GPS software for Macs

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Kip C

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Jun 5, 2004
18
Catalina 25 Cincinnati, Ohio
I received a West Marine 76 CS-Plus for Christmas. The problem is we have a Mac computer and Garmin currently does not have compatible software. How have other Mac users handled this. Anyone have any experience with the link attached? Or any other mac compatible software out there? Thanks!
 
C

Charisma

Serial to USB

I have the garmin GPSmap 76S and it only has a serial output, where my Mac's only have USB inputs. A while ago I tried a keyspan adapter but could not get it to work. I think I will try again after reading your link, maybe they have updated the drivers. Will let you know if I can get it to work. Chris
 

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Garmin ---> Keyspan ---> Mac

Use the Garmin serial port + power adapter (12v) OR just the Garmin serial port cable. Connect Garmin serial port to (#1 port) of "KEYSPAN Serial port to USB adapter". If doesnt work try with serial port #2 on KEYSPAN. Set-up 1. Go to GPS SYSTEM page. and open INTERFACE. 2. Change "interface' to: NMEA/NMEA .... NMEA 0183 1.5 ..... 4800 baud ... then hit ENTER 3. The *KEY* here is do ALL the cable and Keyspan adapter set-up FIRST, THEN start GPS, THEN ****START**** the computer -- the computer is the LAST thing to start up. .... yes, its sad that you have to go through the typical WinDOZE reboot routines to make this all work. The Keyspan will usually automatically shift to port #1 when the computer restarts. Go to your GPS system function and make sure that your 'connecting' to the computer If you havent seen it yet, consider to download MacENC navigation software ...... (demo or $99 shareware ) that is compatible with NOAA Raster (BSB) charts and Electronic ENC charts ..... all downloaded FREE from the NOAA website. www.gpsnavx.com MacENC http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/enc/index.htm Free ENC charts http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/Index.htm Free Raster charts Then ... consider to download "SailTimer' which is a course angle tack/gybe optimization program integrate all this to a 'windmachine' ..... and then you will have one of the MOST sophisticated electronic navigation systems possible for about $200 .... or buy a WinDoze computer and spend about $500-1000 for the exact same thing. http://www.motionparallax.com/TCDVDs/4versions/Products.html SailTimer :)
 
Oct 15, 2004
163
Oday 34 Wauwatosa, WI
Or you can do what we did -

the unthinkable... broke down and bought a PC again. We have 2 MacBooks, an iMac and several iPods, and I HATE Windows but the frustration of not being able to upload or download anything to either of our Garmin GPS units prompted me to start watching Craigslist for a cheap laptop. I bought an IBM Thinkpad T40 for $225, with XP, extra memory and more software than I will use, and it has worked great GPS purposes. We don't use it as a navigation tool, just for creating waypoints and to upload and download routes, waypoints etc. -- Scott Fuller O34 Dawn Treader Milwaukee, WI
 
T

Thomas

Macs

Install on your Mac, Parallels and you will be able to run also Windows without any problem,you find it under Paralles.com,good luck Thomas
 

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,704
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
I did the Chris thing

I hate windows, too, but figured a cheap laptop was less expensive than a chart plotter.
 
B

Benny

Borrow a PC with windows

from a friend, everyone seems to have one. It is not Garmin's fault that they have not designed the product to run on a MAC and it is clearly announced in the system requirements. I guess if it was a gift you could have taken it back. Everything is a trade off with advantges and shortcomings, and so it is with Macs and Window PCs. You ask how MAC owners do it, they borrow the use of a PC.
 

Kip C

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Jun 5, 2004
18
Catalina 25 Cincinnati, Ohio
Thanks!

Wow! Some good ideas here. The Parallels sounds interesting. I'm not crazy about the idea of another computer in the house, not to mention a PC. I did spot a Think-pad for under $200 on Craigslist. And it might be nice for some of the Sailing simulators, plus the mobility. Hmm.. Something to think about. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks!
 
D

DaveH

Parallels

I use parallels at work when I need Windows. It works great and you can jump back and forth between Mac and Windows. Good luck.
 
Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
Consider MacENC™

There are two more-or-less easy options: 1. Geting adaptor cables for the Garmin, or, 2. Junk the Garmin for use with the computer and go with a GPS that GPXNavX sells. See the link that Rich H (reply #2) provided at www.GPSNavx.com. You can also call their support line at the number on this web page: http://www.gpsnavx.com/index.php?page=Downloads
 
Jun 1, 2004
243
Hunter 26 Lake Pueblo Colorado
Cables

John you talk about "Geting adaptor cables for the Garmin" is this a cable with a USB output from the GPS? If so where did you get it? The "gpsnavx" software looks pretty good, and maybe the way to go. Is anyone actually downloading waypoints to a Garmin using this software? Thanks Chris
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
Well, it's been, what, over 25 years?

