Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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GPS, mapping and a Mac computer
I would like to record tracks when I'm exploring but I have a Gamin GPS and Garmin is an idiot when it comes to communicating with my Mac computer.
Their only solution is to run Windows on m Mac and I'd rather eat a bug than have anything to do with microsoft.
Has anyone used their GPS with a Mac and, if so, what sort of GPS and how did you do it?
And no, I'm not going to buy a copy of Windows and run it on my Mac. Don't pester me with those sorts of solutions.
I'd like to be able to hook up an OSB cable from a GPS to my Mac and have the tracks and waypoints show up on something like Google Maps or the native
mapping program on my Mac, 'Maps'.
A new GPS wouldn't bother me but I am staying with the computer I have.
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LaTijereta
Super Nomad
Posts: 1192
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Loreto
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If you are "Apple" person... Then you must have a iphone or ipad..
Checkout the Motion X GPS app for OS systems..
There I also apps like "Back Country Navigation" that work great out on the trail...
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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In the minutes since I posted, I got a U2U from a Nomad telling me that Garmin now has a Mac program! I've downloaded it but didn't bring along my
interface cable so I won't know how well it works until Spring. Sigh.
Although I've been using a Mac since 84 I don't have any of the other products. Too cheap!
Thanks though.
[Edited on 1-1-2016 by Gulliver]
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18122
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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Try google earth.
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Desertbull
Senior Nomad
Posts: 558
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Check out E32 ... Been using it for a couple years with great success.
http://cartografiagps.com/mape32/index.htm
DREAM IT! PLAN IT! LIVE IT!
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6004
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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I hope you can find a cable locally, maybe some Nomad in your area has one you can use. It has to be the right cable though, I recently updated an
old Garmin Nuvi, and the first one I tried to use was only designed to charge a cell phone. It lacked the circuits needed to transfer information!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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I like Google Earth but my problem has been getting the Garmin GPS to talk to the Mac. This new Garmin program may be the solution.
E32 looks great but I can't find anything on their site that talks about using it on a Mac. Much of the time there is an assumption that you are using
a Windows machine.
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ncampion
Super Nomad
Posts: 1238
Registered: 4-15-2006
Location: Loreto
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Mood: Retired and Loving it
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Garmin "Base Camp" is the program that works on a MAC. You should be able to find a free download.
Living Large in Loreto. Off-grid and happy.
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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I just downloaded Garmin Express which seems to run only Mac but since i don't have the serial to USB adapter with me, the whole exercise will have to
wait until I get back to Lopez Island in May. Gumble, grumble.
Now I have downloaded Basecamp.
I feel like some nut case gun fool with an extended magazine full of ammo and no machine gun to put it in. Waaaah!
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ncampion
Super Nomad
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What model Garmin do you have, most of the newer (within the last 10 years) Garmins have a USB (mini) connection.
Where are you located? I have a Garmin serial cable.
[Edited on 12-21-2015 by ncampion]
Living Large in Loreto. Off-grid and happy.
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StuckSucks
Super Nomad
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Registered: 10-17-2013
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Can you get the tracks off the GPS as a file? Eg SD card? Then the GPS doesn't have to talk to the Mac. Once there, you can import the file into
Google Earth, gpsvisualizer.com, etc.
I have a Lowrance and Mac and I'm always running files back and forth - no cable necessary. Use free GPSBabelizer (for Mac, Win, etc.) to switch
between GPS file formats. Super easy.
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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Mine is an old GPS-V with the round four pin connector. I have one more box of stuff to dig through before I throw up my hands. Even if I had brought
along the Garmin serial cable I would still need my serial to USB converter. I use the cable and converter on my boat up North.
I'm in Mulege.
