Garmin nüvi tops lists as the most popular

The Garmin nüvi is at the top of several prominent publications' lists. It's been named a "Top 10 most popular GPS device for 2009" and "Best GPS pick for the holidays." Each editor has their own personal favorite, but the good news for consumers is that their favorites range from our entry-level nüvi 205W to the premium nüvi 1690. We have plenty of devices to choose from and they all incorporate our easy-to-use "Where to?" and "View Map" interface so that you can start navigating as soon as you take it out of the box. During this time of year we often receive questions from customers asking which device is best, and our answer is that it depends on what you want to do. Do you only need turn-by-turn, voice prompted directions? Do you want your GPS to have Bluetooth capability so you can pair it with a compatible phone and then talk hands-free through the nüvi? Do you want your GPS to have real-time traffic capability so it can route you around traffic accidents? How about photo navigation? These are just a few of the available features, so think about what you want your GPS to do for you and then visit our site and use the sort feature to help narrow down which nüvi is best for you.

Wish List Wednesday: Best gifts for drivers and talkers

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for Wish List Wednesday -- the column that helps you find the perfect Garmin gift for that special someone. Previous posts have covered pilots, boaters, and fitness fanatics, so today we have some ideas for those who like to drive and talk. And who doesn't fall into that category?!

First up is the nüvi 1690 that comes with nüLink! connected services, which is real-time data like traffic, fuel prices, weather, Google local search, white pages and more. You get all this nüLink! content for free for the first two years, and this content takes your GPS experience to the next level. According to PC World, "if you're a fan of the Garmin navigation experience, the added nüLink! connected services will only enhance the experience." We cover all of the 1690's features on our interactive demo.

For those looking for an entry level device, we recommend the nüvi 1200. This navigator easily fits into your pocket and won't stretch your wallet either. In addition to giving turn-by-turn, voice prompted directions, like "turn right on main street", you can also download cityXplorer content to help you navigate a city on foot using the local public transportation system.

If the person on your list doesn't regularly use a car, but would still appreciate navigation, check out our all -in-one GPS phone, the nüvifone G60, or you can turn the phone you have into a Garmin navigator with Garmin Mobile.

Holiday shopping at your convenience

Give-a-Garmin this holiday season without ever leaving the comfort of your home - just call the Garmin Chicago store to talk to the GPS experts, find the perfect holiday gift, and our associates can take your order over the phone and ship it anywhere in the U.S. within days!

Should you find yourself crunched for time, you can always e-mail your inquiry to chiphoneorder@garmin.com; just remember to place your order with adequate delivery time. Garmin Chicago guarantees delivery before Dec. 25 based on the following dates and charges:

Ground delivery costs $10.50 and should be ordered by Friday, Dec. 11
3-day delivery costs $20.50 and should be ordered by Saturday, Dec. 12
2-day delivery costs $30.50 and should be ordered by Wednesday, Dec. 16
Overnight costs are determined as needed and should be ordered by Thursday, Dec. 17
 
If you plan to visit Michigan Avenue during the holiday shopping season, stop by the store to see the competitive pricing on many featured items including the Forerunner 405 and nüvi 1300 series. In the meantime, watch the Garmin Blog for Wish List Wednesdays, a weekly blog post featuring holiday gift ideas for the traveler, pilot, boater, hiker, athlete or driver in your life. Or visit out holiday gift guide for even more great gift ideas for everyone on your list this season.    

Play Give-a-Garmin for a Chance to Win-a-Garmin

Have you taken advantage of the great Cyber Monday deals yet? If not, you'd better get busy because the clock is ticking. And while you're surfing for the best deals, stop by our site and we'll help you sharpen your Cyber Monday keyboard skills. If you're really good at our Give-a-Garmin game, you'll also have a chance to win 10 new Garmin GPS devices. To play, click on the jump below for the rest of the post and then use the arrow keys to move Santa as he runs, rides and drives, and help him deliver as many gifts as possible before time runs out.

'Tis the Season!

If you're out and about in search of Black Friday deals far and wide, there's one place you'll definitely one to stop to help get great gift ideas for friends, family, and even yourself! Our just-launched Holiday Guide is your one-stop shop for everyone on your list this season. In addition to great products for running, hiking, biking and more, you'll also find our latest holiday commercials! With an interesting cast of characters, the commercials and the Holiday Guide offer a great place for some holiday cheer.  So plan your visit today and be sure to stop back often - because you never know what surprises will show up throughout the holiday season! Happy holidays everyone!

Best online bargain of all: Free Garmin tutorials - including new Dakota videos

Whether you're shopping for a gift or getting acquainted with your new purchase, we want you to know as much as possible about the Garmin you're checking out. That's why we're always adding more quick feature-specific tutorials to our online learning center. These helpful step-by-step videos bring to life the features and functions of Garmin's products, to help you out before you hit the stores or after you've hit the power button. Our newest videos focus on the Dakota series of touchscreen handhelds, which are perfect for hiking, camping and geocaching with your family and friends. From acquiring GPS signals to navigating to your destination, Jake walks you through the process with vivid screenshots and scenic examples. And keep checking the learning center, because Oregon tutorials are right around the corner. 

But our learning center isn't just for fans of flannel and fleece. Runners, cyclists and gym-goers can learn about the FR60 fitness watch, Forerunner 405's GPS-based features or the various cycling options for Edge 705. Golfers can focus on improving their game with the touchscreen Approach G5 and its more than 10,000 preloaded courses. Pilots can reach new heights with information about flyGarmin, Pilot My-Cast and GPSMAP 696. Boaters and fishermen can find new depths with Garmin's Marine Network. And businesspeople and travelers alike will appreciate the navigation options at their fingertips with nüvifone G60. But no matter your hobbies, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Give the Gift of Time

'Tis the season to give. And what's the one thing everyone wants? If you guessed "time" then you're on the same page as this blogger. We don't have a GPS device that can turn back the clock, but we do have several that will help you save minutes by routing you around traffic. NPR recently reviewed a nüvi 1390T with lifetime free traffic and compared it to a smartphone navigation app. According to them, "Friday night I was driving home from the airport. Before I even realized there was a traffic jam ahead, Garmin adjusted the route and suggested I stay to the left and take a different freeway. A minute later I saw that my normal route was totally backed up. This was an impressive time saver, and completely automatic. It excels compared to Google Nav..."

When you're looking at our automotive product line, make sure you consider products with a "T" (that stands for traffic), such as the nüvi 1260T, 1350T or 1490T. Each of these nüvis come with free, lifetime traffic with no monthly fees or maintenance costs. Traffic coverage is available in most major cities and this coverage map will show you if your stomping grounds are covered.

nüvi 1690: One of My Favorite Things

For the die hard Black Friday shoppers, this weekend is all about scouring the web and making a game plan for where they'll be at o' dark-thirty the day after Thanksgiving. Savvy consumers know they should also cross reference the ads with product reviews so that they're sure to get the biggest bang for the buck.

GPStracklog.com recently posted a review of the nüvi 1690 and according to them, "They (Garmin) is the first manufacturer to get the connected personal navigation device model right, giving two years of free service and then keeping it to a low $5 per month.This replaces the 765T as my favorite model in the nuvi lineup. Like all nuvis, it's intuitive and a joy to use. And having access to Google Local Search is a definite plus."

Read the full review here and visit our minisite for a full 1690 product demo.

Give-a-Garmin holiday ads unveiled as Nutcrackers come to life

What happens to the toys when the shopkeeper leaves for the day? Now we know. One of Garmin's two new holiday commercials follows an outgoing Nutcracker set on going out. After a long day manning his post at the store, this lovable character with a huge head and even bigger personality uses his nüvi to navigate nightlife. But before this model of mobility could venture out into the world, he had to take shape in Santa's workshop - which for a few weeks outsourced some work to Garmin headquarters. In addition to creating the look and feel of all of Garmin's amazing GPS products, our design engineers were responsible for crafting the statues currently standing guard in Chicago at Garmin's only retail outlet on Michigan Ave. The Nutcrackers at the Garmin Store represent our various product lines - fitness, marine, aviation, outdoors, mobile and automotive - and they serve as reminders that there's a Garmin for everyone on your gift list. Our second holiday ad also displays the diversity in Garmin's product line, tracking the adventures of a knight to remember, a multi-sport leprechaun, a camera-friendly Yeti, a swingin Scot and a squirrel. Enjoy, and be sure to stop back often for gift ideas and interviews with this colorful cast.

New cast of characters giddy to Give-a-Garmin in holiday ads

As we near the holiday season, our latest and greatest Give a Garmin holiday commercials get ready to hit the airwaves. The ads this year feature a fun cast of characters – including a fitness-obsessed Leprechaun, a cool and collected Nutcracker and our in-house Yeti .... We finished shooting the spots just weeks ago, and now it’s business as usual back at Garmin. And in the coming weeks, we plan on keeping our new colleagues busy. We'll have them introduce themselves to all of our blog readers, and we've assigned some homework. Every week through December, our Wish List Wednesday will give you gift ideas from each of our product lines for those hard-to-shop-for pilots, boaters, hikers, geocachers, hunters, runners, cyclists, golfers and travelers in your life. Starting this weekend, be sure to tune in and see for yourself.

 

Garmin Navigation and Ford Work Solutions

Many people think the only way to get the benefit of our intuitive automotive navigation is to purchase a stand alone GPS device, but they're wrong. We team with many automotive companies on in-dash or fully integrated systems so that their customers have the benefits of Garmin navigation without having messy cables on the dash. Ford Work Solutions is one example of this, and they announced that they've won a prestigious CES Innovation award. Ford Works is a collection of affordable technologies that provide Ford customers connectivity, flexibility and security to better run key aspects of their business – from their Ford Truck, even on the job site. When you access the system's navigation component, you'll see Garmin's familiar "Where to?" and "View Map" interface. And since the in-dash Ford Work Solutions computer also provides high-speed internet access, drivers have real-time traffic conditions, weather, and nearby fuel prices at their fingertips. Garmin also provides a customized database of Ford dealerships and Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers. Watch the video to see it in action. 

Garmin Garage: Giddyup!

In case you haven’t already noticed, our newest free vehicle to show up in the Garmin Garage isn’t a vehicle at all. Meet Giddyup. He’s our fast and fun four-legged friend. We've had fans far and wide tell us that they'd like to see a horse make an appearance in the Garmin Garage. Fortunately, Giddyup has been galloping around these parts for the last few months. And while Giddyup had a great time in the Garmin Stables Garage, it’s time for him to roam the open roads. Giddyup gets great mileage – about half a pound of hay per mile – and he’s great with kids, too. So add some horsepower to your nüvi and download Giddyup today! Just stop by the Garmin Garage, throw a saddle on Giddyup, and you’ll be ready to ride off into the sunset in style. And if you want to be the first to know when a new icon shows up in the Garmin Garage, be sure to sign up for our RSS feed. 

Navigate for free with the nüvifone G60

The nüvifone G60 will be available for purchase in just a few days, so it's time to dive into some of the phone's features. We've already posted a few videos to our learning center and more are on the way. These videos will help you see what differentiates the nüvifone G60 from other devices. Since the nüvifone G60 is the navigation phone, we're kicking off our video series with -- wait for it -- navigation! The nüvifone G60 provides free turn-by-turn, voice prompted directions to anywhere in the U.S. and it says street names, like "turn right on Main Street." Since all maps are preloaded, you don't have to worry about not getting directions when you're in a remote area out of cell coverage. Plus, the map redraw time is extremely fast because you don't have to wait for maps to be pulled off a server. Want to see even more features? Check out the interactive nüvifone G60 demo. Also, be sure to follow the nuvifone Twitter feed (@nuvifone) for regular updates.

Garmin nüvifone G60 available October 4 with AT&T

You've been waiting patiently, and it's finally here! Today, we announced that the nüvifone G60 will be available beginning October 4, 2009, only for AT&T customers in the U.S. in AT&T stores and online at www.wireless.att.com. The nüvifone G60 combines three devices into one – a mobile phone, mobile web browser and high-end Garmin GPS navigation device. Click here to read the full release, and stay tuned to the blog this week because we'll be talking about some of the nüvifone's unique features soon.

Find it all with nüvi 1690 and nüLink!

PC World posted their review of the nüvi 1690, our newest automotive device that will be in stores in time for the holidays. Their conclusion was that "if you're a fan of the Garmin navigation experience, the added nüLink! connected services will only enhance the experience." In case you're not familiar with nüLink! yet, it's our new real-time data service that gives access to real-time traffic, fuel prices, weather, Google local search, white pages and more. You get all this nüLink! content for free for the first two years. Another cool, new feature is being able to send destinations and waypoints wirelessly to the nüvi. Let's say you're visiting NYC from California and someone from home wants you to visit your long lost aunt in NYC. By simply going through myGarmin, they can send you the street address wirelessly and your aunt's address will appear in your to the nüvi's favorites folder. You'll never need to connect your 1690 to your computer to transfer waypoints again. Check out more 1690 features on this interactive demo.

Garmin Garage: Navigate Happily Ever After with Honeymooner

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the Garmin Garage to celebrate the release of Honeymooner. Until recently, Honeymooner was part of our ultra-mega-secret collection of icons that rarely leave the friendly confines of the Garmin Garage. When a co-worker would get married, we’d load up Honeymooner on their nüvi as a special surprise. It was a lot of fun so we thought we’d share Honeymooner with all of you, too. If you’ve just made the long walk down the aisle, Honeymooner will make a great new addition to your nüvi. Or perhaps you’re giving a nüvi as a wedding gift and you’d like to customize it for the bride and groom – you can load this free vehicle icon on their nüvi before they head off into the sunset together. Either way, Honeymooner is now ready to go! So swing by the Garmin Garage today and grab one of our newest vehicle icons! And remember – if you want to be the first to know when a new vehicle is available in the Garmin Garage, be sure to sign up for our RSS feed or add your name to our email list!

Garmin sponsors #07 in NASCAR Truck Series in Vegas

If you're a NASCAR fan, tune in Saturday night to cheer on driver Chad McCumbee and the #07 The GPS Store.com and Garmin team at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With only four races left of the racing season, Chad and the team are bringing in their best truck for the Las Vegas 350 in anticipation of a great finish. In his last two starts at Las Vegas, Chad finished in 10th and 11th place, and hopes lady luck will keep him up front this weekend. "I feel that we have the potential to run in the top-five all night and with a little Las Vegas luck, we'll have the opportunity to get the #07 The GPS Store.com to the front and content for the win," he said. Catch all the race action on SPEED TV tomorrow night, cheer on Chad, and be sure to look for Garmin!

Garmin named the "clear leader in GPS satisfaction"

PC Magazine has posted the results of their GPS Device Service and Reliability Survey. Readers have voted Garmin as as the "clear leader in GPS satisfaction." We also received top marks for reliability, map quality, ease of use, and more. According to the survey, "based on the number of responses, the company [Garmin] has 3.5 times as many users among PCMag readers as the next vendor." 

We're thankful for and humbled by this recognition, but we also know it never would have been possible without our customers. Thank you to all Garmin users and a special thanks to the 1,508 Garmin customers that gave PC Mag their opinion on our products. 

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Garmin talks solutions in fleet management podcast

Garmin is all about helping drivers reach their destination effortlessly. We think travel begins with easy-to-use menus, logical options and intuitive features, and those on the road agree. Garmin GPS solutions are a key part of today's fleet management systems - whether is delivery vans, over-the-road trucks, taxi cabs or other fleet vehicles, Garmin provide solutions that improve driver/dispatch communication, more efficientrouting, and ultimately, achieve lower costs and higher profits for the company. Recently, Garmin had a chance to talk with GPS Fleet Solutions, a website dedicated to exploring technology and best practices related to fleet operations, to discuss Garmin's commercial solutions and how they help those in the field. To learn more about Garmin's developments and features in the fleet management realm, click here to listen to the podcast (#16, Garmin International).

 

nüvi 1690 and AT&T Wireless Network

Ever since we announced the nüvi 1690, one of the most common questions we've heard is who is the nüvi 1690's data provider for the US. The answer was revealed today - it's AT&T. The nüvi 1690 has a built-in wireless module that lets you link to Garmin nüLink! services, and nüLink! gives you one-click access to online content like traffic, weather, fuel prices, Google local search, and white page listings.

The U.S. 1690 comes with two years of free nüLink! service. This makes it the first online GPS to offer an extended period of online features included in the purchase price of the device. After the first two years of service, you can get nuLink! for just $5.00/month. Check out this nüvi 1690 demo to learn more.

nüvi 1690: Get more information than ever before for free

Automotive GPS devices have changed a lot since we brought to market the world's first portable, affordable mapping GPS. Our new nüvi 1690 is still portable and affordable, but the content on our newest device is absolutely amazing. The nüvi 1690 has a built-in wireless module so that you can tap into our new nüLink! service that has online information like traffic, weather, fuel prices, Google local search, white pages and more. Having all this information at your fingertips gives it the most comprehensive set of search capabilities offered by any GPS on today's market. And, the really great thing about this content is that it's free for the first two years. After that, if you decide you don't need the extra bells and whistles -- but I'll be shocked if you don't get hooked -- your GPS will continue to give you access to the preloaded points of interest and the same great turn-by-turn, voice-prompted navigation that you expect from Garmin.

The nüvi 1690 is also our first automotive GPS with Ciao!, a social network application that links multiple social network sites so you can share your whereabouts with friends. Ciao! makes it possible to see where your friends are and you can navigate to their current location with a few screen taps. If you're a member of GyPSii or uLocate's Buddy Beacon social networks, you can take advantage of Ciao! now.

Take the nüvi 1390T for a Test Drive

Whether you’re looking for a new nüvi or considering an upgrade from an older unit, we’ve got something just for you - an online demo so you can try it before you buy it! Our recently launched nüvi 1390T loads lots of great features in a sleek and stylish ultra-thin design. Portable and affordable, this savvy navigator comes standard with a large color display to help you find your way around your own town or a new city. It’s made for life on the go and comes standard with free lifetime traffic, Bluetooth® connectivity and lane assist with junction view. And with optional cityXplorer map data for pedestrian navigation, you’ll have all the information you need whether you’re behind the wheel or out on foot. Interested in learning more? Plan a trip to our interactive demo. You’ll be able to interact with the unit and see some of the great new features that are made to help you navigate with ease.

Coast-to-coast green-charity drive navigates with Garmin

From New York to LA - Michael and Maddy, co-founder's of the Renew America Roadtrip, just completed America's first cross-country drive-a-thon for charity in an all-electric production sportscar. With the help of a Garmin nüvi, the two drove a Tesla Roadster from coast to coast to raise awareness for renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly technologies, and raise money for green charities. The RAR team made the journey equipped with a nüvi 1390T- an ultra-thin navigator with premium features like lane assist with junction view, Bluetooth connectivity and free lifetime traffic updates. If you haven't made the switch to an all-electric car but still want to save gas and money by adopting smarter driving habits, the 1390T also comes standard with ecoRoute, which suggests fuel-efficient navigation and let's users choose a "less fuel" route preference as the best way to save gas and money. Through ecoRoute's Fuel Report and Mileage Report, drivers can also focus on their fuel conservation, and also find fuel-saving tips along the way. 

Congratulations to the RAR team on their successful trip! To learn more about the Renew America Roadtrip and ways to support green initiatives, click here.

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.

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)."

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.

Garmin Garage: Take a Tour with Team Garmin

As Team Garmin races around the globe, we thought it would be fun to create a new vehicle bundle for the 2009 race season. Of course, we couldn’t release these vehicles without approval from the team. So Team Garmin Director Matt White stopped by the Garmin Garage to take a look. While he was visiting with us, we quickly realized that Matt would make a great co-pilot for nüvis far and wide. A quick recording session was set up and through the magic of technology, Matt was nüvi-fied. So now you can download Matt’s voice to your nüvi and he can guide you wherever you need to go. Matt's personality really shines. And if you have half as much fun listening to Matt as we did recording him, you’re sure to have smiles for miles (or kilometers). Pedal over to the Garmin Garage today and show your support for the Argyle Armada with our Team Garmin bundle. It’s free and it’s a lot of fun. But hurry – Matt’s waiting!  

Garmin + BMW Motorrad = Navigator IV GPS

BMW motorcycle owners are about to have a new BMW-customized navigator at their fingertips. Today we joined with BMW to announce the next generation BMW Motorrad Navigator, the Navigator IV. This portable GPS device is based on Garmin's zumo 660, but it has customized features specific to the BMW such as a customized four-button mount, unique Bluetooth capabilities and preloaded BMW dealers. This is the fourth generation BMW Motorrad Navigator product, and the previous version, the Navigator III, was based on the StreetPilot 2820.

The BMW Motorrad Navigator IV is a top-of-the-line Garmin navigator designed exclusively for BMW motorcycles. Ready to go right out of the box, it has everything a rider could need. The portable, 4.3-inch navigator has a bright touchscreen display that is glove-friendly and comes preloaded with detailed street maps with millions of points of interest that include locations like restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, hotels and specific street addresses. After the rider selects a destination, the system calculates the best route and gives turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions to the final destination. This feature can also work with a compatible Bluetooth enabled helmet or headset. The BMW Motorrad Navigator IV’s stereo (A2DP) Bluetooth wireless technology makes it possible for riders to pair their phone to a Bluetooth enabled helmet or handset so that they can safely talk on the phone or listen to MP3’s without having to remove their gloves or helmet.

