Garmin Express is a tool developed by Garmin to manage your GPS devices from your Mac. With this app, you can update urban and rural maps, register your device, update software and even backup your data. Garmin Express also lets you install voices and vehicles for free, as well as download product manuals.
Problems Unique to Certain Devices
GE will not Automatically Load Map Overflow to SD Card
2 GB Limit on SD card
Certain devices do not 'automatically' load maps that will not fit on the device to a SD card. These devices are:
nuvi 295. 5000, nuvi 300, 500, 600, 800, 805 series; StreetPilot series
zumo 450, 550, and 665; and Nissan 700 series.
Start the Map process with Garmin Express
Since the device doesn't support the SD card feature, there will be an option in Garmin Express to choose a region that will fit on the internal memory and an additional option to send the complete map image to the computer, if the full image is wanted. Once this process is complete, you can manually load maps to a SD card using MapInstall.
Download MapInstall from http://www8.garmin.com/support/mappingsw.jsp
After you have installed MapInstall;
1. Connect your device to computer
2. Open the MapInstall program
3. Select the SD card
4. Select the option to Continue
4.a MapInstall will allow the selection of individual sections of the map products - 5. Click Send Maps (Mac) / Continue (Windows)
6. Click Confirm (Mac) / Install (Windows)
7. Click Done (Mac) / Finish (Windows)
Note: when selecting the maps, the storage meter displays how much space the selected maps require in relation to the available storage on the SD card. This meter appears below the map on both Mac and Windows on the map selection screen.
To deselect a map tile in MapInstall:
Mac: Click to select / Click again to deselect
Windows: Left-click to select / Right-click to deselect
To deselect multiple map tiles at once, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac), then click and hold the mouse button and outline all the tiles to be deselected. Release the mouse button to finish the deselect. On Mac computers, deselect all selected maps by clicking Edit in the menu bar and selecting Clear Selection.
After MapInstall has finished loading maps to the device, disconnect the device. If using a Mac, make sure to eject the device first before disconnecting it.
Note: On the Mac version of MapInstall, the sleep settings will need to be changed:
OS X 10.5.8+
Click the Spotlight icon at the top right of the screen (magnifying glass icon)
Type Energy Saver
Press Return
Slide the bar for computer sleep to never
OS X 10.9+ with Haswell Processor (Late 2013+)
Click the Spotlight icon at the top right of the screen (magnifying glass icon)
Type Energy Saver
Press Return
Check Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off
Click here to return to the 'How to convert Garmin GPS maps for OS X use' hint |
I'm a longtime Mac guy (but not nearly as knowledgable under the hood as most you) and I just got a Garmin for Christmas. What does it mean to 'manage my GPS'--loading custom maps, etc?
Depends on which Garmin you have. I have a Quest, which only has 115K of memory, so I have to swap out map sets depending on where I am traveling.
My wife has a Nuvi 200W, which has all the north america maps, so that's not so important for her.
I've been using Garmin GPS units on the Mac for a long time now.
Too long actually.
Started using them pre-Intel on G3, G4 and G5 via VPC (pre-USB on the GPS) and Guest-PC (post-USB on the GPS).
I'm now running it via Parallels on an Intel Mac.
And, if you want advice, don't waste your time with any of the Garmin-based Mac releases at this point. They're garbage.
The web updater (not listed in this hint) craps out 90% of the time.
The POI loader is so-so but the PC version is way better.
And MapInstall (with MapConverter) is a total waste of time.
Basically, after spending hours working with/converting your maps, you can load maps to your GPS via OS X. And that's it. This isn't a OS X port of MapSource — all you can do it load maps. What's the point of that when everything that is so great about Garmin and managing maps/GPS/waypoints/routes/etc. isn't there and is still PC only?
I mean, if all your want to do is load maps and not ever use any of the functions of your GPS and computer, I guess you'd like this program (kinda, though you'll be slamming your head on your table after the hours and hours to do it all...IF it doesn't crash on you) but if you really want to utilize your GPS and computer (ie. Mapsource) then there's no point in using this program as you'll still need HD space for Windows, MapSource and all your Maps in the PC format for using with MapSource.
Basically, stay away from this and don't waste your time.
Oh, and if anyone from Garmin is listening...you announced Mac Support on January 10, 2006. Sure, we got the pointless Training Center app (though, for limited units...not really a flagship app here...) and you also said, I quote...
'By the end of 2006, Garmin intends to have made all its popular hardware and software applications Mac OS X compatible. This includes the ability to load MapSource map data to Garmin units via a Mac, as well as waypoint and trip planning applications. Additionally, the Garmin nRoute application will allow Powerbook and iBook users to turn their laptop into a powerful street navigation tool with Garmin's GPS 10 or GPS 18 sensors.'
