Garmin and Mac OS... am I screwed?

[DoctorIt]

I haven't been able to find a solid answer to this question, although I'm pretty sure it is a big fat NO. My Toshiba laptop finally pissed me off, so I sold it and have a gorgeous 12" Powerbook in the mail

I've obviously been through all the software I'll lose and whether I can substitute/replace it, and on ALL counts it has been yes. EXCEPT for the damn Garmin stuff. My cd's all say "PC" on them. I'm actually on hold with Garmin right now, and have been for 19 minutes... getting kind of annoying. So I spent the last five searching here on Advrider with no luck.

Anyone have any insight into this issue?



man this hold music is bad

[Curmudgeon]

Here the link. I don't know if MapSource works with Virtual PC, but I'm dieing to know.

Here's the link
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/product...virtualpc.aspx

Please report back your findings, because if Virtual PC works with MapSource I'm gettin a Mac G5.

Patrick
Live Long and Ride

[Green Stainz]

Originally Posted by DoctorIt

I haven't been able to find a solid answer to this question, although I'm pretty sure it is a big fat NO. My Toshiba laptop finally pissed me off, so I sold it and have a gorgeous 12" Powerbook in the mail

don't know your answer but you will love your new powerbook though!

[Stephen]

I've heard of this: http://www.gpsy.com/

and now there's this: http://www.macgpspro.com/

IIRC, GPSy has some limitations compared to Garmin's Own.
I know bupkis about macgpspro. It just came up as #1 sponsored link when I Googled "macintosh GPS".

Hope this helps. Hope you know about Google. And I wonder why I know this crap when I don't even use a GPS.

[rhinoWERX]

The current version of VirtualPC won't work;
"Standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) input devices such as keyboards and mice are supported through PS/2 emulation, but Virtual PC does not support USB devices that require their own drivers." - apparently it's being addressed for the next version, but I'm not holding my breath.

What I did was put together a fairly inexpensive AMD (Small) Form Factor PC - I use the MAC to remotely manage it (wireless system using RDC ).

The PC is hidden away in a closet with USB cables attached and used to load Gamin maps, load/manage PCIIIUSB maps, and as a Print server - but I still wish I didn't need to have it...

Cheers

-Jack

[markgsnw]

same here...I have an old Winblows laptop that does nothing but program the GPS. VirtualPC would cost more than a real one.

[DoctorIt]

So i finally spoke to a human at Garmin. A rather friendly one actually. He told me that there is a "proprietary" problem with the Mac OS. In other words, Garmin is too cheap to give Apple any money. They are working on it, but told me not to hold my breath. He said that virtual pc is 50/50? I don't get that part, either it works or it doesn't.

Thanks for the replies, unfortunately, those confirmed my suspicions. I had a hunch it was something to do with the way that USB was handled on a pc vs mac, that or the drivers. Thanks rhino!

I have a copy of virtualpc available to me, but I see that as basically defeating the point of getting a mac. It's a small program itself (~100mb) but you still have to install a full version of windows (~few gb). I have a windbloze machine at home as a satellite server so that'll do for the gps, but with the 60cs, I'm kinda screwed if I ever decide to go on longer trips. I think I'd rather sell the 60cs and get a 276 or something that uses flash cards rather than give up on the Mac and put wincrap on there.

Google, what's that???
None of those hits will work as Garmin is totally proprietary with their units and software.

[patch29]

If you go with VPC 7.0 is finally available. I wonder if it works well with Garmin Software. That is one of the very few things I miss on my Mac.

Microsoft releases Virtual PC 7 with Windows XP Pro
Tuesday, October 5, 2004 @ 12:05am



Microsoft today announced the immediately availability of Virtual PC 7 with Windows XP Professional as well as Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Professional Edition, folllowing shipment confirmations reported by MacNN last week. Virtual PC allows Mac users to run Microsoft Windows and work with PC-only software, files, networks and devices directly on their Macs. Version 7 brings much-anticipated G5 support, improved performance by up to 30%, better graphics handling, "Fast Save" to quickly save the PC state in the background, a new setup assistant for installation, easier printing with zero-configuration under Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, and more. Virtual PC 7 with Windows XP Pro is $250, while Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Pro Edition is $500. An upgrade version of Office 2004 Pro Edition is also available for $330.

Other editions of Virtual PC 7, including Virtual PC 7 with Windows XP Home Edition, Windows 2000 Professional, Standalone and Upgrade, will be available over the next few months, according to the company. Virtual PC 7 and Office 2004 Professional are availabe now in English. The company said that it would soon release details on availability in French, German, Japanese and Swedish versions.

[Too Many Toys]

Originally Posted by patch29

If you go with VPC 7.0 is finally available. I wonder if it works well with Garmin Software. That is one of the very few things I miss on my Mac.

According to the Mactopia site, the Garmin USB programmer isn't compatible w/ VPC 7, doesn't mention Mapsource.

Maybe a Mac > Mapsource bounty is in order, for the first to make it work.

[spagthorpe]

Originally Posted by DoctorIt

I think I'd rather sell the 60cs and get a 276 or something that uses flash cards rather than give up on the Mac and put wincrap on there.

This won't really solve your problem. The flash cards aren't for storing anything but the map data itself. To download/upload any waypoints, routes, tracks, you have to connect directly to the Garmin, at least on the Street Pilot III, 276C, etc...

Maybe buy a cheap beater laptop with Windows on it?

