dmanthree

I'm considering a Garmin 530, and would like to know if their software is compatible with a Mac? Do all the functions work properly, like loading routes? I'd like to hear from Mac users who use Garmin products to verify the stuff works.

Chuck M 

I have a Garmin Edge 530, a Forerunner 735XT and a Vivoactive 3. All three work with my MacBook using the Garmin Express app. They also work well with my iPhone using the Garmin Connect app.

dmanthree

Thanks, appreciate the feedback. I'm asking because I had a bad experience with a Garmin app on a Mac, but that was about five years ago. Sounds like all is well now.

Iride01 

I use Garmin Express to update all my Garmin devices from a very old MacBook pro. Although my newest Garmin 530 can update itself from the Wifi connection without using PC or Mac.

As for routes or anything else, that comes from websites which makes no difference. I'll do that from either PC or MacBook.

I've had some bad experiences with Garmin Express too. I seem to have solved many by ensuring I'm using an Ethernet connection instead of my Wifi. Running wifi tests on the macbook showed that available wifi channels are an issue for my area.

dmanthree

I did try using the phone as a bike computer, but battery life, overheating, and other things killed that deal. Is that app even available for IOS?

I think I'll try the Garmin 530.

base2 

Macs & Garmin play just fine. There were a few issues several years ago. They have since been resolved.

The Garmin Express (Mac) & Connect (mobile device) apps are free & do all the leg work of syncing, updates, routes, maps, etc...

If you have a route you want loaded, it's easiest to download from whatever source as a .GPX file, then open finder, navigate to the Garmin device & drag/drop it into the "New files" folder. The Garmin will process it to a route on start up. Or if a .TCX file drag/drop it directly into the routes folder, eject, power up & go ride.

The Garmin headunit will do a lot via Wi-fi for uploads, updates, sync, etc...but what you are doing depends on the ease of the process. The computer is not necessarily a necessity. Even less so if you have a phone with a bluetooth connection or home wi-fi.

My Connect app on my 2012 Mac Mini shuts down when Zwift fires up, but that's hardly worth mentioning. I'm sure it's related to a bash.shell "exit" command or whatever. I just leave it alone restart the app if I'm going to use it. (Which I rarely do.)

Chuck M 

Something else to note, is I found it a good idea to connect my Garmin account with my Strava account. I like creating routes in Strava better than with Garmin. I "star" the route in Garmin and it automagically shows up on my 530. A wile back Strava made some changes to their premium accounts and I don't know if you have to be a Summit member for this to work or not.

Leinster

I load from my 310xt to Garmin Express on my 2013 Macbook pro. Both devices are old tech now, and have seen better days, but it still works. I'm not 100% sure if it's Garmin Express, or the 310 that keeps requesting 18 minute software updates, so that's a bit annoying, but the basic requirement (upload all my rides/runs, accurately) is there.

Badger6

It's been close to a year now, they just call the paid accounts "Subscribers." You have to be a subscriber to make and save routes, but for that alone, it is worth it. They update their database regularly and their heat maps far exceed Garmin, because theirs come from EVERY ride that has been uploaded regardless the device (Wahoo, Karoo, Garmin, Bryton, Sigma, etc.). If you authorize Garmin to pull your routes, as Chuck said, when you build it, it just uploads to your device the next time it syncs. It's dead simple. But, you need to occasionally clean up your routes in Garmin and on the device, the sync doesn't go both ways.

sean.hwy

Works with garmen 1030 plus and my mac laptop.