Ask Garmin: Updating your nüvi, zūmo or GPSMAP software

Some customers have asked us to follow-up about last week's mandatory software update decree, and they've specifically asked if all the new software has been released. The answer is a resounding YES! We have free software updates available for the nüvi 7x5 series, nüvi 800 series, nüvi 8x5 series, zūmo 660, GPSMAP 620 and GPSMAP 640. Offering free software is something we regularly do and we've always recommend you update your GPS when new free software is available. However, last week was atypical because the software update was mandatory. If you own one of the GPS devices listed above and haven't experienced any problems acquiring a GPS signal, you still need to do the free software update. It's free and easy to do. All you need to do is visit our WebUpdater site, download the free WebUpdater application, follow the screen prompts, and it will do everything else for you.  

Garmin Garage: Fun for the Fourth!

Getting ready to load up the Family Truckster and make your way to friends and family this holiday season? If so, we’ve got two new vehicle icons to help you celebrate in style. Stop by the Garmin Garage today before you hit the road. We've spent the last week getting Topper and Ol' Glory ready to go! They'll look great guiding you from picnic to party to fireworks show and back home again. So if you're traveling near or far, your nüvi will be packed with patriotic pride. Of course, Topper and Ol' Glory aren't the only vehicles you'll find. We've got many more - including last year's Fourth of July icons - Wingspan and Moonshot. Stop by and load up! From all of us in the Garmin Garage, have a safe and festive Fourth of July!  

Learn your Garmin with the Garmin Learning Center

Have you ever wanted to see a Garmin product in action before you buy it? Or, maybe you're interested in tips and tricks about a device you already own? How about expanding your overall GPS knowledge?  If any of these scenarios sound familiar, the online Garmin Learning Center is for you. The Learning Center is the newest addition to Garmin.com, and is quickly becoming a popular place to visit because it's a one-stop resource for learning about Garmin products and all things GPS. Once you visit this site, you can watch short video snippets to learn more about your GPS. So far, the site features videos for the Forerunner 405, Edge 705, Approach G5 and Marine network. More videos will be coming soon, so you'll want to check back often.

20-year stories: eMap finds its way home

In celebration of Garmin’s 20-year anniversary in 2009, we’re reaching back to the past to bring you stories from our younger years, including some memorable customer testimonials. When the following story was submitted through our website in 2000, this customer had definitely piqued our curiosity. Be sure to keep reading for the rest of the story.

An interesting thing happened to me today that I think is worth sharing with you. I have a Garmin eMap that is my newest best friend. I fell in love with it after I purchased one for my daughter as a gift. I had to have one of my own. I carry my eMap with me constantly and had the misfortune to lose it last weekend. I was about to order another one to replace it when I received a knock at my door. A young gentleman was standing there holding what he described to be my eMap. He asked me if I had lost it. I was flabbergasted! It seems that he is an electronics nut like myself and had found it in the park. He managed to get to the waypoint page and found one titled “home.” He set this as a destination and tracked to my home using the eMap. He said he figured that it must have been important and felt that it should be returned. We had a very nice discussion about the eMap. I went ahead and ordered another eMap and gave it to this young gentleman to reward him for his honesty and inventiveness. I’ve now bought three eMaps and am delighted to have done so because they have been valuable tools for me and my daughter, and I’m sure will do the same for my new young friend. Thanks, Garmin, for making such splendid products. Oh, by the way, did I mention that I’m blind? It’s true. I’ll bet I have your curiosity piqued, right?

Gil L.

Free, mandatory GPS software available now

Today, Garmin released a free, mandatory GPS software update to correct a software issue that has been discovered to cause select GPS devices to repeatedly attempt to update GPS firmware, and then either shut down or no longer acquire GPS satellite signals.  The products affected are the nüvi 7x5 series, nüvi 800 series, nüvi 8x5 series, zūmo 660, GPSMAP 620 and GPSMAP 640.

Garmin nüvi 7x5 series products that are no longer able to acquire a GPS satellite signal may download a firmware update immediately that will correct the software issue. This firmware update may be downloaded using Garmin’s WebUpdater.

Firmware updates for other affected products will be available online through Garmin’s WebUpdater in the near future. Affected customers who have registered their GPS device will be notified about these updates through email.

Garmin nüvi 7x5 customers who are no longer able to power on their GPS device will need to visit www.garmin.com/support, and select the first FAQ titled “My nüvi 755T, 765T, 775T or 785T is giving me the message ‘Updating GPS Firmware’ or will no longer power on…” Customers will then need to follow the instructions to request a return authorization so that the device may be repaired under warranty.

We know our customers rely upon their Garmin GPS device(s), especially during the summer travel season, and we regret any inconvenience this situation may have caused. We are committed to developing products that are known for their quality and reliability and will continue to work diligently to earn the trust of our customers.

Ask Garmin: Why does my nüvi 7x5 not power on?

It has come to our attention that the Garmin nüvi 7x5 series has a firmware error that is causing some devices to perform an unprompted GPS software update and in some cases shut down. We are aware of this issue and we are working diligently on a solution.  We know our customers rely upon their GPS devices and we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Developing quality products always has been and continues to be a priority at Garmin. For regular updates about this issue, please visit www.garmin.com/support. 

