Garmin Gps 18 Drivers For Mac
May 20, 2014 - 18:36. No luck with the latest Garmin USB Driver package, their tech. It may be an option to plug in the unit to a Mac or older version of Windows, update the software, then see if it'll speak to Windows 7.
Overview The GPS 18 is Garmin's product for use as a laptop GPS system, with auto-routing and voice directions. It is a small, hockey puck type receiver with a cable, which must be connected to a laptop computer. (Unfortunately, the computer is not included.) The GPS 18 is operated by a Garmin software program known as nRoute.
This review should be used in conjunction with a review of nRoute which is available on and can be found The GPS 18 comes in two forms, the GPS sensor with USB connection which transfers both data and powers the unit. The other variation is a PC version which has a serial connection and is powered by a 12V cigarette lighter connection.
The package includes City Select mapping software with full unlock, (a 25 character unlock code for the GPS 18 is in the package) the software program nRoute and a windshield mount. Street prices for the package is about $130. Check discount prices.
The GPS 18 seems to be Garmin's answer to Microsoft's Street and Trips and Delorme's Earthmate. Garmin actually sells the GPS 18 package for less than it costs just to buy the City Select software on its own. This seems to be a way to keep the GPS 18 competitive with other laptop GPS systems, which typically sell for a little over $100. With City Select, and nRoute, you can input addresses, find points of interest (food, lodging, shopping, etc.) and then using the GPS 18, navigate to them, with voice directions. The Unit The GPS 18 is fairly small, about the same diameter as a can of Coke. It includes a 12 channel receiver and is WAAS enabled. Acquire times seem to be pretty good, in most cases less than a minute.
( Although the initial satellite acquire out of the box took about ten minutes.) One thing the GPS 18 does not have is any type of display or even an LED indicator. There is no way to tell if it is powered up or if it has a satellite lock. A flashing LED for acquiring and a solid LED with a lock would be nice, but since its primary use is to be connected to a computer, it is not necessary. The unit comes with an attached cable, either USB or serial which is six feet long. The unit has a magnetic bottom and can be put on the hood or roof of a car.
You can attach the unit to the included windshield mount using the internal magnet or can attach it to the mount, using an included set screw. The only way to get data from the GPS 18 is to connect it to a computer. (Or in the case of the PC version, to an NMEA type device) USB vs PC models USB The USB version is probably the best model to buy, if your primary use of the GPS 18, is to use it for what it is designed for, as a laptop car navigator. That way, there is only one connection required to the computer. The USB version includes USB 2.0 interface and the unit is powered through the USB connection. With the USB cable, you could easily add a standard USB extension cable as well, if you need more length.
As of July of 2006, Garmin added a free software download to make the USB version compatible with most non-Garmin GPS and mapping programs using the standard NMEA GPS language. It is known as and according to Garmin.com:. Spanner allows you to use your GPS 18 USB with most NMEA 0183-compliant mapping programs. It adds a virtual com port interface to your GPS 18 so that you can send NMEA data to other programs. Spanner works only with GPS 18 software version 2.90 or later. Be sure to load the latest GPS 18 software before using this program You can download the Spanner software by following this PC Version The PC model includes both the serial port connector and the cigarette lighter adapter. The cables merge into one cable, three feet from the unit, so there is only one cable going into the GPS receiver itself.
The PC model uses serial port with NMEA data, according to Garmin, the PC version is: 'asynchronous serial input compatible with RS-232 or TTL voltage levels, RS-232 polarity.' What this means is that yes, the PC model may be used to get out NMEA data. For example, you can use it as a sensor to send lat/lon, altitude, speed, heading, etc. I use the PC model as a GPS receiver for an amateur radio tracker, utilizing technology. The PC model is what you will need if you are dedicating an old laptop to be used with the GPS 18, if it does not have a USB connection. Questions Can I save waypoints and routes to the GPS 18?
Not to the unit itself, however with the use of nRoute, your waypoint, route and track data is stored for use in the program. In other words, there are no files you open in nRoute like you would in MapSource. The GPS 18 is only a receiver which will send data to a computer, although it is a functional self contained receiver. Is the GPS 18 suitable for hiking or geocaching? We would say no- unless you want to pack along your laptop, which can be cumbersome and dangerous for the laptop.
Can you put the GPS 18 on the roof or outside of the car? You can, it has a magnetic bottom which is strong enough for outside of a car.
However, because of the risk of theft, it is only recommended that you mount it outside temporarily and not permanently. Other Observations I actually purchased the GPS 18, for use with APRS, a ham radio GPS hobby. But it did work as it is advertised with nRoute, as a car navigator laptop system. I found mounting the windshield mount and then setting the actual receiver on it while I was using it, worked out the best. Setting up the computer and inputting route information took more time, than just using a dedicated car navigator. But again with the GPS 18, you are getting the same features of a StreetPilot type model, but at a fraction of the price.
What I will say about the 18, is that it is working very well with my APRS tracker. The original GPS receiver I was using was a similar laptop type, however it had trouble getting a satellite lock, especially if the car started in a parking garage. Summary The GPS 18 is a low expense car navigator, compared to the StreetPilot series. It has most of the features and in some cases more, allowing for routes and track logs, satellite page, lat/lon, etc, which Garmin has cut out of the c3XX and new iX series. However, because you have to use a laptop computer, the GPS 18 has some drawbacks. It can be difficult and un-safe to operate while driving.
The recommended use would be to have help in operating the system from a passenger. The time of setting up the laptop and then powering it through an inverter will take more time and space, than a typical StreetPilot or other car navigator. However, if you only use a navigator for family vacations or other trips where you need navigation help occasionally, the GPS 18 may be the way to go. Again, more information about using the GPS 18 with nRoute can be found.
Garmin Gps 18 Drivers For Mac Pro
Updates & Downloads GPS 18x USB This download area offers free firmware upgrades for select Garmin® units. These upgrades are specific to the specific GPS units and software versions listed. Warning This software should only be uploaded to the unit for which it is intended. If this software is uploaded to a GPS unit other than the product it is designed for, it will render the unit inoperative. If the software upload fails, and subsequent upload attempts prove unsuccessful, the unit may need to be returned to Garmin for service.
Software License Agreement By downloading, installing, or using this software, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the following license agreement. Please read this agreement carefully. Garmin Corporation ('Garmin') grants you a limited, non-exclusive license to use the upgrade software ('Software') in binary executable form in the normal operation of the applicable Garmin products. Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the Software remain in Garmin. This license is personal to you and you may make copies of the software only for your personal use. You agree that this license agreement does not need to be signed for it to take effect.
The software is provided on an 'as is' basis without warranty of any kind — either expressed or implied — including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Garmin does not warrant the performance of the software or that the software will meet your requirements or operate error free. You acknowledge that this Software is the property of Garmin and is protected under United States of America copyright laws and international copyright treaties. You further acknowledge that the structure, organization, and code of the Software are valuable trade secrets of Garmin and that the Software in source code form remains a valuable trade secret of Garmin. You agree not to decompile, disassemble, modify, reverse assemble, reverse engineer, or reduce to human readable form the Software or any part thereof or create any derivative works based on the Software. You agree not to export or re-export the Software to any country in violation of the export control laws of the United States of America.