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.  

Make the most of your Garmin with one-click

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

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

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

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

Father's Day gift ideas: The gift of navigation

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

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

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

June is Map Update Month

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

Save $$$ by driving with a GPS

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

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

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.

Garmin Garage: Nomad

Get your motor runnin’.  Head out on the highway.  And let Nomad lead the way to two-wheeled fun. At least that’s how the song goes, right? Anyway - since we swung the shop doors open on the Garmin Garage, we’ve heard from motorcycle riders far and wide. Everyone has wanted a few more bikes in the line up and we finally had time to add one to the list. It’s a good thing, too. We’re quickly approaching riding season and with our recently launched zumo 660 available soon, we wanted to make sure Nomad was all polished up and ready to release into the wild. Of course, you don’t need to ride a motorcycle to download Nomad. In fact, you don’t even need to drive. All you need is a compatible nüvi, zumo, or Street Pilot and you’re ready to go. And if you think about it, this free vehicle download may be one of the easiest (and cheapest) bikes you can own. So grab Nomad today and feel the virtual wind in your face as you travel down the road in style. Stay safe out there and remember to keep the shiny side up!

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!

zumo 660 for two-wheeled adventures

Today is the opening day of CES and it'll be a busy one for us as we begin showing off all our new products to the thousands that come to Vegas to find the latest and greatest in consumer electronics. The zumo 660 is one of our exciting new products. What makes the zumo 660 special from earlier zumo motocycle models? The list feels endless, but the external size is one of the first things motorcyclists will notice. The zumo 660 has a sleeker form factor that is similar to a nuvi. It also has advanced routing capabilities like lane assist with junction that guides riders to the correct lane. In major cities, like Vegas, navigation is enhanced by showing surrounding buildings in a 3D transparent view. And of course we haven't left out the features that made the original zumo so popular -- glove friendly controls, waterproofing, a compass page, Bluetooth, turn-by-turn voice prompted directions, route sharing and more. I could keep describing the zumo 660 in this blog post, but words really don't do it justice. If you're in Vegas, stop by our CES booth (South Hall 4, #35832) and check it out. If you're not at the show, you can find more zumo info here and you'll be able to purchase it from our dealers in the first quarter of 2009, just in time for a Spring ride.

SEMA: Vegas serves up buffet for the senses

It's hard to picture Las Vegas needing any more blinking lights, booming speakers or shiny bling than already covers the strip. Then SEMA rolls into town. Put on by the Specialty Equipment Market Association, this week's automotive trade show brings together the most extravagant cars, elaborate accessories and innovative technology known to man. And anywhere the world's best electronics are being showcased, Garmin is there drawing a crowd.

People gather around the nüvi display, checking out nüvi 880's speech recognition, nüvi 5000's expansive screen, nüvi 500's multi-mode versatility or the lifetime traffic and lane assist on the newest nüvis on the market. Wireless wanderers appreciate the capabilities of Garmin Mobile, which can turn a smartphone into a handheld navigator. And of course, since we're at an auto show, we're also showing off the tricked-out Garmin SWERV Jeep and zumo-equipped, three-wheel Can-Am Spyder. For more details, check out our "On The Road" section of Garmin.com.

nüMaps Guarantee now available!

New neighborhoods are built, points of interest move and highway exits change. With the nüMaps Guarantee program, when a customer starts using their new Garmin, they can be assured that their unit will have access to the latest version of road maps.

It's easy - after you purchase your new nüvi or zumo PND, register your unit at http://my.garmin.com within 60 days of the first use. If new map data is available anytime during that 60-day period, you can request and download the new data - free of charge - by following simple online prompts.

Register today to see if you qualify for the nuMaps Guarantee!

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!

Alton Brown Makes Waves With Garmin

In case you missed it, the Food Network aired the first installment last night of Feasting on Waves, Alton Brown's culinary journey through the Caribbean.  Alton is probably best known for his show Good Eats, but he's done a couple of other very entertaining "Feasting" series on motorcycle.

So what's this got to do with Garmin?  A lot, actually.  It turns out Alton is a big fan of Garmin.  We sent him the venerable StreetPilot 2820 during his first series, and he used a Colorado 400C loaded with a BlueChart g2 card of the Caribbean to find his way around this time.  It turns out Alton is a card-carrying techie -- check out Gizmodo's weekend feature on the man.

And tune in every Sunday night at 10p.m. Eastern to the Food Network to catch the latest installment of our favorite cook's Caribbean culinary quest.

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.