Chicago Store: Slim down for summer with the nüvi 1200/1300 series

Chicago's Michigan Avenue is the place to be to check out this summer's must-haves, and the Garmin Chicago store is no exception! Arriving in the store this week, the sleek and slim nüvi 1200 and 1300 series units are the perfect GPS companion for all of your summer endeavors.

Pedestrian friendly, this new series of products is ideal for the traveler who wants advanced features at an affordable price. With optional cityXplorer maps, these products offer pedestrian navigation such as public transit information for select tourist destinations in both North America and Europe, and can easily be downloaded directly to the nüvi. Recently the crew at GPS Mag posted a full hands-on review of the nüvi 1390Tand touted that users will be navigating the local bus and subway lines like a native in no time. According to their experts - "If you need to tackle the complexities of public mass transit in unfamiliar cities, you won't find a better travel companion than the nüvi 1390T." And we couldn't agree more!

As the only dedicated GPS store in the country, Garmin Chicago is eagerly anticipating your arrival. Our service associates are on-hand to answer any and every question regarding the new personal navigation devices, and every purchase comes with on-site product registration and complimentary one-on-one training with a product expert. Garmin Chicago even carries products to accessorize your unit! So what are you waiting for? If you're in the area, stop by the store and find the GPS that best fits your travel needs this summer!

Garmin Garage: Father’s Day Special

We’re just a day away from Father’s Day, so if you’re looking for some last-minute gift ideas (*cough* new nüvi *cough*), you’ve come to the right place. We were hard at work all week in the Garmin Garage to get our two new father friendly vehicle icons ready for you. Introducing Weekend Warrior and Windsor. Weekend Warrior is perfect for short trips around the town or around the yard. And Windsor works well with any special occasion. Besides, it wouldn't be Father's Day without the ol' "Get Dad a tie" joke! Either one would make the perfect addition to a gift for dad.  And since they’re priced right (FREE!), you could download two for the price of none! How’s that for savings? Of course, fans of the Garmin Garage may also remember Big Daddy – our 2008 Father’s Day icon. So regardless of what you’re doing this weekend, plan a trip to the Garmin Garage and add a little character to your nüvi. Happy Father’s Day from all of us in the Garmin Garage! 

Make the most of your Garmin with one-click

Have you ever noticed that it’s often the behind-the-scenes technologies that get little fanfare yet quietly catapult consumer electronics forward in terms of ease-of-use?

We think you’ll find the myGarmin Agent is that type of advancement. You’ll never see it on the front page of a newspaper, but we think you’re really going to like it because it makes interfacing with your Garmin products much easier. The myGarmin Agent works with all of Garmin’s newer devices and tells you when a Garmin device is plugged in to your computer, allowing one-click access to the new myDashboard at my.garmin.com.

With the myGarmin Agent installed on your computer, you will see a message in the lower right corner of your screen whenever you connect a Garmin device. Clicking the message box takes you to the myDashboard page the starting point for one-click software updates, map updates, and much more! You can also access the myDashboard page at any time by double-clicking the myGarmin Agent icon in your system tray.

The myGarmin Agent is unobtrusive so it can sit on your computer and you’ll never know it’s there until you need it. It’s the new starting place for all of your Garmin needs and gives you one-click access to almost everything you need for your Garmin, so download it today.

Father's Day gift ideas: The gift of navigation

Father's Day is less than one week away, and like many of you, I've just started to brainstorm what I'm giving my wonderful Dad. Since this holiday seems to sneak up on a lot of people, we decided to feature gift ideas so that you can find a gift that is tailor-made for your dear 'ole Dad. And if you haven't figured it out by now, one of the best things about this time of the year is that there are always sales so you can give Dad a priceless gift without breaking the bank. 

The USA Today posted their top five GPS devices under $200, and Garmin was the only company to make the list twice. The nüvi 265T and nüvi 205 were named as great sub-$200 gifts, and we agree with their choices.  Either the nüvi 265T or 205 will easily get you from point A to B, but the 265T does so with a little extra flair. The 265T comes with free, lifetime real-time traffic updates that will route Dad around the traffic before getting stuck in it. Plus, it has Bluetooth capability so Dad can pair his phone to the GPS and safely talk on the phone without having to hold the handset to his ear.

If you want to go the extra mile and personalize the nuvi before you give it to Dad, you can take advantage of the photo navigation feature on the 265T and 205. Load pictures of some of Dad's favorite spots and let Dad navigate to them via the picture. While you're at it, you can personalize it even further by adding icons from the Garmin Garage. From golf carts to airplanes, Dad will be cruisin' in style.

June is Map Update Month

We're not exactly sure who proclaimed June as Map Update Month, but apparently it's official,so we're celebrating!  Roads, routes, and points of interest are always changing. That’s why we offer three map update options -- nüMaps Guarantee, nüMaps Lifetime and nüMaps Onetime. Each of these are great options that will help you make the most of summer roadtrips. According to a study done by NAVTEQ (Garmin's map provider), drivers want to be reminded when to update their maps. Seventy-three percent of Americans said they want to receive reminders to update the maps in their systems. If you're one of those who want to be reminded about map updates, we have good news since most newer Garmin devices notify you when yearly map updates are available and myGarmin.com tells you when quarterly map updates can be downloaded. If you want to see if your GPS has the latest and greatest map data, just connect your device to the computer and then we'll show you what you may have been missing. 

