ricnic Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 I'm new to all this so go slow. I've already downloaded a .loc file to my desktop. I'm using GPSConnect to transfer data. Dont have a serial/USB cable yet, so I'm just practicing. Either trying "open" or "import waypoints" within GPSConnect, it doesnt see the .loc file. Is there something I need to do to the file? Am I downloading the right file? I'm confused???? Quote Link to comment
+JeremyA Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 You are correct - GPSConnect cannot open .loc files. What you need is a .gpx file. There are two ways to get a .gpx file, the easiest is to sign up with Groundspeak as a premium member and use the pocket queries. Alternatively, if you are savvy with the terminal you can download GPSbabel which will convert .loc files into .gpx files. I wrote myself an applescript droplet to access GPSbabel so that I can convert .loc into .gpx by just dropping the .loc file onto the droplet icon. Jeremy Quote Link to comment
+Schopenhauer Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 I'm new to this also, and am using a Mac 12" powerbook and an eTrex Vista. But how to download the data from the screen to my eTrex? Couple questions: Is MacGPS Pro a good program? Is another one better? Will any serial-to-USB adapter work (a little one came with my Epson printer) or do we need to buy the $50 one? Thanks. - Schopenhauer Quote Link to comment
dampeoples Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 For ease of use, IMO, MacGPS Pro is about the only game in town. (Before I get blasted, I said ease of use = overall, which includes importing .loc files, uploading/downloading/backing up waypoints,working under 10.2.6, etc) You can import these (.loc) files without converting them. Yes, I do believe the convertor you have that came with your printer would work, providing you have a driver for it... Check my scandalous stories, site, and my fishing skills Quote Link to comment
fab44 Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 As long as you have OSX drivers for the USB-serial adapter, it should work. I have a Keyspan PDA adapter that works fine in OSX, but is not compatabile with Virtual PC 3 and Windows 98 under OS9. Found some advice on this board that the IOGear USB-Serial converter works better with Virtual PC so I invested $30 and found this to be true. Quote Link to comment
+hcameron Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 I am having a real challenge with waypoints and uploading them from the Geocache page into my Magellan Platinum. Does anyone know of a step-by-step, press this, do that tutorial specific to Magellan and say EasyGPS software? I am feeling real stupid at this moment. Quote Link to comment
fab44 Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 EasyGPS is Windows software, not Mac. Have you looked at the tutorials on http://www.easygps.com/ ? Quote Link to comment
dampeoples Posted September 13, 2003 Share Posted September 13, 2003 quote:Originally posted by hcameron:I am having a real challenge with waypoints and uploading them from the Geocache page into my Magellan Platinum. Does anyone know of a step-by-step, press this, do that tutorial specific to Magellan and say EasyGPS software? I am feeling real stupid at this moment. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think www.gpsy.com is the only Mac software that will 'talk' to a Magellan. You could try poking around www.versiontracker.com (search for gps) to see if anything else might work. Check my scandalous stories, site, and my fishing skills Quote Link to comment
ricnic Posted September 15, 2003 Author Share Posted September 15, 2003 quote:Originally posted by JeremyA:You are correct - GPSConnect cannot open .loc files. What you need is a .gpx file. There are two ways to get a .gpx file, the easiest is to sign up with Groundspeak as a premium member and use the pocket queries. Alternatively, if you are savvy with the terminal you can download GPSbabel which will convert .loc files into .gpx files. I wrote myself an applescript droplet to access GPSbabel so that I can convert .loc into .gpx by just dropping the .loc file onto the droplet icon. Jeremy So, my Garmin can only read .gpx files? Why then the option to download .loc files? Is it just that the mac software can only read .gpx? Or do all GPSr's read .gpx only? Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment
dampeoples Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 It's not the GPSr reading the location file, it's the software. There isn't a standard (one filetype) waypoint filetype. The .loc files are readable by MacGPSPro, I'm not sure what the other Mac applications read. If the one you choose doesn't read .loc, you will need to use the babel software previously mentioned. Check my scandalous stories, site, and my fishing skills Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 quote:Originally posted by fab44:EasyGPS is Windows software, not Mac. Try Mac SimpleGPS X. ~robert Notice: Driver carries less than $20 cache. Quote Link to comment
ricnic Posted September 16, 2003 Author Share Posted September 16, 2003 quote:Originally posted by mrkablooey: quote:Originally posted by fab44:EasyGPS is Windows software, not Mac. Try http://www.threadworksunlimited.com/gps/index.shtml ~robert _Notice: Driver carries less than $20 cache._ http://www.mdgps.net Thanks! Downloading it now. Look like it's just what I'm looking for. This will only read .gpx, right? Quote Link to comment
robertlipe Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 GPSBabel runs on OS/X and will talk directly to Garmins and Magellans on usb/serial converters. I'm not a "Mac Person" so if JeremyA or other Mac users would like to contribute tools like the "applescript droplet" or binary kits to make it easier for Mac users, please contact me. Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 quote:Originally posted by ricnic:Thanks! Downloading it now. Look like it's just what I'm looking for. This will only read .gpx, right? ACK! Sorry it took me so long to get back to this, but it will read both GPX and LOC files. You've probably figured that out by now. OH and make sure you set the LAT/LON properties correctly in preferences/general. ~robert www.CacheGear.com Quote Link to comment
+JeremyA Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 robertlipe: A Mac OS X GUI front-end for GPSBabel is something I have been looking into. It is actually very simple to do, I just have a couple of things to work out before I am ready to start work on it. If you already have GPSBabel installed then I have some droplets for automating various conversions (e.g. LOC to GPX). Jeremy quote:Originally posted by robertlipe:GPSBabel runs on OS/X and will talk directly to Garmins and Magellans on usb/serial converters. I'm not a "Mac Person" so if JeremyA or other Mac users would like to contribute tools like the "applescript droplet" or binary kits to make it easier for Mac users, please contact me. Quote Link to comment
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