Scenes from the H2C starting line

No time to say much, as Amy gets our team started in mere minutes, but we wanted to share a few pictures before everything kicks into high gear. We're here near the summit of Mount Hood, ready to represent Garmin for the 197-mile trek to the Pacific Coast. But the law is on our side. Check out the zumo being put to use by the local motorcycle patrol. Our colleagues from the Salem office begin the Hood to Coast Relay at 1:45 local time, and we hit the road - and the rapid descent - 15 minutes later. We'll check in again once we have a few miles under our belts.

 

On the Road with zumo

One of the great things about working at Garmin is that you’re always surrounded by people who share a passion for the products that they work on. Throughout our headquarters and at each of our offices around the world, you’ll find Garmin employees using the great gear that we create. Sure, it’s lots and lots of fun, but it also helps us learn more about our products and continue to search for new ways to make our offerings even better. 

And when one of the products you make happens to be the zumo, it should come as no surprise that lots of the people who work here take to two wheels as often as possible – whether it’s for transportation, recreation or both. We’re also right in the middle of motorcycle season and Sturgis has fired to life for what’s sure to be another great year. It’s where you’ll find our new Harley-Davidson Road Tech zumo along with many more zumos zig-zagging across South Dakota. Of course, not all roads lead to Sturgis. At the beginning of spring, Ben, one of the many Garmin associates who rides, took off on a multi-state trip that stretched from Kansas to California – and back. You can ride along with Ben and view his pictures below. It’s just one of the many zumo-guided trips that Garmin users and Garmin associates will be enjoying this year. And it's also another quick glimpse of a Garmin associate putting our products through their paces. 

Ride

view presentation

Stay on course with Map Updates from Garmin

If you want to make the most of your nüvi, zumo or StreetPilot, you’ll want to check to see if you’re using our newest map data. This information provides you with the most recent map content available so you’ll be able to navigate with ease on your next trip. And now we’ve made it even easier for you to update maps on your Garmin device because this is the first time we’ve made our updates available via download. Our newest map update includes more than 8 million miles of road coverage, newly revised and fully routable maps for the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, postal code support for Canada and nearly 6 million points of interest! So visit our map update section today for more information about our newest map data.

Time to Vote for Your Favorite Vehicle

The time has come to choose the winner of the Garmin Garage Wrench 'n' Win Contest. We just announced the finalists from Week 4, and they've taken their places alongside the other entries hoping to find a place on your Garmin device. You can see all of the finalists by clicking here. Each person gets one vote, so you need to choose wisely. As soon as you make your selection, you’ll be able to see live voting results. And you can keep checking back to see how your favorite is doing.

Be sure to send this link to everyone you know so that they can help your favorite entry become a free, downloadable icon on Garmin’s devices. And speaking of Garmin devices, we’ll be giving the contest's grand prize winner a brand new nüvi 205! Take a moment right now to check out the finalists and cast your vote!

Ask Garmin: Add New Vehicles to Your nüvi

Our e-mail this week comes from M. Smith: "I recently purchased a nüvi 260 and know nothing about GPS systems." As proof of the popularity of all of the new vehicles we're adding to the Garmin Garage, topping our e-mailer's to-do list was downloading new vehicle icons. "Can anyone help me?"

Absolutely. Not only is it easy, it's free! We have a cheat sheet for installing new vehicles, and we'll explain the steps in detail later in this post. In less than a minute, you can be cruising in style. For those who spend their days helping others, we have the popular service vehicles bundle. We also cater to outdoor enthusiasts, Elliott Sadler fans, or anyone looking for something sleek or pink or futuristic.

Not seeing your ideal vehicle? Draw your own and enter our Wrench 'n' Win Contest!

On display on 18 wheels

We're on the move again... and this time we're rollin' in on 18 wheels! We've hitched a ride with Circuit City and their huge Roadshow Rig, and are coming to a city near you. This weekend kicks off the tour in Atlanta, Georgia, at Supercross. Step inside this incredible ride, and you'll have the opportunity to check out twelve Garmin devices - nüvis, zūmos and Street Pilots of all shapes and sizes! If you want to get a taste of the action, video race games are also on board. This tour makes around 40 stops at Supercross events, local Circuit City stores, CC grand openings, and Good Guys events, so it's likely this rig will cruise into a town near you. Keep it tuned in here for more pictures and event locations. And hey, if the rig comes to your town or you pass it on the road, take a picture of you and the rig and we'll send you some Garmin schwag. See the rig, test a nüvi, score some schwag... nice!

 

Garmin Garage: On a Roll with Domino

Ok. Hopefully by now, you’ve seen Garmin’s Super Bowl commercial. If you haven’t, now’s your time to check it out.  It’s ok.  We can wait . . . . . ok.  Seen it? Great!  While some people may try to tell you that Napoleon is the focus, we all know that the car is the real star. So, we hopped across the pond and brought Domino back with us after filming. And now is your chance to have the very same icon that was used in the Super Bowl commercial. Before we could release Domino into the wild, we had to make sure he’d do well on a nüvi. Needless to say, he passed with flying colors. So Domino had his major debut on Sunday and now he’s ready for you to download for free today! Grab him while you can, though, we have a lot more in store for the Garmin Garage this year!

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!"

Napoleon on the social scene

Now that he's made his television debut, Napoleon (Garmin's nüvi driver from our Super Bowl campaign) wants to get to know the Garmin fans a little better. Since the big game, he's taken the next social step by entering the MySpace scene, and wants to be your friend. And to be fair, he wants you to give the Garmin fans a chance to get to know him a little better, too. That's why we've been busy posting an entire slew (about 90 or so) behind-the-scenes pictures of the filming of our SB spot onto Garmin's Flickr account. Here you can view the beautiful French scenery and take a gander at what life's like for Napoleon with a nüvi in hand. So go on, add Napoleon to your MySpace entourage... then you'll be able to tell everyone that you're friends with a historical icon!

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)

Garmin's New York Surprise

As you may have heard, last night was a big night for us in the Big Apple.  We invited more than a hundred financial analysts, media, and industry muckety-mucks to a party at Gotham Hall, a beautiful space in midtown Manhattan.  Ostensibly, the purpose was to unveil our Super Bowl ad and to discuss "the future of Garmin and its products." Seems tame enough.

But we had a trick up our sleeve -- the nüvifone.  It's safe to say we took the audience by surprise -- ok, that's an understatement.  As we made the announcement, the audience collectively reached for their BlackBerries and iPhones to send the big news back to their offices.  In fact, there was so much wireless activity that it momentarily conked out our presentation!  No worries though, we recovered and the audience was dazzled.

Stay glued to this space for more reaction to both the nüvifone and the Super Bowl spot.

Super Sunday . . . a few days early

With all the excitement around Garmin today, we've decided to treat our blog readers to an advanced viewing of our Super Bowl Sunday commercial. Judging from some of your emails, quite a few of you didn't want to wait until Sunday to see our spot. And, being the nice bloggers we are, we didn't want to make you wait. So we figured we'd show it to you early. That's right - days before Sunday. Take a look now and then surprise your friends with your knowledge of the spot on Sunday. Be sure to stop by the minisite and take a look for yourself. We hope it's as much fun for you to watch as it was for us to make. 

Are you ready for some footage?

Good, because we've got even more behind-the-scenes takes from the shooting of the SB commercial. With three teasers down, do you think you have an idea of what's to come? Stay tuned to see where we'll take you next...

Wednesday’s Sneak Peek

Well, the countdown to our Super Bowl ad continues. And in keeping with our three-day old tradition, we’ve got another clip ready for you to review. We’re only a few days away from the big game and we’re pretty excited. Around here, most groups are pretty divided about who will win. Are the Patriots going to run the table, or will the Giants stop the streak?  What do you think? Let us know and stop by our minisite to check out our newest clip. And remember to check back often ... we’ve got a lot planned and we don’t want you to miss out on any of the excitement. 

More scenes from the shoot

And, what would another teaser clip be without some more behind the scenes footage? Here's a few more pictures to tantalize your senses as the big game quickly approaches. Have a look and keep checking back for even more clips and tips!   

Another day, another teaser

Blog readers got a quick glimpse of our first Super Bowl teaser on Monday and now we’ve launched another clip today. We’ve already seen a lot of traffic heading this way, so we may have to release a few more goodies for you tomorrow. So far, you've got two clips and a few pics to review. Any guesses as to what’s going on?  Let us know what you think. And be sure stay tuned!
Things are happening quickly around here and you never know what you'll see next . . .

The making of....

In addition to the minisite's teaser clips, here are some behind-the-scenes takes from the making of Garmin's Super Bowl commercial. We'll keep 'em coming as the days pass, but in the meantime, stay tuned to the blog for your next sneak peek at what's to come during the big game!

