GPS units can be made to communicate with Macs.
For road warriors, the portable GPS unit may be the most useful invention of the 21st century. These indispensable units allow you to track your route on a digital map in real time and give turn-by-turn directions, making paper maps a thing of the past. For added functionality, you can connect your GPS to your computer to add more maps to the unit's database, update existing maps, install plug-ins and customize the unit. While this is a breeze with a PC, it can be a little trickier with a Mac.
Garmin
Garmin offers a wide suite of plug-ins that can be downloaded to allow its GPS units to interface with Mac OS X. These plug-ins include essential software such as RoadTrip, which allows you to transfer customized maps to your device; BaseCamp, which displays the area's terrain and allows you to geotag photographs; and MapInstall, which helps you install maps on your device. Simply download the free software and install it on your computer to interface with the GPS.
TomTom
Much like Garmin, TomTom makes a version of its GPS software, called TomTom HOME, for OS X. Unlike Garmin, however, the program is not as richly featured, but it does allow for transferring maps and waypoints, updating maps and installing new ones. TomTom HOME can be downloaded from the TomTom website (see Resources).
Third-party solutions
To help your Mac and GPS talk, you also can download third-party applications, including GPSy and MacGPS Pro. These programs provide support for dozens of devices, allowing smooth communications between your Mac and your GPS. They do cost money, though. For a free alternative, try GPSBabel, which is a barebones version of the above programs. Though rudimentary, the software does allow you to transfer maps and waypoints to and from your device.
Magellan
Magellan's GPS units are as popular as Garmin's, but they are not compatible with OS X. The third-party solutions listed above are compatible with a large number of Magellan GPS units, adding a level of pseudo-functionality to the company's units.
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