I didn't post last week because I didn't want to post again until I had something tangible to report to you.  In the last week or so, Mac Beta software for POI Loader and WebUpdater have been put on the website.  This is a big step because this works with all of our direct-USB enabled devices. 

I feel that the most important of these is WebUpdater.  This program will check automatically for software updates for your device as well as any other updates that we have released for it short of mapping updates. 

Here are the links to download these software programs:

Mac WebUpdater

Mac POI Loader

Remember this is just beta software.  There will be full release versions available once testing is finished.

Comments

[Fogtripper]

Would really like to know if there is anything you can update about the status of MapSource-Mac.

[Chris Howard]

Hi Chet - Webupdater worked fine for me - simple, intuitive, no problems - let the team kknow!! (I have a Vista Cx). BTW - could you provide some updates in the blog on other Mac projects (i.e. Mapsource) - many would like to know how things are coming and what to expect!

[john flores]

While we thankful for the tasty appetizers you've provided, we're still anxiously awaiting the main course - Mapsource for the Mac! Please don't make me dust off and fire up the old PC...

[Shane Warner]

Thanks for getting the ball rolling with Mac support, but like others, the only thing I'm really interested in is MapSource. Hopefully what you're all learning from this little project will make the real deal faster/easier. Until then, I'm goign to be sitting around waiting - I've got a Vista (no USB). Which makes me wonder, would this/MapSource work with older units, or only the USB models? I've got a serial to USB converter that works like a charm (Keyspan) with existing (basic) waypoint transfer programs for Mac, so there's got to be a way to support older serial models with the appropriate converter.

Keep working, I'm hoping for usable Mac Mapsource soon!

[Jp]

I'm holding my breath for nRoute for the Mac. It's hard for me to understand the rush to market for these other products but still no nRoute?

(insert shaking head here)

[Nigel B]

This is a welcome start and both these programs work for me on both GPSMap 60c and 60Cx. However, to echo others comments for me the application most waited for is Mapsource, with nRoute a close second.

[Julian]

While I wish to commend you on your efforts & I would say that I am very satisfied with my Legend Cx, I am however unlike the other commentors, in that I am quite new to Garmin's products (& probably not as desperate to get hold of this software) & as such are disappointed at the resources committed by Garmin in their efforts to bring their products to the Mac.

Given the fact that Garmin has in the past 12 months or so only really managed to produce some (very beta) software that simply copies a bunch of XML files around, I won't be holding out much hope to see MapSource on the Mac.

However Chet I certainly hope you can make this cynic more optimistic over the coming months.

Mac POI Loader - the POI Loader work well (except for the fact unlike what would be "normal" Mac behavior where you could select an individual file to upload or several), & it did completely lock up my Mac on the second time I tried using it so I do think you're being a *bit* generous describing this as beta software.

Mac WebUpdater - Well what can I say, it doesn't work, at all. This is alpha.

[Adam]

Its a step forward but Mapsource is the real application we're waiting for.

[Chris Dugmore]

Web updater worked like a charm on the Edge 305. The entire process took less than 10 minutes to complete updates on both the device software and the GPS software.

Thank you -

[kris Walker]

Just another note, the mac WebUpdater is not linked to the individual download webpages for each unit. For example, I have the Legend Cx. When I checked last, only the Windows version is linked to that page. I happened to fortuitously do a browser page search for "mac" on the list of download links page to find the one that has the WebUpdater for mac version.

Also, I was not able to run it successfully. I downloaded it and copied the binary to Applications. I ran it, but the program just quietly died without an error message. I am running OS 10.3.9, which I assume is the problem, but an error message stating that is the problem could be helpful. I am having problems with this unit with the Windows version of WebUpdater, so knowing if there is a hardware problem that the Mac version sees as well would be useful info.

Looking forward to your mac products,
kris

[John Haywood]

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see Garmin moving in this direction! Please keep the pressure on to complete Map Source!!!!!

[David Macaulay]

I downloaded WebUpdater v 2.0.0.1 for Mac but it crashes everytime I try to update my Forerunner 305 (v 2.10) or my GPSmap 60CSx (v 2.90). It crashes soon after starting the update - the progress never gets beyond displaying 0%. I have repaired Disk Permissions but the problem continues. Do you have a solution?

[Greg]

I recently purchased a 60CSx for geocaching and was planning on having to use Virtual PC for the firmware updates and loading maps. I was really happy to see the Webupdater -- which worked wonderfully for me.

It gives me hope that a Mac solution for loading Garmin maps on my receiver isn't too far away. Thanks, guys!

[William Mills]

Used the new WebUpdater for Mac with my iMac G5 and GPSMap 296; as the others noted, worked great. My GPS was already up-to-date on everything, so no real action was taken, other than to confirm that the Mac could see and interact with the 296, and search the update list. Couple of operational notes; in case it's not widely understood (I didn't in any case), you must have the GPS connected to the Mac and powered before launching WebUpdater; otherwise the software looks for updates and the GPS in vain; there didn't appear to be a way to cancel that. But once it's complete you can reinitiate the search. Also, the USB connection must be USB 2.0; plugging it into the keyboard port (convenient) won't work. Finally, I have been led to understand that there isn't going to be any forthcoming Mac versions of the Jeppesen, obstacle, or terrain database loaders; that's very disappointing, as that would complete the Mac support, from my perspective.

[maique]

wow. at last... well.. not really...

webupdater and poi loader are very handy but i wonder why it took so long after the announced time of release. this software is not the one we want and it doesn't look that hard to code.

maybe we'll get lucky and mapsource will be here by xmas.

[Grant]

I tried the webupdater with my Edge 305 - While the unit software update worked fine, I was then prompted to update the GPS receiver software - This constantantly failed. When I tried to power the unit up, there was no attempt to search for any satellites.

To get the unit working again, I used the windows version of the webupdater which had no problems updating the GPS software...

[Andrew Knight]

Just tried Webupdater with my Powerbook G4 and GPSMap 60 CSx. Worked like a dream first time! Thanks so much for this initiative - I can't wait until you have achieved full compatibility for Map software also.

[xtal]

Awesome, thank you! Both working flawlessly with my eTrex Venture Cx.

Can you give us a hint about the release date of MapSource for Mac?

[Tim Foley]

Great job Chet! I just updated my Forerunner 305 via the new webupdater.

It did fail the first time but the second time went fine.

Any word on when Mapsource is coming?

[Bill P]

Now you've got our appetite whetted. When can we expect Mapsource in Mac?

[Scott]

Hey Chet,

What about Mapsource?

Webupdater is fine, but Mapsource is the point of this entire exercise. Until Mapsource for Mac is released, all this work on this other stuff is pretty much meaningless.