Garmin Express with MacBook Air M1

I have gotten my BMW Nav VI to work on my M1 Mac.  Yes, it works fine on older Macs without any adapter. What I BELIEVE is that the adapter makes the difference.  As someone else quite a while back suggested, I got a Mokin Model No. MOUC0116C USBC to HDMI Adapter.  It also has other ports, specifically USB 2.0 and 3.0.  If I use THIS adapter, my Nav VI will connect (and not just think it's connected to power).  Now, I'm not sure, but I may be useing the 2.0 port, not the 3.0. If you want me to test that, let me know and I will. DO use the Garmin cable, just to make sure you take that out of your equation. I will also say that I've tried the Apple USB-C to USB A adapter, and it does NOT work.  DO NOT EXPECT GARMIN to do anything about this.  I've about given up on them working on anything (as my > 8 month old Europe map issue would attest).  

I have to clarify this and confirm 2046036's theory.

The exact same setup on Intel and M1 was no go for me.

After trying a myriad of adapters, the M1 did pick up the BMW Motorrad Navigator VI. I have a few of these look-alike USB-C multi-port (HDMI, USB, ...) and, despite looking exactly the same, one worked and the other did not.

So, effectively, macOS and Garmin Express work on both Intel and M1. Hit and miss, though, when it comes to the USB-C adapter.

I've recently purchased a lovely new state of the art MacBook Air to replace my ageing but still functional iMac. This laptop runs the latest version of Big Sur (v11.6). Imagine my disappointment when having loaded all the appropriate Garmin tools and then connecting my BMW Motorrad Navigator VI Garmin Express fails to detect the connected device. The device is connected via my working Garmin genuine USB cable via an Apple USBC to USBA adapter. I can power the NavVI and that's it! Other external devices connect to and operate via the USBC to USBA adapter.

After extensive conversations with both Apple and Garmin support the collective view is that the Interface(Driver code) within Expess is not compatible with M1 native code.   Game over!!!!! 

The consequence of this is that I am unable to load maps into Basecamp, or even load shared routes whether .GPX or tracks to my Nav VI.

Has anyone devised a workaround for this deadlock?

Garmin have hinted that a new USBC terminated interface cable may be available at some future unspecified date. I do not believe this will help since the underlying problem is the Express code.

In conclusion I must hope that my iMac (Catalina v10.15.7) continues to run OK.

Surely Garmin can offer a better Customer Support service for their very expensive GPS devices.

Hi,

I have a similar problem with my BMW Nav VI unit. How on earth can identify the 'correct' cable when there appears to be no part marking on the Garmin Interface cable?

Hi

This sounds interesting, I am currently unable to connect my new MacBook Air M1 to my Nav VI via Garmin Express.  Hence no maps or programming interface. Can you please clarify whether you use the USB 2.0 or 3.0 port before I purchase the Mokin device?

Thanks for this info, I'll order the Mokin Adapter from Amazon and give it a try. A £17.00 interface to get £1600 of Apple and Garmin hardware on talking terms is worth a punt. I'll keep you posted.

Well, I've just received a new MOKIN hub connected it up to the Nav VI and the MacBook Air M1 and it still fails to recognise the GPS as an external drive. So, basically no progress and no way of loading Garmin maps to my laptop. Garmin your customer support must do much better.

Well I guess I should have purchased a ZUMO XT and then I could have used the wireless interface to load update and I assume, routes as well. Too late now I've spanked my cash on the Nav VI. The attraction of being able to integrate with the Wonder Wheel Interface on my BMW persuaded me. Of course that was nearly two years ago long before the M1 laptop breezed into my life. I have a fallback option which is to continue using my old iMac, this runs Catalina OS. I did consider loading Catalina onto the M1 MacBook Air but Apple do not offer a version compiled to run in the M1 native code. Incidentally to those(many) riders suffering from random screen errors and other operation aberrations, my local Motorrad dealership (in Northampton) advised me the only fix is to get a replacement under warranty. They arranged this efficiently at no extra cost.

I have spent some time discussing these issues with Apple customer support , they advise a two part fix:

1. Load the new Monterey OS system when released, which should host a revised Garmin Express driver.