Topic: Garmin 305 Software For Mac
Is it really true, did Garmin actually release the Macintosh version of MapSource? Yes it is real, and it is here.
So I decided to give it a spin and see if it worked. Quick Answer: Yes First you need to download and install on your Macintosh: MapInstall (The Macintosh version of MapSource) You also have to download and install MapConverter to your Windows box (Converts the Windows data to a Macintosh compatable format) You should read these installation instructions first. Rather than give a detailed description of each step that I took (The above referenced instructions are complete and accurate), I want to give a quick overview. I had some hiccups with my Windows machine as it was running MapConverter. On two occasions the Windows box, running XP Professional, rebooted as the conversion process was taking place.
I was attempting to convert CN8, Topo (West), and Topo 24k National Parks (West) at the same time. After the two unexpected reboots, I tempered my enthusiasm, and converted each map program separately.
That worked fine, and after each map was converted, I copied that file using a 2GB flash drive, and transported the copied file to a G5 Mac running OSX 10.4.10. I uploaded each of the three map file to Garmin MapInstall, the Mac version of Garmin MapSource. I uploaded each file separately. All three maps appeared in MapInstall and I chose segments from each of the three different maps and installed about 450MBs of map data on to a 1GB SD Micro card that was installed in a 60Cx. It all worked, and now I am able to use a Mac with a Garmin GPS. There is however one caveat. You still have to access a Windows box to convert the Windows version of MapSource and the associated map files to Macintosh compatible data.
I'm assuming that Garmin will eventually provide the ability to install the Garmin map data directly on a Macintosh box without first having to convert the files from a Windows format. Garmin finally came through, 19 months after they first announced Mac compatible mapping software in January 2006. Better late than never! Edited August 3, 2007 by Barrikady. I just bought a Garmin 60CSx a few days ago. I have an Intel Macbook. I notice the original instructions in this thread talk about a PC being used and having files converted.
Is this for folks who were using a PC or is this for everyone. In other words, am i still going to need a PC to get my Garmin to work with the solution spelled out in this thread? I just ordered the 2008 navigator maps so i was hoping i'd be good to go without needing a PC that i don't have (other than Parallels and my Parallels installation wouldn't work with my Garmin i5 the other day, so i don't hold out hope it'd work with the 60CSx.
I just bought a Garmin 60CSx a few days ago. I have an Intel Macbook. I notice the original instructions in this thread talk about a PC being used and having files converted.
Is this for folks who were using a PC or is this for everyone. In other words, am i still going to need a PC to get my Garmin to work with the solution spelled out in this thread? I just ordered the 2008 navigator maps so i was hoping i'd be good to go without needing a PC that i don't have (other than Parallels and my Parallels installation wouldn't work with my Garmin i5 the other day, so i don't hold out hope it'd work with the 60CSx. I'm afraid you must first install the maps on a PC.
After the maps are on the PC, then Garmin MapCoverter must be used on the PC to convert the maps to the Macintosh format. Sorry to be the bearer of this Bummer information. Hopefully Garmin will soon release the necessary software to load the maps directly on a Macintosh, without first having to install the maps on a PC. You may want to call Garmin's tech help line to find out when you can expect Garmin to release the necessary software to load the maps directly on to a Mac. Edited August 5, 2007 by Barrikady. I'm afraid you must first install the maps on a PC. After the maps are on the PC, then Garmin MapCoverter must be used on the PC to convert the maps to the Macintosh format.
Sorry to be the bearer of this Bummer information. Hopefully Garmin will soon release the necessary software to load the maps on a Macintosh, without first having to install the maps on a PC. You may want to call Garmin's tech help line to find out when you can expect Garmin to release the necessary software to load the maps directly on to a Mac. Well, if it's not involving hooking the GPS unit up to the PC then i can probably accomplish the conversion using Parallels on my Mac. I guess i don't mind finally being able to justify installing Parallels as it would now have a purpose.
Still this is pretty crummy of Garmin to only meet us halfway. Granted it's better than not meeting us at all, so i guess i'll just keep my fingers crossed for the future. I'm afraid you must first install the maps on a PC. After the maps are on the PC, then Garmin MapCoverter must be used on the PC to convert the maps to the Macintosh format. Sorry to be the bearer of this Bummer information.
