Garmin improves Mac support for GPS

[Ragnar]

Garmin improves Mac support for GPS

Mac users have long complained about leading GPS-maker Garmin's support for the fairer platform. Fortunately, Garmin has finally stepped up to the plate at Macworld this year with several announcements for the Mac. Perhaps most interesting is Bobcat, which "allows you to transfer waypoints, tracks, and routes between your Mac and Garmin device and manage your data using your Garmin maps."

In addition, Garmin announced that all new maps for 2008 will be released in a native Mac format. Older PC-formatted maps can be converted and installed with MapInstall, which was released last year. Finally, the central Mac support page also lists Mac compatibility for the Garmin Connect web service coming later this year (as early as March for some models).

Both Bobcat and MapInstall are available for download now. It's good to see Garmin finally getting its Mac house in order.

 

[SilentG]

Here's the link to download Bobcat

I installed it successfully on my Mac and managed to convert my installed mapsource maps from my PC and load them into Bobcat. I was also able to transfer waypoints, routes and track data from my Zumo to Bobcat. After a brief play, here's my initial thoughts:

good points:
1) my City Navigator V9 maps show up OK after the simple export from mapsource and import to Bobcat
2) The map display, zooming and panning around maps works well
3) finding POIs is nice and easy since you get a side window which lists them all in close proximity to the point on the centre of the screen
4) routes can be created by using the route tool to select points on the map
5) waypoints, routes and tracks can be transfered between Bobcat and the GPS device
6) the list of all custom/user routes, waypoints and tracks appear in a single pane on the left of the application window.

not so good points:
1) need to import Bobcat's maps from an installed PC version of Mapsource. Can't load maps directly from the mapsource installation CD
2) Can't create routes using defined waypoints. Can only use the route tool to pick points directly on the map pane.
3) Can't download maps to the GPS device - not a worry for me since I have a Zumo 550, but potentially if you have an older GPS with limited memory and you need to swap maps in and out of the device
4) Can't define the level of detail shown on the map as you can in Mapsource.

So far, I'd say it's looking very promising. The only significant miss for me is the lack of ability to create routes from lists of existing waypoints. Well done Garmin (at long last...)

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Ragnar]

Thanks for the info. I've downloaded all the software, but not had a chance to do anything with it yet.

Regarding your bad point no. 1, I think that's what Garmin are on about when they say:

In addition, Garmin announced that all new maps for 2008 will be released in a native Mac format. Older PC-formatted maps can be converted and installed with MapInstall, which was released last year.

All your other points seem like relatively simple changes so here's hoping for the next beta release

David.

 

[silvermog]

If you're Mac based, you might also want to pick up a copy of the freeware HoudahGPS. Its a port to the Mac of the GPSBabel conversion software that will translate waypoint logs, tracks, etc into GPX/KML files (ie. Google Earth), even pulling the tracks straight from the GPS and saving them in the preferred format.

The developer produces too other GPS/photo related tools which he charges for, but saw fit to release this port as freeware to aid people on the Mac ... well worth downloading!

http://www.houdah.com/houdahGPS/

HTH

Craig

 

[(RIP) philgunn]

good work lads

keep me up to date
I have a 276c garmin that i have to put base maps on and will try when the 08 maps become available

pg