How do you get to Oshkosh? With a Garmin.

We've been talking about our Oshkosh announcements all week, but when it comes down to it, we know that one of the main reasons people attend air shows is to see the unique planes and watch pilots perform incredible aerobatic maneuvers. From the giant Airbus A380 to the Virgin Galactic WhiteKnightTwo, there were amazing things to see around every corner. Here are pictures of a few of the planes that caught our attention. And just in case you're curious, just about every one of these pilots used a Garmin portable or panel mount GPS to fly to the show.

And this is your last reminder to send us your favorite aviation-related photo for a chance to win some cool Garmin gear. See all the details here.
 

 

Peg’s Posts: Changing wristbands on the Forerunner 405CX

Runners’ wrists come in all sizes. There are the teeny ones belonging to some of my speedy running friends and there are the beefy ones belonging to powerhouse runners and triathletes. And there’s everything in between. To fit your wrist to a T, the new Forerunner 405CX comes with multiple band options, including the standard vinyl wristband and adjustable fabric straps in two lengths. The 405CX model differs from the 405 in that it offers heart rate-based calorie calculations. If you already have a Forerunner 405 and you like the idea of size options, check out the wrist strap accessory kit, which includes the adjustable straps. For help in changing out the band on either the 405 or 405CX, take a look at this video where a Garmin engineer and Jake step you through the process. It takes a bit of a steady hand to work in those pins, so don’t try to tackle the task after a double espresso. Oh, and beware of shag carpets. If one of those pins takes a flying leap, you’ll still be combing the carpet when you running partner shows up for your next workout. For more short training videos with Jake and the Forerunner 405, check out our Learning Center.

G3X has countless possibilities for LSA and Kitbuilders

Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) owners and Kitbuilders were almost speechless at Oshkosh when they saw the G3X and all of its capabilities. The G3X has all the features they've always wanted in a true glass cockpit, and since it has a building-block design they can grow the system as their aircraft needs change.

The easy-to-install G3X suite is built around Garmin’s GDU 370/375 series panel-mount multifunction display (MFD) unit with built-in GPS and big 7-inch high-definition WVGA screen. When interfaced with a remote GSU 73 sensor unit, the G3X can also provide full primary flight display (PFD) attitude/directional guidance, along with electronic engine gauges and other system enhancements.

To learn more, check out this amazing G3X mini-site that walks through its features and capabilities.

Jake's Journal du jour: Merci beaucoup, nüvi and cityXplorer!

Look at any map of Paris, and it's easy to see why the glossy eyes of visitors bounce rapidly from the amazing landmarks to the cryptic pages of their guidebooks. With angled streets, six-way intersections, spacious boulevards, streets that change names without warning - and a river running through the heart of it all - this breathtaking city that attracts so many visitors sure doesn't make it easy on any of them. Until now.

The last time I was in Paris was for a weekend 10 years ago while studying abroad. I remember carrying two paper maps, cross-referencing them while dodging scooters and trying to take in the sights the whole time. For this trip, though, all I needed was nüvi 1370T and cityXplorer for Paris. Recently announced as a low-cost way to provide enhanced pedestrian mode, cityXplorer was perfect for this trip. If you're not familiar with cityXplorer, it's a download that offers a city's most valuable information - turn-by-turn directions, preloaded points of interest, mass transit schedules and locations - all for less than $20 for compatible nüvis. And if your nüvi doesn't have European maps, you can get coverage for select cities for much less than the cost of regional mapping. My wife and I still did a little homework before we left - using library books and travel sites to find can't-miss eateries, then finding them on nüvi or using the send-to function from Google Maps. It all paid off once we landed in Paris. By tapping "Where to" and "Favorites" on nüvi, we were able to see which of our saved hot spots were closest at any given time, set up efficient routes around town and get around without any frustration. As cityXplorer calculates the best routes based on mass transit and pedestrian options, our choices always included times, distances and directions for the fastest route, the route with least walking and a route with all walking. In order to justify the many visits to the patisseries, cremeries, boulangeries and chocolateries, we usually walked. If we saw on nüvi's map that another hot spot was nearby - which was often the case - we could veer off course, navigate to a new destination, recalculate our original route and be back on track without getting flustered. Because even though paper maps may have all of the landmarks and museums, there's no "You are here" marker following you around. And because nüvi is small enough to fit in your purse or pocket - even the widescreen 1370T fits easily in jeans - you don't have to bury your nose in a guidebook. So there's no "You are a tourist" marker following you around.

See the newly certified G500 at Oshkosh

We received great news from the FAA today. The G500 is now certified! The FAA’s AML STC approval allows the G500 to be installed in nearly 600 different makes and models of normal and utility category Part 23 Class I and Class II aircraft, which are defined as single and twin-engine piston and turbine engine aircraft under 6,000 pounds.  You can see the G500 this week by visiting our booth in Hangar D at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

And, if you decide to add the SVT option to the G500, you'll be flying with our synthetic vision that gives a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles and traffic on the PFD so that the avionics panel replicates what pilots would see outside the cockpit on a clear day. Watch this video to see the increased situational awareness the G500 with SVT brings to the cockpit. 