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4243
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Location: La Paz, BCS
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Mood: happy - always
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Garmin works just fine with Mac:
Garmin BaseCamp
Garmin MapInstall
Garmin MapManager
Mac GPS Pro is an option
http://www.macgpspro.com/?gclid=CIWgoe_t68kCFYI_aQodn9EODA
use GPSBabel when you need to translate files
http://www.gpsbabel.org/
my Garmin 60CSx works like a charm with a MacBook Pro and Google Earth
shows me in real time where I am driving
doesn't record though
so I leave the recording to the Garmin
you can import directly from your Garmin to Google Earth
open "Tools"
click "GPS"
select "Import" or "Realtime"
"Import" when you want your file(s) transferred
"Realtime" when you want to see where you are
in GoogelEarth download the aerial images of the area you want to travel before you leave
they remain in the cache and you can run your MacBook with Garmin attached out in the bushes - no internet needed
I don't even use maps any longer
real time images are so much better
get your Baja map here:
http://www.cartografiagps.com/mape32/index.htm
can be installed on your computer and/or on your Garmin
another good offer is Bicimapas
http://www.bicimapas.com.mx/MexicGPSAtlasEn.htm
and you might want to invest in a new (or used) Garmin with a real USB connector. The dinosaur stuff doesn't work too well. I tried it. Isn't worth
the effort.
Harald Pietschmann
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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Great info and thanks for the links. I'll be looking into them.
Yes, I probably should get a new GPS. But I have this incredibly techy TourTech mount for my old GPSV and I hate to give it up. I'll have to rethink
my ways. I've only used my GPS for recording waypoints and sometimes navigating to a way point. The map screen is so stinking small on the GPSV that
I've never consulted it. No time when flying over the whoop de dos for looking at anything but stuff way down the road.
There is no way I will be taking anything but a GPS and maybe a phone along. The vibration and shocks on a bike are astounding. Today I was coming
back towards Magdalena from the end of navigation and when I got to the cemetery (head first rather than feet first as I had feared a couple of
times), even my plastic spoon in my back pack was busted. Hell of a time eating my mac and cheese! I glanced down once and my hands were a blur. How
these bikes hold together is a mystery to me.
I will look into MacGPS. I have some of their other software and have been happy with it. Means actually buying (squeak!) some maps.
A SPOT tracker is coming first. I know where I am (mostly) but Barbara doesn't. They have some sort of web page where the tracking data is displayed.
That will need looking into as well.
Thanks,
Mike (old dogs can learn new stuff)
[Edited on 12-21-2015 by Gulliver]
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Russ
Elite Nomad
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I use the E32 with a Nuvi, Mac Book Air & iMac. Read somewhere that there is or will soon be a compatible program for the iPhone & i Pads.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
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Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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My God, a computer with a serial port, Gulliver? Does it at least have some USB ports, if you upgrade to a newer GPS. Most all of them are micro USB
now.
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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No, No! No serial port. It's my ancient GPS that uses serial communications so I use a serial to USB converter to connect to my MacBook Pro.
The setup I have now does most of what I want to do except for downloading tracks and way points to my computer so that I can share them here.
With the info I've just gotten from several of you I think I will have that shortcoming solved.
I really like my old GPSV and the TourTech mount has put up with savage abuse.
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ncampion
Super Nomad
Posts: 1238
Registered: 4-15-2006
Location: Loreto
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Gulliver, as I said, I have a serial cable for an old GPSV Map with a serial to USB converter. I'll be heading back down to Loreto after the first of
the year and could bring it down to you although I would like to get it back at some point as I too have an old V that I keep as a backup to my 60
Csx.
Living Large in Loreto. Off-grid and happy.
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
Posts: 651
Registered: 11-18-2013
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Yes, do bring it down with you. I dragged along just about every other bit of junk I own but not that particular item.
I'll U2U my contact info.
Mike
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Chupacabra
Nomad
Posts: 476
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Location: La Jolla, CA
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I use the MotionX GPS app on my iPhone and it's great. I pre-download the map tiles for the areas I'll be at home before I leave. Dedicated GPS
devices are no longer required for vehicle and most hiking uses, although a more heavy duty unit may be desirable for serious backpacking
And it cost like 99 cents or something ridiculous.
************************************
WTF
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