UPDATE 10 MARCH 2009: In case you were wondering, the ANT Agent is compatible on the Mac. The only limitation is sending Courses and Workouts from Garmin Connect to the FR405. This is also a limitation on the PC.
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For all the Mac users out there, this update is for you. I'm sure you've seen the Garmin Connect Status Page, describing the time line for the release dates of Garmin Connect. So yes, beginning 21 May you will have full access to MotionBased . . . er, Garmin Connect features!
UPDATE - Please note that the Forerunner 405 will NOT be supported on the Mac until later this year. We apologise for any confusion.
Until then, here are a few things to consider when using MotionBased:
- If you've not already done so, you must upgrade to Safari 3 or begin using the Firefox browser.
- You must download and install the Garmin Communicator Plugin for Mac.
- You must upload via the Garmin Communicator Plugin. The old Mac Web Agent is end-of-life.
Any non-GPS activities are rejected upon upload. This includes failed recording attempts, old activities that have been over written by new activities, and of course indoor activities. In other words, if you have a non-GPS activity on your device it will cause an error and even your GPS-enabled/outdoor activities will be prevented from uploading. If you receive an error of "file too large" when uploading, or the "Max Size" error in the Upload Status tab, you've probably got some non-GPS activities recorded on your device. Delete these indoor/non-GPS activities from your device and you should be able to upload.
Check out the Mac Page at MotionBased for more details.
Sounds great about Mac support, but what about Linux support? Since Motionbased (and Garmin Connect) are web apps and since Linux comes with Flash 9 these days I guess Garmin will only have to write a small client for data transfer.
Janus
Posted by: Janus | March 08, 2008 at 02:39 AM
The MotionBased standard subscription is $95.40 per year. As my renewal is imminent I'll be paying $95.40 for $80 (2x40) worth of Garmin Connect. That's not a good deal. (maybe THIS post will be noticed)
Posted by: Doug K | April 09, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Yahoo! I am really glad to see Mac support coming. This will be terrific. THANKS.
Posted by: Charles Outcalt | April 12, 2008 at 07:45 AM
I use my Garmin inside, on the trainer, and I like to keep this information; I would think there are others that would like to as well.... any advice re the upgrade?
Posted by: T.Bass | April 19, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Bought a 405 today. I'm a mac user. I find it odd that such a high end product would get pushed to the back for mac support on Garmin Connect. Lots of mac runners will be bummed. From what I read prior to purchase, it indicated May of 2008 for mac support.
Posted by: Benjamin Williams | May 04, 2008 at 01:55 PM
I also am a Mac user and purchased a Forerunner 405--I am indeed "bummed" that there is not support. Although I have a lot of questions--like why a USB stick only, why not make it Bluetooth enabled?
Posted by: kaahl | May 06, 2008 at 09:54 PM
MAC USER'S BEWARE!!!!! At the top of this page is says Garmin Support for Mac in May of 2008!
After I bought my 405 they directed me to a site that said no support for Mac until fall 2008!!!!!!!!!!
VERY MISLEADING!!!!!
Posted by: MikeJ | May 07, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Hi MikeJ,
Very sorry for the misunderstanding. As Mac users have been waiting for FULL site support with devices like the FR205/305 and Edge 205/305 we focused on what the site itself would offer. I've updated the post to state that the support for the FR405 will come later this year.
kk
Posted by: Kathryn Krieger | May 07, 2008 at 09:46 AM
same thing, bought the 405, im a mac user, and it very pist me off that cant use it on my mac
Posted by: Michele | May 20, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Kind of upset, too. Seems pretty basic to have Mac support these days.
Posted by: Albert A | June 24, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Yep, I'm a MAC user too. I'm lost on the PC. Guess I'll have to wait 'til the FALL. I'm used to it though. I've always been a Mac user and the world is still predominantly PC oriented. I'm glad things are changing.
Posted by: gvinas | July 01, 2008 at 02:32 PM
I'm kind of annoyed with this constant shifting of release dates (this seems to be the way Garmin works, see Garmin Connect, Web Service API for Garmin Connect, ...). I'm a Mac user that bought the Forerunner 405 under the assumption that I'll get Mac support in the fall of 2008. Back then the release date was fall 2008. Now it more or less seems like the end of 2008 (so we probably can expect it sometimes in 2009, if at all...). So much for holding your promises...
I can somewhat understand that you don't develop Mac software with top priority. So why don't you (Garmin) just open the protocol and data formats so that opensource developers can develop software for the Mac? What can you possibly loose? There will be enough of developers more than ready to jump in an develop a working solution for the Mac! Garmin wins, because its devices are supported on the Mac, and the Mac (and Linux) developers win, because they can use the device on their operating system.