Win a plane with Garmin's G500 at Oshkosh

I don't think I've ever been to a trade show that didn't have some type of raffle where you drop your name in a hat and hope you win something cool. The unique thing about Oshkosh is they give away an airplane. Now that's what I consider a cool raffle prize!  EAA unveiled its 2010 Sweepstakes plane at Oshkosh, and Garmin avionics are the centerpiece of the panel. The sweepstakes airplane, an Aviat Husky A-1C, will travel the US from now until July of 2010 in order to promote aviation education programs. It will then be raffled off to one lucky winner. Garmin donated a G500 with SVT, a GNS 430W, and transponder, so whoever wins this airplane will have the latest and greatest avionics at their fingertips. 

Don't forget. We're still on the look-out for some great aviation photos and want to see your best aviation-related picture from Oshkosh or from a recent flying adventure. Your best picture may help you win some cool Garmin gear. See all the details here.

Pilot My-Cast aviation WX and flight filing app for iPhone, BlackBerry and more

One of the extremely popular areas in the Garmin Oshkosh booth is the Pilot My-Cast by Garmin area. Pilots who have used this cell phone app know that it's one of the most convenient, intuitive and affordable aviation apps around. In a nutshell, Pilot My-Cast by Garmin gives you a complete aviation weather briefing, lets you look at airport diagrams and the AOPA directory, and file a flight plan directly from your phone. You can check this information anytime, anywhere -- while sitting in a board room or while walking around the world's largest air show. And by the time you reach your airplane, you will have made an educated go/no-go decision and have filed a flight plan. Pilot My-Cast's information comes directly from the National Weather Service, Environment Canada and FAA, so you can be confident that your decision is based upon the most up-to-date and accurate information available.

During Oshkosh, numerous people stop by the booth for a demonstration. After they see its benefits and realize it's extremely easy to use, they often download the app on the spot because they want to be able to use it to check the weather before flying home from Oshkosh. 

To hear more about Pilot My-Cast by Garmin, you can listen to this AvWeb podcast or watch this AOPA Pilot video from Oshkosh.

The iPhone version of the Pilot My-Cast by Garmin app will be available this Fall. If you'd like to be notified when it's available, email marketing@digitalcyclone.com.

Optimum 3 - Garmin yacht racing team takes 1st in Greece

The annual Aegean Rally brings in some of the top racing boats, finest yachts and best-trained crews of the Eastern Mediterranean to compete in the oldest and most prestigious sailing event in Greece. And this year, the Garmin-sponsored Optimum 3 team took home the victory, winning 1st place overall and 1st in class in the IRC division of the 46th Aegean Rally. With several podium finishes throughout the 10-day event, the 15-member team blogged their adventures along side the nearly 50 yachts competing for this year's title. Click here to read about their day-to-day conditions, hardships and successes, view pictures from the race and keep up with the team. Congratulations to entire the Optimum 3 - Garmin team!

 

Garmin navigates Oshkosh traffic with GTS traffic series

Traffic; Eleven o’clock; High; Less than one mile. This is the type of warning that Garmin's new traffic systems will provide, and it's exactly what pilots need when they're flying through busy airspace. Our new traffic systems --  GTS 800, GTS 820 and GTS 850 -- are unique for many reasons, but one of the most distinctive features is CLEAR CAS, a patent-pending technology that provides real-time information that is totally independent of radar-based air traffic control.

There are three distinct system configurations for the GTS series, and each model creates a 360-degree zone of detection around the aircraft so that pilots can see and identify targets in their airspace that may pose a collision hazard. The GTS 800 TAS is a lower-cost system offering 40 watts of transmit power and a range of up to 12 nautical miles. The GTS 820 TAS delivers 250 watts of transmit power and up to 40 nautical miles of interrogation range. The GTS 850 TCAS I features the same 250 watt performance as the GTS 820, and also meets the FAA’s TCAS I certification criteria. The GTS 820 and GTS 850 are installed in conjunction with a Garmin Mode S transponder

Another great feature of the GTS systems are the price. Starting at $9,995, the GTS series are affordable and within the reach of most general aviation pilots and their budgets.

To learn more, check out this video.

Garmin SVT and GAD 43 Now Standard on the G600

Yesterday we told you a little about the G600's little brother, the G500. Today, we're moving back up the food chain to the G600 and its new features. The G600 has been on the market for over one-year and it has quickly become a favorite with pilots. However, everyone that bought a G600 kept asking us when we'd certify synthetic vision on it. You asked for it, so we did. Garmin's SVT now comes standard on the G600, and it's an optional upgrade to the G500. If you already own a G600 and are disappointed you didn't get SVT at the time of your purchase, don't worry, we have you covered. Between now and December 31, 2009, existing G600 customers can upgrade to SVT at no charge from Garmin (dealer installation costs may apply). 

Another great new standard feature for the G600 is the GAD 43, an autopilot interface designed specifically for the G600 and G500.  The GAD 43 allows the AHRS to provide attitude information to the autopilot in place of a gyro-mechanical ADI or VG. The G600 provides course deviation, vertical deviation, heading bug, course pointer and ARINC 429 GPS roll steering information to the autopilot. In addition, if the autopilot does not support ARINC 429 roll steering, the G600 can act like a roll steering converter via the heading input. The GAD 43 can emulate the many existing gyro interfaces and uses far more reliable AHRS data to provide the required attitude, heading, yaw input and baro correction information to the autopilot. Once you boil this aviation-speak down, it means that your autopilot will operate more precisely and most owners will be able to replace the costly ADI with a more affordable attitude indicator as the required backup instrumentation. Just like with SVT, if you're an existing G600 owner, you have the exclusive option of purchasing the GAD 43 for $1,495 between now and December 31.

