Geocaching And Macintosh

January 10, 2005

Hi! I recently bought the new Macintosh iMac G5. It's a wonderful machine and I love it to death. BUT...since my job has settled down I've wanted to take up geocaching again after taking a while off, but now with this stupid macintosh it looks like my old Garmin Legend isn't gonna cut it, especially since it runs over serial port. And, of course, I can't run my Garmin Topo software on it. My Garmin is also experiencing pixel loss and when it takes a slight shock (like you bang it really lightly) it turns off. So, it's probably time for a new Unit and Software. But ... the question remains ! What is the best unit / software combo to use on a Mac. I don't need anything fancy, but I want it to feature downloadable topo maps. I hope someone can help me!

January 10, 2005

You may want to check out this link. It has a wealth of info for all users and is a daily stop for myself and many others here. In particular, this article was posted a few days ago regarding Garmin GPS and the Mac. It may help you out.

5.3k · January 11, 2005

Remember that there have been exactly zero successful reports of using the USB ports on Garmins under virtual PC, so you're probably in the land of serial (yes, with a USB/serial adapter) or Magellan, which does allow map xfers either serially or SD writer under VPC.

January 11, 2005

OK, so can I still use the topo maps on virtual pc on my mac? anyone? anyone?

January 11, 2005

OK, so can I still use the topo maps on virtual pc on my mac? anyone? anyone?

Yes, you can use garmin Mapsource (Topo, MetroGuide, City Select) etc. via VPC on your Mac, but you will only be able to transfer data (waypoints, maps, routs, tracks) using a USB>serial adaptor.

January 11, 2005

this is great info. thanks so much guys

January 11, 2005

I'm a mac user as well as I refuse to run virtual PC on my beloved mac. Try Hike Tech you do need a DB9 to USB adapter but the program is much cheaper that forking out tons of cash for a copy of virtual PC. You're making me drool mentioning a G5!

Macs rule! Garmin, support my Mac!!

January 11, 2005

FWIW, I use a Mac and a Garmin GPS, and use VPC with the serial adapter. It works just fine - runs Mapsource USA & a couple other things with it. Of course it would be better to have Mac support from the manufacturer, but...

"Bassmedic"

January 12, 2005

Just FYI, I have the Garmin Quest and VPC does NOT recognize it. Keep in mind that the Quest is USB interface only.

Traj

January 12, 2005

has anyone used GPS USA? It's mac compatible, let's you upload waypoints routesm, track your progress if connected to a laptop/powerbook, and only $25. I just got a R ino 110 off ebay to try out Geocaching, wondering if this is a good software solution.

1.1k · January 13, 2005

i will let you know, i just ran over to REI and bought it and will try it out on my panther mac and let ya know. <_<

1.1k · January 13, 2005

ok, after installing and playing with for a while. i say its okay. its not as detailed as i would of liked. no street level maps and such. there are 3 levels of maps. and they are as followed...

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

now that is the whole USA all 50 states, but i believe you can buy more detailed maps im looking into it.

January 13, 2005

thanks for the scoop KF. Is that an actual screenshot? It looks like they just scanned one of their paper maps in. <_< What about the other features - loading waypoints into your GPS, trip logging, etc?

The next step up looks like their Backroads Explorer, which goes to 1:100,000 scale, so I guess 5x more detailed than GPS USA, (though still not a street atlas per se). It's 17 CD-ROMs(!). At $45 (Amazon) doesn't sound too bad, compared to the Topo State series at $100/state!

Didn't get good reviews at Amazon, including one response from a Mac user, however I think National Geographic could do a better job of emphasizing the real uses of this (Topographical, campgrounds, trail roads, etc.), and not hinting at street mapping abilities.

Edited January 13, 2005 by fotobox

4.9k · January 13, 2005

Just FYI, I have the Garmin Quest and VPC does NOT recognize it. Keep in mind that the Quest is USB interface only.

Traj

i use an older mac booting with os 9.2. vpc and usb (in usb mode) are working fine under that combination. happy hunting.

1.1k · January 13, 2005

thanks for the scoop KF. Is that an actual screenshot? It looks like they just scanned one of their paper maps in. What about the other features - loading waypoints into your GPS, trip logging, etc?

The next step up looks like their Backroads Explorer, which goes to 1:100,000 scale, so I guess 5x more detailed than GPS USA, (though still not a street atlas per se). It's 17 CD-ROMs(!). At $45 (Amazon) doesn't sound too bad, compared to the Topo State series at $100/state!

