I have an iBook and a Garmin eTrex Vista. To download maps from the WorldMap CD to the GPS unit, my solution has been to use VirtualPC with Windows 98 or XP and a KeySpan USB-Serial Adapter. I already owned VirtualPC, so it wasn't much of an investment for me: the KeySpan adapter costs around $40.
Tech notes:
- If you have an Intel-processor Macintosh, you have to use Parallels Desktop instead of VirtualPC. Parallels is cheaper ($80) but then you need a Windows license (although it shouldn't be a problem to grab one somewhere).
- You might have to restart Windows after you assigned the Mac USB port with the KeySpan adapter to one of the PC Serial ports (COM1, etc...).
- I sometimes had connection problems when uploading a large number of maps (10-20Mb). Using a lower connection speed solved the problem.
- Use fresh batteries on the GPS unit and select "Use With GPS Off" before you transfer a bunch of maps.
Contact me by email if you have trouble finding anything. Also, I wrote some hints about using a GPS at http://www.photobiker.com/store/electronics.html#gps
Happy happy,
Pierre - http://www.photobiker.com
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