I've recently transferred from using an IBM PC using windows to a MacBook Pro. Previously I used GPStoWin to download GPS tracks from my Garmin Foretrex201; this now doesn't work. Nor does my old PC-based program that I used for viewing GPS tracks.

Can anyone recommend a Mac-based software program for downloading and viewing GPS tracks? I'm not particularly IT fluent, so that simpler the better.

I use "Load My Tracks" with Keyspan USA - 19HS USB Serial Adapter. Then GpsarPRO.

Like Mike said. Ka72. Its a piece of piss!!

Simon100 said...

there is a program called gps results that will do it , with my gt31 i couldnt get it to work with the cable so i just have to use the sd card in the computer and there is no problems

MORE ADVERTISING. How much commission do you make Sailquick?
He already has a GPS. It is cheaper to get a cable than buy a whole new GPS.

sailquik said...

It appears as if the OP Yagon is using a Garmin Foretrex 201 and needs a utility to download the trackpoints from the Garmin to the Mac. Garmins don't save to an SD card.

I used to know how to do that..... hmmm...'Get My Tracks' does rings a bell. (Bloody old age! )

OK.Ok. I'll state the obvious again. Ditch the Foretrex and serial to USB adaptors etc, and get a GT31. 'Save to card' at the end of each session and use either the built in card reader or a USB card reader. Then use the Mac version of GPS-Results, It is easy to use and really good!

Thanks for everyone's help. I've had some success, but it's still not working correctly.

I'm connecting the Garmin Foretrex 201 to the MacBook with a serial to USB connector. This is the same connector that I used with the PC.

I'm using 'Load my tracks' to download the .gpx file. I'm selecting the 'Garmin Serial' option when downloading. When I press 'Acquire', it saves a .gpx file.

However, the .gpx file does not appear to have any data in it. It is a small file size of 562 bytes. The track that is on the foretrex has 4 or 5 hours of sailing on it.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be going wrong and how to fix it?

PS. On a brighter note, I am successfully using GpsarPro to view my old tracks that are already on the computer.

yagon said...
Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be going wrong and how to fix it?

I'm not sure as I've never used a Garmin GPS. Should the GPS appear as an external drive on the Mac when its connected? It sounds like you have a driver issue and there isn't a working connection between the GPS and your Mac.


This Garmin page has a few Mac applications.
http://www8.garmin.com/macosx/
The Garmin Communicator Plugin looks interesting if you get a connection.