Buying a MacBook Pro Today, would like to use as GPS Unit...

[MilesandMiles]

Does anyone have opinions/advice to do this? Is there a GPS receiver or even an App that does a good job? I'm no tech head (and never will be) and my readings so far suggests there are several ways to go about this, some better than others. Some depend on WiFi, or G3. I'm looking for "true GPS" meaning pulling the signal straight from space (GPS receiver?)

I used the search option here and was still confused. If there's a thread already covering much of this, please let me know.

Thanks,
Brenton

[BrentB]

I have an inexpensive USB GPS puck that was part of DeLorme travel atlas purchased several years ago. It works fine for me but there are better quality GPS pucks on the market. I think it is GT730 puck off the top of my head. I use my TomTom GPS when driving and just replaced its battery which was more involved than a simple R&R battery. My future plans are Rosepoint software and their GPS puck but for now it runs on Windows OS powered PCs only. Maybe Linux and MAC versions will be released

[Aurelia]

If there is an option to have a real GPS chip as an internal feature of the laptop, that would be great. If not there are lots of USB powered pucks that would work great and more pieces of software for running charts than you want to hear about. I only have experience with PC versions but I am sure someone else will make a good Mac recommendation.

Greg

[chriscarrera]

IPAD with Motion-X, have to get the ipad with gps however.

[Larry H]

Here is a link to a site that has nav programs and gps units for the Mac computers.

http://www.gpsnavx.com/MacENC/

[20dauntless]

I have this GPS receiver and it works great on my Macbook Pro. I think the driver came from the people at GPSNavX.

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-353-Waterproof-USB-Receiver/dp/B000PKX2KA

I also have GPSNavX and it works fine, but it's not great and can only use raster charts. I think MacENC would be better although it costs a bit more. I really only use charts on the computer for planning and as a backup, since I much prefer using a dedicated MFD for navigation on the water.

[thataway]

The GPS NavX and MacENC are both good programs--a bit more material available for the MacENC--There are a number of GPS recievers and that is not a problem.

Where the expense comes in is charts for Canada and perhaps for lakes in some inland waters: See: http://www.fugawi.com/web/products/maps_navionics_product_list.htm For list of charts which will have the lakes as well as Canada. There are some other options for Canada, which will be about the same costs.

(All Canadian charts seem to be more expensive than US, since the US are in the public domain, and for the most part free--at least Coastal NOAA charts)

[rogerbum]

Bob - it's the maps for Canada that make the Navionics app on the Droid or iPad (or iPhone) for BC so great. For around $12-13 I got all the BC maps + most of the OR coast, all of the Puget Sound and WA coast and a little bit of AK. What I suspect will happen soon is that Apple will modify the Mac OS or will provide a software tool that will allow us to run all the iPhone/iPad apps under the computer's operating system. There have been rumors and suggestions to this effect in a number of technical publications and web site. For now, I'd go with a GPS puck and Mac ENC on the mac. Download all the US charts for free but consider waiting or getting an iPad/iPhone + Navionics for the coastal Canadian charts.

[JamesTXSD]

We have two MacBook Pro computers... no built-in GPS chip. To use as a full-functioning GPS, you have to add an actual GPS that can be tethered and then you'll need a software package.

Is this something you plan to use on the boat? Or to move from the boat to the car?

We also have an iPad. The 3G iPad is a GPS, even with no additional apps. (At this time, "apps" for the iPad/iPhone don't run on computers.) Turn it on and Google Maps will show where you are. Spend a few bucks (as in: $20) for a Navionics app, and you have a decent chartplotter. Spend $2.99, and you have a decent car GPS app. The iPad is NOT a full-fledged computer... you can't load software programs into it, but there area thousands of apps that are like small programs. You do not have to be "techie" to operate the iPad; it is the most intuitive device I've seen.

You'll spend $500 to $840 for an iPad. More than that for a MacBook Pro. Unless you intend to use the unit for more than a GPS, you can get a good stand alone GPS unit for less than that.

Tell us a little more about what you want to do with this purchase.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[MilesandMiles]

I bought this today used 07 macbook pro for $600 bucks. I took it up to Best Buy and had it checked out, resident mac expert felt I got a steal on it. Titanium shell and updated software. New Battery too.

I have a history of killing laptop (PC's up to now) quick. I'm yet to have one last a year. People keep telling me, pay up front, buy a mac, so here it is.