One last G600 tidbit in case you  missed it -- Piper Aircraft selected the G600 for the Seminole, Seneca, Warrior and Archer. Read about it here.

To learn more about the G600 or SVT. Check out our mini site or watch this video.

Jake's Journal du jour: Team Garmin toasts triumphant tour in Paris

To see their smiles, you'd never guess they'd just covered 2,175 miles (3,500 kilometers) in just over three weeks. With only two rest days during their trek across France (and a handful of other countries), Team Garmin and the rest of the elite pros in the peloton averaged more than 100 miles on each of their days in the saddle from Monaco to Paris. And when all was said and done, the argyle armada put two cyclists in the top eight - Bradley Wiggins, the revelation of the race, finishing fourth; and Christian Vande Velde, a model of consistency in eighth place overall after finishing fourth last year and suffering five fractured vertebrae just weeks ago.

But the aches, breaks and bruises were nowhere to be found among the argyle armada just moments after delivering American sprinting sensation Tyler Farrar to yet another top-three finish along the famous Champs-Elysees. In doing so, Team Garmin completed the grueling race with all nine riders (an impressive feat in itself) and wrapped up second place in the overall team standings. So it's no surprise that laughs, hugs, pizza and cold drinks replaced the typical post-race recovery of massage, hydration bottles and Allen Lim's rice cakes and stir-fry. David Millar - who I'd last seen in person the day he wowed hundreds of thousands of fans along the roads to Barcelona with his solo attack - was beaming as he signed autographs and took pictures with every fan who asked. Julian Dean, the leadout man who helped Tyler reach the finish line in proper position, embraced team founder Jonathan Vaughters after another successful July. Ryder Hesjedal, the lone Canadian in the peloton, showed off his new aerodynamic racing stripes shaved in his head. Dave Zabriskie, Danny Pate and Martijn Maaskant were greeted by the best fans in cycling, all of which know that every man on the team - and every person on the Garmin-Slipstream staff - played a pivotal role in putting Wiggo and Christian in the top eight. The evening ended with the ceremonial procession down the Champs, the cyclists literally riding off into the sunset, reminding us of the amazing accomplishment we all just enjoyed and the amazing opportunities still to come for Team Garmin.

For more behind-the-scenes access and race coverage, visit the Team Garmin site, our Flickr photo gallery, Garmin's YouTube channel, acclaimed filmmaker Nigel Dick's behind-the-scenes videos and the Garmin and Slipstream blogs.

Chicago Store: Watch for Garmin at the Rock 'n' Roll Half

Whether you're there to run or to watch and cheer on those pounding the pavement, stop by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon Expo at McCormick Place this weekend and visit the Garmin booth to see the latest in GPS-enabled fitness watches. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate the multisport Forerunner 310XT and the popular Forerunner 405 and 405CX from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday, July 31 and from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 1. 

With any fitness watch purchase at the Expo, receive an exclusive Garmin goody bag with a 20% discount card valid on fitness accessories at the Garmin Chicago Store. Accessories include heart rate monitors, Garmin hats, the speed/cadence sensor, and more!

The Garmin Store is only a short distance from McCormick Place, so stop by and see the latest in all Garmin products and visit the GPS Academy to learn more about the products you're most interested in. GPS Academy runs every Wednesday and Saturday with varying topics to help answer all of your questions and find the device that's right for you. Saturday’s focus is all about fitness products and our product experts will lead two one-hour sessions that are open to the public, beginning at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. We hope to see you there!  

Garmin's G500 takes Oshkosh by storm

The G500 is our newest PFD/MFD combination and it has Oshkosh buzzing. Everyone is amazed at its capability and its low price of only $15,995. If you haven't heard about the G500 yet, you need to stop by the Garmin booth (Hangar D) or at a minimum visit the G500 mini site to learn more. The G500 is a PFD/MFD combination that lets you replace your aircraft's steam gauges with all glass. It's designed specifically for Part 23 Class I and II aircraft (single and twins under 6,000 lbs).

The MFD provides pilots with a clear, concise picture of where they are relative to terrain and airspace, as well as weather and traffic with optional equipment. And of course, it includes some of our latest and greatest technology like SafeTaxi's detailed diagrams of over 900 airports so you can navigate unfamiliar taxiways with ease. Garmin FliteCharts is also available and it allows you to quickly find and view all NACO DP's, STARs, approach charts, and airport diagrams on the MFD.

Plus, the really cool part is that the G500 has the capability to have a scaled version of Garmin's SVT or GAD 43. SVT shows a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles and traffic on the PFD so that the avionics panel replicates what pilots would see outside the cockpit on a clear day. The GAD 43 is something we'll talk about in future posts, but it's an autopilot interface adapter that lets you have the same ultra-reliable digital AHRS data driving the G500 display to serve as your autopilot’s primary attitude reference. This typically eliminates the need to retain a gyro-mechanical ADI as your autopilot reference for the G500 glass cockpit.