Explore a new city like the locals...on foot

The team at GPS Tracklog posted their review of cityXplorer today. The long story short is that they think it's a winner. According to them, "...I had some nervousness about leaving my car behind and venturing into the city via MARTA (Atlanta's metro system), with only a nuvi to guide me. It turns out that my fears were misplaced. Quite simply, cityXplorer rocks."  We couldn't agree more!

cityXplorer is one of the newest features for the nuvi product line and it's ideal if you're walking a city. If you're planning to be in an unfamiliar city or if you're taking a stay-cation and exploring parts of your city you don't know, cityXplorer is for you! The maps show you detailed roads and points of interest and street directions that let you use public transportation. Now you'll know where to walk, where to catch the bus, subway, tram or other major transportation, and an ETA on how long it will take you to get there. cityXplorer is available for most major U.S. and European cities, and you can download most cities for less than $10. Check out GPS Tracklog to read more about someone who put cityXplorer through its paces.

Hands-on with the trucker-friendly nüvi 465T

The guys at GPSMagazine recently took the nüvi 465T- Garmin's first navigation device designed for the trucking industry - out for a test drive and have posted about their experiencefrom start to finish, calling it "the best GPS for truckers, hands down." This device was built with the truck driver in mind and can navigate routes based on a truck's type, load and physical restrictions. Customizable by height, weight, length, width and hazardous materials, this nüvi will provide specialized routing to support truck-related restrictions based on your vehicle profile. Simply enter dimensions and load restrictions and let the nüvi guide the way. According to the GPS Mag crew, "trucking isn't just an afterthought slapped on at the last minute; everything about the 465T reflects the well thought out needs of a truck driver." We couldn't agree more - especially because the nüvi 465T is the first navigation device to link locations in the National Truck and Trailer Services (NTTS) Breakdown directoryto its relevant point of interest content. Drivers can even enter multiple point routing for a more efficient route between multiple stops. Keep your eyes out for the 465Ts to land on store shelves soon, but in the meantime, check out the full review and our video for more information, screen shots and more!

Click & Ride with Garmin and Volkswagen

Got a Volkswagen? It's time to get a Garmin, but not just any Garmin -- you need the "Click & Ride." Since Volkswagen has just named Garmin its aftermarket GPS supplier, they've launched the new Volkswagen "Click & Ride" GPS specifically for Volkswagen owners worldwide.  The Click & Ride is based on the Garmin nuvi 7x5 series, and one of the biggest things that sets it apart from traditional nuvi devices is the custom mount that is tailored to all Volkswagen models. We worked with Volkswagen's engineers to ensure the mount design meets all the safety requirements and integrates seamlessly into the vehicle. The GPS is charged by the car’s power supply and all audio, including turn by turn directions, is outputted via the car speakers. Plus, one of the biggest advantages of the Click & Ride is when you want to explore the city on foot, you simply snap the GPS out of the cradle and you'll continue to receive directions in pedestrian mode.

The Click & Ride has a 4.3" screen and has all of our advanced features like lane assist, which guide the driver to the correct lane when approaching a turn or exit by displaying life-like road signs on the display. It also has traffic services that notify the driver of upcoming traffic or road construction delays. If an accident or construction delay occurred prior to the user programming their route, the Click & Ride will automatically calculate a route around the congestion.

my.Garmin.com: Get the latest and greatest for your GPS

We're at it again. We're figuring out ways to make your life easier, and we think we have another winner. This time we've created something for the GPS device you already own -- my.Garmin.com is a site where you can manage all there is to manage about your GPS. From registering your Garmin to downloading new maps to learning more about your specific GPS, my.Garmin.com is designed to be a helpful resource 24/7.

So, here's what you should do...
1. Visit http://my.Garmin.com.
2. Click on the second tab, myDashboard and follow the screen prompts
3. Connect your GPS to your computer through the USB port.
4. Be prepared to learn more about your GPS than you ever thought possible from one central location.

As soon as my.Garmin recognizes that a GPS device is connected to the computer, you can click on the second tab, myDashboard, and you'll see a picture of your devcie along with helpful information about your GPS like map updates and free software updates. myGarmin is completely tailored to you and your GPS, so take some time to explore and discover everything there is to know about your Garmin.

What to get Dads and Grads

Dads and Grads season is here, and hardworking dads and graduates deserve something cool for their big day. Forget about the pen and pencil set, it's time to think high-tech. If you're not sure if you should get your dad or grad a GPS for their car, golf cart, dog, wrist, boat, plane, motorcycle or bike, you're in luck. Editors all over the world are compiling and publishing lists of their favorite devices so you can pick the perfect gift. So far, PC Mag has named the nüvi as a top pick for graduates that are bound to get lost as they travel between home and college. According to PC Mag, one of the great things about the nüvi is that even entry-level models "offers a lot of bang for the buck and are excellent choices for the budget conscious."  The Approach G5 has also been making many Father's Day gift guide lists because it will help dad improve his golf game and give him the ultimate competitive edge. Check our site for more great gift ideas.

Peg’s Posts: How to make mom’s day

While perfumeries, patisseries and other retail niches are advertising the perfect gifts for mom, Peg’s been thinking of some unique ways to show mom she’s the best. And some won’t even cost you a dime. After all, she probably just wants you to spend time with her.

