Have been told the Garmin handheld/portable GPSs (76 and 76C) are not caompatible with a macintosh computer. Can anyone recommend a comparable GPS that is Mac compatible?
- Status
Mac attack *o
Most GPS's can output data in NMEA format. NMEA is a 4800 baud stream of ASCII. If the Mac can't handle 4800 baud ASCII data, it's not the GPS's fault. Any terminal program that reads serial input, like a modem or USB port should be able to read NMEA from a GPS. I've been told that Mac can run Windows programs so there should be no problem. Here's a link on how to run Garmin Mapsource on a Mac and download to Garmin GPS units: http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/gps_vpc.html
Most GPS's can output data in NMEA format. NMEA is a 4800 baud stream of ASCII. If the Mac can't handle 4800 baud ASCII data, it's not the GPS's fault. Any terminal program that reads serial input, like a modem or USB port should be able to read NMEA from a GPS. I've been told that Mac can run Windows programs so there should be no problem. Here's a link on how to run Garmin Mapsource on a Mac and download to Garmin GPS units: http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/gps_vpc.html
Mr. Moody - do you have other info?
Would you be able to direct me to a web page where I can find the same explicit instructions on how to get my Dell laptop with windows XP to talk to my Garmin 176C? I tried to connect with a standard 9 pin port and nothing happened
(is it becaust this port is designated for an external mouse?) Thaks for any info...
Would you be able to direct me to a web page where I can find the same explicit instructions on how to get my Dell laptop with windows XP to talk to my Garmin 176C? I tried to connect with a standard 9 pin port and nothing happened
(is it becaust this port is designated for an external mouse?) Thaks for any info...
Macintosh serial ports use a mini-8 DIN connector
Clunky Windoze computers and most GPC receivers use a mini-9 DIN connector. Serial ports are quite obsolete for both systems and there are USB to serial port adapters available from your mac dealer. If you leave the ground wire from the mini-9 DIN 'float' when connecting to a Macintosh mini-8 DIN everything will work fine - if you happen to make-up/solder your own connectors. Your G4 or G5 Mac will work fine but you need a USB to serial port connector such a "Keyspan USB PDA (GPS) Adaptor" which should be available in any Macintosh dealer store. (If you have an ancient mac (G3) without a USB connector you can also get a 'slot card' that will operate the USB to 9 pin serial connector.) This will adapt between your mac's USB port and terminate into a mini-9 WinDoze serial port. The mac will easily operate with the 'floating ground wire' of the Mini-9 DIN. On the GPS --- You will have to change the 'interface' on your Garmin to NMEA 4800/NMEA 4800 (in the GPS 'system' preferences) when sending data to the mac; and, Garmin/Garmin when uploading data (wayponts, etc.) to the GPS http://gpsy.com/cables/index.html http://gpsy.com/faq/hardware.html#usb Other: There is an inexpensive shareware program (MacENC) for use with the FREE ENC 'vector' charts that you can download from the NOAA site. www.macenc.com Download the free 'demo' version (Also download the ENC vector charts from the NOAA website), then go to the HELP file on the top of the "MacENC" program window and follow the links to: Connecting to a GPS; Connecting to additional NMEA instruments; Connecting to an AIS receiver or Radar, etc. There is NO need to use clunky and expensive Windoze GPS programs and a WinDoze emulator ... (as with all mac programs) as there are quite a few 'native' Mac programs for use with a GPS. With a Mac you have a 'leading edge' computer. Its just that GPS manufacturers havent updated thier equipment to 'fire wire', or other 'modern' etc. connectivity.
Clunky Windoze computers and most GPC receivers use a mini-9 DIN connector. Serial ports are quite obsolete for both systems and there are USB to serial port adapters available from your mac dealer. If you leave the ground wire from the mini-9 DIN 'float' when connecting to a Macintosh mini-8 DIN everything will work fine - if you happen to make-up/solder your own connectors. Your G4 or G5 Mac will work fine but you need a USB to serial port connector such a "Keyspan USB PDA (GPS) Adaptor" which should be available in any Macintosh dealer store. (If you have an ancient mac (G3) without a USB connector you can also get a 'slot card' that will operate the USB to 9 pin serial connector.) This will adapt between your mac's USB port and terminate into a mini-9 WinDoze serial port. The mac will easily operate with the 'floating ground wire' of the Mini-9 DIN. On the GPS --- You will have to change the 'interface' on your Garmin to NMEA 4800/NMEA 4800 (in the GPS 'system' preferences) when sending data to the mac; and, Garmin/Garmin when uploading data (wayponts, etc.) to the GPS http://gpsy.com/cables/index.html http://gpsy.com/faq/hardware.html#usb Other: There is an inexpensive shareware program (MacENC) for use with the FREE ENC 'vector' charts that you can download from the NOAA site. www.macenc.com Download the free 'demo' version (Also download the ENC vector charts from the NOAA website), then go to the HELP file on the top of the "MacENC" program window and follow the links to: Connecting to a GPS; Connecting to additional NMEA instruments; Connecting to an AIS receiver or Radar, etc. There is NO need to use clunky and expensive Windoze GPS programs and a WinDoze emulator ... (as with all mac programs) as there are quite a few 'native' Mac programs for use with a GPS. With a Mac you have a 'leading edge' computer. Its just that GPS manufacturers havent updated thier equipment to 'fire wire', or other 'modern' etc. connectivity.