Oshkosh - Free firmware updates and seminars at Garmin's booth

First time Oshkosh attendees aren't always aware of everything that we do at the Garmin booth (Hangar D). At most trade show booths, you can see new products, get live demonstrations of current and new products from product experts, and ask questions about how to perform specific tasks on a product you already own. However, the Garmin booth offers a few other things that go beyond a normal trade show booth.

First, we offer free software updates to your Garmin aviation handheld. Bring your portable product to us and we'll update its firmware on the spot. This process only takes a few minutes. If you're not at Oshkosh, you can go to flyGarmin.com and get the exact same free firmware update we're offering here.

Second, we do about eight free seminars a day. They cover a wide range of topics and there's sure to be one that will interest you. Some of the topics this year are the G500, G600, GPSMAP 696, and an overview of all of our new show announcements. You don't need to register for the seminars, but the schedule and topics vary each day, so stop by the Garmin tent and check out the schedule.

And while you're walking around the show, don't forget to have your camera handy so you can send us your best aviation photo. Your best picture may help you win some cool Garmin gear. See all the details here.

Garmin's Oshkosh News - G500, G3X, G600 with SVT, GTS traffic system and more!

  We decided to kick off the opening day of  EAA AirVenture Oshkosh with more than half-a-dozen new product announcements – everything from cell phone based products to new products for experimental and certified aircraft to industry leading traffic systems.  Here’s a quick overview, and we’ll have lots of posts throughout the week to explain each of these in more detail. 

    * GTS 800 series traffic systems: The GTS 800, GTS 820 and GTS 850 are fully TSO certified TAS and TCAS I systems. The GTS series combines active and passive surveillance data to pinpoint specific traffic threats. They use Garmin CLEAR CAS technology and correlates ADS-B and radar targets for most accurate picture of the sky.

    * G500: The G500 is a new PFD/MFD for Part 23 Class I and II aircraft. It is similar to the G600 but it is only for Class I and II (not III). It is $15,995. SVT and GAD 43 (keep reading to discover what the GAD 43 is!) are options for the G500.

    * “Enhanced” G600 with SVT and GAD 43: SVT and GAD 43 autopilot interface are now standard equipment on G600. The new G600 will continue to be priced at $29,995.  Current G600 customers will receive a SVT upgrade, and a greatly reduced price on the GAD 43. The G600 is a PFD/MFD for Part 23 Class I, II and III aircraft

    * GAD 43: The GAD 43 is a new adapter unit that offers enhanced autopilot interface capabilities for the G500 and G600 flight display systems, allowing attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) to provide attitude information to selected autopilots in place of a costly-to-maintain attitude direction indicator (ADI) or remote vertical gyro (VG). The GAD 43 lets aircraft owners remove the existing ADI or attitude gyro, such as the familiar KI-256, and replace it on the panel with a smaller and more affordable attitude indicator as the backup instrumentation.

    * G3X: The G3X is a new non-TSO’d glass cockpit for retrofit installation in LSA and experimental/kitbuilt. It features customizable EFIS with 1-3 all-glass displays, magnetometer, ADAHRS, engine monitoring and temp probe. It has a starting price of $9,995.

    * Pilot My-Cast by Garmin iPhone app: Pilot My-Cast by Garmin’s aviation weather and flight filing will be available this Fall on the iPhone. In addition, Pilot My-Cast by Garmin has expanded its content for BlackBerry and Windows Mobile to include airport diagrams, STARs, SIDs, etc.The new BlackBerry and Windows Mobile info is available now, and is expected to be added to the iPhone in the future.

    * 100,000th GNS delivery: Garmin is celebrating the delivery of over 100,000 GNS 400/500 series products. Approximately half of all U.S. single and twin-engine piston and turbine aircraft have a GNS 400/500 series product installed.

 

Jenna is third American finisher at Hamburg World Championships

Garmin-sponsored triathlete Jenna Shoemaker shares her training and racing experiences with the Garmin Edge 705 and Forerunner 405.

Wow, that was an incredible adventure Saturday! The weather was cool and since the water was "borderline," they called it a wetsuit-legal swim. My start number was 37, so I didn't have the best selection of start position, but managed to link myself up next to one of the Australians who I know is a great swimmer. We exchanged some words and agreed we'd do everything we could to work together to get away from the chaos. I wasn't sure how I was doing when we hit the first turn buoy and had a few people grabbing at me, but I put my head down and pressed onward as hard as I could. It wasn't until I was about to get out at the end of the first lap that I realized I was at the front of the race, at the tail end of the front pack. I dove back in and tried everything I could to stay in the group, but I was at my limit and lost about 10 seconds over the course of the next 500 meters. I knew I was still in a good spot though, so I focused on what would come next, a very wet and wild bike ride.

Garmin Oshkosh News - The calm before the crowds

It’s the opening day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh! For the aviation community, this air show is like a combination of Christmas, Thanksgiving, the first day of summer and opening day for your favorite major league team. Oshkosh is the world's largest air show and with it comes lots of new product announcements, great show specials and discounts, memorable show food from the land of Wisconsin (think cheese curds), seminars from experts, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Plus, the absolute best part of the Oshkosh is that pilots get to spend time with other pilots. Whether they're camping under the wing of their plane or staying at a local hotel, hangar talk abounds.

