For the Sony GPS-CS1 (and GPS-CS1KA) only, you can get around the lack of Mac compatibility by using what's called a USB On The Go (OTG) bridge (sometimes called a link bridge or a storage bridge). This is a stand-alone device that allows two USB storage devices to transfer files directly, without needing a computer in between. For GPS logger, this will work only with the Sony because it is the only one of the devices that I know of that acts as a regular USB storage device. (Other GPS loggers provide only a serial-over-USB interface to access their data.) So the scenario is you attach the Sony to one side of the bridge, and a USB memory key or other Mac-compatible storage device to the other. Move the files from the Sony to the other storage, and then e.g. remove the USB memory key and use the USB memory with your Mac as you would normally.
The info about the bridge is from Ben Ng, he reports the Acrox OTG Storage Bridge (model OG4) worked, it appears to be the same as the Sharkoon USB Link Bridge (which was circa 2004, model LXZS01 I think).
In general OTG seems to be a 2004-2005 technology without many new devices since then. The Sima Hitch is one more recent entry into the field, see Communications from Elsewhere for more info.
These devices are often positioned as ways to download or backup images from a digital camera. If possible you should test the bridge for Sony compatibility beforehand. In general most of the compatibility issues I have seen reported are for bridging much larger storage devices (which brings all the usual partition size and NTFS issues). Also the devices usually transfer at slow USB speeds (12Mbps). The Sony only has a small amount of storage (32MB), with small files, so as long as you're copying it to a normal USB key (e.g. a thumb drive with a few gigs of storage) any compatibility and speed problems should be minimized.
Note: I have not tested this solution myself yet.
If you find other bridges that are compatible, please let me know.
Here are some starting points from Amazon.com, keeping in mind the above issues:
Hi thanks for the review, researching this subject is a minefield but the advise and comments here have made me plumb for one of these as i am now using a mac(about 2 months) i have ordered it from semsons in california.
hope you dont mnd but i have placed a link to a utube video that may be of interest to some refering to the tagging of photos using a sony logger but may be of use to others who know anything about the subject . i will let you know how long the item tok to come
all the best and thanks for the good info on your site.
Brian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dTdXuo3gTI
Posted by: Brian | February 16, 2009 at 04:04 PM