gps question

knzn

knzn

Joined
Jul 20, 1999
Messages
683
Anyone have a Garmin Etrex legend and an imac?

My Legend's computer interface cable came with an out of date nine pin (serial port?) connector. I went to radio shack and got and adapter that converts it into a USB port conector, but my computer will not recognize it.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
 
What program were you attempting to use on the Mac to communicate with your GPS unit?

Bobcat looks very interesting - until now none of the Garmin software was Mac-compatible. But I notice a couple of "gatchas" in the written description:
1) it doesn't work on older Macs
2) it doesn't work with GPS units that have serial connectors
3) it's a Beta version

That's a bummer with Mac for sure. None of the other commercial mapping programs or freeware I've used are Mac-compatible either (ArcGIS, EasyGPS, GarminMapSource, DeLorme TopoUSA, or iGage AllTopo maps, Terrain, MicroDEM, 3Dem, etc.). At least Garmin is making an attempt to fill that gap - better late than never and all that.

You might ask over at the Geocaching forum. Someone over there must be using a Macintosh...
 
i used to work at the rat shack. their cables are not well made. that MAY be the problem.
 
i used to work at the rat shack. their cables are not well made. that MAY be the problem.
Click to expand...

I suspect that he didn't have any GPS software installed on his computer.

I also question whether the Bobcat software will be able to work with a non-USB GPS unit, even with an adaptor. Perhaps someone at Garmin could answer that?

If the adaptor solution doesn't work, you may need to buy a more modern GPS handheld unit - I think the models with the "X" suffix all offer USB connections.

Or you could pick up a Windows-PC that will be compatible with your current GPS. The PC is the least expensive solution, especially if you can find a freebee used computer. Plus you'll gain access to the wide variety of available GIS/GPS/mapping software programs.

Let us know how it goes!
-Bob
 
You might need a driver for the USB > serial adapter. I have one I use in Windows, you have to install a driver for it to emulate the serial port on USB, its not plug and play
 
Bob W said:
What program were you attempting to use on the Mac to communicate with your GPS unit?


You might ask over at the Geocaching forum. Someone over there must be using a Macintosh...
Click to expand...

The honest answer is I am not sure. This is my first gps unit that I bought on an impulse as it was in the bargain bin at wally world.

I did at least want to see if there were any updates available for it and go from there. After that I would guess maps to augment the base map would be a possibility.

And yes, I need to hang out at the geocashing forum some.
 
bladefixation2 said:
You might need a driver for the USB > serial adapter. I have one I use in Windows, you have to install a driver for it to emulate the serial port on USB, its not plug and play
Click to expand...

The adapter did come with a driver CD. All the instruction are for window though----
 
I'm not familiar with modern Macs, but I am reasonable sure that MacOS cannot communicate directly with a handheld GPS. You'll have to install software on the computer, just like connecting your cell phone, calculator, or Palm Pilot.

Just a note about maps, computers, and GPSes:
If you want to load maps onto the Garmin GPS, they must be the Garmin MapSource products, and they can only load onto GPS units that are described as "Mapping".

If you want to view maps on your computer, you're going to have to search for a commercial product that's Mac-compatible. Maybe DeLorme or National Geographic? Any commercial software that I've seen is capable of communicating directly with brand-name handheld GPS units.

The real trick is going to be figuring out how to get a serial-connecting GPS unit to send data to a computer that doesn't have a serial port... The Geocaching forum is probably the best place to find someone who's already done what you're trying.

Good Luck!
-Bob
 
The adapter did come with a driver CD. All the instruction are for window though----
Click to expand...
In that case, the adaptor is probably not Mac compatible. I don't know where Mac people usually shop, but I've never seen Mac products at Radio Shack. :(

For a couple hundred bucks you could build a new PC very easily, a dedicated machine just for your GPS and mapping.
 
Thanks for the help to all. I never threw away our Pent ll Windows 98 machine, maybe it can be made wireless and I can use it. Hmm.
 
That's probably the best idea, unless you really want to build a new PC. Your PII computer probably has a serial port, and is perfectly capable of running basic GPS programs. A wireless modem should not be difficult to install, but it will be more expensive than a dial-up modem or network card.

For instance, my laptop has a Pentium I processor (133mhz, Windows 95), and it runs basic GPS progams just fine. It probably can't run the graphic-intense 3D topo programs, like those from DeLorme and National Geographic, but it runs the Garmin MapSource TOPO (ver. 3.02) perfectly.

Just curious, what's your GPS model?
 
Bob W said:
Just curious, what's your GPS model?
Click to expand...

Etrex Legend. I have had a gps in the back of my mind for some time, and Wally World has this one on clearance for $40.00. I thought for the money it would be a good way to get my feet wet.
 
The Basic yellow model? For $40, I would have bought a couple. :D Actually, I did buy my mother one of those a couple years ago for geocaching and exploring. A rock-solid unit, but, as the name implies, rather basic. An excellent unit for a casual user or someone wanting to check out the technology.

FYI, you can't load the MapSource products into the eTrex Basic yellow because it's not a "mapping" GPS. However, you can use the serial port to install occational GPS updates, transfer waypoints between the computer and GPS, and allows computer mapping/GIS/GPS programs to interact with the handheld unit.

Here's a very simple software program (freeware, PC-only) that might be all you need to get started:
http://www.easygps.com/default.asp
I use it myself and it's a piece of cake, especially for transfering location files from the Geocaching website to the GPS.
 
The Legend is a mapping model...he got the Legend for $40!! That's a screaming deal! Any more left in the store?!? Seriously...
 
Bob W said:
The Basic yellow model? .
Click to expand...

Its the blue one.

Been playing with it off and on this week while driving around at work. Having a blast with it just as it is.

Have you or anyone ever flown with one? I would love it if it gets reception on an airplane. Of coarse it is probably not on the list of approved electronic devices, but I sure would like to play with one the next time I fly somewhere.
 
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