Sunday, March 18, 2012

Is the Garmin Approach S4 a golf smartwatch?

Garmin Approach S4 golf GPS sportswatch

Garmin ventures into smartwatch territory with their new Approach S4 for golfers

Garmin has announced the Approach S4 golf sportswatch, adding a high-resolution touchscreen interface and the ability to receive notifications from a compatible paired iPhone (iPhone 4s and above running iOS7.0 and above) using Bluetooth Low Energy technology. Those notifications, which include the ability to display texts and emails, make for a very attractive feature and one that has Garmin treading into smartwatch territory. There’s no word yet on plans to bring this feature set to Android. read more

Garmin Forerunner 220 and 620 add color screens, new features

Garmin Forerunner 220 and 620Garmin has announced the Forerunner 220 and 620, adding color screens and a host of new features. At 1/2″ thick and around 1-1/2 ounces, the company calls them two of their thinnest, lightest sportwatches yet. Both watches feature Bluetooth Smart technology for live tracking (via your smartphone) and wireless upload to Garmin Connect or the Garmin Connect Mobile app.

read more

Garmin Oregon 650t review

Garmin Oregon 650t reviewHands on Garmin Oregon 650t review

The Garmin Oregon 650t is the company’s top-of-the-line handheld GPS receiver. Offering an 8 MP geotagging camera and preloaded 1:100,000 scale US topos, the 650t also offers all the other goodies found on the 600 series, including a bright capacitive touchscreen and extensive customization options.
read more

Garmin Edge Touring series focuses on navigation

Garmin Edge Touring and Edge Touring PlusUPDATE: Here’s our hands on review of the Edge Touring Plus.

Garmin has announced the Edge Touring and Edge Touring Plus, a series we first caught wind of a couple of months ago. Unlike other Edge models these are focused more on navigation than fitness. read more

Its official – Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite announced

Garmin VIRB action camera

UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the Garmin VIRB.

Just a few days ago, when a new Garmin product cleared the FCC, I speculated that it was an action camera.  It turns out I was right, as the company has made it official and announced the Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite. read more

Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite – GoPro competitors?

Garmin VIRB and VIRB Elite - GoPro competitors?

Is the Garmin VIRB series a GoPro competitor?

This past April we learned about Garmin trademarking the names Monterra and VIRB. The Monterra turned out to be real, and now the VIRB and VIRB Elite (pictured above) have cleared the FCC. read more

Garmin Oregon 600 review

Garmin Oregon 600 review

Hands on Garmin Oregon 600 review

The Garmin Oregon 600 brings the biggest update the Oregon series has seen, adding GLONASS capabilities as well as significant screen and interface improvements over the older Oregon 450. Since handheld GPS are such complex beasts and you could write an entire book on the Oregon 600’s functions, I’m going to focus my review on what’s new, starting with the hardware.
read more

Garmin Monterra Android-based outdoor GPS announced

Garmin-Monterra-Android-GPS

UPDATE: Read our hands on review of the Garmin Monterra.

It’s been a few months since we first heard the rumors, but today the Garmin Monterra has finally been announced. Boasting an Android operating system, the Monterra can utilize apps from the Google Play Store. It even has WiFi to allow for direct downloading of apps. read more

Load multiple maps to your Garmin without renaming them

Load multiple Garmin maps simultaneously without renaming them

I was a bit surprised this morning when I saw this comment

…these days if you choose multiple products to install on your device from Basecamp they are uploaded as separate img files anyway so you do get one per product.

read more

Garmin Oregon 650 review

Garmin Oregon 650 review

Hands on Garmin Oregon 650 review

This guest review was written by Andy Byers, creator of the Garmin Oregon 6xx wikiMontana wiki, and BaseCamp wiki.

On being an early adopter

I am an early adopter. Having owned many Garmin GPS receivers in the past, I find myself eager to experience the new features and functions included with each new hardware release. As many Garmin users are aware, this can mean months of buggy operation while software engineers continue to work out all the kinks in an effort to provide the functionality advertised for each unit. read more