.

I could delete my finds, but it's nice to see all those the little open boxes...

5savages · Geocacher Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 204

One option is to load up the caches as Points of Interests, rather than waypoints.

Using the Garmin POI Loader, you can load as many caches as you want (we're talkin' 10s of thousands here), and partition them as separate databases.

using GSAK, you can even download other information such as hints, cache types, TB info, etc. I've got the Legend Cx and I believe it has 132 character field available for other info.

Doing this, you can load up by different region, state, or whatever, and separate them into different databases in your GPS based on the categories you select.

When you're on the road, no resupply of waypoint are necessary. Actually, with a virtually limitless supply of custom POI, you don't really need to split them up by region, but it's an option.

If you're interested, let me know and I'll post the steps I use to do this.

5savages · Geocacher Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 204

5savages · Geocacher Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 204

Here's the Garmin POI Loader Software.

ghost640 · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:11 pm Post subject:

I'm interested - please post the steps on how to do this (bet you saw that coming!)

I did download POIFactory a week or so ago, after one of the discussions here (Twins baseball radio stations), but haven't had the chance to work with it.

5savages · Geocacher Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 204

I figured you would, but I didn't post it right away because I"m at work and don't have my GPS with me to test the steps to make sure I'm giving false directions.

The Twins Radio Network file you got is only the .csv file, which is what POI Loader sends to your GPS. On its own, it wont' do anything. You can open it in spreadsheet program or text editor to see how it's built...pretty simple stuff. I created that one in about 10 minutes.

In GSAK, you must save the file in .gpx format, which is the other format POI Loader can handle. With the version I linked to, to get separate databases, you name the file the same as you want the database name to be. Then use POI Loader to transfer to the GPS, then put the GPS into USB Storage Mode (Under settings) and go into the file structure and rename the poi.gpi file as something you'll remember, such as TwinsRadio.gpi

Then upload the next file, and so on. IF you don't rename the file, it will get overwritten. IT doesn't matter what you call it...the name of the database is tied to the name of the original file. So if the file on your PC is Twins.csv, then you upload and rename it TwinsRadio.gpi, when you get into the custom POI in your GPS, that database will be called "Twins"

Once you get that done, go to your find menu, then Custom Points of Interest, and it will list the closest POI from ALL databases. Click the lower left button (Menu?) and you'll have the option selecting your POI database. If you only have one database in the GPS, you wont' see this option.

There's a beta version of POI Loader that will allow the separate databases directly, but I haven't tried it yet.

You can also do this directly to your microSD card in a card reader...no GPS need be connected.

I still load up waypoints for caches in the area, but I've loaded the entire state as POI's in case I have to go out of town on short notice.

I guess I pretty much stepped it all out anyway. If you have any other questions, let me know.

ghost640 · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

5savages - this is great - thanks for taking the time! (It explains why I don't see those radio stations) I'll give it a try.

How did you come up with the whole state in a POI database? That seems like a really useful thing...

5savages · Geocacher Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 204

pfalstad · Geocacher Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 967 Location: Edina

Pear Head · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 11:03 pm Post subject:

I'm still experimenting with this some while trying to understand more of the features of my GPS at the same time...

I managed to load a couple of POI databases. When I go to Custom POIs, then hit menu and select db, I can see the two dbs I loaded ("found still active" and "mn active not found").

What I would like to do now is make them appear on the map. Is that possible?
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Hmm...

RubberToes · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:43 am Post subject: