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 + 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.  

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. 

Give dad some quality time with the FR60 fitness watch

Forget ties, tees and hats that only look good on motionless mannequins. Garmin has the gift for active dads that he can wear every day — the FR60. This versatile fitness watch can mind the miles, heart rate and calories burned for dad’s morning jog, keep him on time through the day, then track more data for a bike ride after work. Since FR60 is non-GPS, some models come with a tiny foot pod to count steps and measure distance, indoors or out. And it can team up with ANT+ accessories like the speed/cadence sensor for detailed feedback when cycling. Best of all, FR60 features wireless uploads to the computer, so dad’s data zips to our Garmin Connect site when he’s in range of the computer. No wires, no downloads, no sweat. Garmin Connect is an easy way for dad to analyze, store and share data and even create and track his fitness goals. What dad wouldn’t love that? So easy, it doesn’t even need an easy button. Come winter, when dad trades trail runs for gym time, FR60 becomes an indoor training partner. It will even work with compatible fitness equipment like spin bikes and treadmills to display and record data. Make dad’s day with a gift that will really move him — FR60.

Get there with Garmin and MSN Direct

We’re always working on ways to help you get where you’re going. And we’ve got a great new feature for those of you who use MSN Direct. We’ve worked with Microsoft to allow MSN Direct users to wirelessly send points of interest from Google Maps to their MSN Direct-compatible nüvi. As you know, MSN Direct users benefit from having traffic details, weather forecasts, movie times and more right at their fingertips. And now we’ve added even more convenience to this great functionality by allowing wireless POI transfers. Sending is easy; just search for the point you want on Google Maps and, once you find it, click on the Send link. Select GPS and then Garmin. On the resulting page select the MSN Direct tab and click the Send by MSN Direct button. (You may be prompted for your MSN Direct username and password.) The point will be sent wirelessly to your MSN Direct enabled nüvi and should appear on the device within minutes. It’s quick. It’s easy. And it’s a great way to plan a trip from the comfort of your computer. Take it for a test drive today!

eBay winner will join Team Garmin in Paris for unforgettable weekend

Here's your chance to join Team Garmin for a once-in-a-lifetime weekend this July with behind-the-scenes access as they cross the finish line in Paris, France. An auction for VIP access to pro cycling's biggest finale is up for grabs on eBay to the highest bidder. And the winner will be helping education as the proceeds benefit the Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

Here's what you'll be bidding on in this limited-time promotion at www.ebay.com/teamgarmin
-- Experience Paris and the race’s final stage for four people. (July 25-26, 2009)
-- VIP spectator access to team staging areas and events, refreshments included.
-- Seats in exclusive sponsor viewing area near finish line on Champs-Elysees in Paris.
-- Shuttle service to/from airport and to official events.
-- Two hotel rooms each for 3 nights at sponsor’s designated hotel. (July 24-26, 2009)
-- VIP access to restricted Team Garmin areas.
-- Attend the post race Team Garmin party on July 26th.
-- Garmin Edge 705 cycle computer and Team Garmin gear.

Curiosity Goes To Mars

GPS doesn't work on Mars, but in a way, NASA's new rover that's currently in production will have a Garmin connection nonetheless.

That's because Clara Ma, the 12-year-old daughter of two talented senior software engineers here at Garmin, won NASA's nationwide contest to name the new lander.  Scheduled for launch in 2011, the new rolling science lab will be known as "Curiosity."  More than 9,000 students from every state submitted essays to name the rover.  Jet Propulsion Lab engineer Suparna Mukherjee presented Clara with the award at her school earlier this week.

True to its name, Curiosity will analyze the Martian environment to determine if it ever has been favorable for supporting life.  The rover also will search for evidence of water and look for several chemical building blocks of life.

In her essay, Clara said that "curiosity is an everlasting flame that burns in everyone's mind. It makes me get out of bed in the morning and wonder what surprises life will throw at me that day."

We'd like to think that same curiosity is what drives us at Garmin.  Congratulations, Clara!

Garmin Connect welcomes all Garmin fitness devices

Great news from everyone at Garmin Connect! This week, Garmin Connect threw open its doors to all Garmin fitness devices, so you can now download activities from all of your Edge and Forerunner devices. Also, the move is on as we've started migrating everyone's activities from MotionBased over to Garmin Connect. Because there have been millions of activities shared at MotionBased and Garmin Connect, we had to start somewhere. So we focused first on the most recent activities (the most relevant in your training) and will be uploading the largest activities this summer.

Continue reading for more details about the Garmin Connect migration and other great updates to our online training community.

20-year stories: Garmin was his life preserver

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. This story comes from a couple of seamen whose Memorial Day 10 years ago was, well … more memorable than most. Here’s their story.

When Steve purchased his 29-foot sport fishing boat along with a business partner, he insisted that they spend a little more money on a GPS system. He chose a Garmin GPSMAP 230. Turns out that was a life-changing decision. Memorial Day weekend, 1999, Steve, Reese and four other friends spent a day fishing in the Gulf Stream off Charleston Harbor. As Reese walked to the boat's stern, he was pitched overboard, but no one heard his cries for help. Shirtless, and without a life jacket, he spent the longest 45 minutes of his life bobbing in the warm Gulf Stream waters.

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.

20-year stories: First day memories

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. Today you’ll hear from one of Garmin’s original employees who reflects on his first day, back in October 1989. When you start a company with just a handful of engineers, everybody has to pitch in. Even when it means going on a run for office supplies with the company co-founder. Learn more about Garmin’s history by viewing our interactive timeline and a video celebrating 20 years of innovation. Check back to the Garmin blog for more stories from our past, including some insight on the men who made Garmin — Gary Burrell and Dr. Min Kao.

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.

A new hair cut for a cause

The Garmin family is proud to give back to the community. And yesterday, we were excited to watch one of our executives shed his locks for an incredible cause. For several months, co-workers, friends, family and business associates of Jon Cassat, Garmin's vice president of marketing communications, have rallied together to raise money in support of the American Cancer Society's Shave to Save - a fundraiser that donates 100 percent of its proceeds to the Society's Hope Lodge in Kansas City. The Hope Lodge is a home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers traveling to Kansas City during their treatment. During Shave to Save, volunteers take the stage in front of hundreds of supporters and publicly shave their heads in honor of someone that has been affected by cancer. After raising a record-setting amount of more than $14K, the Garmin family cheered, applauded and joined the crowd in chanting"Jon, Jon, Jon!" as his wife took the first swipe of his hair at yesterday's event. Collectively, this year's event raised more money than all years prior, and more than $175K was raised for the Hope Lodge. Thanks again to everyone that supported the cause and came out to see Jon put his head on the buzz block!

Garmin is coming to a job fair near you

How would you like to work with Jake, Peg, Victor and Carl? While they love sharing their stories about using Garmin's innovative products for traveling, hiking, running, cycling, flying and golfing, none of it would be possible if they weren't surrounded by the brightest minds in the business. So we're spanning the U.S. in our search for more software engineers to add to our team. Tomorrow (April 22), we'll be at the Rose-Hulman college career fair in Terre Haute, Indiana. Then next Wednesday (April 29), we'll be talking to students at the Oregon State Spring Career Fair.

And at the end of May, we'll be all over the place in San Diego. As Jake gets ready for the Rock & Roll Marathon, our sales team and product experts will be at the expo showing off the newly announced Forerunner 310XT and Forerunner 405CX. Meanwhile, our recruiters will be in San Diego on May 28 to talk to experienced software engineers who are interested in Garmin. Other job fairs for experienced applicants that Garmin will be attending include Chicago (June 24) and Phoenix (July 15). For more information about careers at Garmin, be sure to check out www.garmin.com/careers or if you're a college student, visit www.garmin.com/garminu.

My-Cast OneLook: Intuitive Weather App for the iPhone

Our friends at Digital Cyclone (a Garmin subsidiary) have just launched My-Cast OneLook for the iPhone. If you're a weather junkie like this blogger or you want to be able to access reliable weather data on your phone 24/7, this iPhone app is for you. My-Cast OneLook is the iPhone's most concise weather app and it gives you a complete weather snapshot for anywhere in the U.S.:

    * Current conditions, hourly and extended forecasts
    * Animated NEXRAD radar
    * Cloud imagery
    * StormWatch that will tell you about watches, warnings and advisories from the National Weather Service
    * Almanac data plotted in relation to forecast

Locations are remembered for quick recall.

Download today from iTunes!

Take a Spin with Marley & Me

Want to make your next trip or your daily commute a bit more exciting? We’ve got the perfect solution – a free Marley & Me audiobook from Audible.com. It’s a great story that you’re sure to love. This audiobook is available as a free download for your compatible nüvi. And as an added bonus, we’ve created a special vehicle icon as well. So you’ll be able to let Marley guide you down the road as you listen to Marley & Me in your car. Two great downloads for the price of none! Stop by the Marley & Me download page to get your free audiobook and then swing by the Garmin Garage for your vehicle icon.

 

Spring snowstorm doesn’t dampen runners' spirits

When a forecast of snow, sleet and high winds caused race organizers for the Olathe Marathon to cancel the race set for last Saturday, some out-of-towners got inventive. Probably wasn’t feasible these folks would make the trip to our fair city the following Saturday to compete in the rescheduled half marathon or 5k distances. So they went about creating their own race day—a good 18 hours before the nasty weather would roll in. While running a marathon course with no official support isn’t for everyone, we have to give these guys credit for their determination and spirit. And from the looks of things, these runners were well-prepared with their night-time running gear. Read on for their story and check out their data recorded by one runner’s Forerunner 305.

We wanted to let you know that we ran the actual race last night (Friday). It took us a bit longer because it was more of an adventure race and we have never been to Olathe before and the map did not have all the streets marked. Most of the public was nice to us, but we had to wait for traffic a few times. We realize that this was not an official race, however in the spirit of Garmin and of Olathe, we are submitting our Garmin download as our race results.

20-year stories: Airport fire brigade in Austria uses Garmin GPS

In celebration of Garmin’s 20-year anniversary in 2009, we’re bringing you stories from across the globe of Garmin devices in action. Today’s story comes from Austria where an airport fire brigade relies on Garmin marine chartplotters in their emergency preparedness operations.

At the Airport in Graz, Austria, Garmin devices are used in an unusual, yet extremely important way. The airport fire brigade equipped their commando vehicles and some fire trucks with Garmin marine chartplotters. The reason for using the marine plotters is the size and the good readability of the screen. The entire area of the airport was divided in geographical sectors with dedicated names based on the coordinates. In case of emergency, a message with the exact position of the accident is sent to the vehicle from the tower. Due to this technique, the task force is able to save time — time that can be the difference between life and death. 

To learn more about Garmin’s history, including interviews from our cofounders and other associates around the world, view our video. And if you didn’t get a chance to see our last story in the 20-year anniversary series, check out “Preserving pieces of Garmin history.” This story includes a video tour of one Garmin associate’s private collection of Garmin memorabilia.

Mac and Forerunner 405: Update software and GPS wirelessly

More great news for Mac users! Now you're able to update your Forerunner 405 software and GPS chipset using your Mac and wireless USB ANT stick.  Through ANT Agent for Mac and our communicator plugin, you can also now send workouts and courses to the Forerunner 405 from Training Center. So in a nutshell, Mac users training with a Forerunner 405 now have most of the same functions available as those using a PC.

20-year stories: Preserving pieces of Garmin history

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. Today you’ll get a peek inside a garage-turned-Garmin museum. The caretaker and archivist is Frank, a long-time Garmin employee who “likes to collect history he can hold in his hands.” He started collecting antique radios in the mid-70s. Before he started his job in aviation engineering for Garmin in October 1995, Frank worked for another avionics manufacturer where he shared a lab with Garmin co-founders Gary Burrell, Min Kao and two of their business partners.

Frank’s passion for preservation sent him digging through dumpsters in his early days at Garmin.  “When we moved from Lenexa, there was a lot of stuff thrown away and my collecting instincts just took over. Over the years, people have given me stuff that they wanted to get rid of, so I had a lot of help,” Frank said.

Automotive OEMs Look to Garmin

The gates of CeBIT opened today and people from around the world are here to get a glimpse of the newest tech advancements. CeBIT is a huge consumer electronics trade show in Europe, and those in the Garmin booth are busy as we show off our newest wares. This year the booth is especially popular since it includes a MINI cabriolet. Why a MINI? It's helping us promote our OEM capabilities. Did you know we regularly work with OEMs so that they can offer customized Garmin navigation to their customers. These one-of-a-kind mounts hide the GPS wiring and make it look like the Garmin GPS is part of the vehicle's original dash. Today we announced that MINI and the PSA-Peugeot Citroën C3 Picasso will begin offering this customized solution. Those visiting Garmin's CeBIT booth will see a nüvi 255 in the MINI's custom mount. The MINI mount is unique because of its swivel capabilities and because it has been designed for compatibility with future nuvis. Owners of the PSA-Peugeot Citroën C3 Picasso will soon have the advantages of Garmin's premium nüvi 765 in a custom mount. The nüvi 765 has advanced features like lane assist, which guides the driver to the correct lane when approaching a turn or exit by displaying life-like road signs on the display. This feature makes unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. If you're at CeBIT, make sure you stop by the Garmin booth (Hall 15, Stand D08).

How Stuff Works points to nüMaps

If you visit HowStuffWorks.com today, you'll see a Garmin GPS device staring back at you. Since their profile piece is on how to update maps on your Garmin GPS, we decided to take this opportunity to remind you about nüMaps Lifetime. The name probably gives it away, but in case we need to clarify it, nüMaps is a way to get new maps for your GPS. We regularly provide you with map updates because we know that things around you change -- streets are added, new restaurants are opened, new housing subdivisions go up, and that's just the beginning.  Unlike those paper maps you may still be carrying around in the trunk of your car that are yellowed with age, it's important to keep your GPS maps up to date so that you're sure you're always headed in the right direction. nüMaps Lifetime is a one-time, single purchase that lets you download the most up-to-date map information as soon as new content is available -- for the lifetime of your device.  It's a great deal for any Garmin owner. Visit the nüMaps website for more info about pricing.

GRMN's Fourth Quarter Results

Garmin reported its fourth quarter results today.  Click here for the report and join the conference call at 11:00 a.m ET here.

Garmin Connect news: Forerunner 405 and 50 are now Mac compatible

We recently released software that will allow Mac users to upload their fitness activities recorded with the Forerunner 405 or 50 to Garmin Connect via the wireless USB ANT Stick. The software is called ANT Agent for Mac users. You can also send goals to your device when uploading your history/activities.

Soon you’ll be able to update your device software and GPS chipset to keep your device up to date. With future releases you’ll be able to send workouts and courses to the Forerunner 405 from Training Center and Garmin Connect, and independently send goals to the Forerunner 405 from Garmin Connect.  Future releases will also enable you to update your Forerunner 405’s device software and GPS chipset.

20-year stories: Garmin goes to the Gulf

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. Some stories are retold by the individuals who were here on the first day, working in rented office space among card tables and folding chairs. Space was limited, but the ideas weren’t. And here are their stories.

In 1991, when Garmin’s first prototype GPS navigators were just rolling off the production line, U.S. troops and planes were rolling out for Gulf War deployment. Major George Nemeyer, a navigator for the U.S. Air Force, determined there was one piece of equipment his plane had to have. Military issue wasn’t going to cut it. There were only a couple companies doing GPS at the time. And only one who answered the call.

Get Your Garmin Fix in 2009

Those of you who've followed our blog for some time may remember this post from the fall. But we've got lots of new readers joining us in the new year, so we thought we'd re-post this for everyone.

Around the Garmin blog, we’re always looking for ways to get our word out. In 2006, we tried skywriting our URL across the entire U.S. While we did enjoy limited success throughout parts of northern Montana, we didn’t get the results we were hoping for. In 2007, we thought we figured it out when we rented hundreds of Clown-a-grams® to blanket the states. Again – mixed results. But now we think we might be on to something. After a bit of coding and some switch flipping, we’re pleased to re-announce our ‘Subscribe Via Email’ option. Located in the upper left-hand corner of the blog, this new functionality will deliver a daily dose of blog posts directly to your inbox. It’s quick. It’s easy. And it’s a great way to stay-in-the-know about all things Garmin-related – whether it’s a contest, an event, a new product release, or just a chance to win some more of Jake's stuff. Not enough for you? Well, don't forget about Jake's Twitter account, too!

Of course, you can also subscribe to our RSS feed.  And if you’re not sure what an RSS feed is, we’ve included a quick video below from the good people over at Google. You can subscribe to the entire blog – or just individual feeds listed in the ‘categories’ section on the left. So however you choose to subscribe – RSS or email – you’ll get the freshest content available! Sign up today and put the Internet to work for you!

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!

Get Your Garmin Fix

Around the Garmin blog, we’re always looking for ways to get our word out. In 2006, we tried skywriting our URL across the entire U.S. While we did enjoy limited success throughout parts of northern Montana, we didn’t get the results we were hoping for.  In 2007, we thought we figured it out when we rented hundreds of Clown-a-grams® to blanket the states. Again – mixed results. But now we think we might be on to something. After a bit of coding and some switch flipping, we’re pleased to announce our ‘Subscribe Via Email’ option. Located in the upper left-hand corner of the blog, this new functionality will deliver a daily dose of blog posts directly to your inbox. It’s quick. It’s easy. And it’s a great way to stay-in-the-know about all things Garmin-related – whether it’s a contest, an event, a new product release, or just a chance to win some more of Jake's stuff.

Of course, you can also subscribe to our RSS feed.  And if you’re not sure what an RSS feed is, we’ve included a quick video below from the good people over at Google. You can subscribe to the entire blog – or just individual feeds listed in the ‘categories’ section on the left. So however you choose to subscribe – RSS or email – you’ll get the freshest content available! Sign up today and put the Internet to work for you!

Send to GPS with Microsoft Live Search

You’ve got to hand it to the smart folks in Redmond (specifically, Microsoft employees – but we’re sure everyone else in town is pretty nice, too.)  They know a thing or two about software and that’s why we’re excited to release another Send to GPS option. We’ve partnered with Microsoft for quite some time now. Their data keeps many nüvi owners in the know – providing them with traffic details, weather forecasts, movie times and more. And now, if you’re a Microsoft Live Search user, you have the ability to search and save destinations directly to your compatible Garmin GPS device. You can send your data via MSN Direct or straight from the web. In this video, we’ll show you how to find your destination online and send it to your compatible Garmin device. Follow along with Jake, our resident blog star, and see just how easy it is!

NBAA: Protect Your G1000 With FliteLevel Warranty

As you'd expect, pilots who purchase a new G1000 equipped airplane receive a warranty for their aircraft. But, what do you do when the warranty has almost expired and you want to extend it? Thanks to our new warranty program called FliteLevel Extended Warranty, we're able to offer customers complete system-wide avionics maintenance protection beyond their standard two-year factory warranty. Depending on which warranty package is selected, it will cover everything from displays to LRUs -- or soup to nuts in layman terms.FliteLevel Extended Warranty is available through OEMs and Garmin, so give us a shout if you want more details about the warranty options.

Garmin Mobile XT, Making Smartphones Smarter

Do you remember what life was like before cell phones? Neither do we. And because everyone we know is addicted to their phone, we created a must-have application called Garmin Mobile XT that turns cell phones into a nüvi-like navigator. If you're having a difficult time imagining what a nüvi would look like on your phone's screen, we just launched an online demo to help you visualize this extraordinary makeover. Garmin Mobile XT is a plug-n-play application that gives you turn-by-turn voice prompted directions. Plus, it includes free access to Garmin Online's traffic, weather, fuel price and flight status info. Check out the demo today.

Watch weather with Garmin on CBS' Early Show

Your weekend weather forecast will come courtesy of Garmin, if you're watching The Early Show this Saturday on CBS. Brian Brawdy is a big fan of Garmin's nav gear, and he's touring the United States in a "Green RV" with the GPSMAP 5208, which can display (among other things) some amazingly detailed weather data. Brian will be using his GPSMAP 5208 and GDL 30A to tell CBS' viewers what to expect in their forecast. Click on the screen below to see a TV report on his high-tech ride.

Garmin Mobile Wins the Gold

Garmin Mobile team members recently returned from the CTIA wireless show, and their bags were a little heavier on their return trip home than when they left. While at the show's Handango Forum, Garmin Mobile was awarded Best Industry Application in the BlackBerry OS category. The Handango award was for Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry, which we're very proud of, but we've added even more bells and whistles to Garmin Mobile compared to the version the Handango judges reviewed. In other words, be prepared to ooh and aah over the newest version of Garmin Mobile even more so than earlier versions. The newest version of Garmin Mobile is available now and it looks just like a nüvi on your phone, plus it has new features like Google Local search. Click here to give your phone a nüvi-like extreme makeover today.

CNET review: nüvi 880 vs. the competition

Pegged the “Heavyweight Championship Prizefight”, CNET editors put nüvi 880 in the ring with another GPS device featuring voice-activated navigation. What’s all the talk about voice-activated navigation? Basically, it frees you up from tapping the GPS screen so you can keep both hands on the wheel. Just tell nüvi 880 to find the nearest Starbuck’s and it brings up a list of locations. Speak the line number and nüvi takes you there. CNET reviewers Wayne Cunningham, Antuan Goodwin and Bonnie Cha rank the GPS heavyweights in several other areas. See who’s still standing in five rounds.

Garmin Garage: The Parking Lot is Now Open!

Fall is beginning to settle in around the Garmin Garage and we’re starting to focus on the holidays. Lots of new vehicles and lots more to do! It seems like we’re always working on something . . . and, lately, some of the best ideas for free vehicle icons have come from fans of the Garmin Garage.  So we thought we’d open up the Parking Lot for all of you. The Parking Lot is your place to submit your own ideas for vehicle icons. Got a great idea for a new vehicle? Be sure to share it with us! Each month, we’ll sort through all of the submissions and create our favorite! So if there’s something you’ve always wanted to see on your nüvi, zumo, or Streetpilot, stop by the Parking Lot today and let us know! You can write up a description, attach an image if you want, and send it our way. And we love creativity – the more interesting your idea is, the better chance it has of being picked! Just be sure your submission is an original one – we can’t create icons for existing vehicles . . . something about ‘legal reasons’, ‘lawsuits’, and ‘jail time.’ Start sending those ideas our way and we’ll see you in the Parking Lot! And if you want to be the first to know when a new vehicle arrives in the Garmin Garage, be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed! As we like to say in the Garmin Garage . . . Stay Tuned!

Team Garmin's Christian Vande Velde wins Tour of Missouri

It's official! Team Garmin's Christian Vande Velde has won the 2008 Tour of Missouri! Despite the weather throwing the cyclists for a loop - five of them, to be exact - Team Garmin's gameplan was perfect, capping a week of hard work by every cyclist on the team. We'll have much, much more on this stellar achievement in the days ahead, but our voices are shot, our laptop is on its last leg and we have to spend a few hours simply enjoying the success of Team Garmin and Christian Vande Velde.

Check out our Flickr page for shots from today and throughout the week, and come back to the Garmin blog all of next week as we share more behind-the-scenes moments from an amazing Tour of Missouri.

A Tour of France

While we all know about Team Garmin’s ride around France in July and their current ride across Missouri, a Garmin associate recently made a hop across the pond and over the channel to have a look around the City of Lights for himself. Armed with a nüvi 770 that’s loaded with street maps for Europe and North America as well as an Oregon 300 that features a built-in worldwide basemap, he was able to find his way through all of the twists and turns that wrap through Paris and also drop off an unregistered Colorado geocoin in the
process.  When asked about his time in Paris and his experience with his Garmin gear, his reply needed no translation.

“Having the nüvi with me was a big help. I put it in pedestrian mode and getting around was easy. I didn’t want to be the obvious tourist with the poster-sized map in front of me at all times and I wanted to make sure I spent more time looking at the sites instead of fumbling with pages of directions. The nüvi was quick and easy to use and helped me get home every night – a big plus when you’re in a foreign land. And it was great to be able to drop off a geocoin while I was on my trip. I keep checking Geocaching.com – when I’m not working – to see if anyone has found the coin yet. Lots of fun.”

So even when Garmin associates aren’t working, they really are working . . . so to speak. Because when you make gear that’s as fun to use as it is to work on, you’ll find lots of associates taking work home and on the road with them. Have a vacation story of your own that you’d like to share? Leave it in the comment section below!

Hit the Road with RoadTrip!

Listen up, Apple fans! We’ve just made organizing your waypoints, viewing map data, and saving your favorite map locations even easier on your Mac. Introducing RoadTrip – our newest resource for managing your map and waypoint information. With RoadTrip, you can create, view, and edit routes and also transfer saved waypoints, routes, and tracks between your GPS device and your computer. This is especially helpful if you’re recently purchased a newer Garmin unit but still have data saved in an older device. To learn more about RoadTrip, visit our dedicated Apple section on Garmin.com. Take a look and then take RoadTrip for a spin – it’s sure to help you make the most of your Garmin GPS. 

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.

Know before you go with our nüMaps Guarantee

Roads change. Routes change. Pretty much everything around us changes . . . but with our nüMaps GuaranteeTM, you’ll be able to receive the most up-to-date maps available. Now, if you’ve first used your nüvi or zumo on August 17th or later, you’ll be eligible for a free map update – provided your unit is registered with Garmin and a new map is available within 60 days of the unit’s first use.  The nüMaps Guarantee will begin on October 15, 2008.  You can visit our dedicated webpage for more details and also follow along on the blog.  We’ll make sure you have all the information you need about our nüMaps Guarantee. Stay tuned . . . .

Lifetime traffic, lane assist, Bluetooth and more

Those are just a few of the features our new nüvis have to tout! Today, we announced several new additions to two of our most popular series.  Adding lifetime traffic alerts and Bluetooth connectivity, the nüvi 265T, 265WT and 275T are ideal for the budget-minded consumer, who wants the edge when tackling traffic. With no subscription or annual fees, these traffic-friendly nüvis are ready to navigate you around the congestion right out of the box!

For a clear picture of the road ahead, the nüvi 755T, 765T, 775T and the 785T introduce lane assist to the popular nüvi family. Not sure which turn lane to be in? No problem - these new nüvis lead the way with arrows indicating the proper lane for navigation. Too many road signs to read while you're driving by? These powerful navigators fix that, too, with brilliant road sign detail displayed along the way.

