MacBook air doesn't recognize Garmin 890

[vseasport]

My Garmin 890 indicated there were some updates. Trying over and over the GPS would not install the updates via wifi. I plugged the 890 into my iMac and tried to do the updates via Garmin express but the computer didn't recognize the GPS. A search said it might be the USB cable. I tried several with no luck. Then I deleted Garmin Express and reinstalled, still no luck. Re-booted the 890 and my desktop several times and played around for a couple hours. Ready to give up and all of a sudden Garmin Express on the computer lit up green and was talking to the 890. It took 3 hours to complete the updates and my 890 is current.

We travel with a MacBook Air and decided it should be brought up to speed. Same problem occurred as with the desk top but now I have been unable solve the problem. It doesn't want to talk to the 890. I re-installed Garmin Express and have spent hours re-booting and trying everything I can think of. No dice, they don't want to dance. I plugged the USB back into the desk top and it hooks right up.

Any advise on how to get the Garmin and mac laptop to play nice? They connected up and allowed me to do updates last year.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Originally Posted by vseasport

My Garmin 890 indicated there were some updates. Trying over and over the GPS would not install the updates via wifi. I plugged the 890 into my iMac and tried to do the updates via Garmin express but the computer didn't recognize the GPS. A search said it might be the USB cable. I tried several with no luck. Then I deleted Garmin Express and reinstalled, still no luck. Re-booted the 890 and my desktop several times and played around for a couple hours. Ready to give up and all of a sudden Garmin Express on the computer lit up green and was talking to the 890. It took 3 hours to complete the updates and my 890 is current.

We travel with a MacBook Air and decided it should be brought up to speed. Same problem occurred as with the desk top but now I have been unable solve the problem. It doesn't want to talk to the 890. I re-installed Garmin Express and have spent hours re-booting and trying everything I can think of. No dice, they don't want to dance. I plugged the USB back into the desk top and it hooks right up.

Any advise on how to get the Garmin and mac laptop to play nice?

Not a "mac guy" but... have you done a recent OS update? Monterey broke a lot of stuff in spite of Apple giving developers almost 2 year's notice to get ready. While the vast majority of applications update and install automatically and without a reboot, there might be something with Express that makes it different.

Now... the 890 not updating over Wifi could be a couple of configuration settings that got changed, but I suspect you've already checked for those. I'm thinking a phone call to Garmin support is in order.

If your 890 is consistently connecting to an Windows PC or iMac/Mac Pro at home, I'd suspect your Macbook USB port(s). If you're near an Apple Store I'd take to the Genius Bar and have them check it out.

[scotttkd]

I never did get the Garmin to work correctly with MacBook products either, it is something to do with Garmin software and a "known issue". Garmin says use only factory supplied USB cord and to have all updates installed on latest OS, but nothing worked for me. Works like a champ on Windows devices though. Just for fun I did try with a Windows VM on my MacBook hardware, and still no go. I keep an old MS Surface Pro around just to do the Garmin updates.

FWIW department, I could not get the latest Rand McNally update to work on the windows machine until I turned off the sleep feature, it was dying during the download and would not pick back up once woken up. Apple did not have that issue. Gotta love all this technology!

[vseasport]

Originally Posted by scotttkd

I never did get the Garmin to work correctly with MacBook products either, it is something to do with Garmin software and a "known issue". Garmin says use only factory supplied USB cord and to have all updates installed on latest OS, but nothing worked for me. Works like a champ on Windows devices though. Just for fun I did try with a Windows VM on my MacBook hardware, and still no go. I keep an old MS Surface Pro around just to do the Garmin updates.

FWIW department, I could not get the latest Rand McNally update to work on the windows machine until I turned off the sleep feature, it was dying during the download and would not pick back up once woken up. Apple did not have that issue. Gotta love all this technology!

This is not encouraging.

Laptop connected last year but I suspect software updates has caused some kind of disparity. The 890 does connect to my iPhone and provides weather updates and other info. If it would software and map update via wifi it could and should be able to stand alone so there would be no need to connect to a computer.