The show hasn't opened yet, so it's still calm. But, we have lots of announcements this year, so check back to our site at 9 AM CT for our news. Also, don't forget about sending us your best aviation picture to win some Garmin gear. Pictures have already started coming in, so get yours in soon!

Stage 21 - Tour de France

Recap of Stage 21 of the 2009 Tour de France. The final stage on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France.

Stage 20 - Tour de France

Recap of Stage 20 of the 2009 Tour de France.

Jake's Journal du jour: Wiggo claws way up Ventoux, secures fourth overall

Bradley Wiggins has been called many things this month. Wiggo. Twiggo. A surprise. A comic. A fluke. (Though that last one didn't last beyond the first week.) But the unexpected leader of Garmin-Slipstream's efforts in France secured a legacy on the way up Ventoux: As an inspirational model of resilience.

From the prologue in Monaco - where Wiggins thrilled the crowd and surprised the experts by grabbing a spot on the podium - to today's epic climb, Wiggins has shown he can shine in the spotlight and live up to the pressure. No stranger to success on the track (with multiple medals to show for it), Wiggo was just recently making a name for himself in mountainous stage races. And now he's given us reason to celebrate tomorrow in Paris.

In Thursday's pivotal time trial, Wiggins flew through the checkpoints, setting new times to beat along the way until merciless cramps marred the final 5K. Wiggo, who has turned heads throughout July, fought to the finish and placed sixth on the day - one spot behind teammate David Millar. With the gutsy effort, Wiggins was able to gain time on key rivals in the overall standings to go into the penultimate stage just seconds off the podium. Then today on Ventoux, a legendary mountain that makes champions and breaks contenders, Wiggins was in the right place at the right time. Helped to the front by his Garmin teammates and protected by Millar and Christian Vande Velde until the closing meters, Wiggo stayed strong every time a pundit claimed he had been dropped. And even when the leaders managed to pull away at the top, Bradley used every ounce of energy to keep his grip on fourth place overall by 3 seconds. For a man said to be still learning the nuances of road racing, Bradley Wiggins has proven emphatically that he's on the right track.

Stage 19 - Tour de France

Recap of Stage 19 of the 2009 Tour de France.

Get a nüvifone on Monday

Great news! In case you haven't heard, the nüvifone G60 will be available for purchase in Taiwan on Monday, July 27, and and in Singapore and Malaysia by the end of August. To learn more about it, check out our press release here.

 

Stage 18 - Tour de France

Recap of Stage 18 of the 2009 Tour de France.

Stage 17 - Tour de France

Recap of Stage 17 of the 2009 Tour de France.

Victor's Vectors: Send Us Your Best Aviation Photo!

I’m not sure if it is the unusually crisp July air or the fact that EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is next week, but there is defiantly electricity in the air here at Garmin.  Excitement always builds right before the biggest air show of the year, Oshkosh.  In fact, in honor of this celebration of aviation, we decided to put together a little competition for all you dedicated blog readers.  Grab your camera and use your eagle eye to snap some shots at Oshkosh. If you can't make it to the show, take a picture of your favorite aviation-related topic.  Then, send in your favorite picture to us at garminblogs@garmin.com for a chance at some cool Garmin swag and to have your picture featured on Garmin’s blog.  Pictures of anything aviation-related are fair game for this contest.  You don’t have to be at the air show to win, but Oshkosh related or Garmin aviation related pictures get extra points with our blog judges. The top three pictures submitted will get a prize, but only the winner will get their picture up on the website.  The competition is on.

Good luck to all the participates and maybe you’ll see me at the show.  I’ll be the one with the camera!

Pictures need to be submitted by August 3, 2009.

Jenna readies for Hamburg World Championships

Garmin-sponsored triathlete Jenna Shoemaker shares her training and racing experiences with the Garmin Edge 705 and Forerunner 405.

Race time is upon me again (finally)!! With my crash in Washington, D.C. in June, it has now been over two months since my last full triathlon. So it comes as no surprise that I am itching and ready to race again! Training has been going really well and I am feeling fitter and faster than ever. Tomorrow, I head north to Germany for the Hamburg World Championships Series race. It is the fourth race in the series and a race that I have heard great things about but have yet to compete in. In past years, spectator attendance has been enormous, as the city really gets behind the event, so it should be a great atmosphere to race in.

The women's race starts at 15:30 (CET) on Saturday. You can follow the women's race LIVE, starting at 15:30 on Saturday July 25, either online at www.triathlon.org or on TV in most of Europe (check your local listings). This will be the first in a series of races for me. After this, I will compete in the London Triathlon on Aug. 2 and then the London World Championship Series event on Aug. 15 before heading back to the USA for two more races before the end of August.

Stage 16 - Tour de France

Recap of Stage 16 of the 2009 Tour de France.

Oregon, Dakota and Foretrex share spotlight at Outdoor Retailer

From the do-it-all Oregon 550t to the budget-minded Dakota to the high-sensitivity, low-hassle Foretrex, Garmin's Outdoor Retailer lineup has something for everyone. If you're in Salt Lake City this week, you can see for yourself at Booth 20043. Let's start with the versatile Oregon family, featuring the newly announced 550 and 550t models with built-in 3.2 megapixel digital camera. Perfect for hikers, hunters, fisherman and photographers - or active families who simply want a scenic scrapbook - Oregon 550t combines several functions - and adds preloaded U.S. topo maps - to a rugged waterproof device that will chronicle your adventures and get you home safely. Then there's Dakota 10 and Dakota 20, ideal solutions for parents, kids and geocachers who want an intuitive touchscreen in an easy-to-afford GPS.

