10.6.7 not detecting Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS

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Level 3

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10.6.7 not detecting Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS

Since the 10.6.7 update, my Mac is no longer detecting my Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS. I connected the GPS to my husband's computer. He's running 10.6.6 and his computer can detect the device. This tells me that it's 10.6.7 that's problematic. How do I solve this problem? I'm downloading the 10.6.7 combo update and reapplying the update. Any other thing I should try?

MacBook Air 1.6 Ghz Core 2 Duo, 2Gb RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Mar 31, 2011 8:02 PM

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Answer 1

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babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Mar 31, 2011 8:47 PM in response to Conal Ho

+This tells me that it's 10.6.7 that's problematic.+

Not necessarily - it could also mean that their device and/or software is not compatible with 10.6.7 - they may need to update theirs (there may have been some change in 10.6.7 which makes communicating with the Garmin difficult). I'd suggest contacting Garmin - but do try the combo update as well.

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Answer 2

Conal Ho Author

Level 3

503 points

Mar 31, 2011 9:10 PM in response to babowa

Well, the Garmin has never needed any software on the Mac side for it to be detected. I think whatever USB driver that came standard on the OS X worked. I'll look further into the issue...

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Mar 31, 2011 9:34 PM in response to Conal Ho

Didn't realize that it didn't need software - so you just plug it into a USB port? But in order to communicate with the Garmin website, wouldn't it need some sort of software/firmware built into the Garmin?

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Answer 4

Apr 1, 2011 2:41 AM in response to Conal Ho

I try it and it works for me on my iMac with Forerunner 305 and Garmin Training Center under 10.6.7

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Answer 5

Conal Ho Author

Level 3

503 points

Apr 1, 2011 4:18 AM in response to Conal Ho

I discovered what the problem was: a bad USB cable!

I've been using this USB cable with the Garmin cradle for a long time. In fact, the cable is the original one that came with the device. I have no idea how it became bad.

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Answer 6

Conal Ho Author

Level 3

503 points

Apr 1, 2011 4:20 AM in response to babowa

Barbara Daniels1 wrote:
Didn't realize that it didn't need software - so you just plug it into a USB port? But in order to communicate with the Garmin website, wouldn't it need some sort of software/firmware built into the Garmin?

Yeah, I don't know how it works. The Forerunner 305 communicates with Garmin Training Center (a programme that resides on the Mac). I've never had to install any software beyond Garmin Training Center and that doesn't come with USB drivers. It's just a drag-and-drop from install disk to Applications folder. I don't have my 305 communicate with the Garmin website, although I know there is a feature for it.

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Answer 7

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Apr 1, 2011 8:56 AM in response to Conal Ho

I'm glad it was as easy as a bad cable - however, keep in mind that your Training Center software may need an update at some point (if there are more OS updates) - the install method is irrelevant; there are always some apps which will no longer work after a major OS update.

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Answer 8

saxman58

Level 1

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May 9, 2015 11:31 AM in response to Conal Ho

I also had a bad Garmin cable that came with the Forerunner 305. I wonder if they had a bad batch, because I've never had a problem with any other USB cable. The Garmin one had a big tootsie-roll like magnetic filter around the cable, and maybe that causes problems with more modern USB ports.

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Answer 9

Jul 2, 2015 8:16 AM in response to Conal Ho

I think most of the replies are different than the question...

I have the 305. It sync perfectly to Garmin connect and Garmin express works fine with OSX (uploads my activity when plugged in). What doesn't work is the 305 showing up as a USB device in OSX and being able to manage files on the watch via OSX. It works perfectly on my 310 and forerunner series watches.

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