Sunday, March 18, 2012

Garmin Adds Four 16-inch Marine Devices

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Garmin announced earlier this week that it will be expanding its GPSMAP series to include four 16-inch models; the largest screen sizes yet. The new models include two sonar models: the GPSMAP 7416xsv and the GPSMAP 7616xsv as well as two non-sonar models: GPSMAP 7416 and GPSMAP 7616. All four models are expected to hit markets in the second quarter of this year.

These four new GPS devices will be pretty equitable to the other GPSMAP 7400 and 7600 series models, from what I can gather and will include full pinch-to-zoom touchscreens and full network capabilities that will allow users to add sensors, multiple screens, remote sonar modules, weather, radar, autopilot, thermal and IP camera visibility, digital switching and more for a fully customizable setup based on the users needs. read more

Garmin Announces BlueChart Mobile 2.0 App

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Garmin International Inc. announced yesterday the upcoming release of its new BlueChart Mobile 2.0 app for iPhone and iPad. This upgraded app will provide some new features for sailors and marine enthusiasts including streaming real-time weather alerts and access to Garmin’s ActiveCaptain community.

BlueChart Mobile 2.0 utilizes the same BlueChart g2 data available for Garmin chartplotters and allows users to plan and create routes, view shaded depth contours and inter-tidal zones, mark waypoints and more. The unique intuitive interface allows users to establish a destination and search for marine service points and find information on hours of operation, phone number and services available. read more

Garmin Introduces Large Format Marine GPS

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Garmin International has been working to expand its marine segment during the last few months, with several updates to existing products and new capabilities for various marine instrument displays. Last week, Garmin announced the upcoming release of two new large format marine displays, measured at 7 and 10 inches.

The GNX 120 and the GNX 130 are designed to be easy to set up, calibrate and use. Both devices feature a GNX Keyboard for remote use and are NMEA 2000 certified to seamlessly share sailing data with other NMEA 2000 certified devices, including other Garmin GPS devices. read more

Garmin Adds Features to GPSMAP and echoMap Lines

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This week, Garmin International has released a pretty massive update to several different chartplotter units in their marine sector including the full echoMAP line and several of the GPSMAP lines. The update is free and available for download now and includes some pretty nice features including Auto Guidance 2.0, the ability to import waypoints, advanced sailing and safety features, routes and tracks via GPX and more.

GPSMAP units that will qualify for the update include:

  • GPSMAP 8000
  • GPSMAP 7400
  • GPSMAP 7600
  • GPSMAP 8×0/10×0
  • GPSMAP 5×7/7×1

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New GPSMAP Series Announced

GPSMAP 7400 series

Garmin released a slew of press releases last Wednesday, announcing several new marine devices, including the new GPSMAP 7400 and 7600 series of multifunction displays (MFD). Available in a both sonar and non-sonar editions, these devices are designed to be top-of-the-line products with high performance and a range of features.

The GPSMAP 7400 and 7600 series has a pinch-to-zoom touchscreen display available in 7, 8, 10 and 12 inch full color displays. Other features include digital switching, weather, radar, thermal and IP camera visibility as well as 10 Hz GPS antenna, laylines, tidal information, enhanced wind rose, a current slider and various other boating-specific elements. All units will come with built-in wifi to easily interface with BlueChart Mobile and Garmin Helm mobile apps. read more

Garmin Announces New ecoMAP Series

new ecoMAP series
Garmin has finally released information on the next generation in the popular ecoMAP series for mariners of all types. The newest iteration of ecoMAP chartplotters will include scanning sonar capabilities without the need to purchase additional devices or mess with complicated hookups. The series will come in 4, 5, 7 and 9 inch color displays and is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2015. read more

Whale Alert App Updated

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So, I definitely missed the boat on this one (pun intended), but apparently last month NOAA updated their Whale Alert App. The app uses GPS, wireless internet and nautical chart information to help mariners see where the whales in their vicinity are in order to avoid them. Depending on where you sail, this app might be just as important for your navigation as an actual GPS unit, as hitting a whale not only harms these endangered creatures, but can also be dangerous for your boat and anyone on it. read more

Types of Marine GPS Units

Portable units like the GPS 620 Marine Navigator (above) are extremely versatile

Portable units like the GPS 620 Marine Navigator (above) are extremely versatile

 

When looking to purchase a GPS unit for your boating activities, it can be a little difficult to decide what kind of device is best for you. With a plethora of sizes, types and features—not to mention prices—it can quickly become overwhelming. So here is a basic overview of the different types of marine GPS units to get you started:

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SonarCharts Expands Compatibility to Multiple GPS Units

SonarCharts

Navionics has announced that it’s award-winning SonarCharts is now compatible with Garmin, Hummingbird, Lowrance, Raymarine, Simrad and B&G units. This cutting edge software empowers individual users to easily improve the accuracy of their charts by uploading sonar logs and downloading updated charts as necessary. Navionics then processes and integrates your data quickly, giving more detail on critical areas, as well as continuous changes in sea, lake and river bottoms. read more

Garmin GPSMAP 741xs review

Garmin GPSMAP 741xs review

Hands on review of the Garmin GPSMAP 741xs

The Garmin GPSMAP 741xs is an all new marine chartplotter from Garmin.  The GPSMAP 741xs has a 7″ diagonal color screen and an all new look.  In the past, Garmin has used silver bars at the top and bottom of the case.  These have been removed and replaced with an all black look that is similar to the ultra high end 8000 series.
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