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 Nutcrackers march onto Michigan Ave

The Garmin Chicago storeis cracking into the holiday season with a family of Garmin-themed nutcrackers now on display. Each of the six life-size nutcrackers features a different product line, showcasing an array of Garmin devices. After only a few days on the avenue, the stylish holiday figures are already drawing tons of attention!
 
Although the Aviator is not placed directly in the windows, he is featuring one of the newest Garmin products, the aera. Customers are nutty to see the latest aviation device, creatively placed in the Aviator’s mouth.   

Garmin Chicago welcomes you to visit the store this holiday season. Product experts are on-hand to answer all your GPS questions and point you to the perfect device. Give-a-Garmin to the pilot, driver, hiker, biker, runner, hunter or boater in your life - we've got something for everyone! And, beginning on November 27, the Chicago store will stay open later, giving you more time to find the ultimate holiday gift. Visit the store’s calendar to see updated store hours.  

 

Competitive Edge at Chicago Marathon

Race week is under way and Chicago is buzzing with excitement. All runners are welcome to visit the Garmin booth at the McCormick Place Expo or the Chicago Store for competitive pricing on the latest Garmin fitness watches including the Forerunner 310XT and 405 series. Already at a lower price point, Garmin is offering an additional 10% discount on the devices. 

Throughout the weekend, product experts will be on-hand to help you prepare for race day on Sunday. Stop by the store with any questions and update your watch with the latest software. 

Finally, once you upload your race to Garmin Connect, share your results on twitter for a chance to be featured in the Chicago Store blog. Just follow your results with #GarminCM09results. 

Congratulations to all race participants!

Chicago Store: In the Heart of Fitness Season

The weather turns cooler and traffic on the Michigan Avenue dies down, but the Garmin Chicago store remains busy in the heart of fitness season! With competitive pricing on the Forerunner 405 series, associates are busy selling and product experts are teaching in daily GPS Academy sessions. Watch for upcoming open sessions on the Chicago store's Web site. 

After a successful Triathlon, the store eagerly anticipates the Chicago Marathon less than two weeks away. Look for Garmin at the Marathon Expo at McCormick Place on October 9 and 10 and be sure to cheer for Jake as he runs by on race day.

The Chicago Store staff would also like to thank U.S. female triathlete Jenna Shoemaker for stopping by the store last month. Not only did she draw a crowd for an exclusive autograph session, but the next day she placed fifth in the Chicago Triathlon. Congratulations, Jenna!

Chicago Store: Triathlon week and more

Still buzzing from a successful half marathon expo, the Chicago Store is eagerly preparing for the Chicago Triathon this weekend, August 28-29. Located at the Hilton, the Triathlon Expo runs 3-9 p.m. on Friday and 9-5 p.m. on Saturday. Visit the Garmin booth for a 20% discount card good on all fitness accessories at the Chicago Store. Experts will also be on hand to demonstrate the ever fashionable Forerunner 310XT, the Garmin watch designed for multi-sport athletes.

On Saturday, stop by the store from 1-2 p.m. for an exclusive autograph session with Garmin-sponsored top U.S. female triathlete, Jenna Shoemaker. Arrive early to hear product experts review the latest in Garmin fitness devices from 12-1 p.m., followed by a pre-race message from Jenna at 1 p.m. 

In addition, Garmin’s latest outdoor watch, the Foretrex 401, has found a home on the new arrival trolley.  Stop by and view the lightweight, waterproof watch that records tracks, routes and waypoints that you can share wirelessly with similar devices.

Don't forget to follow Garmin on Twitter @Garmin_Chicago for new product arrivals, GPS Academy dates and topics, and event listings. We hope to see you in Chicago soon!

Chicago Store: Autograph session with Jenna Shoemaker

Join the Chicago Store on Saturday, August 29 at 1 p.m. for an exclusive autograph session with Garmin-sponsored female-Triathlete Jenna Shoemaker. In town participating in the Chicago Triathlon, Jenna will also present pre-race words of encouragement. 

Jenna is currently ranked 32nd in the world and fifth in the U.S. among professional triathletes. Her aim is to represent the U.S. in the 2012 London Olympics. 

Below are a few of Jenna's 2009 highlights:

1st - Mazatlan Pan American Cup 2009
2nd - Pan American Championships 2009
3rd - Austin Pan American Cup 2009
6th - New Plymouth Oceania Cup 2009
14th - Mooloolaba World Cup 2009

Before Jenna takes the stage, the store’s product experts will demonstrate the latest Garmin fitness devices from 12-1 p.m on race day. If you're in town, come and meet the pro and learn about the Forerunner 310XT, the fitness watch specifically designed for triathletes!

Chicago Store: Measuring Garmin passion

Clearly the Forerunner 310XT draws a crowd! The latest GPS fitness device attracted thousands to the Garmin booth recently at the Chicago Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon Expo. Thank you to all who stopped by - whether you stopped by to see the latest and greatest in GPS fitness devices or just to share your Garmin stories - we enjoyed hearing from you and had a blast at the expo. Perhaps Garmin fitness engineers should create a new data field for passion, because your excitement and energy filled McCormick Place! Don’t worry if you missed the store at the half - the Chicago Triathlon (Aug. 28-30) and Marathon (Oct.11) are mere weeks away.

Meanwhile, stop by the store for GPS Academy and let our product experts introduce or provide a refresher course on the latest fitness devices. Click here for a list of upcoming session dates and times.

Congratulations to all half marathon participants and new Garmin fitness watch owners. We can't wait to see you out pounding the pavement with us again soon!

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!  

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!

Chicago Store: Helping you find the right device

If you're in the market for a new GPS device but can't decide which unit is right for you, now is the perfect time to stop by the Garmin Chicago store to get answers to all of your questions and find the units that are right for you! Store associates are on hand to offer one-on-one service while walking you through the various features and benefits of each model. They'll guide you through thishigh-tech, high-touch environment, listen to your needs and help you select the perfect devices for all of your needs. Don't forget that the store also carries a ton of accessories for your unit(s) and offer a free one-hour “GPS Academy” training session to anyone purchasing from us. And to make sure you're device is as current and up-to-date as it can be, we will update your software for free for the life of your unit - just bring it into the store any day we are open and we'll have you taken care of in no time

If you're still hungry for information,the Garmin Chicago store will be hosting open “GPS Academy” training sessions for the general public to attend starting this weekend. These sessions will cover all the markets from automotive to fitness to outdoor, giving you an overview of the product lines and highlighting key features. Check the schedule on our web page for dates and topics and if you're in the area, feel free to join us in the second floor theater on any date you choose. We hope to see you there!

 

Chicago Store: Gearing up for boating season

It’s almost time to bring the boats back out! With this year’s boating season just right around the corner, Garmin newest marine electronics, the GPSMAP 620, GPSMAP 640, and the GWS 10are boating and sailing essentials! These new units work as a true chartplotter on water, and effortlessly switch into automotive mode when you're ready to pack up and hit the road. Preloaded with US coastal charts and North American street maps, the GPSMAP 640 is also compatible with XM WX satellite weather data andXM NavTraffic for the ultimate in situational awareness. With a 5.2 inch, sunlight readable screen, the transition between water and land navigation is easier than ever. Also available for this spring’s boat launch is the GWS 10, Garmin’s first wind sensor that provides essential wide speed and direction data to those on the water. Curious to see the new devices? We have a wind sail next to the GWS 10 in the front window so you can be one of the first to test it out. Come on by the Garmin Chicago store and try out Garmin’s newest marine electronics as you prepare to get your boat in shape for the water this year!

Chicago Store: Love is in the store

Who said the best way to say “I love you” was with flowers and chocolates? This is a new age; it’s time to give the gift that will not melt or wilt away within a week - nüvi is the gift to remember this Valentine’s Day! Now in “his and her” colors of sleek piano black and stunning white, the nüvi 205 adds even more class to GPS navigation. The nüvi 205 offers a built-in map of the Continental US as well as Puerto Rico and Hawaii with spoken turn-by-turn directions. So this year, on the day of love, black and white become the new pink and red. Give a gift that really shows you care and stop by the Garmin Chicago Store to pick up a black or white nüvi 205 with a matching carrying case for even more pizzazz. Happy Valentine’s Day from Garmin Chicago!

Sneak Preview of 24 at Chicago Store

If you’re a fan of the FOX hit show “24: Season 7”, you know we’re already a few episodes into the new season. To coincide with the recent series launch, 50 lucky fans of the hit show were treated to a special sneak preview of the first episode before it aired at Garmin’s retail store in Chicago. These fans won the VIP tickets through our blog and by entering a drawing at the store. At the event, guests had the opportunity to meet Carlos Bernard who plays the character of Tony Almeida, enjoy refreshments and test out the Garmin devices on display. They also watched the exclusive preview and left with a gift bag from Garmin and “24”. You can catch a new episode of each Monday night on FOX and you can also view online webisodes of Jack in action at 24:Dossier. These webisodes feature lots of great Garmin gear – so be on the lookout while you’re watching. You never know when Jack will share the screen with an Oregon 400t, a Rino 530HCx or a nüvi 265WT!

Chicago Store: Garmin gear for your resolution

Another successful year has ended and Garmin is excited to welcome 2009! With a new year comes New Year's resolutions and we want to help you stick to yours...past the month of Feburary. Winter's full of sitting inside and eating big, hearty meals with the family. Pounds are easy to pack on in the cold months, but it's time to get moving again. If you're a runner, the Garmin Forerunner 405 can be your own personal trainer. And the best part?  You won't have to worry about someone yelling at you or pushing you beyond limits that you're not ready to set for yourself. With interval and advanced training features, you can customize your own workouts to get desirable results at your own pace. Perfect for the winter months, the Forerunner 405 can be used on a treadmill or on an indoor track with the foot pod accessory that will enable the user to obtain data without the use of satellite reception. Check out the "indoor workout" training video to see how it works. Be sure to check out the Garmin Chicago store for an up-close-and-personal look the Forerunner and other fitness devices.

Gadget Girl

Final chance to win sneak peek "24" tickets

By now you've probably seen the previews for FOX's new season of the hit show, "24." The two-night, four-hour season premier event airs on Sunday, Jan. 11 and Monday Jan. 12 8/7c, and we've been giving away tickets all month for a sneak peek preview at our Chicago retail store on Michigan Avenue on Jan. 8. Guests to this preview event will get to enjoy the first 24 minutes of the new "24:Season 7" premiere, meet Carlos Bernard who plays the character of Tony Almeida and take home a special Garmin/"24" goodie bag. And we've got one more pair of tickets to give out to this exclusive event - just send us the correct answer to the question below, and you'll be entered to win. Don't forget to enter the "24:Dossier Navigated by Garmin" sweepstakes for your chance to win one of 24 Garmin nuvi 850s, too. Click here for the complete list of rules and check back to the Blog on Friday to find out this week's winner. Good luck!

In the fifth installment of Jack Bauer's Dossier, he uses a Garmin nüvi for navigation as he's trying to track a suspect. Which Garmin nüvi features speech recognition and let's you talk back to your nüvi?

nüvi 765T

nüvi 500

nüvi 880

nüvi 265WT

Ask Garmin: Getting to know your gift

Many of you followed the advice of our holiday commercials and chose to "Give-a Give-a Give-a-Garmin" to your loved ones this holiday season. And now a whole new generation of Garmin owners want to get acquainted with their nüvi or Astro or Forerunner or Edge or Oregon or GPSMap or Mobile software or ... well, we could go on for a while.

The easiest way to learn about your new Garmin is to turn it on, go outside so that it can find the satellites and then play around with it. But if you're stuck indoors (or at work) and you want to see your new GPS device in action, we have solutions on our Garmin Buzz page. There you can find the handiwork of our interactive team, who has created minisites and online demos to introduce you to the technology. The crown jewel of the Buzz page is the Land of Oregon minisite. This highly interactive - and addictive - minisite introduces you to the Oregon touchscreen handheld in ways no owner's manual or blog can. There are also specific product demos as well as informative minisites for our Marine Network, the G600 glass cockpit and Garmin Mobile solutions.

Garmin/"24" week 3 winner, Monday's webisode preview

Linda from Chicago is this week's winner of a pair of tickets to Garmin's "24:Season 7" sneak peek party at our Chicago retail store, Jan. 8 from 6-8pm - congratulations! Jack used a Garmin Oregeon handheld in the third installment of his Dossier, and Linda correctly identified that these popular handhelds are touchscreen, rugged, waterproof and have wireless data exchange capabilities. Guests at our preview event will get to enjoy the first 24 minutes of the new "24" season seven before the two-night, four-hour season premiere event airs on Sunday, Jan. 11, and Monday, Jan. 12 8/7c on FOX. With only a few weeks before the new season, be sure to stay up-to-date with the weekly installments of Jack's 24:Dossier leading up to the new season. In Monday's installment, "Murder," Bauer is charged with unauthorized murders of key government witnesses and co-workers. Tune in Monday to see the rest, spot Garmin gear in action, and enter for your chance to win!

24TM & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.

Third chance to win "24" sneak peek tickets

We've given away two pairs of tickets to Garmin's exclusive "24:Season 7" premiere party at the Garmin Chicago store where fans will see the first 24 minutes of the new season, and we've got two more pair to give away! Kicking off the two-night, four-hour "24" season premiere event airing Sunday, Jan. 11 and Monday, Jan. 12 8/7c on FOX, this exclusive preview event is on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6-8 pm. If you can't wait until the season premiere, watch the online webisodes in Jack Bauer's Dossier at fox.com/24/dossier and send us the correct answer to the question below for your chance to win! Click here for the complete list of rules, and check back on Friday for this week's winner. And don't forget to enter for your chance to win one of 24 Garmin nüvi 850s in the "24 Dossier Navigated by Garmin" sweepstakes while you're at it!

Which of the following is not a characteristic of the Oregon handheld featured in the third online webisode from Jack's 24:Dossier:

Touchscreen

Wireless data exchange

Touch-bezel

Rugged

Waterproof

24TM & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.

Garmin/"24" week 2 winner, Monday's webisode preview

Congratulations to Penny of Chicago, IL - this week's winner of a pair of tickets to Garmin's "24:Season 7" sneak peek party at our Chicago retail store! If you watched the second online webisode from Jack's 24:Dossier like Penny, you might have spotted the Garmin nüvi and Rino two-way radio used to help Jack get around the city. These Garmin sponsored webisodes are being posted every Monday leading up to the "24" two-night, four-hour season premiere event airing on Sunday, Jan. 11, and Monday, Jan. 12 8/7c on FOX, and we've got tickets to see the first 24 minutes of the new season before it premiers! Watch Monday's installment, "Torture," where Bauer is investigated for multiple reports of torture and extreme interrogation, then check back here Monday for the next question and another chance to win!

24TM & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.

Second chance to win "24" sneak peek tickets

Last week we gave away a pair of tickets to Garmin's exclusive "24: Season 7" premier party at the Garmin Chicago Store where fans can see the first 24 minutes of the new season. This sneak peek event on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6-8 pm will kick off the two-night, four-hour 24 season premier event airing on Sunday, Jan. 11 and Monday, Jan. 12 8/7c on FOX. Simply watch the online webisodes in Jack Bauer's Dossier at fox.com/24/dossier, send us the correct answer to the question below, and you'll be entered for a chance to win! We're giving away three more pairs of tickets, so click here for the complete list of rules, and check back Friday for this week's winner.

