Unable to send to GPS

[khoelting]

Ok, first I purchased my Earthmate PN-60 last week. I couldn't get either of my home computers to recognize the unit. I tried everything and finally Delorme sent me a new cable. At least now it connects to my computer (I can hear the bonging sound when something is attached via the usb). I have tried to send a cache to my unit and it says it does not recognize the unit. How frustrating!! It says it loads the drivers, I can see the unit in "my computer", but still not able to send a cache to the unit. My computer is running vista. I am at my wit's end. I have never thought of myself as an idiot, but i guess this confirms the truth. If anyone may have suggestions, I would appreciate it. Please be specific on what I need to do. If I can't even get it to do this, I'm up a creek and guess I'll have to return it to amazon. Also, if anyone knows if there is some sort of class or tutorial on either the gps unit or the Topo NA, I would certainly be thankful. The instruction manual just doesn't seem to be very user friendly. Thanks.

[newlungs]

I had the same issue at first. It wouldn't always happen to me through.

Unfortunately I don't remember what resolved it. I know it had something to do with how I was sending it.

I think either I needed the cache to be open to send it properly or I needed to be on the map page and select send to cache before opening the cache itself.

Anyway, there are multiple ways to send to gps and one of the ways works seamlessly and the other causes an error.

Hopefully someone else remembers which works or you figure out the two ways and try each.

I got a premier membership for caching and now have no problems and can download large gpx files with all the extras.

Don't give up on the PN-60. I have a friend that has tried two other GPS's and they aren't as powerful as this one.

Good Luck.

[CowboySlim]

It is best to be a Premium Member of geocaching.com.

Then I would suggest using the Send to My GPS button that you see on the page with the cache description:
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_de ... 06cf35ce3f

However, when you do this for the first time you will have to select DeLorme and then let it download and install an Add On for Internet Explorer.
If that works, the cache should be stored in the waypoint/cache file that is active at the time.
To find it click on Menu button twice, go up to the Geocach icon on the screen and click the Enter button and the list of geocaches will appear.

[khoelting]

Thanks for the help and encouragement. I have already added the plug-in for IE. The problem is that when I hit the add to gps button, it doesn't think my gps unit is connected, even though it is. I get a green check mark, and then a red X. Thanks.

[Robert Shelley]

When you try to load a cache is your '60 on a screen other than Connect to Computer? You do not want to be on that page while trying to use the Send to GPS plugin. Connect to Computer is only used for managing files via Windows Explorer (or equivalent).

[BrokenLug]

I've found that the "Send to GPS Plugin" can overall be pretty finicky.

I tried to get it to work tonight as a test using FF. Although I haven't used it in awhile I have used it previously.
I didn't get past the 1st step tonight ...

1) Checking for browser plug-in .. Ø
A newer version of the plugin is available; click the
Download button to download and install the latest version.

I made note of the existing version of Send to GPS in FF's plugins *1.2.0.0.
I see the same version number after I downloaded the "new one", and I still can't past the 1st step. The plugin is "enabled" in FF.

So, before anyone pulls their hair out it may be SNAFU as usual at GC.com this evening.

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1) Do you have the usb cable plugged into a usb port on the back of your computer ? If not try that.
2) What version # of IE are you using ?
3) "PN-30/40 (2.7 and later firmware) and PN-60/60w : Ensure that a Geocache file is open on your device before you click Send to GPS." From HERE.

If you have not created any geocache or waypoint files on the PN-60 yet there is no open file for the geocache to go into.

To create a new file go to the Geocache Page on the 60 > Menu > File > Enter > New > Point File is "highlighted green" [that's the default file name] > Enter > Use the keyboard to give the Geocache file a name that means something to you "1st Cache Run" or "Test 01" > OK > Enter > put it in Internal.

Now you should have a "bucket" to drop the caches into.

This Delorme support article might help also: http://support.delorme.com/questions.php?questionid=137

[Robert Shelley]

...I didn't get past the 1st step tonight ...

1) Checking for browser plug-in .. Ø
A newer version of the plugin is available; click the
Download button to download and install the latest version.

I made note of the existing version of Send to GPS in FF's plugins *1.2.0.0.
I see the same version number after I downloaded the "new one", and I still can't past the 1st step. The plugin is "enabled" in FF.

The current version is 1.3 as mentioned over here. If you are having problems getting it to install, I think you'll first need to remove the current version. Use Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, or whatever it is called. After that you'll probably have better luck installing 1.3.

[CowboySlim]

Also, connect to a USB port on the back of your PC. They are most likely to be directly on the motherboard as opposed to those on the front, which are usually like remote hub types.