Hopefully Garmin will soon release the necessary software to load the maps on a Macintosh, without first having to install the maps on a PC. You may want to call Garmin's tech help line to find out when you can expect Garmin to release the necessary software to load the maps directly on to a Mac. Well, if it's not involving hooking the GPS unit up to the PC then i can probably accomplish the conversion using Parallels on my Mac. I guess i don't mind finally being able to justify installing Parallels as it would now have a purpose. Still this is pretty crummy of Garmin to only meet us halfway. Granted it's better than not meeting us at all, so i guess i'll just keep my fingers crossed for the future.
Yes, Parallels should work fine. Make sure you have enough free HD space before attempting to do the conversion.
I'm afraid you must first install the maps on a PC. After the maps are on the PC, then Garmin MapCoverter must be used on the PC to convert the maps to the Macintosh format.
Sorry to be the bearer of this Bummer information. Hopefully Garmin will soon release the necessary software to load the maps directly on a Macintosh, without first having to install the maps on a PC.
You may want to call Garmin's tech help line to find out when you can expect Garmin to release the necessary software to load the maps directly on to a Mac. Acutally, The City Navigator 2008 Update MAPS NT install directly on MAC os on the AUTOMOBILE GPS'r. The is a Mac installation program. NO PC needed ))) From the Garmin Blog Chet's Corner: City Nav 2008 map updates are Mac compatible! Aug 1, 2007 11:20:34 AM in Apple/Mac, Automotive, Chet's Corner - Tips and Tricks Today's post has one sole purpose, to bring attention to the fact that our City Navigator 2008 Mapping Updates are Mac compatible. This means you can update the maps on the device, straight from your Mac, Intel or not. It's just another step in our quest to be fully Mac compatible.
It's actually about as simple as it gets. Here is a walk through of the process: They are updating the firmware for the handhelds right now to be compatible.
But these I think are only on the NT versions of the Maps. Edited August 6, 2007 by jchiar. I'm afraid you must first install the maps on a PC. After the maps are on the PC, then Garmin MapCoverter must be used on the PC to convert the maps to the Macintosh format. Sorry to be the bearer of this Bummer information. Hopefully Garmin will soon release the necessary software to load the maps on a Macintosh, without first having to install the maps on a PC.
You may want to call Garmin's tech help line to find out when you can expect Garmin to release the necessary software to load the maps directly on to a Mac. For what it's worth, my 2008 NT maps arrived today. I doubled-clicked the install icon on the CD (after inserting it into my Mac).
I was using OS X and not parallels. It had me enter my serial number, which i did. 23 minutes later the update on my Garmin i5 was complete. In other words, a PC was not required for this new set of Maps. I imagine the PC is required for the older maps folks here have used in the past, but for new GPSers there doesn't appear to be a need for the PC. I was also able to update my i5 to the latest software version without using the PC. I know i still have issues for my Garmin CSx as it relates to GeoCaching, but the basic maps and updates are working just swell on a Mac.
EDIT: i see that this was already mentioned in the post just above mine - i should have hit refresh. Edited August 6, 2007 by jayhawksean.
Well I jumped on board and purchased a Garmin Forerunner 305 just a month ago. It was working prefectly until yesterday, unfortunately it wasn't when I got home. Would not switch on or charge.completely gone. I have taken the utmost care of the unit in the month of having it, so it cannot be any of my doing, and I hope they see it that way! I sent an email last night to Garmin.still awaiting a response.
I tell you this is extremely frustrating, just starting to get use to having the GPS, will feel lost not having it on my weekend long run. I have a problem with my Forerunner 305. It will not connect to any computer. I have reinstalled the USB Drivers but nothing. I have tried it on Windows using Vista and XP and also Mac OS-X 10.5 & 10.6 still no good. What can I try next?
Forgot to say: When it is connected is says 'BATTERY CHARGING IN PROGRESS' but still does not want to connect. I have tried Sportstracker, garmin training Centre and Garmin connect on windows all no good. And TrailRunner and Garmin Training Center and Garmin Connect on Mac also all no good.
Edited by Brick, 08 September 2009 - 08:45 AM. I have a problem with my Forerunner 305. It will not connect to any computer. I have reinstalled the USB Drivers but nothing. I have tried it on Windows using Vista and XP and also Mac OS-X 10.5 & 10.6 still no good.
What can I try next? Forgot to say: When it is connected is says 'BATTERY CHARGING IN PROGRESS' but still does not want to connect. I have tried Sportstracker, garmin training Centre and Garmin connect on windows all no good.
