Geocaching with a Mac

[+PirateKatz]

Hi,

 

Both of my nephews got eTrex Venture HC's for Christmas and I wanted to set them up and show them the basics of geocaching. Their home computer is an Apple laptop -- something I really know nothing about. Can anyone explain what I exactly I need for them to easily upload geocaches to their GPS's?

 

I looked on the Garmin driver's page and didn't see anything listed for Apple at: http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection....ct=010-00633-00 Are there special Apple drivers out there?

 

I'm assuming they will need to have Garmin Communicator plugin installed, so they can upload directly from the geocaching webpage, is this correct?

 

What software is available for uploading .loc or .gpx files to the GPS? Is there any very simple software (I'm thinking closer to EasyGPS than GSAK) for an Apple?

 

Thanks!

[+allory]

The mac doesn't need special drivers to recognize the eTrex. You should start by downloading Garmins BaseCamp or RoadTrip and MapInstall and MapManager for the Mac. Either BaseCamp or RoadTrip can import .gpx files.

 

Next get some maps of your area from http://gpsfiledepot.com and install them. You are correct that the plugin will allow you to install caches directly from geocaching.com. I don't know about .loc files.

[+PirateKatz]

The mac doesn't need special drivers to recognize the eTrex. You should start by downloading Garmins BaseCamp or RoadTrip and MapInstall and MapManager for the Mac. Either BaseCamp or RoadTrip can import .gpx files.

 

Next get some maps of your area from http://gpsfiledepot.com and install them. You are correct that the plugin will allow you to install caches directly from geocaching.com. I don't know about .loc files.

 

Awesome -- Thanks!

[+cycler48]

Hi,

 

Both of my nephews got eTrex Venture HC's for Christmas and I wanted to set them up and show them the basics of geocaching. Their home computer is an Apple laptop -- something I really know nothing about. Can anyone explain what I exactly I need for them to easily upload geocaches to their GPS's?

 

I looked on the Garmin driver's page and didn't see anything listed for Apple at: http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection....ct=010-00633-00 Are there special Apple drivers out there?

 

I'm assuming they will need to have Garmin Communicator plugin installed, so they can upload directly from the geocaching webpage, is this correct?

 

What software is available for uploading .loc or .gpx files to the GPS? Is there any very simple software (I'm thinking closer to EasyGPS than GSAK) for an Apple?

 

Thanks!

 

Yes, the Garmin Communicator will be a necessary install. Be aware though that the Safari browser and communicator may not play well together if you have the flip4mac plugin installed unless you have updated versions of all. I've updated everything and all is well. It may have been the older version of communicator that was the problem, but that's just a guess on my part.