What mapping software for iMac users?

[issudras]

I just migrated from Windows to iMac after years of using Topofusion to organize, plan, and otherwise view and edit all my GPS files for planning and documentation purposes.  I only used Mapsource, and later Basecamp to manage the uploadable maps that I get from this site as a fantastic resource.

I haven't immediately found a decent substitute for the functional simplicity provided by Topofusion.  Basecamp is unnecessarily complicated.  All I want is to be able to save .gpx files with my waypoints and tracks, and to view them and upload/download from my GPS.  Basecamp seems to really want to create some complicated file management system that I simply don't need.

What do other iMac users use for their main mapping and file management system?  Why?

Thanks in advance!

[Boyd]

I have used Macs as my primary computers since the "Fat Mac 512" in 1985 (I had an Apple ][ before that).

But when it comes to to making maps and managing geodata, I use a Windows machine. There is just so much more available on the Windows platform, especially the cool/useful free and shareware software.

Sorry, I don't really know of anything that meets the criteria you set forward. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist of course. IMO, you should just bite the bullet and learn how to use Basecamp. Garmin is actively developing it and it seems to be capable of doing everything ordinary users need (I make maps, so I'm not an ordinary user though).

There are a couple GIS packages, including the free open source program QGIS

http://www.qgis.org/en/site/

and the commercial program Cartographica

https://www.macgis.com/preview.php.

But they are going to be more complicated than Basecamp and oriented towards making maps instead of managing user data.

There is also MacGPS Pro, I had a copy of this many years ago before Garmin supported the Mac. Not sure if it would meet your needs:

http://www.macgpspro.com

There is also CompeGPS Land which is kind of a cool program that I played with recently (it has a free trial of the full version)

http://www.twonav.com/en/land

Again, it will probably appeal more to people who make maps and is rather complex. Maybe someone else will have some ideas, however whenever Macintosh topics come up around here, I seem to be the only one to comment on them. 

[issudras]

Thanks!

I definitely am not looking for any GIS applications.  MacGPS Pro would probably work, but is based on the obsolete concept of paying $50 for each state's topo maps.  I don't think I can justify spending hundreds of dollars for this.

I may just install Paralells on my iMac and continue to use Topofusion if Basecamp is giving me too many problems.

Basecamp seems reasonable enough if I were starting all of this from the very beginning and working withing their system.  I already have years worth of trip's waypoints and tracks stored as .gpx files.  I have named these files in an easy to understand system for organization.  Basecamp wants to pull these files all apart and implement a completely different file management scheme.  I don't begin to understand how you are supposed to migrate your existing data into this new system, and I really don't feel like spending weeks of spare time making it work.  Has anyone else had this issue?

[Hemmjo]

why not use the windows emulator on your iMAC?  I have not done it, but I have seen MACS run windows....