The second online webisode, "Breaking Procedure," features product(s) from the following market(s) that Garmin serves:

Automotive

Outdoor/Rec

Fitness

Marine

Send us the correct answer, along with your name, address, phone number and email address, and we'll announce the next winner at the end of the week. Good luck!

24TM & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.

Garmin/"24" week 1 winner, Monday's webisode preview

Congratulations to Joan of Park Forest, IL, who was this week's winner of a pair of tickets to Garmin's "24: Season 7" sneak peek party at our Chicago retail store! She correctly identified the Oregon and GPSMAP found in the first online webisode from Jack's 24:Dossier. These Garmin sponsored webisodes are being posted every Monday leading up to the two-night, four-hour season premier event on Sunday, Jan. 11, and Monday, Jan. 12 8/7c on FOX, and we've got your ticket to see the first 24 minutes of the new season before it premiers! Today also kicks off the "24 Dossier Navigated by Garmin" sweepstakes, where fans can enter to win one of 24 Garmin nüvi 850s and other branded "24" items. Check back Monday for the next installment: Unlawful Detainment, where it's believed Bauer's illegal acts and torture lead to the death of a businessman. We'll also post the next trivia question for another chance to win tickets to our premier party, so stay tuned!

24TM & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.

First chance to win a sneak peek of FOX's "24"

In case you haven't heard about the Garmin gear that can be found on FOX's online webisodes kicking off their hit show, "24," today is the perfect day to join the fun. If you're waiting anxiously for the "24: Season 7" two-night, four-hour season premier event on Sunday, Jan. 11, and Monday, Jan. 12 8/7c on FOX like we are, here's your first chance to see a sneak peak of the first 24 minutes of the new season. For the next four weeks, we'll post a question on the blog that will relate to Garmin and the hit show, "24." Send us the correct answer, along with your contact information (name, address, phone number, e-mail), and we'll put your name in a drawing for a pair of tickets to the sneak peak party at the Garmin Store in Chicago on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6-8 pm where fans will also have the chance to meet Carlos Bernard who plays the character of Tony Almeida, enjoy refreshments and leave with an exclusive Garmin/24 gift bag. Cilck here for the complete list of rules, and without further ado, here's this week's question:

Which of the following Garmin product(s) can be found in the the first online webisode, "File 1 - Extradition?"

Oregon

Forerunner

Edge

GPSMAP

Garmin nüvi

24 TM & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights Reserved.

Watch for Garmin gear in FOX's 24: Dossier

The icons are ready. The first two webisodes are live. The countdown to 24: Day 7 has begun! Next Monday, we'll post the first part of our sweepstakes in which you can win tickets to see a sneak preview of the first 24 minutes at the Garmin Chicago retail store in January. In the meantime, you can visit fox.com/24/dossier to see the all-new online episodes of 24:Dossier, where you'll find great Garmin gear in action as new documents are released each week reviewing Jack's past actions. In next Monday's online episode, Bauer is charged with forcing co-workers and civilians to compromise their profession and morality to serve his mission's agenda. Check back next week to catch the new installment and solve the puzzle for a chance to win tickets to the Garmin preview party. And be sure to save the date - 24: Day 7 begins with a two-night, four-hour season seven premier event airing Sunday, Jan. 11, and Monday, Jan. 12 8/7c on FOX.

24TM & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.  All Rights Reserved.

Garmin gear helps FOX's "24" kick off new season

Garmin is excited to announce its partnership with FOX’s awarding-winning drama, "24," in anticipation of the Day 7 premiere. The two-night, four-hour event airs Sunday, Jan. 11 and Monday, Jan. 12 8/7C on FOX. Leading up to the season premiere, weekly webisodes will go live where fans can see Garmin navigation (a GPSMAP 396, Oregon 400t, Foretrex 201, Rino 530HCx, Garmin Mobile XT and a nüvi 265WT to be exact) being used in 24 Dossier.

In addition to watching the webisodes, "24" fans have the opportunity to see a sneak preview of "24" Day 7 on Thursday Jan. 8, from 6-8pm at the Garmin retail store on Michigan Avenue. Those fans will also have the chance to meet Carlos Bernard who plays the character of Tony Almeida, enjoy refreshments and leave with an exclusive Garmin/24 gift bag. How can you be part of this extraordinary event? You have to win it!

Happy Birthday, Garmin Chicago store!

Today we're celebrating the two year anniversary of Garmin's Chicago retail store located on the city's "Magnificent Mile." This three-story, 15,000 square foot space is the world's first and only retail outlet dedicated to GPS navigation and showcases products from each of the markets we serve: automotive/mobile, outdoor/rec, fitness, marine and aviation. Similar to, we might add, our new Holiday Guide, and latest "One for All" holiday commercial! The Chicago store is a unique opportunity to offer customers a high-tech, high-touch shopping experience and is a great way to experience and use all of our most popular devices under one roof. So the next time you're in the windy city, be sure to stop by and take a look around - the store offers hands-on product demos, interactive kiosks and in-depth product training and seminars. Happy Birthday once again to the Chicago store and special thanks to the store's employees for their dedication to great customer service. Here's to another great year!

New units take flight

Something is in store for aviation enthusiasts - it’s the GPSMAP 695 and 696 and they’re just in time for the Holiday season. The just-announced units are hitting the Garmin Store Chicago next week. Equipped with a 7-inch portrait high resolution screen that is readable in either day or night, the 695/696 make a statement to be different.