PS: yes, I know that I can run the Ant Garmin Agent in Parallels (or VMWare). But that is not really a solution (at least an expensive one, i.e. price of Windows XP + Parallels), just a workaround...
Posted by: Simon R. | July 13, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Same here guys, just got the 405! Im from U.k? when exactly is next fall?
Posted by: TJ | July 31, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Same here on the ForeRunner 405 with the Mac. I haven't bought it yet and I'm disappointed to hear about the lack of support. I really want the 405 but suppose I should get the 305, but it makes me feel torn so I'm having trouble buying either.
Posted by: Curt | July 31, 2008 at 02:26 PM
I'm a 305 owner, and would love to buy a 405. For the record, I think Garmin should focus a little more on mac. The people who can afford to buy apple are also the people who can (and will) afford to buy a $300 watch. Apple may only have about 10% of the market share, but its market share among those that buy $300 watches would be much much higher.
Posted by: Nick Shaver | August 07, 2008 at 08:57 PM
wow, any day now. i'm holding my breath.
Posted by: bfeltovi | September 08, 2008 at 06:10 PM
bfeltovi - suggest you don't hold your breath! The word 'fall' covers three months or so and it isn't guaranteed they'll hit that. Bought the 405 and the shop assistant (while otherwise very knowledgeable about the 405) didn't know the Mac was/is unsupported. Very misleading by Garmin (even misrepresentation). Still - he we all are, happy with the 405 otherwise (except maybe when you run in the rain -anyone else have that problem of bezel control in the wet or is it just my fingers??!).
It would be nice if Garmin updated the website with some more specific date or news it's in beta etc, or as suggested they let the coding fiends get hold of the code and develop it opensource.
Tried using Crossover and while it let's me start to install, the process falls over when the stick is inserted as the Mac can't 'see' the drivers!
So we wait.......
Posted by: PAH | September 20, 2008 at 04:31 AM
By the time the ANT agent is released for Mac, Garmin will be introducing the next generation Forerunner (the 505?). For those who are also waiting for a Mac plugin, be thankful you're a Mac user. I've been using my husband's PC to extract my data from my 405 and it has never worked the way it's supposed to. I've heard the same from two or three other 405 users with PC's.
Hey Garmin people... could you at least SAY SOMETHING to us?
Posted by: Diana Johnson | October 23, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Hi Diana,
The ANT Agent for Mac is set for release in December. As for the Windows version, make sure you have the latest version installed:
http://www8.garmin.com/fitness/getting_started_ant_step2.jsp
I have forwarded the problems onto the guys who work with the ANT Agent. Someone will be with you soon.
kk
Posted by: Kathryn Krieger | October 27, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Can only agree with the above comments.
Bought a 405 about 3 months ago, taking Garmin's word at face value and assuming mac support would come in the fall. December is clearly Winter not the fall!!
Come on Garmin sort it out - I am a first time garmin customer and am being 'put off' by this!
These watches are not cheap and the least we can expect is support as promised.
If necessary (which it clearly is) please put some additional resource towards delivering this support!!
Posted by: Paul | October 28, 2008 at 05:02 AM
PLEASE JUST GIVE US A DATE TO HANG ONTO SO WE HAVE SOMETHING! DECEMBER WHAT?
I KNOW SO MANY OF MY TRI CLUB WHO HAVE PULLED OUT OF BUYING THE 405 AS THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE MAC USERS!
C'MON GARMIN, STEP UP!
Posted by: Paul.K | October 29, 2008 at 09:07 AM
I agree with the comments above-a Mac user is also more likely to buy a $300 watch. I have really liked my 405 but have really HATED the lack of Mac support. If Garmin will deliver on its date of December for support, I will be satisfied. As a first time Garmin buyer, I may also be a last-time buyer if the Mac is not well supported.
Posted by: JEK | October 29, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Just to add my voice to the above comments re Mac support. I can't even update the software on my 405 let alone download any data. This really does make Garmin look like a clumsy, shambles of a company. I don't understand how they can make such a great product but let themselves (and every Mac user down) at the same time. Potential 405 sales will surely be hit by this long delay.
Posted by: Roger Beckett | November 11, 2008 at 11:42 PM
I got this from Garmin Support - not impressed:
Thank you for contacting Garmin(Europe)Ltd. Unfortunately the Mac
software has been delayed until the end of this year or maybe early next
year.
If there is anything else I can help with please let me know.
Kind regards
Mark Beckett Garmin (Europe) Ltd
The Global leader in satellite navigation
Posted by: lansdowne | November 13, 2008 at 02:27 PM
does anyone know if the ant+ works with the Edge 705 for uploading to a PC and Mac (when it is released)?
Posted by: Matt T | November 19, 2008 at 08:18 PM