Didn't get good reviews at Amazon, including one response from a Mac user, however I think National Geographic could do a better job of emphasizing the real uses of this (Topographical, campgrounds, trail roads, etc.), and not hinting at street mapping abilities.

yes those are screen screen shots and yes id say they are simply scanned maps, when you zoom really close they get a little pixelated, but still not bad for $25.

the software seems to load waypoints from my etrex legend fine, even tracks, but choked trying to load both .gpx and .loc files created by gc.com. i use link2gps and gpswrite for those tasks by hike tech, as well as macCMconvert. which all seem to do well for me.

i was looking at the backroads explorer which looked like it would be the next step up in map detail, but after looking at the screen shot on ng's site and reading the comparison, it seems pretty clear its not going to be any more detailed, and it clearly states PC only.

the 3d topo did look pretty cool, but still ng would seem to not have any software that does treet level maping like i wanted. ill continue to look for something better that suits my needs. id like to check out route 66..

January 13, 2005

I recently purchased National Geographic's Topo! for my Mac. I've had a couple of program crashes, but otherwise it seems to run pretty stable.

1:25,000 scale maps. I'm awaiting my USB/Serial Adapter, so I've yet to try it with my GPS.

I found it for $69 + shipping, online.

EDIT: Recieved my Keyspan USB adapter last evening. Works perfectly with my Garmin Foretrex 101. I can up/download waypoints, track movement on the map, ect perfectly.

Edited January 14, 2005 by Crystal Sound

January 13, 2005

i was looking at the backroads explorer which looked like it would be the next step up in map detail, but after looking at the screen shot on ng's site and reading the comparison, it seems pretty clear its not going to be any more detailed, and it clearly states PC only.

hmm, well this page says it works with Mac OS 9 & X, I think other sections of their site haven't been updated.

Here it says the advantages of the BRE over the GPS USA are "GDT Roads & streets" and shaded relief toggling... plus some trail exchange capability. hm...

1.1k · January 14, 2005

i was looking at the backroads explorer which looked like it would be the next step up in map detail, but after looking at the screen shot on ng's site and reading the comparison, it seems pretty clear its not going to be any more detailed, and it clearly states PC only.

hmm, well this page says it works with Mac OS 9 & X, I think other sections of their site haven't been updated.

Here it says the advantages of the BRE over the GPS USA are "GDT Roads & streets" and shaded relief toggling... plus some trail exchange capability. hm...

check out This Link for an example of the GDT roads added, its nothing real big. its a few extra lines, not detailed street maps.

and yes there seems to be conflicting information on the ng website, even this link which shows a comparison lists at the bottom that back roads explorer is pc only. i just dont know...

2.4k · January 14, 2005

check out This Link for an example of the GDT roads added, its nothing real big. its a few extra lines, not detailed street maps.

I haven't used Backroads Explorer and it's hard to tell how detailed the street data might be from the picture shown at that link since it doesn't show a close zoom of an urban area, but GDT does have pretty detailed street mapping in their database.

GDT's the company that DeLorme was using for a few versions of the Steet Atlas product (I think releases 8 and 9). AIRC, the quality was slightly less than NavTeq maps, but they did have detail down to small residential streets.

January 16, 2005

Nickelcacher

Are you using the Hike Tech Software or Cables??? I want to make sure I touch base with someone that is actually using it not recommending it.

Thanks

January 17, 2005

I too am using a Mac with my Garmin 60CS.

I've uploaded waypoints and would like to have maps as well.

The most important is good detailed maps. I'd like the backroads for hunting, hiking, fishing, etc. Is the Garmin Mapsouce TOPO good? What is the difference between that and the TOPO west, more detail? I figure if it doesn't work in VPC, I'll just use a friends PC to get it uploaded.

So what's the best map?

thanks,

DT

1.1k · January 19, 2005

Nickelcacher

Nickelcacher

Are you using the Hike Tech Software or Cables??? I want to make sure I touch base with someone that is actually using it not recommending it.

Thanks

I dunno about nickelcacher, but I use hike tech software, i use both link2gps and gpswrite and they work awesome!! i have a keyspan serial adaptor i use with it, same one they recomend.

this works great for waypoints and such.

January 19, 2005

Nickelcacher

Nickelcacher

Are you using the Hike Tech Software or Cables??? I want to make sure I touch base with someone that is actually using it not recommending it.

Thanks

I dunno about nickelcacher, but I use hike tech software, i use both link2gps and gpswrite and they work awesome!! i have a keyspan serial adaptor i use with it, same one they recomend.

this works great for waypoints and such.

From what I read, I can use Hike Tech Software for managing waypoints & tracks on my Mac (Dual 867 G4 running OS X3.7).

Under this configuration, can I also run VPC with city select to download the map on my mac and then transfer to the 60cs under VPC? Or, does the HikeTech software also take away the need for VPC? (I understand the keyspan adapter is ideal)

Appreciate your feedback!

5.3k · January 19, 2005

A buddy of mine had the same problem, he is a hard core mac user with a Garmin Street pilot, He just bought an old PC for next to nothing to use for loading maps into his street pilot.

January 20, 2005

I have posted the system that works well for my Panther G5 and Garmin 60CS in this forum: GPSes & Mac Users.

Geocaching And Macintosh

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