As things stand it is a tough situation. Shame on Garmin.

[TechWriter]

Get Parallels Windows for your iMac. Might work better.

[scotttkd]

Hi TechWriter, I did try a VM on my MacBook (see post above) and no joy. I believe its something in how MacBook and Air controls the ports, and possibly the conversion from a usbc to usbb as all the new MacBook airs have abandoned the standard size USB in favor of the usbc. I have seen a lot of the adapters not work depending on what You are attaching through it. I used a known good adapter and no go.

[vseasport]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

Get Parallels Windows for your iMac. Might work better.

Just downloaded Parallels and found it cost $80 a year. Not that I can't afford it but will not pay 80 clams so I can update my GPS.

I have been a mac guy for 30 years and have always been happy and or found a work around for non compatibility. I'll throw the GPS in a drawer and forget about it first.

I stand by the statement shame on Garmin.

[moisheh]

Is the battery full charged on your GPS? have you called garmin tech support. They are very good at helping.

[vseasport]

Originally Posted by moisheh

Is the battery full charged on your GPS? have you called Garmin tech support. They are very good at helping.

I took the advise and called Garmin.

Long and short is they don't have a fix. Very frustrating that I spent hours on this for nothing. Tech said I could try a 2.0 USB adapter because my 3.0 might be too fast. Really? It gets worse. The tech said the mainframe of the 890 and 1090 were built on a very old technology. It is like buying a Ferrari and finding it has a VW motor. Among other things the wifi will only run on 2.4 not 5. For updates via wifi a very stable solid connection is needed because the first little fade in speed will stop the update. It won't tell you nor will it continue when the speed comes back. He went on to say an update could never be completed on RV park wifi or from cell data. Wait a minute, this is an "RV" GPS?

This thing offers a lot of really nice features but is basically junk. Garmin knows it and is taking notes so they can sell an upgraded model down the road.

[CaptainGizmo]

I’ve been an expert on Macs since 1985 and I’m on the beta team for the Garmin 890 and others.

Simply put, I’ll tell you that the issue is not the Mac platform, but the fact is…the 890 is built upon the Android platform. ‘Nuff said.

Your RV890 will ABSOLUTELY update over a WiFi connection. You don’t need Garmin Express.

Using BaseCamp is an exercise of patience and futility since basecamp is no longer a “currently developed” product.

We don’t have many options. But the Garmin is the best of what we have.

[Tombsy]

I’ve found not all USB cords are equal, my 890RV only works with it’s original cable with my MacBook.

[Tom in Ohio]

Originally Posted by CaptainGizmo

I’ve been an expert on Macs since 1985 and I’m on the beta team for the Garmin 890 and others.

Simply put, I’ll tell you that the issue is not the Mac platform, but the fact is…the 890 is built upon the Android platform. ‘Nuff said.

Your RV890 will ABSOLUTELY update over a WiFi connection. You don’t need Garmin Express.

Using BaseCamp is an exercise of patience and futility since basecamp is no longer a “currently developed” product.

We don’t have many options. But the Garmin is the best of what we have.

X2!

[traveldawg]

My 890 updates without connecting to a computer. It does quite well over WiFi on its own.

I've never connected, or thought of connecting, the 890 to a computer (my MacBook or otherwise). What am I missing by not connecting? If it is just that Garmin Basecamp junk - never mind, I never had any use for it.

Thanks.

[Bobertgoes]

Dont feel bad, my iphone is useless for connecting to my Macbook. To get pics off my phone to my laptop I have to email them to myself.

Planned obsolesce is in play too..

For others, always make sure your usb cable is a communication cable and not just a charging cable. The charging cable will only have wires for power, not for data. Test the cable on something you know works to make sure. Throw the charging only cables in the trash where they belong and only have data cables laying around.

Mac's are such a small percentage of the PC world that smaller companies just cannot afford to spend time on software nobody uses. garmin is big enough, but obviously still has issues.
PCs are such garbage, but Americans are dumb, lol, so many keep using them.