GPS Data Cables

GPS is still "bleeding edge" technology and one area in which this is apparent is the lack of data cables for the Macintosh. Except for the latest units which have USB connections, many data cables provided by GPS vendors are "unterminated" (meaning raw data cable strands); or terminated in a PC style DB-9 connector.

In general, we recommend that you purchase the standard PC data cable for your GPS unit from your dealer; and use it with the Keyspan USB GPS Adaptor (below). This gives you the most flexibility in the long run as you can switch GPS vendors or use a PC power+data cable in conjunction with the adaptor.

For USB-only Macs, see our FAQ on GPS/USB connectivity. You'll need a serial to USB converter or a serial PCI board to hook up your GPS unit. We recommend the Keyspan USB PDA Adaptor (see below) in conjunction with the standard PC data cable sold by your GPS vendor or our eTrex/eMap data cable.

Global Mapping Systems offers four types of GPS data cable adaptors:

Item	Price	Description
Keyspan USB Serial (GPS) Adaptor	Available from Amazon.com: Keyspan High Speed USB Serial Adapter ( USA-19HS )	Designed for use with Macs that only have USB ports Works with our eTrex cable for Garmin eTrex/eMap Series GPS. Fits most PC-style (female DB-9) GPS data cables including those for Ashtec, DeLorme, Eagle, Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan, Trimble and other GPS manufacturers This cable mates with Garmin, Eagle/Lowrance, and Magellan's "PC Interface Cable" or "PC Interface Cable with Cigarette Lighter Adapter" for their series of GPS units. Note: requires the manufacturer's GPS data cable for PCs to interconnect with your GPS unit
Generic PC DB-9 Male to Macintosh Mini Din-8 Male Adaptor [Click to enlarge]	Currently unavailable	Fits most PC-style (female DB-9) GPS data cables including those for Ashtec, DeLorme, Eagle, Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan, Trimble and other GPS manufacturers This cable mates with Garmin, Eagle/Lowrance, and Magellan's "PC Interface Cable" or "PC Interface Cable with Cigarette Lighter Adapter" for their series of GPS units. Works with our eTrex cable for Garmin eTrex/eMap series Is the best solution if you wish to use a manufacturer's Data/Power cable with your GPS to supply power (cigarette lighter/etc.) while using your unit with GPSy. Purchase the manufacturer's PC Data/Power cable from your GPS reseller (verifying it has a standard PC female DB-9 connector) and then use this Generic PC-to-Mac data cable adaptor to convert it to the Mac's Mini-Din8. Please note that while there are many cables that look the same as this cable, they usually will not work due to wiring differences. We are not currently aware of any off-the shelf cable that works without modification. The Palm Adaptor is the closest, but you still need to modify it. Most off-the shelf will simply not work otherwise we wouldn't be selling this. Note: requires the manufacturer's GPS data cable for PCs to interconnect with your GPS unit Bundle Price: Purchase the Generic PC-to-Mac Cable, GPSy CD-ROM, and GPSy together for only $75 with 2-day shipping (normally $100; save $25).

Item

Price

Description

Keyspan USB Serial (GPS) Adaptor

Available from Amazon.com:

Keyspan High Speed USB Serial Adapter ( USA-19HS )

Designed for use with Macs that only have USB ports
Works with our eTrex cable for Garmin eTrex/eMap Series GPS.
Fits most PC-style (female DB-9) GPS data cables including those for Ashtec, DeLorme, Eagle, Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan, Trimble and other GPS manufacturers
This cable mates with Garmin, Eagle/Lowrance, and Magellan's "PC Interface Cable" or "PC Interface Cable with Cigarette Lighter Adapter" for their series of GPS units.
Note: requires the manufacturer's GPS data cable for PCs to interconnect with your GPS unit

Generic PC DB-9 Male to
Macintosh Mini Din-8 Male Adaptor
[Generic Data Cable Photograph]

[Click to enlarge]

Currently unavailable

Fits most PC-style (female DB-9) GPS data cables including those for Ashtec, DeLorme, Eagle, Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan, Trimble and other GPS manufacturers
This cable mates with Garmin, Eagle/Lowrance, and Magellan's "PC Interface Cable" or "PC Interface Cable with Cigarette Lighter Adapter" for their series of GPS units.
Works with our eTrex cable for Garmin eTrex/eMap series
Is the best solution if you wish to use a manufacturer's Data/Power cable with your GPS to supply power (cigarette lighter/etc.) while using your unit with GPSy. Purchase the manufacturer's PC Data/Power cable from your GPS reseller (verifying it has a standard PC female DB-9 connector) and then use this Generic PC-to-Mac data cable adaptor to convert it to the Mac's Mini-Din8.
Please note that while there are many cables that look the same as this cable, they usually will not work due to wiring differences. We are not currently aware of any off-the shelf cable that works without modification. The Palm Adaptor is the closest, but you still need to modify it. Most off-the shelf will simply not work otherwise we wouldn't be selling this.
Note: requires the manufacturer's GPS data cable for PCs to interconnect with your GPS unit
Bundle Price: Purchase the Generic PC-to-Mac Cable, GPSy CD-ROM, and GPSy together for only $75 with 2-day shipping (normally $100; save $25).

Copyright (C) 1997-2007 by Global Mapping Systems and Karen Nakamura. All rights reserved. GPSy^® and GPSy.COM^® are registered trademarks and GPSy Pro^TM and GPSyLink^TM are trademarks of Karen Nakamura. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Mention of a third-party's product does not represent endorsement of or by that product.

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