The Mac and PC are still enemy's of each other and Mac owners make it their calling in life to still slam the PC. I think that's the result of any minority-purchaser of a product. The Edsel-effect. The Studebaker-effect. The Hemi'Cuda-effect. Stuff that few bought back then (and now) but, like flawed stamps, it means that it must be the 'good stuff'. Back when the PC and Mac were invented, it didn't take long for anyone to figure out which could be home-built and which was closed/proprietary architecture. I've been building my own PC's ever since.;)
 
Aug 9, 2005
772
Hunter 28.5 Palm Coast, FL
fred...come into the light...

Macs run circles around PC's. I can tell you've never owned a mac, because if you did, you'd be using one now. PC owners spend most of their time trying to figure out how to do things, where as Mac owners get the job done. People buy PC's because their cheap. The new Macs run windows as well as OS 10. Lets see your PC run QuarkExpress or run two operating systems at the same time. Lets see your PC run for months without crashing or freezing. Macs do. Also, we don't have to build our own to get a good one, we simply buy one at the Apple store. Easy.
 
Jun 9, 2004
165
Hunter 37-cutter San Francisco Bay
Another vote for MacEnc

A veteran cruiser and computer wonk at my local WM store strongly recommends the MacEnc software. He said it is much easier to use, less expensive and more reliable than buying much more expensive chartplotters. I haven't done it yet, but he certainly had no hesitation to recommend that roiute, even though he could have sold me an expensive chartplotter. It also appears that the software to make your Mac into a PC is out there and reliable for your need. Good luck And, let us know how this turns out. Sanders s/v Good News
 
Oct 15, 2004
163
Oday 34 Wauwatosa, WI
A question for Fred - the PC guy

How would you feel if Hunter sent you security updates to keep your boat from sinking - on an almost weekly basis? :) Perhaps you use a better OS than Windows on your PCs, but after years of Windows at work, having to reboot many times each day because the memory was all allocated to a process that was no longer running, (yes, even with XP, which supposedly cured that problem) or unintentional reboots when the system crashed I finally bought a Mac for my home use - after being a Mac basher for many years. I couldn't be happier with our Macs, but I do realize they aren't for everyone. -- Scott
 
Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
Garmin Cable Problem - for Chris of Charisma

With regard to the cables for the Garmin - recommend calling the ENCNavX phone number on their web site (see Reply #9, the last "link provided by author"). They can give you the information and, *I think*, prices (I don't know if they actually sell them or not). With regard Mac vs. PC (Ethics statement: I've always had ONLY PCs up until a couple years ago when I got my first iBook): 1 The code to write for a Mac is much less than for the PC, i.e., it takes fewer lines of code for the Mac than the PC. The advantage is fewer errors and faster operation. 2. When I worked for an Engineering office with some 400 employees - basically a very computer savy office - the best engineer computer guru was a Mac user. When I was using Windows 3.1 up through XP, anytime I had a question, of all the co-workers, the Mac guy was the best at finding the solution to my problem. 3. Of the guys in the IT (Information Technology) department, they guy who was clearly the best at fixing the most difficult problems - was a Mac guy. 4. In the early 90s when I used to complain about the short file names (I had difficulty coming up with enough names to identify my files), I think only 8 characters were allowed??? (my memory of this time period is getting faint!), they would say "get a Mac!". Macs allowed much longer file names. How long did it take for the other company to come up with a longer file name? 5. Have trouble figuring what files you have that are those that you created and which ones are program files (you shure don't want to clean house by deleting the wrong program files), guess what? On a PC, ALL the files are together BUT on a Mac, the program files are in one area and your files are in another area. There are NO PROBLEMS figuring out what you shouldn't delete! 6. A few years ago at a meeting the speaker asked a question "Are there any PC laptop users here?". The reason for the question was they wanted to know if the meeting should be cut short so they could charge their batteries. (Macs didn't have to worry) well,... enough for now, my fingers are getting sore.... When this PC I'm writing on is replaced, which will be probably this summer or fall, it'll be with a Mac G5! It would be sooner except I've got far too many things to do right now. Oh, and one more thing for Chris - be sure to download the sample ENCnavX program and check out their image resolution improver - it's a Mac-only thing! IMPRESSIVE! The pre-resolution improver is what the PCs get to look at (ugh!)
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
Key word John; Mac ONLY

This country, and the world as a whole, doesn't like proprietary/secret stuff designed for mass profit. It's the reason PC's beat the Mac. Yes, they won. 10 to 1 at last count. It's also the reason Bill Gates is the worlds richest man. Nothing more needs to be said to figure out which is best. Sorry Mac users. Let's see, how do you spell Betamax?
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
I can't let this go,,,,,sorry.