The Countdown Begins

As some of you may have already read, Garmin is airing a commercial during Sunday’s Super Bowl. While we don’t want to let you know exactly what you’ll be seeing, we do want to give you a few hints about what to watch for. So we’ve created a minisite and released a teaser clip for you to view. We’ll have three teaser clips in all, so you’ll have to stop by every day and see what’s new. And for all of you who are curious about a possible encore performance of Maposaurus, we can definitely say that’s not going to happen.  He’s taken an early retirement and was last seen searching for geocaches with his new Colorado. Stop by the minisite today and see our first clip!

Enjoy the scenery with nüvi 700 series

If life is more about the journey than the destination, you should take the nüvi 700 series along for the ride. Not only will the 750, 760, 770 and 780 guide you to any of six million preloaded points of interest, now they can take you on scenic drives as well. Garmin has teamed with MAD Maps to make a wide variety of breathtaking routes available for download at garmin.com, and they can be used with the nüvi 700 series and the 450 or 550 in the zūmo family of motorcycle products.

Click here to learn more about MAD Maps, and start planning your spring getaway today!

Gearin' up for Vegas - CES Annoucements galore!

You heard right - in conjunction with the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the latest and greatest Garmin devices have just been announced! At Garmin, innovations like speech recognition, enhanced dynamic content through MSN Direct and multi-destination routing, continue to allow users to effortlessly enhance any type of travel. So, without any further ado, it's our pleasure to announce the seven newest additions to the Garmin family:

nüvi 880: Using speech recognition and enhanced MSN Direct content, this nüvi makes traveling easier and safer than ever

nüvi 780: Dynamic traffic, weather, stocks and news updates through MSN Direct, along with "Where am I?" and "Where's my car?" features

Forerunner 405: Function meets fashion, while a touch bezel puts fitness at your fingertips

Colorado series: Revolutionary thumb-driven Rock 'n Roller wheel, vivid imagery and "Wherigo" enhance any outdoor experience

nüvi 5000: 5.2-inch touchscreen with multi-destination navigation puts you in control of the road

nüvi 260W: Widescreen pocket-sized navigation that gets you from point A to point B with street names

Garmin Mobile PC: Turns laptops and mobile PCs into navigators with "Where to? and "View Map" interfaces

Click here for details, and stay tuned for more in-depth product reviews, interactive video and everything CES... coming soon!

Forbes: Garmin the best of 2007

Happy New Year, everyone!! With the dawn of 2008 upon us, we'll only spend a moment reflecting on 2007. It seems the financial wizards over at Forbes are raving about our success story.

"The best Platinum performer last year, Garmin rose 122% during the last 12 months," Forbes reports. "One year ago, Garmin was also our selection for best-managed company in Technology Hardware & Equipment. ... Garmin reported gains in sales of 74% and earnings per share of 73%."

And we'll have more to celebrate, if Motley Fool's forecast is accurate. Check out their Best Stock for 2008: "As the old year draws to a close, and you search for advice on which stocks to buy in the new year, I've got just one word for you: Garmin."

It's thanks to your enthusiasm and feedback that we can continue to evolve, and we have many exciting projects planned for 2008. So bookmark our blog and visit often. And have a great '08!

Which Garmin device is your favorite?

Get out and vote! No, we're not already talking about the upcoming 2008 Presidential Election... we're talking about the 2007 Engadget Awards, of course. That's right, it's time to nominate your favorite GPS device of the year, and with such an impressive list of features and benefits, we're certain you've got a favorite Garmin product or two. Maybe it's the nüvi 200W's bright widescreen display that revs your engine?  Or perhaps it's the nüvi 760 you love with it's traffic alerts, Bluetooth capabilities and multi-destination routing? 

And I don't think we need to remind you about the times your Garmin kept you from getting lost on your family vacation, or when it found the lowest gas price or the latest traffic updates... You wouldn't want to deprive your favorite device from this wonderful opportunity, would you?  If it's your favorite, nominate it today!

Roger's Runway: Your GPS signal just got stronger

GPS users all over the world got an early present on December 21st. The United States Air Force launched the fifth modern NAVSTAR GPS satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Other than adding new channels to the military side of GPS for better accuracy, the new satellites will also increase strength of the GPS signal and add a second civilian signal. The Air Force is in the process of updating the GPS satellite constellation.

Also the FAA recently announced that WAAS signal is now active in Mexico and Canada. For you pilots that fly North and South of the borders on a regular basis you will shortly start to see GPS WAAS approaches showing up on approach charts in Mexico and Canada. The FAA worked with NavCanada and Servicios a la Navegación en el Espacío Aéreo Mexicano (SENEAM) and signed agreements with both countries to operate the new WAAS stations to supplement the USA systems.

