How do I find software for my GPS?

Question

I recently unearthed a GPS unit I purchased a few years. It's a Garmin GPSmap 60 (picture) and has a usb port on it. Is there a way that I can link it to my mac? I do have windows installed also, and could use that if necessary.

I tried plugging it in, and downloading data via google earth pro without success. I also hunted around online to see what I should install but did know what I was searching for exactly (a driver? a software program? ).

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All suggestions appreciated (and it's for a worthy cause as I hope to start gathering data for OpenStreetMap) - thanks!

Answer 1

GPS Babel is your friend for all 'consumer grade' GPS units. Download, convert, transfer etc. all from one program! You can also use it from within QGIS as a plugin as well.

Answer 2

When I worked for Navigon the way we accessed the filesystem on the devices which were running Windows Mobile 5 was to put a text file with a particular name on the root of the SD card / USB, and it had a weird name like win.reg or something like that, and plugging it in would give you a windows file explorer instead of the standard device boot sequence / updating the maps progress bar. The file was empty it was the filename that mattered. I wanna say it was win.reg but I am probably wrong.

Answer 3

Try the DNRGarmin GPS Application: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/extensions/DNRGarmin/DNRGarmin.html

Answer 4

For Apple Mac - http://www.gpsy.com/features.html

Download GPSy X 3.41 with Garmin USB Support

Note: Mac OS X Intel Only, not compatible with PowerPC-based Macs

Answer 5

It looks like someone has already found a way to play with the Garmin GPSmap 60 in a UNIX environment using GPS Babel (as Darren Cope suggested).

Another option is trying to use Garmin software:

• Garmin Communicator browser plugin,
• Garmin Connect web service, or the
• Garmin Device Interface SDK