Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Alternative to Garmin Basecamp on Mac

Dear All,

I recently got a Garmin Edge 800 and I love the unit! BUT (there is always a But), I really don't like the Basecamp software. Slow to load the map, crashes all the time, rides data reading and analysis really poor...

I have been searching for alternative sotwares with which I can use the Garmin maps, create tracks routes etc and analyse data from my rides. I found an awesome one called Sportstracks by ZoneFiveSoftwares but it runs only on Windows...

Would anyone know a Mac alternative to replace Basecamp?

Thanks for your help,

Best Regards,

Olivier

I use BaseCamp and agree it's pretty clunky, though it hasn't crashed on me. I hear strava.com is pretty good for performance analysis, though I haven't used it myself.

For mapping, you can use the GoogleMaps CueSheet (http://the-yosts.com/) bookmarklet with Google Maps in any web browser: it's limited to routes you can draw in Google Maps. BikeRouteToaster.com (http://bikeroutetoaster.com/) and RideWithGPS.com (http://ridewithgps.com/) both let you switch on the fly between Google Maps and OSM (Open Source Maps). OSM often has better bike path data than Google. You don't need an account to use BikeRouteToaster.com; RideWithGPS.com requires logging in to create routes, but registration for an account is free. All three let you download GPX files or directly to your Garmin via Garmin's Communicator browser plug-in.

You don't need BaseCamp to transfer GPX files to/from your GPS. You can use LoadMyTracks or HoudahGPS, both freeware. You can edit GPX routes graphically using Adze, which is shareware ($20). All 3 are available from MacUpdate.com (http://macupdate.com/)

Thanks for that mate!

Looking at your "LoadMyTracks" suggestion I found one of their "friends" softwares called TrailRunner for mapping and data analysis: http://www.trailrunnerx.com/ Have you ever heard/tried it?

Thanks for your help,

Olvier

Ascent has long been the Mac software for cyclists. It's getting old and hasn't been updated in a while, but it's still what I use.