But what if you need your hands free while you're hiking? Enter the Foretrex 401 and 301, which each feature a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, comfortable wristband and long battery life. Foretrex 401 adds an electronic compass, barometric altimeter and wireless connectivity to compatible Garmin devices - all while safely secured on your wrist. Speaking of GPS navigation that can be worn on your wrist, the Forerunner family offers a variety of fitness options. The multisport Forerunner 310XT with up to 20 hours of battery life is getting a warm welcome at triathlons, trail runs and endurance events around the globe. For calorie counters and heart-rate trainers, it's hard to beat the Forerunner 405CX. And though we know that this is Outdoor Retailer, we realize that many people also train indoors, so we're excited about the FR60 as a wireless hub for all of your indoor/outdoor training data. So as you can see, we have a lot to talk about. Stop by Booth 20043, get your hands on Garmin's latest and greatest, and you might even get an Oregon geocoin if Jake's around. See you there!

Jake's Journal du jour: No such thing as a rest day

Technically, it's a day off for Team Garmin and the fans and media tracking their progress toward Paris. In reality, it's just as hectic of a day as any other. Judging by team physiologist Allen Lim's always insightful Twitter feed, the team was busy scouting out future stages. And when they weren't doing rides or recon, cyclists were kept busy with journalists seeking insight into what will be a dramatic final week. And Bradley Wiggins, Team Garmin's top contender in third overall, has had his hands full talking to the press about his impressive ascension in the peloton and his strong showing Sunday.

But occasionally during my first week with the team, there were a few moments of free time - or at least a chance to look around and appreciate the scenery. In Monaco, I went for a morning run along the Mediterranean and lost myself in the sun-soaked shoreline. (OK, I didn't really lose myself - Forerunner 310XT clicked off the miles and guided me back - but you get the picture.) After Stage 2, we stayed in a 13th century convent. Stage 3 began in Marseille in the shadows of a ferris wheel. Stage 4's team time trial kicked off amid the art and architecture of Montpellier's Place de la Comedie. The final meters of Stage 5 were contested along arched bridges of Perpignan. In Girona, the European home of Garmin-Slipstream, I enjoyed a scenic run through old town with Versus commentator Robbie Ventura and finished off the morning miles atop the stone wall that encircles (and towers over) ancient buildings and places of worship. There's something magical about striding around a city 50 feet above its streets on a two-foot-wide path. From Girona, we followed David Millar's inspirational Stage 6 breakaway to Barcelona and reminders of the 1992 summer games. And with less than a week left before the peloton reaches Paris, there's still time to enjoy the sights and sounds of this epic race.  

Peg’s Posts: Run away from home.

Ever get an urge to run away from home? I mean literally pack up your prized possessions, head off into the sunset, sleep in a bed not your own and then arise the next morning ready to run? I do it all the time. In fact, I think such longings are quite healthy and can keep your running routine from getting stale. My “run away from home” this past weekend was at Creve Coeur Lake outside of St. Louis. We were on a short family trip with a main goal of seeing a few attractions while getting away from work/home distractions. Within minutes of checking into our hotel on Friday, I browsed the map on nuvifone for a nearby park and found Creve Coeur Lake — about 3 miles from where we were staying. Then I pulled up our Garmin Connect site, hit the explore tab and searched for activities by keyword “Creve Coeur”. Found several listings and within seconds of exploring the posted data, I knew that there was a 4-mile loop around the lake that was fairly flat … and that it was frequented by many Forerunner fans.

After an afternoon and evening of standing in long lines and doing a little sightseeing in St. Louie, I was eager for my run Saturday morning. nuvifone got me there just as the lake was starting to come alive. Rowers were shaking off the morning chill, slicing through the lifting fog. Fishermen and women and children settled in for a solitary morning. Cyclists of all ages and on all sorts of bikes whirred along the mixed-use trail. Only saw a few runners and walkers at the outset of my run, but as I worked my way ‘round the 4-mile loop, I met lots of runners with Team in Training gear. I can’t help but check the wrists of all the runners, and I’m always amazed and impressed with how many Forerunners I see. I’d say 4 out of every 5 runners I saw had Forerunners. Here's a link to my run in Garmin Connect, recorded by my Forerunner 405.

Stage 15 - Tour de France

Recap of Stage 15 of the 2009 Tour de France. Details avaiable at http://www.garmin.com/teamgarmin/

 

Stage 14 - Tour de France

Stage 13 - Tour de France

Jake's Journal du jour: Friendly faces of France

This won't come as a surprise, but I consider myself a people person. I enjoy making new friends, swapping stories, sharing laughs, learning life lessons - and it's an unbelievable bonus when the backdrop happens to be one of the biggest sporting events in the world. So as Team Garmin and the pros in the peloton powered through Monaco, France and Spain in the first week of July, my appreciation grew not only for the elite cyclists in the race, but also for the supporters (and reporters) joining me on the sidelines. Here are just a few of those friendly faces.