As Bob says, not to be on the Connect to Computer page:
1. Physically connect cable with the PN-60 shut down and the PC running with the Geocache page open,
2. Boot up -60 and listen for the kerplunk to indicate connection/recognition,
3. Then click on Sent to My GPS button.

(Well, I hope I have it right)

[BrokenLug]

After I posted .. I should have used my own Tech Support link above ..

Click here to download the DeLorme Send to GPS Plugin if it is not yet installed on your computer.

All is good after I used Add & Remove to remove version 1.2

Right then, 1.3 Send to GPS Plugin it is.

My apologies GC.com and my SNAFU.

[twolpert]

To clarify Bob's earlier post, when you use the IE plugin to send directly to your gps, the GPS must be in "Use GPS" mode, not "Open SD Card" or "Open Internal Drive" mode. You should not be able to see the unit as a removable USB drive in Windows Explorer. To make sure that you are set up right, Menu, Menu, highlight Settings, Enter. Highlight Connect to Computer, Enter. Highlight When Connected, Enter. Highlight Use GPS, Enter.

Also, make sure that no other DeLorme software (TNA9, Cache Register) is running.

Be sure that you have an open waypoint/geocache file as BL explained earlier.

Now try the send to GPS operation.

[khoelting]

ok, I think I'm making progress, but I'm not there yet. When I connect the PN60 and turn it on, I go to the connect to computer...when connected: open internal drive, then hit: use gps. This seems to be the only way my computer recognizes the unit, BUT then I get a red X and it says: "3) Sending geocache information
The geocache transfer has timed out. Please try again." Any other suggestions? I have spent $30 on a premium membership, thinking this would help....no luck. OMG, I must be a total idiot to not have figured this out yet. Is there any other way to get these stupid caches on my unit? Can I save them to the sd card? I can plug the coordinates in manually, but this gets tedious and defeats the purpose of this fancy unit I purchased. I am using IE 8.0. (I normally use Chrome, but it doesn't seem to work for this application.) I bought this gps to have some fun and relaxation....hahaha I can't even get the caches loaded!!
Thanks

[John Moran_2]

khoelting-
If you can forget about geocaching for a day or two, you may have better luck with your connections.

1) The first time a Delorme PN-xx device is connected to a new computer, Windows needs to download a new driver for the computer. Presumably that has already happened, but it wouldn't hurt to plug the device into both computers in sequence while connected to the Internet w/Windows Explorer active to see what happens. if you are using computers, such as Macs, and not basic Windows PCs, let the other forum members know.

2) Then become at least a little bit familiar with Topo9. Create a few Routes under the Route Tab and create a few Waypoints under the Draw Tab. If you need help, click on the yellow question mark under the applicable Tab to be taken to the appropriate page on the Delorme User Guide. If necessary, search further in the User Guide search window, as you cannot turn the pages! (PDF version with page by page readibility is available on Delorme.com for download).

3) With the PN-60 unplugged and powered down, and after creating a few routes and a few waypoints, Click on the Handheld Export tab and select Synch. Wait a minute for the computer to find "nothing".

4) Plug in the PN-60. Press the PN-60 power button.

5) If all goes well, press the Synch button (twice to be sure if necessary) to see if your routes and waypoints are transferred.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
If that works, the geocachers will get you the rest of the way with the plug-in "easy" instructions. As for me as a geocacher for test purposes only, I find it more convenient to receive a PQ in email, unzip it, and import Geocaches (really just special waypoints) into Topo9 using file import on the right side under the Draw Tab>File button.

6) Then Synch (Send) the geocache file to the PN-60 and all the files are more likely to stay in synch with each other than messing around with the "easy plugin methods".

Just my 2 cents worth on loading geocaches. Good luck.
JM_2

[khoelting]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for giving me a place to start. I really haven't played with the Topo software yet, although I did download the manual for it. I will start there and do what you said. I'm so stupid, I didn't realize that you could draw routes and waypoints on the map and sync them to the unit...how embarrassing! We are taking a trip to the Smokey Mountains/Blue Ridge Parkway in May and wanted to use the unit for hiking. (I love gadgets). I can see that it will take me until May to just learn the basics! Thanks again for your help!

[newlungs]

Since you now have a premium membership to gc.com forget about the sent to gps function.

Look into the pocket queries. This will prepare a .gpx computer file with multiple (up to 1000) geocaches. You can then connect your unit to your computer using the internal memory or SD card. Finally you can use windows explorer or similar to copy the .gpx file from your computer to the gps.

This will allow you to use gc.com and your gps unit to the fullest for geocaching.

Good Luck.

[Robert Shelley]

Once you get familiar with TP9 you'll also discover that you can use it for downloading geocaches from GC.com if you create pocket queries (usually referred to as a PQ). Since you're not that far along yet I'll just whet your appetite with this screenshot.