Magellan 4250 GPS & Mac

Question

Level 2

343 points

Magellan 4250 GPS & Mac

Hello All:
Apologies if this is answered somewhere in here but I CANNOT find it.
I have a Magellan 4250. I have access to G4s or G3s. I can use Tiger or Leopard. I CANNOT figure out how to allow either OS to accommodate firmware/software updates. I do not understand COM ports (suggested on Magellan's site) but would prefer not to be forced into finding a PC just for this purpose. Can everyone please help? Thank you so much for your input.
Ciaochiao

iMac DV G3 400 MHz (9.2.2), iMac G3 500 (10.3), G4 733 Mhz (10.3.9)), Mac OS X (10.5), G4 PBs (10.4x-10.5x)

Posted on Jan 2, 2009 12:28 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 2, 2009 1:02 PM in response to ciaochiao

I also have a 4250. Unfortunately, their updates download as windows executable files only. You can download the updates on your mac, but you will need a widows machine to actually update the GPS.

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Answer 2

ciaochiao Author

Level 2

343 points

Jan 2, 2009 5:45 PM in response to Craig Baron

Hi Craig:
Thanks for your reply. I still don't understand why companies aren't developing their apps to be apple-specific AS WELL AS windows.
I'm wondering if you tried figuring out COM/serial ports as suggested by Magellan? Also, do you think that running windows on the intel macs will allow the proper update? Do you think that using virtual pc-that existed with the G4 family of macs, allow me to update the 4250? Thanks for your input.
CC

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Answer 3

Jan 2, 2009 6:05 PM in response to ciaochiao

I don't recall the COM/serial discussion. I happened to have access to a PC when I found the last update so I just downloaded it on my mac, saved it on a stick, copied to the desktop of a PC and followed the directions to update the GPS. The whole operation took about 5 minutes. I didn't have to change any settings. I refuse to load any version of windows on my macs.

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Answer 4

Jan 2, 2009 8:46 PM in response to ciaochiao

I know this doesn't help, but Garmin update page does support OSX.

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Answer 5

ciaochiao Author

Level 2

343 points

Jan 3, 2009 9:20 AM in response to Craig Baron

Hi Craig:
I'm totally with you about the windows/pc issue. I too, have refused to use or install anything pc on my macs. I didn't realize it was that easy-ie, saving to memory stick/card then plugging that into an available PC. I can likely go back to the store and use their pcs. Having said that, are you or did you ever use 10.4.11 to download and save the update? I'm wondering if it's only Leopard that's compatible with the pcs or will Tiger work as well? Thanks again.
CC

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Answer 6

Jan 3, 2009 6:38 PM in response to ciaochiao

You should be able to download the exe file with any web browser and any OS, it's just a web site download.

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Answer 7

ciaochiao Author

Level 2

343 points

Jan 3, 2009 6:43 PM in response to Craig Baron

Hi Craig:
OK. Thanks so much! I feel a bit better about things since I know that almost everyone else has a pc hanging around somewhere. Incidentally, is it possible for a GPS to get a virus? I imagine so since cellphones apparently get viruses. I'm going to download the updates etc. this evening. Thanks again!
CC

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Answer 8

Jan 4, 2009 5:41 AM in response to ciaochiao

Hi, I've never heard of a GPS device virus, but a guess anything is possible. Just running the magllan software from their site should be OK. I did backup my addresses to a SD card before running the update to be safe.

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