Choose Your GPS Carefully
09/09/2007
Mac users planning to purchase a GPS should consider Macintosh compaitiblity as well as features when making their choice. Most current GPS models are designed so that their firmware or maps can be updated by connecting the GPS to a computer. With some, you can back up the entire contents of the GPS unit to the computer…which allows you to restore any custom settings you’ve entered in case the GPS has to be reset to factory defaults.
Magellan, one of the two most popular GPS manufacturers, doesn’t support Macs. That’s confirmed both on their web site, magellangps.com, and by their tech support department.
Garmin and TomTom both support Macs. As of this writing, Garmin provides Garmin POI Loader 2.0.1, and Garmin WebUpdater 2.0.1. The first lets you upload custom points of interest, and the second updates the firmware in your Garmin navigator. TomTom HOME 1.5.106 does the same things for many models of TomTom navigators.
Despite some innovative features and better prices in Magellan’s latest Maestro series of navigators, it makes little sense for Mac users to consider a Magellan GPS. Mac Users are better off selecting a Garmin or TomTom unit.
