Garmin & Mac

[Chunky]

Just an update on the Garmin / Apple saga. I contacted Garmin and asked them for an updated time frame for Mac compatibility.

Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe

Currently there is no Mac support nor software available however Garmin have
recently announced that we will immediately begin to make our line of GPS
and mobile electronics devices compatible with Mac OS X version 10.4
"Tiger." This makes Garmin the first major GPS designer and manufacturer to
announce direct support for Mac OS X.

A few bits of information which may be worth noting, at the beginning of
2007, we will offer a Mac version of the popular Training Centre software.
Used with Garmin's line of Forerunner and Edge series of fitness products.
The software also offers interactive analysis tools that will now allow Mac
users to chart their performance information like speed, heart rate,
cadence, elevation, and pace.

Also in 2007, Garmin will make the www.MotionBased.com upload interface Mac
compatible. MotionBased.com translates GPS data into performance analysis,
online mapping, and route sharing for endurance and outdoor athletes. Data
collected by a Garmin GPS device is uploaded to MotionBased.com where time,
distance, speed, elevation, cadence, grade, and heart rate analysis is
displayed through charts, illustrations, and reports.

By mid 2007, Garmin intends to have made all its popular hardware and
software applications Mac OS X compatible. This includes the ability to load
MapSource map data to Garmin units via a Mac, as well as waypoint and trip
planning applications. Additionally, the Garmin nRoute application will
allow Powerbook and iBook users to turn their laptop into a powerful street
navigation tool with Garmin's GPS 10 or GPS 18 sensors.
So Mac support is on the way but please be patient.

So, mid 2007 then.

Don't hold your breath though.....

 

[BurnieM]

'Recently announced' - well January 2006 actually

And the statement was along the lines of all Garmin software would be Mac compatible within a year.

Looks like they will not even meet this with even one piece of software.

I don't use a Mac and do not really care about compatibility but I suggest to Garmin that if you are going to play a marketing game in future then please don't lie so blantantly next time.

 

[Bigtwin]

You can do it with Virtual PC or bootcamp fine. Or what I do is download POI and the data on the Mac zipped, then copy on a data stick to an old Windoze lappie I have to install - takes no time at all to get the files into the GPS once they are on the lappie.

It is ludicrus that there is no Mac supported stuff though - what centuary are they in?

 

[roger06]

You can do it with Virtual PC or bootcamp fine. Or what I do is download POI and the data on the Mac zipped, then copy on a data stick to an old Windoze lappie I have to install - takes no time at all to get the files into the GPS once they are on the lappie.

It is ludicrus that there is no Mac supported stuff though - what centuary are they in?

I don't think it'll work with Virtual PC. I've tried it and can't get it to talk to my Quest via USB. I looked for a solution on the web but couldn't find one.

Garmin are a bit of a joke when it comes to software - I asked them last Feb when Mac software was coming out and was told 'about a month'... don't hold yer breath.

 

[Chunky]

I'll hang on.

I don't want to use Bootcamp or Virtual PC. I moved to Apple years ago as I loath windows (too many years fixing the f**king things for a living), and I'll be damned if I'm going to run some second rate OS on my nice shiny Mac.

So there......

 

[ianf]

Heh, exactly the same reason i switched a year ago. 4 macs later....

I still keep a manky old dell laptop for mapsource, it 'so' nearly works in parallels on the mac, that I'm keeping the faith. Native would be better of course, just installed neooffice so the reasons to keep a windows VM are diminishing. This time next year hopefully i'll be able to ebay the parallels software.

 

[ncoutts]

Routebuddy

I have no experience with it myself, but you might like to look here Routebuddy for Mac Norman

 

[charlie b]

I have no experience with it myself, but you might like to look here Routebuddy for Mac Norman

Thanks for the link.
Routebuddy is launching next month it says, but doesn't appear to support my Streetpilot 2720
at the moment although it does support the 2610 and some other Garmins.
So still waiting... my breath is not being held

 

[ianf]

This was on show at mac expo in london... Note carefully...

Here are just a few of the many features provided by the RouteBuddy Application:
Downloading and Uploading Waypoint, Route and Track data

What's missing ? - the ability to download maps to the device. Even if you did have a full install of europe in navteq format on your gps, the maps in the application are tele-atlas. - bound to end in tears trying to swap waypoints and routes between two different map sets.

If it was a viable alternative to mapsource, and could write it's own maps to the device it could be a goer, until some bug in the map/unit firmware surfaces and you end up with garmin/routebuddy finger pointing at each other.

 

[Sugarcube]

Lads,

Try this ! I think this is so good it is rumoured Apple are not going to take it on head to head. Virtual PC does not work with the new Intel macs and bootcamp is a pain in the arse as you have to reboot everytime you want to switch between operating systems.

I downloaded a free trial and it is working so well and much quicker than Virtual PC ever did. I have now removed bootcamp as I am so happy with Parallels.

 

[Daithi]

Lads,

Try this ! I think this is so good it is rumoured Apple are not going to take it on head to head. Virtual PC does not work with the new Intel macs and bootcamp is a pain in the arse as you have to reboot everytime you want to switch between operating systems.

I downloaded a free trial and it is working so well and much quicker than Virtual PC ever did. I have now removed bootcamp as I am so happy with Parallels.

Welcome back Sugarcube..
I got a present of a MacMini tonight and I'm totally lost, does the Parallels
software load after the Mac OS and give Dual boot, did you buy the Full Version
or how long does the trial work for?
Will mapsource and USB drivers for the GPS then work as Roger06 said it wont work
with Virtual PC, I presume because of the USB drivers. And one more, lastly, I think if I
understand correctly, the two OS can be swapped without shuting down ?

Apples are wierd, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.
Sorry about all the questions and thanks.

Daithi.

ps I thought there would be a forum/stickie or something for Macs in Computer Help, i suppose there is no need.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

Quite interested in this, would like to have an Apple just for the experience, man....but I keep saying to myself "do I need the hassle?"
Now it looks as if Daithi is going to take the hassle out of it for me!!

 

[Sugarcube]

Daithi and Bin,

Next event I go to I will bring my Apple laptop so you can have a look at it and pick up some tips of what you can do with it.

Errol

 

[Daithi]

At last,

Just thought I'd resurrect this one, I managed to get Mapsource
to send to my Quest through Windows/Parallels on my Mac, works
a treat.

 

[db1]

Yes, I too have this working no problem with Parallels and an XP PC and my Garmin GPS 60.

 

[Daithi]

Yes, I too have this working no problem with Parallels and an XP PC and my Garmin GPS 60.

Yeah, but for some reason Windows under Parallels picked up the GPS but
Mapsource didn't, does now though.