[configurationspace]

Have you tried any of the Linux GPS software? I haven't tried any of the software out on my system so I don't know what capabilities they have but here's a page of various Garmin software apps for Linux that should compile on OSX:

http://www.topology.org/soft/gps.html

[knary]

Originally Posted by configurationspace

Have you tried any of the Linux GPS software? I haven't tried any of the software out on my system so I don't know what capabilities they have but here's a page of various Garmin software apps for Linux that should compile on OSX:

http://www.topology.org/soft/gps.html

Exactly what I was thinking.

[DoctorIt]

Originally Posted by configurationspace

Have you tried any of the Linux GPS software? I haven't tried any of the software out on my system so I don't know what capabilities they have but here's a page of various Garmin software apps for Linux that should compile on OSX:

http://www.topology.org/soft/gps.html

I will look into this, but I'm getting the feeling that Garmin has something seriously proprietary and it just won't work too well with Mac OS unless you do some twisted stuff. I checked some of the previous links and it requires this converter and that backdoor approach - not stuff I really want to do.

And here is an official reply I got from Garmin:

Thank you for contacting GARMIN International. We are very interested
in helping all current and potential GARMIN customers, but due to resource
limitations and protection of proprietary information, we cannot assist in a
Macintosh interface at this time. The Windows emulator solution is all that
we can suggest at this time. Below are links to two Mac user/GPS enthusiast
websites that you will find useful.
http://www.gpsinformation.net

Unfortunately, the Virtual PC solution is the only option we have for our
customers using Macintosh computers at this time. However, I can offer some
links that might prove helpful when using this type of interface.

For cables and attachments, please check out this site: http://www.gpsy.com/

For additional Mac information and software, please check out
http://www.macgpspro.com/GPSPRO.html
For Mac use with MapSource, please check out this site:
http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/gps_vpc.html

If you do not have a serial connection on your computer, the only option
available to you would be a USB to serial converter cable. The application
of a USB to serial converter is a very delicate issue. The USB to Serial
converter that Garmin is currently offering has been tested on multiple
brands of computers as well as on multiple operating systems. The capability
of any USB to serial converter from any manufacturer to work on any given
machine has about an 80% success rate.
My supervisor has personally done extensive testing on our USB to Serial
converter, as well as converters manufactured by KeySpan and Belkin. The
success rate is approx 80% across the board. The deciding factor seems to be
the configuration of the specific machine. He can take 5 identical
computers, same manufacturer, same operating system, utilized for the same
purposes, so the same software has been installed/removed. These are as
close to five identical machines as he can get. Then since each computer has
had a slightly different life, they have different configurations when it
comes to the Windows Operating systems. He can then take the three different
converters from the three different manufacturer's. In testing varying
levels of compatibility then occurs using each converter on each individual
machine.
The serial to USB converter is a delicate conversion to perform due to the
creation of the Virtual Com Port. The way that Windows then handles this
virtual com port including any other hardware conflicts is up to Windows.
Our customer's experience has paralleled our experience with USB to Serial
interfaces. Factors in the users PC seem to be the limiting factor for
compatibility with one or any of the USB to serial converters.
If you have attempted the Garmin USB to serial converter, and it is not
working for your application. I would recommend returning it to the place of
purchase for a refund. Then I would recommend exploring the USB to Serial
converters produced by KeySpan or Belkin to see if one by another
manufacturer will be compatible with your application.
At this point in time Garmin is the only GPS manufacturer that I am aware of
to offer a USB to serial conversion. In the GPS industry serial
communication with the units is still the standard. GARMIN's Part No. is
010-10310-00 and retails for $59.99.
You can locate other USB to Serial Converters at places like Radio Shack,
part no. 26-183 or at http://www.usbgear.com part no. USBG-232 for $22.95.
Engineering is working on a USB solution for our next generation of
products. However, one problem we have today is that today's computers are
a mix. Some have USB only, some have USB and serial, and some only have
serial (as was the case with our computers until recently). We therefore
will be in trouble regardless of the path we follow. With us currently
offering a serial port solution along with a USB adapter, at least customers
can find a solution. However, if we were to go with a USB system only now,
I doubt that customers with a serial only computer can find a solution. But
at some point in the future we will be switching over to USB only.

[bmwblake]

Originally Posted by configurationspace

Have you tried any of the Linux GPS software? I haven't tried any of the software out on my system so I don't know what capabilities they have but here's a page of various Garmin software apps for Linux that should compile on OSX:

http://www.topology.org/soft/gps.html

BTDT - the software compiles just dandy, but i never got it to see my gps at all. as noted in the email that doctorit received from garmin, the issue might be in the usb/serial adaptor. i tried several and never got it to work.

if someone goes get a garmin unit talking with a mac, please post and let us know exactly what you did.

[DoctorIt]

Originally Posted by bmwblake

BTDT - the software compiles just dandy, but i never got it to see my gps at all. as noted in the email that doctorit received from garmin, the issue might be in the usb/serial adaptor. i tried several and never got it to work.

if someone goes get a garmin unit talking with a mac, please post and let us know exactly what you did.

That's exactly the part that confused the heck out of me. My 60cs runs through a USB cable. Why on earth wouldn't it communicate??? USB = Universal Serial Bus ???

I have a copy of virtual PC, and I will give this a try, I'm just swamped with other stuff right now. Let's keep this thread going though. I also would love to hear from anyone else that has it working.