Am trying to connect my Garmin Vista to my Mac and need a USB to Serial adapter. Garmin does not make 'em, but Magellan does make a cable. It is a little cheaper than the Keyspan USB/Serial adapter.
Anybody know if they are universal and if it will work?

<IMG SRC="http://www.alltel.net/~tbone/"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll
have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb

[This message was edited by phat.bak on June 06, 2003 at 01:43 PM.]

Phat.bak,
I use keyspan's usb adapter. The Micro-Center store down in Marietta had 'em for about half what you'd pay elsewhere. (Their web-site doesn't list them now however..)

I don't have any info about Magellan's unit but you might check their web-site to see if Macintosh drivers are available for download.

I have already ordered a generic 'cheepie' from Ebay for $6 buck. Figured it would be worth it to try. If it doesn't work I'll sell it to my work (hehe) and get the Keyspan in Marietta.
Do you use Mac proprietary software for your GPS needs, or do you run Windoze in emulation?

<IMG SRC="http://www.alltel.net/~tbone/ Inquiring minds want to know!

pb,
I run GPSy under OS9 emulation (Classic). It works ok but I wouldn't recommend buying it. If you have a Garmin receiver, MacGPS Pro is a much better choice (and OSX native). I started a GPSy tutorial several months ago with the intention of posting it on my website but I'm not sure if I'm gonna finish it or not... Basically I use it for transferring waypoints to / from my eTrex and for projecting waypoint & track data onto a map or aerial photo. Here's some screenshots taken during my last visit to GC1BD4.

Picture one shows me approaching an intersection from the NE. (GPS data is being projected in realtime onto a Digital Raster Graphic that I downloaded free from Georgia Tech's ftp site) Although it looks as if I'm traveling to GCBABE, you'll notice in the navigation window that my destination is actually "Metal Gate" 1.8 miles to the south.

Picture two was captured just as I arrived at "Metal Gate". At this point I had to park my truck and continue on foot so I disconnected my iBook and placed it in my pack. The GPS continued to save my track info however and after returning home, I was able to download and view the final leg of my journey. (Picture three)

If ya need assistance with anything Mac related, just drop me a note thru geocaching.com or leave a message here and I'll be happy to help.

I've got a few programs downloaded waiting to try. (GPSy3, MacSimpleGPS and MacGPS) I'm still running OS9.1 on a PPC8500 (upgraded with a G3 500mhz card), so I'll see which ones can handle my needs with my Vista. I'll basically use it to transfer waypoints at first until I see what else I can do with the programs. The maps you posted are really cool and would be a great feature. I have RealPC w/WinBlows 95 loaded, but it is sooo slow, so if I can get a Mac program to interface, I'll go that route.

quote:

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If ya need assistance with anything Mac related, just drop me a note thru geocaching.com or leave a message here and I'll be happy to help.

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You can count on it. I'm sure you'll hear from me soon.

Got may cable in last night and tried to hook it up. Unfortunately, there was no software for Mac, only WinBlows, even tho they advertised it as Mac ready. Emailed the manufacturer (in Hong Kong) and they don't support Mac. At least the EBay company I bought it from is understanding. I sent it back today and they are replacing it with a 'guaranteed to work' MacOS cable (with software). Costs twice as much, but they are just gonna swap it out even.
We'll see.
eeved:

"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb

Just when I get it all to work, I put a G3 upgrade card in my Mac and now it is FRIED! Will have to have it analyzed to see if it is worth fixing. Am now using wifey's laptop with WinBlows until then.
We'll see.

"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb

PB,

I'm sure that you're attached to that old 8500 but it's probably time to let it rest in peace. The best deal out there on NEW hardware is the eMac. It's got a G4 processor, 17 inch monitor, and your choice of optical drive. (cd rom, cd-rw or dvd-rw) Another good choice would be a classic iMac (snow). They're no longer available directly from Apple, but you can still find them new in the box on eBay for about $500. You also might want to take a look at a new low-end iBook. They might seem kinda small at first glance (12.1 inch screen) but after you've used it for a while you'll realize that it's really much more of an advantage than a liability.

All of these computers have USB, Firewire and built-in Ethernet (DSL ready) but the main advantage to getting a new Mac is the fact that it'll be running OS X which is arguably the BEST operating system ever made.

quote:

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Originally posted by mudbug65:
but the main advantage to getting a new Mac is the fact that it'll be running OS X which is arguably the BEST operating system ever made.

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Since it has UNIX for a base, that could be true.

quote:

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I'm sure that you're attached to that old 8500 but it's probably time to let it rest in peace.

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Yea, I really liked that old computer. I've got the new MacMall mag out looking at prices to see what a fair deal would be on EBay, Macofalltrades.com, Other World Computing, etc. I've got plenty of memory and peripherals tied up in it (SCSI) and I may try to dump some of it on EBay to try and recoup some cost.
Am looking forward to OSX.

"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb

Apple Begins Shipping Power Mac G5 Models or if you prefer REFURBISHED APPLE PRODUCTS

and bought a G4/500 Sawtooth w/monitor. My old monitor had shot color guns and shifted colors randomly. It's refurbished, but will do anything I need to do for awhile. I do a little graphic stuff on the side and this is a big step up from what I was using.
Now I can give the Winblows back to Honey-Do.

MudBug - I'll probably be sending emails begging for setup advice when it comes in.

"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb

for the email reply on advice. OSX Panther (10.3) is on the way.
Can't wait.

Now - does anybody have an old copy of Win95 they would part with? (Just want to try something out on an older Mac 7200)

"Give to a pig when it grunts and a child when it cries, and you'll have a fine pig and a bad child." -Proverb