Garmin Archives - Page 8 of 28

Garmin backcountry notes

April 1, 2009 By Rich Owings 5 Comments

Garmin-Oregon-multi-point

The folks at Garmin have been quite busy lately, hitting us with software and firmware releases, and even new Oregon models. Let’s start with software…

Garmin BaseCamp

This new mapping software, which we first mentioned when it was announced back in January, is now available for download (there is also a Beta version for Macs). Note this disclaimer from the download notes:

“BaseCamp will only recognize MapSource products that contain digital elevation model (DEM) data. Some examples of products that contain elevation data are Topo U.S. 24K, Topo U.S. 24K National Parks (version 3), Topo U.S. 100K (version 4 and later), Topo U.S. 2008, Topo Australia, Topo Canada (version 4), Topo Deutschland, Topo Great Britain, and Topo products produced by many Garmin distributors.”

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, Handheld/Sport, Hardware, Software

Garmin nuvi 885T review

March 24, 2009 By Rich Owings 30 Comments

Garmin-nuvi-885T-review

UPDATE: MSN Direct is ceasing operations on January 1, 2012.
UPDATE 2: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.

The Garmin nüvi 885T is Garmin’s top of the line voice command navigator. Updating the nuvi 880, the 885T adds junction view, lane assist and a speed limit indicator. It is also compatible with the third generation of MSN Direct services, including doppler radar and flight status.

Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, GPS Reviews, Hardware Tagged With: Garmin nuvi 885T

Garmin Oregon 500 series

March 16, 2009 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

Question mark small

REI has inadvertently leaked information on a forthcoming update to the Garmin Oregon handheld lineup — the Oregon 500 series. It's unclear whether these will be the 500 and 500t or the 550 and 550t, but it does appear that they will include a built-in camera like the Magellan Triton series. We're assuming this will give you the ability to take geotagged photos. This could help explain the $50 rebate (PDF) on the current Oregon series, which expires May 10.

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, Handheld/Sport, Hardware Tagged With: Oregon

Pedestrian-friendly Garmin nuvi 1200 and 1300 series

March 3, 2009 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

UPDATE: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 1200 review. I’ve also posted pages for the Garmin nuvi 1250, nuvi 1260T, nuvi 1300, nuvi 1350, nuvi 1350T, nuvi 1370T and nuvi 1390T.

Garmin has announced eight (!) new nuvi models that come with urban pedestrian navigation enhancements. Significantly thinner than previous models, “the nüvi 1200 and 1300 series are the first nüvi devices to offer pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer™ maps. CityXplorer maps are available for select tourist destinations in
both North America and Europe, and can easily be downloaded directly to the nüvi.”
read more

Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, Hardware

Garmin BaseCamp for handheld GPS

January 14, 2009 By Rich Owings 5 Comments

Garmin has announced a new desktop application — BaseCamp — designed for backcountry GPS enthusiasts. It basically does the same thing MapSource does, adding 3D rendering, photo geotagging, and the ability to rotate to non-north up viewpoints. It will also bring improved printing capabilities, geocaching information display and data management functionality.

Filed Under: Garmin, Handheld/Sport, Maps

Garmin eTrex Legend H and Vista H

January 14, 2009 By Rich Owings 7 Comments

ETrex Legend H

UPDATE: The Garmin eTrex Vista H now has its own page on GPS Tracklog.

Garmin has responded to the state of the economy with two new entry-level handheld GPS units, the eTrex Legend H (pictured at left) and eTrex Vista H. These are monochome units, with internal memory only (no micro-SD slot). The Vista H will include a barometric altimeter and electronic compass. MSRP is $149.99 and $199.99.

Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin handheld GPS, Handheld/Sport, Hardware

Garmin news and image gallery from CES

January 11, 2009 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

Garmin is pretty tight-lipped about future plans and, as expected, I wasn't able to pry a lot out of them at CES. I did find out that the new third-generation MSN Direct services will be available on nuvi 2×5, 7×5 and 8×5 models (when equipped with an MSN receiver, of course). And it does sound like the nuvifone rollout will be at the GSMA Mobile World Congress next month.

Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS

Garmin ecoRoute

January 7, 2009 By Rich Owings 4 Comments

Garmin ecoroute

UPDATE: TWICE is reporting that ecoRoute works with 2xx and 7xx series nuvis.

Another Garmin announcement today is ecoRoute, a software update for some nuvi units that adds a "less fuel" route option. Additionally, ecoRoute includes a Fuel Report that tracks fuel usage over time, and a Mileage Report that monitors mileage and fuel usage on a per-trip basis.

You can see if your nüvi is compatible with ecoRoute through a free, downloadable software update at www.garmin.com/ecoroute.

Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, Software

GPS predictions for 2009

December 30, 2008 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: These are predictions and nothing more, so keep your sense of humor and please don’t sue me.

Auto GPS predictions

A nuvi 8×5 series will bring lane assist and voice recognition together in one unit
Garmin discontinues the nuvi 200 series; all Garmin nuvi models will now have text-to-speech
Crowdsourced HD traffic comes to the US with the stateside introduction of the TomTom GO LIVE series
TomTom releases a GPS receiver that utilizes alternative positioning information for improved accuracy in urban canyons
More manufacturers display multiple route options visually, ala Dash and Insignia
Navigon folds, caught between Nextar on the low end and MiTAC’s aggressive promotion of the Magellan line
Red light camera alerts will move closer to the mainstream
More downward feature creep — expect to see Lane Assist on some mid-range Garmins, more units with lifetime traffic, larger screens, etc.
Garmin announces a desktop application (possibly a
revamped MapSource) that allows planning routes with POIs and
transferring them to Garmin units with current City Navigator maps; it
will be set up to allow users to opt into sharing anonymized tracklogs
ala TomTom HOME
Said application will support wireless transfer of data via ANT or Bluetooth

Filed Under: Dash, Garmin, Hardware, Magellan, Mio, Navigon, The business of GPS, TomTom Tagged With: GPS predictions

Bluetooth that works!

December 9, 2008 By Rich Owings 5 Comments

A couple of months ago, I wrote a post asking does Bluetooth suck? That's pretty much been my experience, at least when I'm the person on the receiving end of the call from a GPS. But my opinion of Bluetooth has changed some since I wrote that.