The vast majority of the most popular commercial GPS related software is designed for the Microsoft Windows OS, which for Mac users (who all know deep down that Mac OS X is the best OS on the planet), and who also enjoy using a GPS for off-road walking, running or biking, is of course a great source of frustration.

The main problems relate to the uploading of mapping data (such as Garmin Mapsouce TOPO GB) to compatible GPS units (such as the Garmin eTrex Venture Cx), and the use of Ordnance Survey GB mapping based route planning software (such as Memory-Map and Anquet) - these are only possible using MS Windows.

If you own a Intel-based Mac, you could of course install and run MS Windows (you'll also need Apple Boot Camp), and then run any PC software you wished. If you own an older PowerPC-based Mac, then the only option available is to get emulation software (such as MS Virtual PC) which will allow you to run MS Windows on your machine, although this tends to work out quite expensive (cost of emulation software + cost of Windows OS + cost of the software you want to run) and may be asking for trouble in terms of software conflicts, problem solving, etc., and is consequently not a popular option.

However, despite the lack of support from GPS manufacturers* and the major PC-based mapping software providers for the Mac OS X platform, there are actually a few cheap (and some totally free) options - well worth investigating - if you would like to extend the use of your GPS using your Mac.

*Garmin announced at the beginning of 2006 that they would begin to offer support for the Mac OS X platform, but to date this only seems to have resulted in limited support for their running and cycling products which interact with www.motionbased.com. UPDATE Feb 2008: Garmin now have a small range of software for Mac OS X.

Physically connecting your GPS and Mac
Many of latest models of off-road GPS receiver (such as the Garmin eTrex Venture Cx or Garmin GPS 60) use standard USB connection. If your GPS did not come with a USB cable, any USB cable will do - the one that came with your digital camera is probably perfect. Older models of GPS receiver (including the Garmin eTrex & eTrex Summit, Garmin Geko 201 & 301, Magellan Sportrak, and Suunto X9), use serial connection and will require a dedicated serial cable (specific to the model of receiver) and a serial-to-USB converter (such as the Keyspan USB HS Serial Adapter).

Some Mac OS X software options
The following programs (or combination of programs) can in general be used by Mac users for downloading, reviewing, analyzing, creating and uploading waypoint, route and track log information to and from a suitable GPS receiver. Do bear in mind that although most of the suggested programs do not work or display data in OSGB format (they use the world-wide standard of latitude and longitude, measured in decimal degrees, or degrees, minuets and seconds), don’t worry - when uploaded to your GPS, the data will always be displayed in whichever position format you prefer to use.

Automator GPS Actions (free to use) - Downloads waypoints, routes and track logs from Garmin and Magellan GPS receivers, and saves them as a file. Converts between a huge number of GPS data file types (including .gpx, .kml, .loc, and .csv). Uploads waypoints, routes and track log files to Garmin and Magellan receivers. Requires the use of Apple Automator (part of Mac OS X), which does require a bit of setting up, but is very flexible and adaptable to your needs. NB: data is not in OSGB format, and actual viewing and editing of data on your Mac requires other software.

Google Earth (free to use; requires broadband connection) - World mapping and visualisation tool. Displays waypoints, routes and track logs on 3D road maps and satellite images. Create waypoints and routes and save as a .kml file for conversion and upload to GPS. NB: data is not displayed in OSGB format.

Google Earth Plus ($20 a year; requires broadband connection) - Allows direct connection to Garmin and Magellan GPS receivers for download of waypoints, routes, and tracklogs. Will also show current position when GPS is connected. NB: data is not displayed in OSGB format.

MacGPSPro ($49.99) - Allows direct connection to a wide range of GPS receivers for download and upload of waypoints, routes, and track logs. Allows visualisation and editing of waypoints, routes and track logs. Allows scanning of paper maps, which after calibration can be used to create waypoints and routes by simply clicking on screen. Allows current position information to be shown when GPS is connected. Can be set to work in many different position formats including OSGB!

MacCaching ($15) - Designed specifically for Geocaching. Allows download, storage, editing, archive, and upload of waypoints to GPS. Reads .loc and .gpx files. NB: data is not displayed in OSGB format.

Garmin Webupdater (free to use; requires internet connection) - Allows automatic update of compatible Garmin GPS receiver software. Software updates aim to add new features and fix problems.

There are of course other GPS related Mac OS X programs available (try searching for ‘GPS’ on www.versiontracker.com or www.macupdate.com), but so far the software mentioned above stands out in terms of cost, ease-of-use and relevance to off-road GPS use. However, software changes and develops daily - if you find any other software which is particularly good, please do let us know.

Last updated March 19, 2008