  I've enjoyed conversations with Julian Dean ever since he took a tumble on the second stage last July and said to me later that day in passing, "The nice thing about a three-week race is that all of this will be healed by the time we hit Paris." So I wasn't surprised that a guy so impervious to pain thought nothing of his eyes being gouged and cheeks being stretched - by the youngest member of his family. Carole Dean and the kids were some of the many family members to join us in Girona, home to many of the Garmin guys. Two of my favorite trailing companions were Jim and Diane Felt. If that name sounds familiar, it's because you've seen it written on the Felt bikes that Team Garmin rides in every pro tour. The Felts aren't just the name on the bike, though, they're the brains and personality as well. Two of the nicest people I've met, Jim and Diane were in constant motion everywhere we went. Jim was always studying and seeking feedback on the bikes; Diane was chronicling the events with her great photography (some of which you can see at Garmin's Flickr page). 

Stage 12 - Tour de France

Stage 11 - Tour de France

Jake's Journal du jour: Fans cheer Farrar to another podium finish

Now that I'm back in the States, watching Team Garmin on Versus and tracking each stage on Twitter, I'm appreciating just how far the excitement for pro cycling's biggest event stretches beyond the roadsides of France. Though I'm sitting in a cube in our office instead of a team vehicle in the caravan, I can still get unbelievable access to this exhilarating event. So when Tyler Farrar stormed uphill to the line in Saint-Fargeau and scored his second consecutive top-three stage finish, I was cheering the Versus telecast along with everyone updating feverishly on Twitter. Finishing less than a bike's length behind the stage winner, Farrar racked up his fourth top-five finish this month, and he's now tied for third place in the overall points battle. Tyler's teammates also continue to impress as Dave Zabriskie, Danny Pate and Julian Dean make the right moves to put him in place for success while Bradley Wiggins (5th) and Christian Vande Velde (8th) hold their spots in the overall top 10. 

If you're like me and need more Tour excitement once the day's field sprint is over, check out the home page of our newly redesigned Team Garmin minisite. You'll find links to our Flickr photo gallery (for action and candid pictures), Garmin's YouTube channel (for highlights and Edge 705 tutorials), acclaimed filmmaker Nigel Dick's behind-the-scenes videos and the Garmin and Slipstream blogs. You can relive key stages through Team Garmin's Edge 705 data on the Featured Rides page, and you can find out who is on Twitter by visiting the Extras page. Finally, you can get the gear that the team uses in tours - either by registering to win free stuff in our sweepstakes or shopping for Garmin accessories or Team Garmin apparel.

Victor's Vectors: FliteLevel warranty extends your peace of mind

In the July edition of The Aviation Consumer, there is a good article about extended warranties.  The author gives a convincing argument for what normally he considers “a hard sell.” One of the programs featured in the article is Garmin’s FliteLevel warranty program for the G1000.  After reading the article you should also check out Garmin’s online FliteLevel brochure and press release.  For more information and to enroll, contact your local Garmin aviation dealer or OEM service center.  

Backpacker, Wired magazines applaud Oregon 400t

We knew we had a winner on our hands (and in our hands) when we introduced the Oregon family of touchscreen GPS devices. Combining the rugged durability that has been invaluable to hikers, campers and soldiers everywhere with the intuitive interface that has made Garmin the global leader in satellite navigation, the waterproof Oregon has become a must-have for anyone spending time in the outdoors. And now we've made Oregon even more versatile by adding a built-in 3.2 megapixel camera in the just-released 550 models. But don't take our word for it. In the first video, Backpacker magazine explains why Oregon 400t (with preloaded topo maps and wireless connectivity) won its 2009 Editors Choice Award. And in the second video, Wired magazine puts the Oregon 400t in its tackle box and shows why it's a must-have for fishing, hiking, hunting and camping. To learn more about the Oregon family - specifically the 400t - check out our award-winning interactive minisite, The Land of Oregon.

Stage 10 - Tour de France

Caddy Confidential: 9,400+ Preloaded Courses, Scrambling With The Approach and Hitting The Road

It's prime golfing season here in The Praire, and as such, we caddies down at the Garmin shack have been quite busy. Recently, we added 500+ new courses to the catalog of subscription-free courses available for the Approach G5 bringing the total number of courses to 9,400+. 

I also had the unique pleasure of putting the Approach into tournament play, but in a not-so-conventional kind of way. While it wasn't quite the Tom Watson Challenge, it was a great opportunity to use the Approach as a 'deciding-which-ball-is-best-in-a-four-man-scramble' machine.Turns out, arming each of the four team members with an Approach is perfect for figuring out who hit the best drive when your foursome is spread all over the fairway. It was particularly helpful to use the Touch-Targeting feature to determine who had the best angle to the pin. We ended up shooting -12 under, only three shots off the lead. Not bad for an afternoon of "product testing."

Garmin's fitness guru Jake and I teamed up for a few video tutorials that show off all the functions of the Approach G5. Being that Jake is our resident marathoner/biker/in-shape dude, I handle the golfing duties while Jake explains how to get the most from your Approach. If you're one of those, whatta-ya-call-it, exercisers, then Jake has a few more cool toys worth checking out, or so I'm told. 

Finally, this humble caddy hit the road for a little R&R over the holiday. And as we like to do at Garmin, I loaned out a few new gadgets to put through their paces. I commandeered a nuvi 1250 for the drive to Chicago and Michigan. Saving a few bucks with ecoRoute helped us buy much needed golf balls after we slapped it all over Cog Hill, home of the BMW Championship. And the cityXplorer maps helped us navigate the big city like seasoned Chi-town caddies.