"fred...come into the light... Macs run circles around PC's. I can tell you've never owned a mac, because if you did, you'd be using one now. PC owners spend most of their time trying to figure out how to do things, where as Mac owners get the job done. People buy PC's because their cheap. The new Macs run windows as well as OS 10. Lets see your PC run QuarkExpress or run two operating systems at the same time. Lets see your PC run for months without crashing or freezing. Macs do. Also, we don't have to build our own to get a good one, we simply buy one at the Apple store. Easy." Well, quite a series of mythological claims. All untrue. Sorry. Macs aren't faster than PC's. Not by any test of comparable processors I've ever read or used. Sorry Motorola. (and I read today that they are laying-off thousands. But maybe that's because of cell phones. Don't know.) How do Mac users get any work done if they have such an infinitesimal choice of software. That's the reason this thread started. People buy PC's because of their open architecture, not because they are cheap. I built this machine in 1999 and it's still going strong. Sure, it won't run great GAMES anymore but that's my choice. Any PC, even those older than this one, can run TWO operating systems. It's a matter of software, not so called superior Apple technology. A myth for the 'unclean'. ;) Sorry couldn't help it. My PC hasn't locked up since I installed XP. Six years and counting. Love it. And buy your own? Fine. Go for it. It's your money. That's what Steve Jobs is counting on.
 
May 1, 2005
107
Beneteau Oceanis Boca Raton, FL
Haven't any of you ever heard of Linux?

I have been running linux since 1995 and would never consider Windows or Mac as an alternative. True, all the fancy games and a bunch of other stuff that isn't really neccessary to get the job done, but a good, sound system that allows me to host my own web sites, and host my own email server, and do all the things I want to do with a computer without having to reboot every time you turn around. Also, don't have to worry about all the viruses attached to the windows world. Did I hear someone say windows and open source in the same statement? When did that happen? Programs are written for windows because it is the most used operating system, which equates to $$$$ to be made by vendors writting the software. Even these vendors are not given access to the code of windows, only enough for them to "do their best to create something that will not crash. I have nothing against windows and it's users. In a free market, each person can use whatever they desire.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
If it has not locked up then....

You're most likely not using it with any of the hundreds of challenging software programs out there. Try running your 1999 PC with the current version of Photoshop CS2 or Music Match Jukebox, or Adobe Lightroom, any CAD or video editing software or home recording studio software. I run all these programs and my supposedly / theoretically screaming fast PC crashes at least 4-5 times per week usually right in the middle of something. My brothers 20" iMac with 33% less processor speed and half the memory runs circles around my 3Ghz with 2MB of ram win XP machine when running Adobe Photoshop CS2 and some of the others. Apple now also has Aperture which is a direct competitor to Photoshop but much easier to use with far fewer steps to great looking photos. There is NO software on the planet for a PC that can even come close to Aperture in terms of capability / speed and ease of use. The Adobe Lightroom beta is close but still misses Aperture on many, many levels and is SLOW and causes crashes but to be fair it's still in beta. How is it the same exact software, PS CS2, can run so much faster on the Mac platform than it can on my theoretically faster PC? This is a real question here? How is it possible that the same product on a Mac, that has a significantly slower processor, can run much faster than the same software on a PC that has double the memory and 33% more processor speed? My brothers Mac is a 20" 2ghz Intel chip with 1gb of ram my PC is a 3ghz with 2mb ram? Oh and my video card is double the size of his also! Why is his so much faster runing the same software from the same manufacturer? Really I'd like to know, while I will eventually buy a Mac, at least for the photography work I do, I don't look forward to spending $2500.00 right now on the computer and software if I don't have to. I'm still testing Adobe Lightroom and the final version should be done this spring and time will tell if they get it right. As near as I can tell Macs are the dominant machine when it comes to graphic arts, photography, video editing and recording and PC's are the dominant machine for spread sheets and business related software. My brothers Mac however can run XP, OSX and Linux and my PC runs only Windows or Linux...
 
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