Adventure-seeking moms: Take her to find some cache … go geocaching. If you already own a GPS, that’s all the equipment you need. This high-tech version of a scavenger hunt can be played with just about any Garmin GPS—basic handhelds to nüvis to units like Oregon 400t with special geocaching features. Look up nearby geocache locations online and transfer the GPS coordinates to your unit, then head out to seek. As of today, there are 794, 655 active geocaches around the world. That oughta keep you and mom busy. If you’re caching with kids, be sure to bring swag to swap in the standard caches. Got piles of kids’ meal toys looking for a new home? Bring it.

Moms on the run: Find a new scenic trail or route that she’s never been on and take her for a run. To search for new routes in your area or a nearby town, go to our Garmin Connect site and click the “Explore” tab. Here, you can search from millions of activities uploaded by Garmin users around the world. Get detailed data on the route, including distance, mapping, elevation and more. There's even a map player feature to replay the activity. If you have a compatible Garmin fitness device (like Edge 705 or Forerunner 405), you can send the course file to your device. Just click the “send to device” button under the summary box.

The best 4.3-inch GPS?

The Engadget team caught our eye today because they're asking for your opinion on the best 4.3-inch GPS. So far, the nüvi 265WT and nüvi 765T have been mentioned quite a few times, but there are at least a dozen other nüvis to choose from too. If you're wondering why there are so many nüvis in our product line, it's because each one has slightly different features so that you can choose a GPS that fits your lifestyle.

Let's say you travel overseas often. If so, you should consider owning a GPS that has preloaded North America and Europe maps (and we designate those models by using a 7 in the tens-column of the model name, like nüvi x7x or nüvi 1x7x). If you never travel to overseas, you can save some money by choosing a device that only has maps for the North America, or even the lower 48 if you don't plan to be in Canada. After you figure out what type of maps you want preloaded on your nüvi, you can narrow it down by looking at what features you need. Is Bluetooth capability for wireless calls a must have? How about traffic info? Would cityXplorer's pedestrian navigation be helpful? These decisions may seem a little overwhelming at first, but ultimately, you'll own a GPS that is tailored to you.

Hit the open road with nüvi 465T

Designed to satisfy the navigation needs of the trucking industry, the nüvi 465T is Garmin's first truck-specific nüvi, packed with features that will help drivers make the most out of their long-haul journey. The nüvi 465T provides specialized routing to support truck-related restrictions; it's customizable by weight, length, width, height, no trucks allowed, no trailers allowed and hazardous materials while routing. For the ultimate in convenience, the nüvi 465T comes preloaded with the NTTS Breakdown Directory that provides truck-friendly points of interest such as tire sales repair, glass repair, towing and recovery and truck stops with repair. The nüvi 465T also lets you create custom vehicle profiles tailored to what you're driving and what you're hauling. For a closer look, watch the demo video below...over and out.

Ask Garmin: Comparison shopping made easy

Two similar questions landed in our inbox this weekend. Looking for an entry-level Garmin for geocaching, Helene is trying to decide between the GPSMap 60Cx and an eTrex Legend HCx. "The display screen seems bigger and clearer," Helene notes with the 60Cx, "and it seems easier to geocache with." Meanwhile, Tony wrote in looking for a suitable replacement for his nüvi 650. This is where our Web team's work pays off through our online sort filters.

First, let's look at Helene's question. By going to the "On the Trail" section of Garmin.com, we can click on "Mapping Handhelds" and see the various models. By clicking the squares next to GPSMap 60Cx and eTrex Legend HCx, we can compare these units head-to-head. This side-by-side comparison shows that Helene is right about the 60Cx screen being larger, as that category is highlighted to show the difference. Other differences include weight, battery life, tide tables and the inclusion of a microSD card. These details should help Helene shop and get started on her way to finding a cache.

Save $$$ by driving with a GPS

Our friends at NAVTEQ recently completed a study that confirmed something we've believed for a long time -- using a GPS saves you money and time. NAVTEQ's study quantified that German drivers saved an average of 1,500 miles of driving when using a GPS. This equates to about $200 a year for a U.S. driver, and since the price of an entry-level Garmin nüvi is about $200, that means you could recoup the cost you spent on a device within the first year. Drivers saw the biggest savings when they drove during rush hour traffic, especially if their device included real-time traffic like the nüvi 1260T with free traffic. The study also found that those using a GPS had a 12% increase in fuel efficiency, which translates to an estimated .91 tons (metric) decrease in carbon dioxide emissions every year per driver. Interestingly enough, this study took place before Garmin's ecoRoutes, so just imagine the benefits to the environment if a driver used ecoRoutes!

So, there you have it. The facts are in and they nullify almost any excuse you may have had about not owning a GPS. Get a Garmin nüvi and save time, money and the environment!

NASCAR Truck Series navigates to KS Speedway

Look for Garmin on the track of the Kansas Speedway this weekend when the NASCAR Truck Series comes to our own backyard! The last time Garmin teamed up with TheGPSStore.com and the #07 truck, driver Chad McCumbeefinished third at the two-mile California Speedway in February - the best finish ever for the team. Chad has had some pretty good success at Kansas and noted that, "the track is smooth and each year the racing gets better as the surface wears." Chad is currently eight in NCWTS point standings and we'll be cheering him on Saturday from the sunflower state. The O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 will air live on the SPEED channel at 6 pm ET tomorrow. Good luck to Chad and the entire #07 crew!