Virtual PC

[+bashnme]

First off. I am a mac user, G5 OS 10.4.8. I have an Explorist XL and want to be able to load/unload waypoints etc. and use the Mapsend 3D and such things. I understand that I can use VP on my mac and will then be able to use the various GPSr programs that are Windows only. What I would like to know since I am not familiar with all the various windows systems, is this, what windows version would be best to have working in VPC?

[+northernpenguin]

First off. I am a mac user, G5 OS 10.4.8. I have an Explorist XL and want to be able to load/unload waypoints etc. and use the Mapsend 3D and such things. I understand that I can use VP on my mac and will then be able to use the various GPSr programs that are Windows only. What I would like to know since I am not familiar with all the various windows systems, is this, what windows version would be best to have working in VPC?

 

I use Windows XP in Virtual PC all the time, but I should warn you that it does not support USB emulation. I could be wrong about this under MacOS, but I know it's definately true for Windows users. This means you will not be able to actually connect the eXplorist to your Virtual PC. The good news is that the eXplorist supports USB Mass Storage mode and you can copy files/maps to/from the eXplorist using your host operating system (after copying the files to/from the VirtualPC Guest).

 

You will NOT be able to run Mapsend with a realtime update from the GPS.

[+Prime Suspect]

First off. I am a mac user, G5 OS 10.4.8. I have an Explorist XL and want to be able to load/unload waypoints etc. and use the Mapsend 3D and such things. I understand that I can use VP on my mac and will then be able to use the various GPSr programs that are Windows only. What I would like to know since I am not familiar with all the various windows systems, is this, what windows version would be best to have working in VPC?

XP without a doubt. Garmin has stopped supporting older OSs, and Magellan may do the same. Stay away from Vista. I heard too many nightmare stories about critical applications that just won't run under it.

[+WeightMan]

If you have an Intel Mac, I would advise using Parallels Desktop for your Mac. It works well with XP and I can use the USB ports.

[+bashnme]

Many thanks to you all, you have made things much more clear for me. If this site isn't better than sliced bread, it sure comes close!

[+Gadgetman!]

If you haven't already wasted money on VirtualPC, I'd suggest getting GuestPC, which is not only half the price, but is also known to support USB.

 

In fact, in the animated GIF they have on their site there's an eTrex GPS displayed...

 

WinXP runs 'a bit' slow on my G4/1.33GHz iBook with 1GB RAM, but should work OK on a G5.

 

Now, if someone could send me an eXplorist to test...

(My own eXplorist 100 doesn't have any connections at all)

[+T F T C]

Or use Boot Camp which is free.

 

The only thing you NEED a PC for is to upload maps to your GPSr. Everything else can be done using a Mac, and done very easily. I currently use GPSBabel. I've created a website for MUGs (Mac-using geocachers), specifically those who use eXplorists. http://chimbisimo.googlepages.com

[+WeightMan]

Boot Camp still requires an Intel Mac. Also using Parallels means you can have an XP window open at the same time you have a Mac window open. There is not need to reboot to go between the two. The downside is that Parallels runs a virtual machine, but I don't notice much of a speed penalty.

[+bashnme]

Once again, thanks to all of you 4 the help.