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Geocaching on the eTrex SE or eTrex Solar

The eTrex® SE and eTrex Solar outdoor handhelds support geocaching, which is a treasure hunting activity in which players hide or search for hidden caches using clues and GPS coordinates.

Getting Started With Geocaching Live

For the best experience, use the Live Geocaching feature so geocaches can be downloaded wirelessly to the handheld from Geocaching.com. Live Geocaching also allows you to log your attempts and view available descriptions, logs, and hints for geocaches. Use the information below to walk you through each step of setting up and using Live Geocaching.

Setting Up a Wireless Connection

First, you need to establish a wireless connection by pairing the handheld to a compatible mobile device using either the Garmin Explore™ app or the Garmin Connect™ app. For steps, see - Pairing the eTrex SE or eTrex Solar With a Phone or Tablet.

Once you have set up a wireless connection you can begin registering with Geocaching.com and downloading live data.


Registering With Geocaching.com

The eTrex needs to be registered with Geocaching.com before you can download geocaches with the Live Geocaching feature.

  1. Press Back Arrow/Menu Button until you reach the main menu.

  2. Select Settings.

  3. Select Geocaching.

  4. Select Register Device. A unique code will display on the screen.

  5. Access www.geo.co/garmin on a computer, or mobile web browser.

  6. Sign in to an existing geocaching.com account, or create a new one.

    • For new accounts, return to www.geo.co/garmin and sign in after creating the account.

  7. Enter the activation code displayed on the eTrex.

  8. Select Pair Device on the computer or mobile device.

    • The eTrex will show Registering Device, then Registration Complete.

  9. Select Start Geocaching on the eTrex after the pairing is successful.


Finding Geocaches

Now that you have set up Live Geocaching, you are ready to find geocaches!

  1. Press Back Arrow/Menu Button until you reach the main menu.

  2. Select Geocaching.

    • If Geocaching is not listed, select Edit > Add > Geocaching to add it to the main menu.

Geocaching List View

  • Refresh will update the list to show the 25 nearest caches.

  • Filter will allow you to choose what types of caches are shown:

    • Show All

    • Show Found

    • Show Not Found

    • Family Friendly

    • Traditional

    • Multi

    • Puzzle


Navigating to a Geocache and Viewing Cache Details

You can also download geocaches through Live Geocaching.

Geocaching.com basic memberships allow you to view the details of 3 geocaches per day, and premium memberships allow you to view unlimited geocache details (within the memory limits of the device).

  1. Press Back Arrow/Menu Button until you reach the main menu.

  2. Select Geocaching.

    • If Geocaching is not listed, select Edit > Add > Geocaching to add it to the main menu.

  3. Select a cache from the list to view it.

    Single Geocache View

  4. Press OK for the following options:

    Geocache Options Menu
    • Go: Starts navigation to the cache.

    • View on Map: Shows the location of the cache on the map page.

    • Log Attempt: Log the cache as Found, Did Not Find, Unattempted, or Needs Repair.

    • Description: View a detailed description of the cache (limited to 3 per day for basic members).

    • Show Logs: View available logs for the cache (limited to 3 per day for basic members).

    • Show Hint: View any available hints for locating the cache (limited to 3 per day for basic members).

    • Save as Waypoint: Saves the location of the cache as a waypoint.

NOTE: Additional locations, such as parking waypoints or further stages of a multicache, are not downloaded when using the Live Geocaching feature and would require downloading the .gpx file directly from the Geocaching.com website instead.


Uploading Geocache Logs to Geocaching.com

Whether you have a Basic or Premium geocaching.com membership, geocache logs will be uploaded to geocaching.com when the following criteria are met:

  • Live Geocaching is being used to log geocaches on the eTrex handheld.

  • The eTrex handheld has a Bluetooth connection with the Garmin Connect or Garmin Explore app on a smartphone with an internet connection.

  • Auto Upload Logs setting is enabled on the eTrex handheld.

  • An appropriate Log Attempt option must be selected for the geocache(s) - either FoundDid Not Find, or Needs Repair.

Enabling Auto Upload Logs

  1. Press Back Arrow/Menu Button until you reach the main menu.

  2. Select Settings.

  3. Select Geocaching.

  4. Select Auto Upload Logs.

  5. Select On.

Logging Geocache Attempts

  1. Press Back Arrow/Menu Button until you reach the main menu.

  2. Select Geocaching.

    • If Geocaching is not listed, select Edit > Add > Geocaching to add it to the main menu.

  3. Select a geocache.

  4. Press OK to open the options menu.

  5. Select Log Attempt.

  6. Select Found, Did Not Find, Needs Repair, or Unattempted.

  7. Select an option:

    • To stop logging, select Done.

    • To begin navigation to the geocache nearest you, select Find Next Closest.


Removing Live Geocaching Data

You also have the option to remove live geocaching data from the device.

  1. Press Back Arrow/Menu Button until you reach the main menu.

  2. Select Settings.

  3. Select Geocaching.

  4. Select Unregister Device.

  5. Select Yes.


Transferring Geocaches From a Computer

Geocaches can be transferred to the eTrex device from a computer by using the Garmin Express™ program or the BaseCamp™ program. Geocaches transferred to the eTrex from a computer will only appear on the device as waypoints which does not allow you to log your attempts or view available descriptions, logs, or hints for the geocaches. For instructions on using the Garmin Express program or the BaseCamp program to transfer geocaches, refer to the following FAQs:

Deleting Geocaches Transferred From a Computer

Geocaches transferred to the eTrex from a computer will only appear on the device as waypoints and can be deleted from the device by selecting Saved > Waypoints. For complete instructions on deleting waypoints, see - Marking and Deleting Waypoints on an eTrex SE or eTrex Solar.

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