We're continuing to update and map courses all over the States, so keep checking back in for more updates. If your favorite course isn't mapped yet, drop us a line and we'll get cracking on it right away.

Stage 9 - Tour de France

Stage 8 - Tour de France

Stage 7 - Tour de France

Peg’s Posts: relive Millar’s epic stage 6 ride

We all know it takes guts, experience and a ton of training to pull off a performance like Millar’s stellar stage 6 ride in yesterday’s TdF. But for those of us not lining the rain-soaked roadsides in France or streaking by in our skivvies, we’re a bit removed from the true race experience. Just how fast was Millar going on the downhills? What was his max speed? Average speed? And just how long does it take a pro to ride 112.2 miles? You can see these stats and more thanks to the data collected by the Garmin Edge 705 that guides David and all other members of Team Garmin. Check out Millar's stage 6 ride in Garmin Connect. The Edge 705 is the only GPS-enabled bike computer that combines GPS positioning, maps, speed/cadence, heart rate, power compatibility and more on one display. And the same technology used by the pros is available to you. Already have the Edge? Check out our latest Edge training videos that Jake and our video team here at Garmin have been cranking out. These short, topical videos can get you up to speed quickly on the top features of the 705. Some may say the Edge’s so intuitive a child could use it, but since Jake likes to talk and our customers like to listen, we aim to keep everyone happy, so we'll keep cranking them out.    

 

Summer road trip must haves

 Are you looking to hit the road for a summer road trip? If you haven't done a summer vacation yet, you're probably itching to get away. While you're packing your car, don't forget a GPS. It can literally transform any trip so that you can stop asking for directions or wondering if the next road-side exit has better restaurant options. Since it's summer driving season, editors at a variety of publications and websites are reviewing GPS navigators so that you can make an informed decision on which device is best for you. Here's a sampling of recent Garmin reviews:

• The nüvi 205 received 4.5 out of 5 stars from CNET. This is one of our entry-level units and according to CNET, "the Garmin is a much faster, simpler, and easier-to-use device right out of the box, making it a better choice for nontechnophiles."
• If you want a high level overview of our nüvi 12xx and 13xx series, check out this popular consumer site. According to them, "new GPS devices continue to hit the market during the summer travel season, providing more premium-level features in basic units and increasingly user-friendly designs."  They tested handfuls of devices so you don't have to.
• The nüvi 1390T's video debute is available at GPSmagazine.com. If you watch this thorough video review, you'll see the 1390T being put through its paces.
  
• The nüvi 1490T is our new 5-inch, wide-screen wonder. In Boing Boing Gadget's recent post they said, "the GPS is great, too: I actually discovered a faster route from my home to the freeway (a route Google Maps has never once suggested)."

Millar on the attack in stage 6, tastes a stage win

If you’d been following the TdF news today and heard all but the final results, one look at these pics of Team Garmin’s David Millar could fill in the last words. He gave his all in a valiant fight for a stage victory, and in the end, his spent body couldn’t keep pace with his spirit. For today’s 181.5k stage, Millar rode into a main breakaway at the 50k mark and was hailed “the virtual yellow jersey”. He then surged for a solo attack 29k from the finish, but was caught in the final two kilometers. Tomorrow, Millar will wear the prestigious ‘red-on-white’ numbers to distinguish him as the most aggressive rider for the day. Be sure to watch the stage 6 highlights video and tune in for more TdF highlights when Jake returns from his overseas adventure.

Incidentally, when the bloggers back home saw these finish line pics of a Forerunner-decked forearm ready to wipe David Millar’s brow, we were sure it was Jake in action. He assured us it was not, but that the entire Team Garmin crew (staff and riders) have been training with the Forerunner 405CX and are learning their fav features.

 

Stage 6 - Tour de France

Go Garmin!

Popular Mechanics just concluded its first-ever consumer brand survey to determine what consumer brands their readers preferred. Twenty-nine different product categories were included, with a minimum of five brand choices in each category.  Over 7,000 readers voted, and thanks to you, we were chosen the favorite GPS brand. Thank You!

As most Garmin customers know, we serve a plethora of markets and we do our best to give each of these markets the specialized attention it deserves. We strive to develop revolutionary products with features that are specific to that market. One of the many ways we do this is by having employees design, create, build and market products for industries they're passionate about. Forerunners are developed by runners, Zumos by motorcycle riders, chartplotters by boaters, avionics by pilots -- I could keep going, but I'm sure you get the idea. This Popular Mechanics award helps reiterate that we're on the right path, but don't worry, we won't rest on our laurels. We're determined to continue building products that make life a little easier and more enjoyable for our customers.

South Dakota Offers Detailed Electronic Public Land Maps

Are you and your family planning a trip to the Mount Rushmore State this summer?  Or are you a hunter planning a pheasant trip to SoDak this fall?  If so, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has a great new free digital map database that showcases millions of acres of public lands -- all viewable on many Garmin mapping-capable outdoor handheld units.

Just click here to jump directly to their GPS mapping page, and follow the instructions.  We applaud South Dakota's pioneering efforts to make public lands as simple and as easy to find as possible!