Newbie Question - old eTrex/Mac OS/X Garmin Basecap - can't transfer files

Former Member
Former Member
Hello all,

I'm fairly new to this and would appreciate any help and advice.

I have on old Garmin Etrex but would still like to transfer my tracklogs ( GPX files ) to my iMac ( OS/X )

I have just bought a Plugable Serial/USB adaptor cable and loaded their drivers. The USB Serial controller D, shows up in the System Information on my iMac so I believe the drivers are installed correctly.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00425S1H8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is designed specifically to work with iMacs and old serial devices.

I plug my Etrex into the iMac via the Serial/USB adaptor and switch it on.

I have loaded Garmins Basecamp software ( without any maps ) to do the transfer of the files to and from the iMac to the Etrex. But the 'Send my collection to device' & "Receive from device" are greyed out in Basecamp!

I'm wondering whether anyone else has got this working, or could point me in the right direction.

Is there any reason why Basecamp wouldn't work with my old Etrex ?

Is there another way to transfer these files ?

Many thanks
  • Hello all,

    I'm fairly new to this and would appreciate any help and advice.

    I have on old Garmin Etrex but would still like to transfer my tracklogs ( GPX files ) to my iMac ( OS/X )

    I have just bought a Plugable Serial/USB adaptor cable and loaded their drivers. The USB Serial controller D, shows up in the System Information on my iMac so I believe the drivers are installed correctly.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00425S1H8/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    This is designed specifically to work with iMacs and old serial devices.

    I plug my Etrex into the iMac via the Serial/USB adaptor and switch it on.

    I have loaded Garmins Basecamp software ( without any maps ) to do the transfer of the files to and from the iMac to the Etrex. But the 'Send my collection to device' & "Receive from device" are greyed out in Basecamp!

    I'm wondering whether anyone else has got this working, or could point me in the right direction.

    Is there any reason why Basecamp wouldn't work with my old Etrex ?

    Is there another way to transfer these files ?

    Many thanks


    Try LoadMyTracks and see if that works. I've used it in the past with my 60CSx. You might want to check and see if your eTrex has a mass storage mode that you can put it into. Maybe you can grab the files off the device through the Finder, like you can with current Garmin devices.
  • BaseCamp isn't compatible with serial devices: https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={e69a0b50-e2b4-11df-73e5-000000000000}