Etrex Legend and Mac OSX

**skelstar** · 7th September 2005, 11:23

I have just purchased an Etrex Legend GPS unit (havent got it yet) but am wondering if anyone else uses theirs in conjunction with a Mac? I think there is going to be an issue with the serial cable (can get a super cheap serila USB adapter, no worries) but Im not sure about the software to transfer the maps from computer to GPS unit.

I do have an XP machine in the cupboard that I could use, but who would want to use a PC?

Thanks!

**bugjuice** · 7th September 2005, 11:31

exactly.. leave it in the cupboard..

I've seen a few GPS apps on sites like Version Tracker. Never used any myself yet, so can't really give much advice. I'd be keen to know how it all goes tho.

Jump onto www.versiontracker.com and tap in 'GPS' and see what apps come up

**skelstar** · 7th September 2005, 12:59

Yeah tried that. They all say that they can download routes, waypoints etc but dont actually mention 'maps'. Im a GPS noob so maybe routes = maps?

Cant wait to get the unit. Imagine ill be using it on my 15min 14km ride to work

, but in preparation for the Xmas trip to Otago (maybe).

**bugjuice** · 7th September 2005, 13:05

probably more luck to post on a mac forum and see if anyone there knows. I'm sure there's a ton of peeps in the US that have them..

**skelstar** · 7th September 2005, 13:08

Good thinking BJ.

**phaedrus** · 7th September 2005, 15:25

I looked into garmin gps machines a while ago and decided that the maps were lacking too much detail for me. Did you find a decent map supplier? or are you planning on using it for city to city navigation? what they think auckland looks like

**skelstar** · 7th September 2005, 15:31

I plan to use it city to city (touring sth island) but the maps I can get are pretty decent (http://gwprojects.orcon.net.nz/gps/). The maps are open source, every road, very street, POI the lot. Was going to map out the motorcycle car parks in wgtn as points of interest (POI)

.

**Krayy** · 7th September 2005, 15:31

Originally Posted by phaedrus

I looked into garmin gps machines a while ago and decided that the maps were lacking too much detail for me. Did you find a decent map supplier? or are you planning on using it for city to city navigation? what they think auckland looks like

The bastards have stolen Pt Chevalier!!! Now I can't go home!

P.S. I was thinking of getting a GPS and doing some Geocaching. Get me out and about a bit more.

**Hitcher** · 7th September 2005, 20:05

I own a Garmin Etrex Legend. There is nothing worth downloading for this if you live in New Zealand, so the issue about PC or Mac is purely hypothetical.

**James Deuce** · 7th September 2005, 20:36

Originally Posted by Krayy

The bastards have stolen Pt Chevalier!!! Now I can't go home!

P.S. I was thinking of getting a GPS and doing some Geocaching. Get me out and about a bit more.

Once a horrendous pimply smelly geek, always a horrendous pimply smelly geek.

Geocaching. (snigger). Oh bugger it.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

My tummy hurts.

**bugjuice** · 7th September 2005, 20:43

an alternative could be virtual PC.. still get to use the mac, and just run PC apps..

**skelstar** · 7th September 2005, 21:34

Originally Posted by bugjuice

an alternative could be virtual PC.. still get to use the mac, and just run PC apps..

Yeah apparently that doesnt work, something to do with the usb-serial adapter. If it does work you have to complete about 20 steps. Not worth it. Besides, why pay for an app thats going to render a mac's OS inherintly (sp) faulty (albiet temporarily)?

**bugjuice** · 7th September 2005, 21:48

true.. that sucks..
i was thinking about getting vpc for when i get round to getting a power commander. i wonder if that would work?
Also, i thought vpc recognised usb hubs, devices etc

**skelstar** · 7th September 2005, 21:52

Originally Posted by bugjuice

true.. that sucks..
i was thinking about getting vpc for when i get round to getting a power commander. i wonder if that would work?
Also, i thought vpc recognised usb hubs, devices etc

Yeah, im sure its possible, but the list of things to do was short enough that PC users would be happy doing it, but not me.

Ill just use my work PC. Apparently all the maps fit (into 8MB) so I should only have to do it once. I think maybe MacGPS Pro (name?) can put non-Garmin maps onto it alright.