The 695 and 696 are packed with must have features but one thing we keep hearing from customers is that they like that it has a joystick similar to the G1000. Thanks to the joystick, it's much easier and faster to enter in data and maneuver through menus and pages.

If you're wondering what's the difference between the 695 and 696, the 696 comes with the GXM 40 smart antenna so that you can have real-time weather via XM WX on your GPS, just like the GPSMAP 396 and 496.  XM WX has two subscription services to choose from -- Aviator LT and Aviator -- so before activating XM WX, make sure you visit their site and choose the best one for you.  And just in case you're curious, the 695 can't display weather. If you don't need weather now but think you may want it in the future, get a 696 so you'll have that capability in the future.

What about the GPSMAP 396, 495/496? Well, never fear; they aren’t going anywhere. Come visit the store and we'll show you all of our aviation portables so you can do a side-by-side comparison and decide which one is best for you.

-Gadget Girl

Chicago Store: GPS treats

It's almost Halloween and everyone’s getting ready to have a sweet holiday weekend. And in the spirit of Halloween, the Garmin store has a few treats in place for our customers, too. Now until Friday, customers can still get a Fishfinder 400C with the $50 rebate! In addition, the Astro DC 30 rebate was extended until the end of the year, so if you're looking to get the DC 30 (for yourself, or maybe as a gift for your favorite hunter) and already have a DC 20; hurry in while the rebate still stands. In addition to these, there are also a lot of great gift ideas at the store for any of you pre-holiday shoppers looking to avoid the long lines that will be starting in a few weeks. And, as another treat, we will be offering FREE open training seminars at the Garmin store starting soon, so keep your eyes on the store’s site for more details. Until next week, have a great holiday weekend and stay safe!

-Garmin Guru

Jake's Journal: Meet me on Michigan Avenue

Josh looks confident. Jackie looks contemplative. Steph looks aggressive. Amy looks relaxed. Mathew looks professional. I look like I just realized I'm supposed to run 26.2 miles. Collectively, we are the runners you see in the Garmin store's new window banners for this weekend's Chicago Marathon festivities. My wife was understandably surprised when I was one of the six Garmin employees picked for the photo shoot. "Don't they have, you know, real models for that?" But that's how we do things at Garmin. Engineers are athletes and vice versa. Pilots do public relations. Hunters and hikers are head honchos. Boaters go from sails to sales. And a bald blogger can be larger than life on Michigan Avenue.

This weekend, the running world gathers in Chicago, and at the heart of the activity is Garmin's flagship retail store. And though all of our markets are represented among the hands-on displays and demos, the focus is on fitness as the fall marathon season hits its stride. Even Christian Vande Velde gets in on the action, and you can buy the Team Garmin jersey here at the store. And although I'm flying home tonight and not running this weekend in Chicago, I'll be here in spirit - and in the Forerunner 405 tutorial videos showing in the store's second-floor auditorium. In the comments below, let me know if you're doing Chicago and how it goes. Or tell me if you're running Kansas City or New York, and I'll keep an eye out for you. I'll be the guy who looks like he just realized....

Chicago Store: Countdown to the Marathon

The countdown has begun. With less than one week left until the highly anticipated Chicago Marathon kicks off, the Garmin store has transformed into an exhibit of every runner's dream device. Flaunting the innovative fitness products with top notch athletes in our windows (pictured left) it’s sure to lure marathoners into the store. With gigantic posters and tons of display units accompanied by functional and fashionable gear, we will be the source for their fitness technology needs!

Runners are welcome to stop by the second floor of the store and check out cool training videos for the Forerunner 405 and participate in open sessions with product experts answering any questions and concerns. We look forward to seeing thousands of runners stopping by the store and leaving feeling informed and ready to hit the course.

Chicago store brings new faces, inside looks to the blog

With the preparation for the Chicago Marathon season and the impending Holiday season, we’re all abuzz at the Garmin Store. As for the blog, we will be releasing weekly updates to keep our readers informed of all Garmin goings-on.

So over the next several months, expect to see posts with an inside look at our store events, customer experiences, and products. I would like to welcome you all to the new Garmin Store Blog team: Sophia a.k.a. Gadget Girl; Brittany a.k.a. the Driving Diva; and myself, Marc a.k.a. Garmin Guru. It will be our pleasure to welcome you into the life of a Chicago Garmin team member. We promise not to steer you wrong!

- Garmin Guru

nüvi 255: you can't afford to leave town without it

Summer temps are going down, and so are the prices for the nüvi 255 and 255W. The first unit in the affordable nüvi 205 series with the text-to-speech feature is now fifty dollars cheaper! Think of what fifty dollars could be… Ladies, that’s the pair of shoes that you’ve been wanting. And gents, that’s enough to cover the price for those extra sports channels. Find it at the Garmin store on Chicago's Magnificent Mile or your favorite retailer.

Chicago Store: nüvi 2x5 series has arrived

If you have been delaying the purchase of a Garmin GPS navigation unit with hopes that more features would be introduced, or that the price of the unit would better fit into your budget - now is that time! The arrival last week of the nüvi 205s and nüvi 255s were well received by the Garmin store’s customers. Among the coolest features found on these models are the ones that were previously found only in our high-end models such as the nuvi 700 series. All 2x5 series models have the Where Am I? feature, are compatible with the optional MSN Direct content, and a QWERTY keyboard is available on the widescreen models.

