How to convert Garmin GPS maps for OS X use

adsl3g

adsl3g

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This fall, Garmin quietly released several Mac applications. Some are still in Beta, yet they seem to work. If you use Parallels Desktop to manage your Garmin GPS, this may set you free from Windows altogether. After a few downloads and a two hour map conversion process, I can manage my GPS on my MacBook.

You will need three software packages:

1. The POI Loader for Mac, released on Dec 19th and no longer in beta. Not required, but nice to have.
2. MapInstall for Mac, also released on Dec 19th.
3. MapConverter for Windows, released on September 18th.

Instructions for using MapConverter are available for download as a PDF. The map conversion process can take quite a while -- I converted three Garmin Mapping products in a bit over two hours on my MacBook in Parallels. An external drive helped simplify the process.
Click to expand...

Will try it tonight...!
 
How did this go? I need to research this, but why would the garmin map files be different for the two platforms? Wouldn't it rather be an issue with map file registrations in windows going into mac?
 
Speaking of Garmin I was playing with a bluetooth dongle the other day and was well impressed how easily it interacted with my BlackBerry Pearl. Since I'm now considering getting one it's encouraging to hear that the maps will also work - do they come with all GPS devices?
 
vespax said:
How did this go? I need to research this, but why would the garmin map files be different for the two platforms? Wouldn't it rather be an issue with map file registrations in windows going into mac?
Click to expand...

I did the whole story as indicated in the instructions and it transfered the maps over to the mac w/o a problem. My problem is that I do not have a Garmin GPS to test it with - I wanted it on the Mac to be able to use Mapsource to get directions on the maps etc - however, there is no Mapsource for Mac so it was a waste of time for me really. The Maploader and everything seems to work fine if you have a device to connect to.

Apparently Garmin are working on a Mapsourse app for Mac but nothing yet.
 
bwana said:
Speaking of Garmin I was playing with a bluetooth dongle the other day and was well impressed how easily it interacted with my BlackBerry Pearl. Since I'm now considering getting one it's encouraging to hear that the maps will also work - do they come with all GPS devices?
Click to expand...

What? the maps - yes..

I have been using a BT GPS with my Samsung i600 for a while now - using Nav4All maps which are free including the voice navigation part (not like Nokia Maps that want an annual subscription to activate voice nav)
 
adsl3g said:
I did the whole story as indicated in the instructions and it transfered the maps over to the mac w/o a problem. My problem is that I do not have a Garmin GPS to test it with - I wanted it on the Mac to be able to use Mapsource to get directions on the maps etc - however, there is no Mapsource for Mac so it was a waste of time for me really. The Maploader and everything seems to work fine if you have a device to connect to.

Apparently Garmin are working on a Mapsourse app for Mac but nothing yet.
Click to expand...

Apparently Garmin is working on a Mapsourse app for Mac for two years now! They must have the slowest programmers in the world! :eek:

I don't understand Garmin. Port mapsource over to mac. The maps are independent from platforms, the only issue I see is the registration in windows registry that the mac won't take. So think of another solution to that, but why convert maps at all. .img should work in Mapsource Win/OSX and transfer straight through USB to unit. Why all this other crap they are doing. Garmin makes good hardware, but crappy software IMO.
 
Bobcat

Garmin released a beta version of a new software product called Bobcat at MacWorld. It is a 25mb download from their site but installs clean into OSX. I like the look of it so far, but it lacks some features like the find feature that PC Mapsource has. :(

Anyways, it is progress. You can use the Mapconverter product to transfer maps from the PC version to Mac (it creates a nice little .dmg file). The trouble I am having is that I can't figure out how to send the maps to my 60cs Unit through Bobcat. Anyone know? Or how do you go about sending the maps to the unit from OSX? Am I missing something simple here? :confused:

Edit: It was missing another piece of software... MapInstall, which transfers maps over to the GPS. Hopefully they will combine all these products into one piece of software to make this much easier to use. Progress... albeit very slow.
 
Last edited:
vespax said:
Garmin released a beta version of a new software product called Bobcat at MacWorld. It is a 25mb download from their site but installs clean into OSX. I like the look of it so far, but it lacks some features like the find feature that PC Mapsource has. :(

Anyways, it is progress. You can use the Mapconverter product to transfer maps from the PC version to Mac (it creates a nice little .dmg file). The trouble I am having is that I can't figure out how to send the maps to my 60cs Unit through Bobcat. Anyone know? Or how do you go about sending the maps to the unit from OSX? Am I missing something simple here? :confused:

Edit: It was missing another piece of software... MapInstall, which transfers maps over to the GPS. Hopefully they will combine all these products into one piece of software to make this much easier to use. Progress... albeit very slow.
Click to expand...



Garmin Bobcat (OS X version of Mapsource) now in version 2.0.0.2 beta - Find functions have been activated - looking good. Just waiting for the automatic 'view in google earth' option. Else export waypoints and load them in Google Earth.

Seems to be running nicely..:)

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3886
 
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