Hello all. I'm a bit flumoxed by the lack of software available to Apple users which is also compatible with my Garmin GPSmap 60CS. I think it's a great GPS device, but I can't figure out how to load maps onto it without getting on a PC. I'm hoping to acquire maps for Switzerland, as that's where I'm living these days. Anyone have any ideas for me?

Mr. Anderson wrote:Hello all. I'm a bit flumoxed by the lack of software available to Apple users which is also compatible with my Garmin GPSmap 60CS. I think it's a great GPS device, but I can't figure out how to load maps onto it without getting on a PC. I'm hoping to acquire maps for Switzerland, as that's where I'm living these days. Anyone have any ideas for me?

?Garmin has been claiming increased support for the Mac for at least 2 years. Visit their web site, and e.g.:

http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index. ... pic=170076
http://www8.garmin.com/pressroom/corporate/011006.html
http://emperor.tidbits.com/TidBITS/Talk/1069/
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index. ... pic=185783

The yahoo news group for the 60csx was full of Mac users trading tips on the use of PC emulators, and the like -- 3 years back.

Swisstopo, which is the federal mapping agency sells their ownmapping software that is either PC or Apple compatible and takes a large variety GPS receivers.. This is the only way to get true 1:25000 Swiss topos as the maps are copyrighted and any other vendor has to at least change the scale.

I actually called Garmin's offices in Europe and they had no idea how to help me. But thanks for the leads. The Federal Swiss Topo system sounds like the ticket.

Cheers!

Do you want to upload topographic maps of Switzerland to your GPS? Then you will need to buy vector maps that are MapSource compatible, and you will still need to deal with the Mac versions of MapSource. (NOTE)

I've seen at least one MapSource-compatible set of Swiss maps:
http://www.garmin.ch/topo_d/
http://www.tramsoft.ch/gps/garmin_mapsource-ch_en.html

I have no idea how reliable these sources might be.

Frankly, I think the computer-side mapping software is more important than the topo maps on the GPS. But many people are disappointed when they find they can't upload the maps from the computer-side software.

It's just too bad that "the confederation" has divided up this tiny little country into 8 GPS regions. Each region cost CHF 178. In the US you can get the whole set of National Parks for about $150. Oh well, I guess if I want something that is Mac/Garmin compatible, then this is it.

You might be able to get a large area for cheap in the US (USGS maps are NOT copyrighted) but many of those programs have limited ability to zoom in. I have been most happy with the version that usually cost 100$/state.

The Swiss completely update their contour maps about every 3 to 5 years. The USGS only updates if another agency pays for it. You will get a far higher product from the Swiss. (I did a week long internship with them a few years back and got to see all phases of their work - it's impressive)

Besides, you can purchase the areas you need as you need them and not necessarily the whole country all at once.