And TrailRunner and Garmin Training Center and Garmin Connect on Mac also all no good. I had exactly the same thing happen with my iPod. It was an eroded connection inside the iPod which stopped it reading the data. Don't know if that helps. It seems to me that some of the units are not IP7X as advertised. My unit stopped beeping and I didn't bother as it still worked.
But when it one day stopped downloading the data I had to sent it in and got a replacement unit. What I find frustrating is that the telltale signs are there again. The replacement unit now stopped beeping. I searched the Internet and found reports of units that where opened by their owners.
The photographs taken indicated corrosion on the buzzer and the connectors to the cradle from the inside of the unit. When I spoke to Garmin I got the impression that they turn over a fair amount of these replacement units and then charge you after the warranty expired.
I also got the impression that Garmin is trying to keep this under the radar as any suggestion of a systemic fault of the 305 could prove costly. It seems to me that some of the units are not IP7X as advertised. My unit stopped beeping and I didn't bother as it still worked. But when it one day stopped downloading the data I had to sent it in and got a replacement unit. What I find frustrating is that the telltale signs are there again. The replacement unit now stopped beeping. I searched the Internet and found reports of units that where opened by their owners.
The photographs taken indicated corrosion on the buzzer and the connectors to the cradle from the inside of the unit. When I spoke to Garmin I got the impression that they turn over a fair amount of these replacement units and then charge you after the warranty expired. I also got the impression that Garmin is trying to keep this under the radar as any suggestion of a systemic fault of the 305 could prove costly. It has been a well known issue for a long time.
Quite a few 305 owners on CR have been through that very loop - me twice. My solution was to tape up the holes on the back (some versions had 2 holes, others only one) and I actually resealed the top and bottom of the casing which helped for a while. My final solution was to buy a 310xt. Now, that seems to have cured the problem. I do now have a spare 305, but I am reticent to on-sell it as I don't know how corroded it is, and therefore don't want to land someone with a dud that fails in a week. Anyway, the HR strap from the 305 works with the 310, so I guess that turns the 305 into a 205.
The IP Code (or International Protection Rating, sometimes also interpreted as Ingress Protection Rating) consists of the letters IP followed by two digits and an optional letter. As defined in international standard IEC 60529, it classifies the degrees of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water in electrical enclosures. An IPX7designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. To me this seems to be a case of misleading advertising and putting tape over the buzzer hole to fix this is not acceptable. I am concerned as the replacement unit only worked for 8 weeks. The Garmin website states that the 305 is IPX7 rated.
An IPX7designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. To me this seems to be a case of misleading advertising and putting tape over the buzzer hole to fix this is not acceptable. I have always had tape over the two speeker holes since I had the 305. And I have alreday cleaned the connections on the watch and the cradel and still nothing. Looking for Garmin guru advice! 4 weeks ago (the night before Blackmores HM) my 305 'froze' and I realised when it had frozen in a race the previous week, it was really a problem and not 'one of those things'.
I used the info on this thread on resetting and was happy that it worked. Except last night it happened again. This time it appeared to be a flat battery and wouldn't turn on.but I knew it was fully charged as it was just off the cradle 1 day prior. Got home and the cradle wouldn't even register it was there. I tried again this morning and found that it turned on long enough on the cradle to say 'low battery', so left it to charge again. It appears to be working, but I'm thinking it might be a faulty battery.
Is it possible that it's either not charging properly even though it says it has completed.or.that it charges and then is discharging very quickly even with not being used (1 day)? Garmin is just over 10 months old and I'm not sure whether to keep fiddling or to return it to where I bought it (who don't appear to stock them any longer!) as it's getting close to end of 1 year warranty. Should I cycle the battery a few times over the next week and see if that helps?
(I have only ever charged it when low, not topped it up all the time). Not that I think it's related, but I have always had tape over the speaker holes after reading the posts here. Any advice or tips very welcome. Edited by Gadfly, 17 October 2009 - 03:48 PM. Looking for Garmin guru advice! 4 weeks ago (the night before Blackmores HM) my 305 'froze' and I realised when it had frozen in a race the previous week, it was really a problem and not 'one of those things'.
I used the info on this thread on resetting and was happy that it worked. Except last night it happened again. This time it appeared to be a flat battery and wouldn't turn on.but I knew it was fully charged as it was just off the cradle 1 day prior. Got home and the cradle wouldn't even register it was there. I tried again this morning and found that it turned on long enough on the cradle to say 'low battery', so left it to charge again.
