GPS software

Hi, Chris.

In researching the problem of using GPS receivers with Macs, the information I have found indicates that the software for downloading maps and firmware updates to GPS receivers only works with Windows PCs.

For example, in the case of Garmin's Street Pilot, aka the GSP III, the specifications for downloading firmware updates and maps from CDs all specify:

"IBM-compatible PC running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, or Windows XP operating system and an available Com 1, 2, 3, or 4 port."

Virtual PC will permit you to run Windows on a Mac, but for many this may be an expensive and complex solution.

I am aware of two GPS solutions specifically for Macs:

1. GPSy. Check their compatibility page to see if your GPS receiver model is supported.

2. MacGPS Pro. This solution focuses on Garmin GPS receivers.

Despite these solutions, however, I have read elsewhere that you will need to use a PC or Virtual PC to load MapSource maps and firmware updates to most GPS receivers.

One forum I have seen recommended for discussing problems and solutions with Mac-based GPS, mapping, Route 66, and the like is the macmap group (Macintosh Mapping and GPS Group) on Yahoo groups.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Hello,
I have bought the Macintosh version of Route66 software.
It work well for me.

http://www.66.com/route66/index.php

I use it with a Bluetooth GPS but I know it also work with most GPS.

If you go on their Website in the FAQ for Mac , you will find:

_________________________________________________________________________
1. Which GPS devices are supported?
All GPS receivers that meet the following requirements can be used with “ROUTE 66 Route 2004”:

Protocol: NMEA-0183 v2.0 or higher (RMC, GSA, GSV)
Map datum: WGS84
Baud rate: 4800 – 115200 bps
If you are looking for a USB GPS receiver, please check if the GPS manufacturer provides a driver for its device.

Please note that the following GPS receivers are not compatible with "ROUTE 66 Route 2004":
DeLORME Earthmate USB
Garmin USB
Navman USB
The Bluetooth GPS receivers that meet the above mentioned requirements are compatible with the "ROUTE 66 Route 2004" software and do not require additional software to work.
_________________________________________________________________________

Other software might support other GPS.

Very few software are currently working on Mac and if you are looking for street, I think Route66 is probably the best you will find. If you are looking for other type of use, like for Topo map, then other software solution exist.

I have also use my GPS with Virtual PC and it work too.

Hope this will help you.

Franco

hi,

I am having a problem in connecting my sockt bluetooth gps receiever with my powerbook. i can pair it but it seems like it is not connecting.
the bluetooth icon on the top right hand does not show connection at all. plase help.

Hello,

if you have succeeded to pair the device then it mean the GPS and the computer are talking to each other. Now you might have to go into
System preference -> Bluetooth.
Select your device, then go into the "Edit Serial Port" and verify that the port type is RS-232.

If it is ok, you might want to test it with a simple application. Which program are you planing to use. You can try a demo like
http://www.gpsnavx.com/index.php?page=Downloads
and see if you can get data from the gps.

Good luck.

Franco

Franco,

I was so happy with my GPS USB, worked wonderfully. Yet when I installed Tiger, my USB will not work. What Bluetooth are you using? I miss my GPS travel buddy. And where did you buy it?

Thanks.

Street Atlas by Delorme works great but it is discontinued. I used it faithfully for several years under os9

Don,

I used to have a GlobalSat BT-308 Bluetooth GPS. It died recently and I bought an **-353 USB GPS. I bought them from canadian reseller. www.usglobalsat.com will tell you where to buy if you want the warranty to be valid.

On USGlobalsat web site, there is a warning saying the **-353 and Route 66 won't work in Tiger so I went back to 10.3.9.

Are you sure your GPS won't work in Tiger. Mine was not working at first, then I found some informations on their website and It started to worked (not with Route66). For a strange reason one of the thing I had to do was to check the USB in network system preferences. Did not make sense to me but overall it worked.

Have you try to find help about your GPS maybe there are some way to make it work: Update driver etc...

Franco

Franco,
...Yet when I installed Tiger, my USB will not work.
What Bluetooth are you using? ...
And where did you buy it?

Thanks for everyone who responded. I finally got my GPS working. I feel a bit stupid, but I will share with everyone.

Before I loaded Tiger, I was located in the upstairs part of my home. When I loaded Tiger, I moved all my stuff down to the basement.

Out of frustration, I thought, before I buy something else, let me try this outside, perhaps, the basement is blocking my signal. It was!

Now everything is happy and I'm taking roads to where ever I want.

So I totally support this software. I think it is excellent.

