Macs & Garmin GPS systems. Are there software problems waiting?

[mystic]

Hi all,

The moral of all that follows is "do your homework first"! I've a G4 Mac running system 10.3.9 ...had macs for the past 15 yrs. I now find I've commited via PM to the purchase of a s/hand Garmin Quest from a fellow UKGSer member...(not yet parted with any cash).
Trawling through this section & the Adv.Rider forums suggests their are servious compatibility problems! I'm no technophobe .... Has any mac owner found a workable way through this issue?
I could have potential access to a PC laptop via a friend's generosity... but which way should I go??? Cancel the purchase? Are there any other GPS systems (bike compatible) on the market which are compatible with macs?
Apoligies for all the questions....as you will perhaps gather I'm very new to this stuff.
All help / pointers / advice really appreciated.

M.

 

[MMC]

I use a Mac too, but I use my GPS through an old PC laptop. That works fine for me.

 

[judge]

If you had the latest Intel chipped Mac then you could use Windows using Bootcamp, as it is keep your Windows owning friend on your side as you'll need him to get the best out of GPS which is Garmin and Mapsource.

I don't know anyone who has succesfully used Virtual Windows (which can be used on your G4 Mac) with Garmin's software and GPSR's.

 

[mystic]

Macs & Garmin GPS

Thanks MMC & Judge....you've confirmed my fears.... fortunately the guy I was due to buy from has got another buyer in the queue!
A supplementary question.... (which will once again show me up as dummy on this stuff):

Assuming I have got occasional access to a PC, in order to use the GPS system on the bike, would I need to be going back to the PC frequently to download the required info for each tour/trip etc? Hope that makes sense.

M.

 

[judge]

Whilst much of the functionality can be performed direct in the GPSR unit having, restricted access to a pc with Mapsource is a bit like trying to run with one leg* you can do it but its far easier with two.

If PC access is going to be restricted I'd not buy a Quest with its fixed storage capacity for maps of 256MB, instead go for a 2610 and buy a 2GB card meaning you can have all the mapsets installed on the GPSR - which bizarrely can be obtained for less money than a Quest will set you back.




* I have no experience of having only one leg but the analogy works for me. No offence intended to any folk bereft of limbs

 

[Pipehose]

i use a quest. rarely use the map source when all is loaded to the quest just choose you locations on the unit and off you go

 

[chasr]

Judge is right. The only real limitation with a Quest would be changing the map set for each (touring) trip. 256mb is getting smaller effectively as the mapping gets more detailed; with V8, a Quest will hold most, but not all, of the UK. A 2610 with a 2Gb card would give you all the maps. Losing Mapsource is not critical.