I use computers for the following: email/internet and storing pics/word docs. I have a desk top for much of that. I want to use the macbook as a GPS unit in the 22-cruiser only. I suppose the next step is buy a GPS "puck" with software? I'm so confused as to the difference between what is often referred to as real GPS and then simulated GPS using WiFi (like my blackberry?)

I'm reading everything here, thank you all for your thoughts.

[BrentB]

I have a history of killing laptop (PC's up to now) quick. I'm yet to have one last a year. People keep telling me, pay up front, buy a mac, so here it is.

Can you explain?

One of my laptops is from 02 running XP and runs like a champ and use it when traveling b/c it is not worth much if stolen and has 15" screen.
It takes alot of room on a plane so now my main travel pc is a HP netbook and it is always carried onboard and not having a builtin optical drive is not issue.

on edit super deal on the MAC. I miss my iBook.

[thataway]

Roger, Great point on the Navionics HD charts:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marine-british-columbia-hd/id371971501?mt=8 ($29.99). The Navionics charts or BSB charts come to over $370 or so.

They are all outstanding values. I have all of them on my I pad, including Mexico, Central American and Caribbean, as well as both coasts of the US.

It would be great if there was an app to use them on the MAC. (maybe there is some way by jail breaking the i Pad, or in the next version. There may be some advantage of using the MAC over the i pad in saving waypoints, routes and tracks etc.

You got a good buy on the MAC book pro. They are great units. I suspect that it is about the same as mine, which cost in the $1700 range when new. As a 2007 it should have a dual core intel processor. Some will accept up to 6 Gig of RAM. (OWC would have the answer about which upgrades are available if not already done--but it is not necessary to upgrade the RAM).

[JamesTXSD]

I think you'll like the MacBook Pro - ours have been real troopers. Looking at the photo, it appears you have one similar to our 15", circa 2006. If so, it has a 2.2 duo core processor and probably 100 gig hard drive. The typical install had 1 gig of RAM; I think it was expandable to 2 (not certain on that). Ours has been with us on Wild Blue and in the RVs since we bought it. That model has a battery that will last 1.5 to 2 hours when new, so if you intend to use it on the boat, you will want a 12v power cord for it. Even though it is a durable machine, we have always carried ours in a padded case.

I have used MacENC for planning, but not while underway. Haven't used a GPS puck with that particular Mac, but I know others do.

Regarding the difference between GPS and simulated GPS that requires wifi: a GPS unit (or puck, or chip) will give your location regardless of any other connection, receiving a satellite(s) signal. To use it on your computer, you will have to plug the GPS (or puck, etc) into the computer, generally via USB. You will also need some softward to make the computer functional with the GPS. Thus, MacENC (there are others, too).

Simulated GPS simply uses triangulation from cell towers to determine your approximate position. You HAVE to have a cell/data/wifi connection for that to determine your position. I have no hands on experience with that, but it seems that it would not be a good solution for position determination while boating. You would need a wireless broadband card AND be where you can get a constant signal.

Hope that helps. Oh, and once you go Mac, you won't go back. Windoze machines feel clunky by comparison - that is an opinion from a dedicated Mac guy who has used both, not a statement of fact.

Best wishes,
JIm B.

[jhayes1068]

I sent an E-mail to the CEO of HP a couple of weeks ago and suggested that the company add a internal GPS antenna to their future laptop computer line, with included software to process the signals, and be compatable with current electronic chart formats. (yep, I use the Windows OS ). I believe it can be done at little cost during the manufacture of the laptops and should have a rather large market in the boating community. It would be nice to be able use the computer as a stand-alone GPS unit, in addition to the primary GPS for the boat and still have all of the functions of the computer at hand. It would be just as easy for Apple to make the change. I know it might put a kink in the USB style of GPS antenna, but, it just makes sense to install the antenna internally in the computer. Jim

[MilesandMiles]

Brent: I've gone the "cheap" route a lot with laptops and bought them used, so needless to say they're usually on their last legs somehow (usually battery troubles) I'm yet to find a PC that has a power cord plug in spot that isn't precariously ready to break by the slightest gust of wind. The macs have this wonderful magnetic plug (that has 15 patents if the tech is to be believed!) What a great machine this is, even used I can tell it's of superior quality. so far so good, hoping not to eat my words. $600 for a slightly used macbook pro seemed like the right situation to take a chance on apple.

I'm researching all the programs suggested to go along with a "puck". Thanks guys (and gals)!

Brenton