Also, there is a new user interface that provides additional information and makes navigation easier. When a user enters a destination, the estimated distance and travel time pop up on the screen. When the user taps onto this pop-up window, the route is previewed. Previous nuvi models required the user to select “Go” before seeing the estimated arrival time and to go into the odometer screen before seeing the estimated distance.

Chicago Store: Run with us this summer

Summer reruns giving you the blues? Dreading the onslaught of reality TV shows this summer? No more sub-par, average Wednesdays around here. Get up off of that couch and get your fitness on with the weekly Garmin Running Club as it moves to its new prime time day and time.

Starting this Wednesday, June 11, at 6:30 pm, the Garmin Running Club will meet at its new day and time. For all our dedicated spirited runners, we would like to give you special thanks for your support on Saturday mornings. Please come out and help us make our new night just as spectacular. 

The Garmin Running Club offers trials of the popular Garmin Forerunner products and clinics with guest speakers to help you stay on track with your running goals. Your next race is just around the corner, so we hope to see you at the Garmin Chicago Store every Wednesday at 6:30 pm for a 3, 5, or 7-mile run on Chicago’s Lakefront Path. We look forward to seeing you there!   

There's a Plane in the Store!

Had you walked by the Garmin Store on Chicago's famed Michigan Avenue yesterday you probably would have done a double-take when you realized a Cirrus SR22-G3 airplane was in the middle of the store. As many pilots and avid blog readers know, Cirrus and Garmin announced the Perspective glass cockpit last week, an all-glass Garmin cockpit that integrates information like aircraft attitude, air data, engine instrumentation, real-time weather, traffic and terrain.

The Cirrus SR22-G3 airplane mock-up took center stage at the Garmin store for 24-hours and kicked off a  national Cirrus Perspective tour. The Cirrus SR22-G3 with Perspective mock-up and aircraft will be visiting 20-plus cities between now and the end of June, so if you missed last night's event in Chicago you'll want to contact Cirrus to find out more about the tour.

Forerunner 405: Perfect for Mother's Day - or Win One for Yourself

With its release at the Boston Marathon and arrival at running stores, the Forerunner 405 has raced to the top of wish lists everywhere. And today only (May 7), you can win a free Forerunner 405 from Women's Health magazine. Click here for details and to enter the Women's Health contest.

And with Mother's Day coming up this weekend, Shape magazine says the Forerunner 405 is the perfect gift for active moms. "Speedy moms who still sign up for marathons, races or triathlons, one after the next, can better track their mileage, times and trails with the Garmin Forerunner 405," explains Shape's gift guide. "Near buildings or under trees, no matter where she strides, this gadget will track your mom's distance, elevation, calories burned, pace, and more." Click here for Shape's complete Mothers Day Gift Guide.

Chicago Store: 405s have arrived!

If you were unable to visit the Garmin booth during last week’s Boston Marathon and become one of the lucky folks to be the first to own the Forerunner 405, visit (or call) the Garmin store in Chicago! We have both the black and sage green color options of the 405 with the heart rate monitors in-stock and available for purchase. Unfortunately, if you want the versions without the heart rate monitors, you will have to wait a few more weeks before they are available. The store is offering group training sessions on the Forerunner 405 every Saturday morning at 11am after the weekly Garmin Running Club.

The Garmin Running Club meets at the store every Saturday morning at 8 am and leads groups of runners on either a 3, 5, or 7-mile run along Chicago’s lake front running path. Runners can trial Garmin Forerunner products on a first-come, first-serve basis, as well as enjoy light refreshments after the runs. All runners of all levels are welcome to participate. See you there!

Forerunner 405: Get up to speed with hands-on demos

Must-have sport watch meets must-see TV in these brief training clips featuring our own blog editor and running expert, Jake. He’ll show you the hottest features of the new Forerunner 405 and teach you how to use the innovative touch bezel. We’ll be posting a whole series of these videos at this site. Catch a few now, come back for more clips later, including a segment where Jake goes head to head with Forerunner’s digital Virtual Partner. For all our customers who’ve been patiently waiting to get their hands on our newest GPS-enabled sport watch, we’re happy to say the 405 is now in stores, including our Chicago Store on the Magnificent Mile, and it's going like hot cakes. 

Chicago Store: Harbor hoopla

For the mariners here in Chicago, today is more than just the day their taxes must be filed with the IRS. The 15th of April also signifies the unofficial start of boating season for the Windy City crowd. Most of the major harbors here in Chicago are owned and controlled by the Chicago Park District, and they are not open year-round. So while the "Official" opening of the Harbors isn't until May 1, the Park district allows many boaters to access their slips starting April 15. There are four major harbors near the Garmin store on Michigan Avenue: Monroe Harbor, DuSable Harbor, Diversey Harbor, and Belmont Harbor. Those of you familiar with the former Meigs Field may remember DuSable Harbor, which sits between the former lakefront airport and Lakeshore Drive. With all of the harbors and breakwaters around the Chicago shores, a high-tech Garmin Chartplotter - such as the new GPSMAP 5215 - will certainly help you find your way. For those of you without charting for Lake Michigan, grab region 2US016R in either regular Bluechart format or on a pre-loaded G2 card, and you'll be navigating in no time. If you need a Garmin datacard loaded or need to update your pre-loaded chartplotter, we have the capability to do that right in the store. If you're in the area and would like to have this done, give us a call here at the store and we'll be happy to assist. Happy Boating!
   