Topic Garmin 305 Software For Mac Os X
It appears to be working, but I'm thinking it might be a faulty battery. Is it possible that it's either not charging properly even though it says it has completed.or.that it charges and then is discharging very quickly even with not being used (1 day)?
Garmin is just over 10 months old and I'm not sure whether to keep fiddling or to return it to where I bought it (who don't appear to stock them any longer!) as it's getting close to end of 1 year warranty. Should I cycle the battery a few times over the next week and see if that helps? (I have only ever charged it when low, not topped it up all the time).
Not that I think it's related, but I have always had tape over the speaker holes after reading the posts here. Any advice or tips very welcome. Don't wait until your warranty is expired and contact Garmin support. I sent my 305 back for the second time in the last 6 months. Has anyone ever had this happen to their Garmin 305?
As I was doing my lunch time run the whole top of it fell off onto the ground. I think it still works, but I need to glue it back together.
Yes had the same thing happen to me a couple of weeks back. Glued it back together with Super Glue, worked perfectly for a couple of days then starting switching itself off mid run.
Suspect the contact with the battery is not good. The super glue job was so good I can no longer pull it apart so go for something else. On the plus side I now have a reason to upgrade. Not far from 12 months since I last posted on this thread. This time.my 305 (the reconditioned one that I got from Garmin last October) more often than not, won't pick up the GPS signal.
It's fully charged, it's not a cloudy day, in fact, clear as can be and I can't get it to find a signal. This has happened 4 out of my last 6 runs.not all in the same location either. After a good 5 or 10 min on some mornings, I have just started the timer and left it searching, hoping it would find itself.but it hasn't (and I was running for 2 hours one of those days). Is this another call to Garmin? On the plus side, I have no idea what pace I'm running till I get home and work it out (can't do maths on the run) and I'm finding that running by 'feel' is OK. Have you tried resetting the Satellite cache (power and down arrow keys at power on)? That may help.
You will need to leave the 305 outside though for maybe 5 mins or more while it acquires satellite almanac info from scratch. If all is good, it should be ok from then on. (ed, the more regular you run from the same location/time, the quicker the lock will occur on the older Garmins).
Garmin Forerunner 305 Software Download
Also best to get a lock before you actually start your run too, leave the 305 on a window sill as you are getting ready. A hard reset would be my next suggestion. (power and mode keys when you turn on, and you will lose all data/settings). And yep, often run the same route and time, but hadn't realised that would be a bad thing Garmin wise! Not a bad thing at all, you may have misunderstood me. To try and keep it simple, Garmins have a little table they build up called an almanac, which has precise information of what satellites are in what position in the sky at what time based on location, this data is actually sent from all satellites with a very accurate time code.
If you run at the same time of day every day from the same location, the time to get a 'lock' on the satellites will possibly be the fastest as the information should be most accurate for where you are. For this to occur quickly, the time contained within the Garmin also needs to be as close as possible to the time clock in the satellite, down to the nanosecond, if the time drifts, which can happen over a couple of days (you won't notice) then a 'lock' will also take longer. Once a lock takes place with a number of satellites, the time is also updated in the Garmin, hence the more often you use it the more accurate the time relative to the atomic clocks in the satellites. Positioning both in a horizontal and vertical direction is all calculated using time.
So if for some reason the data in the almanac is out, then the Garmin maybe looking for satellites not in the sky at that particular time of day, and thus can take longer to get a lock. The same can occur if the time on the device is out.
Clearing the almanac satellite cache, re-learns the satellite position information from scratch. The newer garmins have extra electronics now that try and predict where the satellites will be up to a week in advance. Sorry if I have waffled on a bit, will wait for your report, none of the above may even help, and just confused you more. Sorry if I have waffled on a bit, will wait for your report, none of the above may even help, and just confused you more. Thanks for the 'waffle' chilliman - very much appreciated, and I even understood it (well, not that I could repeat it to anyone, but it did make sense).
Resetting the cache made no difference at all, so I did a hard reset and all seems OK. It picked up the signal almost straight away.
Will see how it goes on the next few runs before I get too excited though! Thanks for your help,. Will see how it goes on the next few runs before I get too excited though! Hmm, not happy! After waiting (very still) 10min this morning before setting off, I still didn't have a signal! Ran down to the bay and up Lilyfield Hill, and tried again at the top. Got a signal fairly quickly and then was on my way.
Until I got back again close to the bay and lost the signal again! Not impressed! I don't need another stopwatch, I have my Garmin to give me some pace feedback while I'm running and times like this morning, a distance! Think it's time to call Garmin.