For the ultimate in awareness and preparation, these new navigators hold the key. Avoid traffic, make hands-free calls and avoid the guesswork when driving when these nüvis are on board.

Read all about it with Garmin and Audible.com

Summer may be coming to an end but there’s still plenty of time to hit the highway and enjoy a good old-fashioned road trip. And to help lead you down the road, we’ve partnered with Audible.com to offer you a free audiobook to download to your compatible Garmin GPS device. Now you’ll have stories to listen to as you create stories of your own on your next trip. Of course, with so many travel tales to choose from, it was a tough choice deciding which one of Audible.com’s many selections would be the best. But after a flurry of emails and a few discussions, Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in 80 Days was picked. It’s the ultimate travel adventure – featuring exotic locations and numerous modes of transportation. And while you might just be taking a one-day weekend trip down the road to see family and friends, this epic story is sure to keep you entertained for miles. Download your free copy today and be sure to browse the rest of Audible.com’s selection. It’s a great way to make the most of your time on the road. 

Christian Vande Velde finishes 17th in Beijing

In a race where merely crossing the finish line was an unattainable feat for some, Christian Vande Velde pulled off a 17th place finish at the road race in Beijing. Christian was the second American across the line behind Levi Leipheimer, who finished 11th. Conditions were extremely hot and humid for the 245.5 km race. Of the 143 cyclists who stared the race at Yongdingmen Gate, 90 finished. Team Garmin’s Julian Dean finished 54th, with Ryder Hesjedal on his wheel in 56th place. David Zabriskie dropped out of the race halfway in order to save his legs for the individual time trial event on Wednesday. Read Christian’s account of the race, including a description of the expressionless guards keeping fans off the course in Beijing. Stayed tuned for more Team Garmin racing updates following the time trial with Zabriskie and Hesjedal, followed by Taylor Phinney tearing up the 4000 meter short track.

Take a Tour of Oregon via Utah

If you've made your way (or you're making your way) to Outdoor Retailer's Summer Market show in Salt Lake City, be sure to stop by Garmin's booth and get a hands-on demo of our new line of Oregon navigators. These rugged handhelds feature an easy-to-use touchscreen interface and are perfect for leading you over the river and through the woods . . . no matter where you're going.

Of course, we know that not everyone can make it to Outdoor Retailer but that's ok. Because we're bringing a little of Outdoor Retailer (and a little bit more of Oregon) to you. Follow along with Jake from the Garmin Blog Team as he gives a brief tour of Oregon - the high-sensitivity GPS navigator, not the great state.  And if the video doesn't make you want to run right out into the great wild, maybe some of Jake's most recent geo-coin drops will. We don't want to give away all of the hints as to where you can find these commemorative coins . . . but Outdoor Retailer is in Utah.  Jake's in Utah.  And he's armed with coins, Colorados, and Oregons.  He's a walking, talking, geocachin' machine!

You could win a nüvi playing SUBWAY® SCRABBLE!

Last year, thousands won cool prizes playing SUBWAY® SCRABBLE, a delicious twist on America’s favorite board game. This year, the game is back BIGGER and BETTER—with over 49 million chances to win instantly! Scrabbletastic prizes include $100,000 cash, hybrid cars, diamond jewelry, trips and more! Get Game Pieces on all sandwich wrappers and drink cups at participating SUBWAY® restaurants. Then just peel and reveal—you could instantly win a Garmin nüvi 205 GPS unit! And when you log on to subwayfreshbuzz.com, the fun continues with more chances to win prizes instantly or by completing winning words on the SUBWAY® SCRABBLE Game Board. You could be our next big winner—so get in the game now!

SCRABBLE, the distinctive game board and letter tiles, and all associated logos are trademarks of Hasbro in the United States and Canada and are used with permission. © 2008 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved.  ©2008 Doctor’s Associates Inc. SUBWAY® is a registered trademark of Doctor’s Associates Inc.