Chicago Store: Weekly Running Club is under way

Special thanks to all the runners who helped make the kick-off to the Garmin Weekly Running Club a success! We were joined by a special guest, Mark Buciak, who presented the "Top 11 tips for starting off on the right foot."  Mark has completed 51 marathons, including 28 consecutive Boston Marathons with a personal best time of 2:30. He is also the program director for The Road To Boston Training Program and a writer for Chicago Athlete magazine. In addition to Mark’s presentation, enthusiastic runners had the opportunity to play with the new Garmin Forerunner 405, and eight lucky runners won entries into the Shamrock Shuffle.

The Garmin Running Club offers multiple running routes with product trials and clinics, and guest speakers help you stay on track with your running goals. Starting this year, we will target one race per month where you will have the opportunity to win an entry into that specific race. The next race is around the corner, so we hope to see you at the Garmin Chicago Store at 663 N. Michigan Avenue this Saturday, at 8 am, for a 3, 5, or 7-mile run on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

   

Watch for Garmin on W_EEL OF FORT_NE

Whether you're a diehard Wheel Watcher or a casual channel surfer, we're hoping you find time next week to join Pat Sajak and Vanna White as three lucky contestants try to spin and solve their way to the big money on Wheel of Fortune. Tune in early to see the first two toss-ups - and then the fun begins when a special Garmin prize is added to the wheel on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And anyone who has ever used a Garmin knows that it's far more helpful than a Wild Card in Wheel's bonus round. (Because really, beyond R, S, T, L, N, E, an extra three consonants and a vowel, how much do you really need?)

So have your Spin ID number ready, buy a vowel if needed, try to avoid Bankrupt and get ready to win with Garmin and Wheel of Fortune.

Jake's Journal: Our first Wherigo winner is...

...set to get a limited-edition Colorado/Wherigo geocoin this weekend. What, did you want me to announce the actual winner in this post? That would be too easy. If the Oscars and politicians can draw out the drama, we can't be blamed for wanting to do a little something special for our first winner in the weekly Wherigo Builder contest.

What I can tell you is that Brad and I have spent the past week downloading the cartridges that all of you built (as long as you sent us an e-mail to tell us about them) and playing them on the Colorado 400t. If you click on the jump below, I've included links to some of our favorites (in no particular order). And because our weekly contest starts anew every Tuesday at noon Central, we're well into the second round of contestants. So go to Wherigo.com and learn about the Wherigo Builder program. Build a cartridge and upload it to Wherigo.com. Send us an e-mail with a brief description and link to make your entry official. And you could join this week's winner in being the proud owner of a Colorado/Wherigo geocoin. That's all for now. I have to go play ... I mean, work.

Chicago Store: Runners take your mark, get set, GO!

Join us at the Garmin Chicago Store this Saturday, March 15, at 8:30 a.m., to celebrate the kick-off to the 2008 season of the Garmin Weekly Running Club. In addition to showcasing the new Garmin Forerunner 405, this week we will also be raffling off entries for the Shamrock Shuffle. There is no cost to participate in the weekly Garmin Running Club, and the event is open to runners of all levels (walkers are welcome, too). So dust off those running shoes and join us every Saturday morning for a 3, 5, or 7-mile run on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile!

Jake's Journal: Win a geocoin with Wherigo

At each stop on our recent Colorado/Wherigo tour, I've played equal parts Santa and Grinch. I was welcomed with open arms when I was explaining the Colorado 400t and its preloaded topo maps, paperless geocaching and wireless data transfer. I really became the star of the show when I was announcing the winning raffle numbers and handing over a limited-edition Colorado/Wherigo geocoin. But then I was the bad guy when I explained a few ground rules. 1) You can't get these geocoins by trading with me. 2) One person, one coin. 3) When my pockets are empty, the raffle is over.

But now I'm loosening the pursestrings. We're going to give away a coin a week to the weekly winner of our Wherigo Builder contest. The rules are easy. Build a Wherigo cartridge at Wherigo.com and send an e-mail to garminblogs@garmin.com with a brief description to let us know it's there. (Click here for detailed rules.) I'll team up with Brad the Engineer (the brains of our dynamic duo) and pick a winner each week until further notice. And that's just the beginning.

Ask Garmin: Edge is on its way!

Many of you have been wondering about, well, a lot of things. We wanted to give you one easy place to turn for answers. So every Monday, we're bringing you a new feature: Ask Garmin. Just send a question to garminblogs@garmin.com with Ask Garmin in the subject line, and we'll track down an answer.

Today's question: When can I buy an Edge 705 or a Forerunner 405? OK, we're kind of cheating here, because this is a combination of two of the most common questions since we introduced these revolutionary fitness devices. And we have great news - the Edge 705 is shipping to stores as we speak! So check with your local bike shop, and get ready to lose yourself in the ride.