Before you go and enjoy your GPS, here is another software you might want to try: RoadNav

http://roadnav.sourceforge.net/index.php

There are no map for Canada (too bad for me) but US map can be download for free directly from the software. I also talk to someone who found UK map that are compatible with this software.

What software are you using?

I have been reading a lot about this on many boards, and if noone minds, allow me to throw my question in the mix as well:

I have a 15" G4 pBook (1.67ghz) As a christmas gift, I want to get my wife a GPS reciever, and map software for her to use in the car, so she can plan trips, and have a computer "navigator" to help her get to her destination. So far what I've seen is that I can pick up a Macpak III (route 66, bundled with a BT-338 reciever) for a nice price, but before I commit to this, I'd like any ideas about some problems I am preparing for:

1. 66 doesn't have voice commands. This makes me paranoid that my wife is going to spend too much time looking at the screen rather than driving, haha.

2. My wife is computer illiterate. Anybody have experience enough to verify how easy this software/hardware combo is to use / manipulate on the fly, if travel plans change mid-trip?

3. My wife is also direction illiterate. This gift is not only usefull for her, it is kind of an inside joke, seeing as the last time I gave her directions to an airport (which involved 3 CLEARLY marked turns) she went nearly 50 miles off course, and called me at the PA state border. Much crying/hairpulling/phone shaking/saying "Un-friggin-believable" ensued.

Every time this topic comes up, someone mentions MacGPS-Pro, which I have checked out, but that doesn't seem like the type of software I'm interested in, too complex for our needs. If I am wrong, please let me kinow why.

Thanks in advance!

My Bluetooth GPS is a Globalsat BT-308
http://www.usglobalsat.com/

GlobalSat does not sell BT-308 anymore. They have better one.
Mine died recently so I bought a USB GPS **-353 from from GlobalSat.

What software were you using? My USB GPS work with 10.4 but not with 10.4.1 or higher.

Franco

Franco,

I was so happy with my GPS USB, worked wonderfully.
Yet when I installed Tiger, my USB will not work.
What Bluetooth are you using? I miss my GPS travel
buddy. And where did you buy it?

Thanks.

PB G4, Mac Mini, iMac G4, 8500, IICX, Apple IIe Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Hello chiachuck,

I have been using a Mac computer as a GPS in my car for many months, and after reading your concern about your wife, I have only one suggestion, do not use your Powerbook as a GPS. No Mac Os X Software come close to what you get from those all in one solution. You can get voice direction and even voice recognition in some model. They are no so expensive and it is easy to :
- Find a destination
- Return to your original route after you miss a turn
- Avoid a roadblock
- Put on your dashboard, so you don't spend much time turning your head
toward the powerbook in the passenger seat.
- etc.

I have installed a Mac-Mini in the car with a 7 inch monitor in the dash but I use it for music. Rarely for GPS beacause of not so great software.

Good luck

I agree with Franco. If you want a gps solution to
provide driving instructions to your wife get one
of the all in one solutions. Maybe tomTom? I don't
know if you need to load maps into these things,
if, so you are probably out of luck again since they
likely all require a PC (or emulator) to load maps.

Franco I'm interested in your mac mini music/gps
solution. I'd like to be able run iTunes in my truck.
I'd also like to be able to pinpoint my location
using gps and National Geographic Topo software (which
seems to work OK on Mac - useless for city navigation
but could be very useful in rural areas).
Is your set up described somewhere?
How much did it cost?
How do you handle power?
Does the mac mini hold up to cold weather and
bumpy roads.
I want to setup something similar. Trying to decide
if I should go with a notebook and mount, or a mini
with a smaller touch sensitive screen.
Sorry for the thread hijack. . .

Hello Dknightd,

I really don't mind the thread hijacking. In fact I like it because I love my Mac-Mini in the car. The only problem I have with this project is the higher gas price 😉

You can have some pictures on my project at
http://homepage.mac.com/francoborgo/MacMobile/PhotoAlbum94.html

Some informations are outdated. For example, I now use FrontRow as my everyday music player.

My primary information source is http://www.mp3car.com/
and for Mac thread go to
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=71

It will be my pleasure to give you all the information you want, if I have them.

Since I took some times to respond to your messages I will send my answer to both this thread and your e-mail (oups I just realize that I do not have it).

Thank you and I hope to have some news from you soon.

Franco

PB G4, Mac Mini, iMac G4, 8500, IICX, Apple IIe Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Message was edited by: Franco Borgo

Franco,
thanks for the links. Looks like a nice setup.
This project has been delayed due to lack of funds.
Are you MacMobile on the other board? I'll probably
see you over there once funding gets sorted out.
Thanks
David