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My Garmin 276C will not connect to my new MacBook Pro Computer

Former Member over 10 years ago

I have (2) Garmin 276C GPS devices purchased in 2007 and have used my older MacBook Pro5.3 Laptop to download maps without any problems. I purchased a new MacBook Pro and it does not recognize my Garmin 276C devices with the USB cable connected to them.

I called Garmin and they believe the problem is that the new MacBook Pro has a 3.0 USB port and the older MacBook Pro has a 2.0 USB port. The 2007 Garmin devices apparently need to utilize a 2.0 USB port according to their tech. Is there anyway to dumb down a 3.0 port to a 2.0 port?

Any suggestions to make this work?

Thanks

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Is there anyway to dumb down a 3.0 port to a 2.0 port?

If you have a USB 2.0 (not 3.0) USB hub you could plug that into your Mac and then plug you 276C's into the hub.

PS: I have a PC with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. I've had some minor issues with devices (other than Garmin) plugged into the USB 3.0 ports. I recently bought a USB 3.0 hub and had an issue with that until I rebooted. USB 3.0 is supposed to be backwards compatible.

0 alandb over 10 years ago

Don't know if you are trying to update maps, but if so, before you spend too much time on this, you might want to read this support FAQ: https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId=%7B905c0b20-07af-11e4-eaba-000000000000%7D

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

If you have a USB 2.0 (not 3.0) USB hub you could plug that into your Mac and then plug you 276C's into the hub.

PS: I have a PC with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. I've had some minor issues with devices (other than Garmin) plugged into the USB 3.0 ports. I recently bought a USB 3.0 hub and had an issue with that until I rebooted. USB 3.0 is supposed to be backwards compatible.

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for your message. By using a USB 2.0 hub...... Wouldn't I still be inserting the male end of the USB cable (from the Garmin to the 2.0 hub)..... then installing the 2.0 male end from the hub to the 3.0 port of the MacBook Pro? I don't see how that would resolve my issue of the computer not recognizing the GPS?

ADBUCK..... I did not plan on updating the maps. I just wanted to use my existing topo map and City Navigator Maps I already have installed in my computer.

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

I don't see how that would resolve my issue of the computer not recognizing the GPS?

It should work as long as your Mac sees the USB 2.0 hub. Your 276c's will see the hub's USB 2.0 ports (i.e. not USB 3.0). Even an old USB 1.1 hub would do the trick if you have one laying around. Although most Garmin devices are USB 2.0 they only reach 1.1 speeds anyway.