As for the Forerunner 405, we could tell right from the get-go that this powerful fitness watch doesn't shy away from the spotlight. So it only makes sense that it would hit the streets going stride for stride with the world's best runners. Look for the Forerunner 405, with its touch bezel and wireless data transfer, to hit the ground running at the Boston Marathon. Where it goes from there is up to you.

Thanks for your questions, and don't forget to Ask Garmin at garminblogs@garmin.com.

Wherigo on the go in Chicago

We wrapped up the final weekend in February the same way we began the month - greeting geocachers and giving them the chance to get their hands on a Colorado. And once again, they were pleased with what they saw. Nearly a hundred midwesterners took advantage of a mild Saturday in Chicago and joined us on the second floor of Garmin's flagship store on Michigan Avenue.

Participants were welcomed by Jeremy Irish, president of Groundspeak, who talked about the history of geocaching and creation of Wherigo. Then Shauna, also of Groundspeak fame, took tutorial groups outside to play and learn. Once they returned, any feedback and questions were gladly taken by Brad, Tom and Jerad, Garmin engineers who made the trip to hear people's thoughts on the Colorado. Big thanks to geocacher Amy D. for sending us her pictures! To learn more about the Colorado, click here. To get the latest software for the one you own, click here. And to find out how you can get a Colorado/Wherigo geocoin (just like the people who showed up Saturday), keep checking the blog!!

Jake's Journal: Update your Colorado, join me in Chicago

At each of the stops on our Colorado/Wherigo road trip, we've made the same plea for feedback on the Colorado. Tell us what you like, tell us what needs work, and we'll do our best to make a great product even better. Just released this week, this free, downloadable software update is a perfect example because it: 1. Displays caches on the map. 2. Double the numbers of caches - to 2000! 3. Adds the ability to log caches as found. 4. Provides support for Colorado Field Notes, which allows you to auto-generate logged caches by sending a file from the Colorado to geocaching.com.

And don't forget that buying and registering a Colorado gives you access to a free trial premium membership to Groundspeak's geocaching and Wherigo sites. To learn more about the Colorado and Wherigo, join us on Saturday at the Garmin store at 663 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Sessions begin at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. I'll be there with limited-edition geocoins!

Chicago Store: Colorado/Wherigo Event

Attention geocachers and outdoor enthusiasts! If you missed the chance to join Groundspeak and Garmin during their Winter Wherigo Tour, you now have the opportunity to meet up with them in the Midwest. This Saturday, February 23, Jeremy from Groundspeak and Jake from Garmin will be hosting a special geocaching event at the Garmin Store in Chicago, where you will be able to experience the Colorado handhelds and the new Wherigo activity firsthand. The event will consist of three sessions, and each will have a presentation preceding tutorials on Wherigo.

We invite you to attend one of the following sessions:
▲ 10:00 am
▲ 1:00 pm
▲ 3:00 pm

Limited-edition Garmin/Wherigo geocoins will be awarded at all three sessions. We hope to see you this Saturday!

   

Chicago Store: Pink nüvi is a Girl's Best Friend

Ladies, no longer is GPS technology strictly for the men in your lives! For all of you fashionistas out there, Garmin has designed a product specifically for you. The newly announced pink nüvi 200 demands class with a feminine flair—just like you!  Small enough to fit inside a Coach wristlet, yet big enough to read while driving, the pink nüvi 200 fits all your needs as it navigates you in style. Whether you are using it for business in New York City, or finding a boutique on Rodeo Drive, it’s useful for all your everyday activities. This is one accessory you’ll never want to leave home without. After all, Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. So be direct: hint to your significant other to step up this year’s gift. Tell 'em to skip the usual flowers and candy and give you something that won't die off in a week, but instead, will last you for years to come. But hurry... Valentine's Day is less than 48 hours away! Visit or call the Garmin Store in Chicago, or stop by a Best Buy near you to pick up the pink nüvi 200 and always arrive fashionably early!

Napoleon's lyrical guide

Super Bowl XLII was the most-watched Super Bowl ever, and the ratings for those companies who had a spot during this advertising mecca are still coming in. That aside, many of you are still wondering what the French lyrics to Garmin's Napoleon commercial translate to. While there have been many guesses, one one has quite cracked the code. So before you go booking a flight to Paris to ask one of the locals, we'll let you in on the translation instead. Thanks to everyone who attempted to translate the lyrics, and for all the kind comments we've received since the spot!

"Under the sun, it's perfect, with my friends we drive, on the highway to paradise - alright - let's go in my car - the life before us is a beautiful sight, oh baby, here we go, let's go to paradise - alright - Garmin-Garmin-Garmin!"

Watch the commercial... win some Garmin goodies!

As you can see from the posts below, we've had a pretty busy week around here! And since it's Friday (and just days away from the big game) we've decided to keep the fun going in full force. So in true Garmin-Blog fashion, we're sweetening up our SB commercial announcement for our blog readers, with a little extra incentive. Be one of the first few people to translate the lyrics to the 30-second commercial, and you'll score some sweet Garmin schwag. Watch the spot, and the making-of as many times as it takes here. Then post your English translations below and we'll let you know how you did come Monday after the commercial makes it's television debut. Good luck!

(Sorry over-sea's bloggers, this schwag giveaway only applies to our readers in the States)