Garmin vs PC
Andre, I assume you are using the Garmin cable to connect to your serial port? What software are you using to connect to the GPS? Garmin's can communicate with PC's in two modes. The Garmin protocol and NMEA. Software such as MapSource is used to transfer maps, waypoint, route and track information between the PC and uses the Garmin/Garmin interface. Running the MapSource software is why you need a Virtual PC on a Mac to make it work. Its the mapping software that is Windows based, not the communication protocol. Most Navigation software that uses GPS input to show your position on the screen require NMEA output from the GPS. Before your Garmin GPS will "talk" to a Windows, DOS, or Mac PC the interface must be set correctly at the GPS unit. From the Settings screen on the GPS there should be an interface selection. Set the interface to either Garmin/Garmin or NMEA/NMEA depending on what your software requires. As far as "With a Mac you have a 'leading edge' computer. Its just that GPS manufacturers haven't updated their equipment to 'fire wire', or other 'modern' etc. connectivity." ... PC's are tools. I chose tools based on the job at hand. Rather that try to get a metric wrench to fit a SAE fastener, I get a SAE wrench. If the software I need to run was designed for an operating system, I get a platform that runs that OS. I'm sure that most people that chose Macs also choose Betamax for it's better quality, they are used to limited selection at the video store. For the price of PC these days, it makes no sense to me not to have a machine that runs the software you want. For onboard use that means a Windows platform, or a robust Windows emulator for other platforms. If you decide to have Nav software onboard that control the auto pilot, you need 100% Windows compatibility for many programs. I'm sure there are native Mac navigation systems out there, but choices are limited. I don't like Windows, never have. I'd be running OS/2 if software was available. For the things I use PC's for I chose a wrench that fits the most fasteners ... Windows (gag).
Andre, I assume you are using the Garmin cable to connect to your serial port? What software are you using to connect to the GPS? Garmin's can communicate with PC's in two modes. The Garmin protocol and NMEA. Software such as MapSource is used to transfer maps, waypoint, route and track information between the PC and uses the Garmin/Garmin interface. Running the MapSource software is why you need a Virtual PC on a Mac to make it work. Its the mapping software that is Windows based, not the communication protocol. Most Navigation software that uses GPS input to show your position on the screen require NMEA output from the GPS. Before your Garmin GPS will "talk" to a Windows, DOS, or Mac PC the interface must be set correctly at the GPS unit. From the Settings screen on the GPS there should be an interface selection. Set the interface to either Garmin/Garmin or NMEA/NMEA depending on what your software requires. As far as "With a Mac you have a 'leading edge' computer. Its just that GPS manufacturers haven't updated their equipment to 'fire wire', or other 'modern' etc. connectivity." ... PC's are tools. I chose tools based on the job at hand. Rather that try to get a metric wrench to fit a SAE fastener, I get a SAE wrench. If the software I need to run was designed for an operating system, I get a platform that runs that OS. I'm sure that most people that chose Macs also choose Betamax for it's better quality, they are used to limited selection at the video store.
For the price of PC these days, it makes no sense to me not to have a machine that runs the software you want. For onboard use that means a Windows platform, or a robust Windows emulator for other platforms. If you decide to have Nav software onboard that control the auto pilot, you need 100% Windows compatibility for many programs. I'm sure there are native Mac navigation systems out there, but choices are limited. I don't like Windows, never have. I'd be running OS/2 if software was available. For the things I use PC's for I chose a wrench that fits the most fasteners ... Windows (gag).
Garmin protocols with macintosh ..... ooops
When you get to the 'system' preferences on your Garmin GPS, use NMEA-0183 protocol rather than the GRMN/GRMN mode. The Garmin real-time protocol can be veeeeeerrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyy slooooooowwwwwww and unresponsive on some units. Use NMEA-0183 for all 'real-time' communications as it provides more data to most macintosh gps programs and is less CPU-intensive. Only use the GRMN/GRMN protocol for data transfers (route/waypoints/tracks). Hope this helps.
When you get to the 'system' preferences on your Garmin GPS, use NMEA-0183 protocol rather than the GRMN/GRMN mode. The Garmin real-time protocol can be veeeeeerrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyy slooooooowwwwwww and unresponsive on some units. Use NMEA-0183 for all 'real-time' communications as it provides more data to most macintosh gps programs and is less CPU-intensive. Only use the GRMN/GRMN protocol for data transfers (route/waypoints/tracks). Hope this helps.
Check out GPSNavX or MacENC
www.gpsnavx.com has a charting program that will communicate with Garmin units. You will need a serial to USB converter (pretty cheap ... Keyspan makes one). Using GPSNavX and now MacENC I no longer use a terminal program and a spreadsheet to convert waypoints to NEMA 0183 and back again. Hope this helps. Scott
www.gpsnavx.com has a charting program that will communicate with Garmin units. You will need a serial to USB converter (pretty cheap ... Keyspan makes one). Using GPSNavX and now MacENC I no longer use a terminal program and a spreadsheet to convert waypoints to NEMA 0183 and back again. Hope this helps. Scott
Garmin GPS vs computers
In addition to the the Mac vs Windows problems (challanges). Not all software takes full advantage of the Garmin/Garmin interface. I have 6 or 7 nav programs. Only one actually uses Garmin/Garmin full time for both stored data (waypoint etc.) and real time GPS information. all the others either don't do Garmin or require switching the GPS from Garmin to NMEA depending on function. Arrrgh!
In addition to the the Mac vs Windows problems (challanges).
Not all software takes full advantage of the Garmin/Garmin interface. I have 6 or 7 nav programs. Only one actually uses Garmin/Garmin full time for both stored data (waypoint etc.) and real time GPS information. all the others either don't do Garmin or require switching the GPS from Garmin to NMEA depending on function. Arrrgh!- Status