Now, almost 2 years later, we're STILL waiting...
k.
I agree, after 3 GPS and 9 years of Garmin I've stopped using them. They used to have it, they have a lot of my money over the years, not just on the GPS but also on the too regular costly upgrade CDs. They are now inferior and I say spend your money elsewhere!
Enough is enough. I say goodbye to Garmin!
I agree. My next GPS will not be Garmin unless they make good on their word. Requiring Windows to convert their maps to work on a Mac is NOT Mac compatibility. WHAT'S THE POINT?!
Garmin, you guys suck. Give me (good/useful) software for OS X or lose me forever.
I just downloaded the new POI Loader which wouldn't install on my PPC iMac G5 (OS X 10.5.1) because the installer saw the beta version as a 'newer' version. Even after deleting it and associated preferences, the new version still wouldn't install.
I agree that the Garmin Mac applications are useless and create unnecessary overhead and duplication of large map files. In my experience the best is to run Parallels or VMWare fusion on an intel mac and handle all Garmin activity in a Windows environment. Apparently Garmin is a good hardware company but not very user friendly regarding their software and not responsive to user comments.
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Johan
theboyk Nailed it. Garmin sucks and lies. They have great hardware but 2 years dorking us around on waiting for a real App....Get your head out of the cornfield. I use Parallels desktop (windows XP)on my MacBookPro OS 10.4.11 and I use a USB card reader to load and unload maps. I DONT plug the GARMIN 60 CSX into the mac. The card reader is much faster (but still takes for ever) but doesn't crash like USB into the garmin. Too bad that 2 years after the Press Release I have to buy Parallels and a copy of XP.
kenscott30, thanks so much for the tip about using a card reader instead of plugging the GPS unit in directly. I use XP via Parallels on my MacBook sometimes when I need to do stuff like this. Unfortunately, it was crashing (XP, not the Macbook) everytime I tried to update the map set in my little Garmin i3. I was thinking something was screwed up badly, until I read your hint. I tried a card reader and everything loaded flawlessly. A big relief. I didn't even know using a card reader was possible. Thanks again!
Has anyone found a GPS provider that has Macintosh software?
I won't buy a GPS until then.
I agree it isn't a complete set of utilities. Complaints about Garmin's promises aside, frankly if I wanted access to more software, I'd be using Windows, not a Mac. I prefer using the Mac, so I've switched to Mac only on my Garmin for adding my locations prior to my road trips -- I'm happy to create my POI's in Google Earth, convert the KML files, and then transfer them to my Garmin.
Efs, that's not really a good argument.
First off, if you don't want to use Windows software, then there's no way your going to use these maps on your Mac because you need to run Windows, in one fashion or another, to convert the maps to a Mac format. So, you're running Windows.
Then, even if we ignore that point, I suppose you could use the Mac to upload your Windows-converted Maps (however crash-tastic that is, depending on your unit) to your GPS and Google Earth for creating your POI, but what about generating routes and all the other things you just can't do in Google Earth that you can only do in MapSource? I mean, sure, there's say 'if I wanted access to more software, I'd be using Windows, not a Mac', but that's not really the point. Being stubborn and limiting yourself as a result just doesn't make sense because The point is, if you want to *really use* your GPS unit, you gotta run Windows. If there was a Mac alternative, I'd be all for it, but there's not. And this software & Google Earth isn't an alternative either. Just a small piece of the big picture.
I don't understand. I've been using Garmin's WebUpdater app for ages (it's been in beta all that time I guess) and it works fine to upload the newest data and voices to my GPS. What more would I need? What is the nature and source of the maps you're talking about 'converting'?
There have been some questions about other GPS units with more Mac-friendly software. I've been using a TomTom One for about 6 months now, and while it doesn't have all the bells and whistles, it's solid, reliable, small enough to be easily portable, and HAS A DECENT MAC VERSION OF IT'S SOFTWARE. Granted, like the Garmin, and I imagine most other GPS makers, the Mac version isn't up to the Windows version in terms of version number and such, but it works! I don't know of ANY GPS maker that has full featured Mac software, but there are websites out there that may be able to answer this, like http://www.gpsreview.net
As a TomTom owner myself I am somewhat disappointed with the Mac version of their software. They have released a software update for their devices which includes a new feature called 'MapShare' which you cannot use with the Mac software. They also have a service which gives you a free map upgrade if your device shipped with an outdated version or close to another upgrade becoming available. Mac users are excluded from that. Also from promotional offers which only work through the Windows version of the software. I think TomTom and Garmin users with Macs are equally hosed and are well advised to resort to VMWare and the Windows version. TomTom support has also made it very clear that they are not comitting to upgrades of the Mac version of TomTom HOME.