12 Cars of Christmas: Day 12 – Smokey

Merry Christmas from all of us at the Garmin Garage! Today we have an extra-special free vehicle for you to download. We’ve been working on Smokey for quite a while and we’re excited to finally be able to release him to everyone. When we first opened the Garmin Garage, emails and comments poured in requesting a fire truck. So we worked quite a few late nights to make sure Smokey would be ready for Christmas day. Smokey has been a lot of fun to have around the Garmin Garage and we’re sure you’ll enjoy him, too. So grab Smokey today and let him lead you and your nuvi, zumo, or StreetPilot. And keep those comments coming! We love hearing from all of you. Happy holidays everyone! Be sure to tell your friends and family that the Garmin Garage is giving away free vehicle icons all year long! 

Make the drive more memorable

Life on the road just became a lot more interesting. Whether you're heading across the country or out on a weekend road trip, you can now download MAD MAPS' scenic drives from Garmin.com for your zūmo or nüvi to find the road less traveled and more appreciated. 

"Our road scouts and research staff identify funky, quirky, and fascinating places to visit along our routes," said MAD MAPS founder Jenny Lefferts, who started searching the Bay Area for scenic drives when she moved to San Francisco in 1987. MAD MAPS has since expanded across the country. In addition to Garmin’s preloaded points of interest, MAD MAPS’ data features a variety of specific points of interest associated with each route.

So click here, choose your next adventure and enjoy the scenery.

12 Cars of Christmas: Day 11 – Special Delivery

Now that Christmas Eve has arrived, we’re making some last-minute preparations around the Garmin Garage. We still have a bit of work to do as we get ready for tomorrow, but we wanted to share Special Delivery with all of you who may be hitting the roads in the next few days. Special Delivery may look a bit familiar to some of you. Prior to showing up in the Garmin Garage, Special Delivery spent some time gracing the pages of our Gift Guide. It had a good run over there but it was time for some more horsepower so we tricked it out and now it’s ready to tear up the roadways on your nuvi, zumo, or StreetPilot. There’s only one day left, so plan on stopping by tomorrow to grab the last car of the 12 Cars of Christmas. And if you gave the gift of Garmin, be sure to let your friends and family know about the Garmin Garage. With so many new free vehicles showing up all the time, the Garmin Garage truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

12 Cars of Christmas: Day 10 – Touchdown

Even though football season is starting to wind down, Sunday is still game day around the Garmin Garage. We usually take a break from swinging wrenches and gather ‘round the television to cheer for our favorite teams. And on the rare occasion when we're actually slow, we'll head out to the parking lot and toss the football around during a quick game of catch. So we thought Touchdown would be a great vehicle icon for your nuvi, zumo, or StreetPilot. It’s perfect for football season and makes the ideal addition to any tailgate party. And no matter what the score is at the end of the game, you’ll always end up a winner with Touchdown by your side. Grab Touchdown today and plan on making another visit tomorrow. There are only two vehicles left and we can’t wait to share them with you!

12 Cars of Christmas: Day 8 – Snowboardin’ Scooter

Scooter’s back and this time he’s got his snowboard. While he’s only been snowboarding for a year or two, he’s actually pretty good. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many really big hills near the Garmin Garage so Scooter doesn’t get to enjoy his snowboard as often as he’d like. But between his board, his toboggan, and his tube, he seems to be getting along just fine. In fact, he’s been spending so much time enjoying the snow, he’s been skipping a few of his chores around the Garmin Garage. You know - you may want to grab Snowboardin’ Scooter while you can because we might be coming up with some more odd jobs for him soon.

12 Cars of Christmas: Day 7 – The Garmin Getter

Want some help haulin’ your holiday cheer this year? With the Garmin Getter, you'll get all the extra space you need. Just load it up with good times and you’ll be on your way to winter fun. The Garmin Getter always seems to attract a crowd around the Garmin Garage, so we’re kinda sad to see it go. But we know you’ll enjoy it just as much as we have – whether you use it for quick errands around town or long trips across the country. So grab it while you can, load it on your nuvi, zumo, or StreetPilot, and let the good times roll!

12 Cars of Christmas: Day 6 – Tubin’ Scooter

As you may have already guessed, Scooter is quite the winter sports fanatic. Whether he’s bombing the hills on his trusty toboggan or hitting the moguls on his terrifying ‘tube, Scooter is always up for an adventure. Of course, it’s not all play and no work for the little guy. We make sure his homework is finished and his chores around the Garmin Garage are complete before he’s out the door and on the slopes. But when the flakes are falling, you can see the twinkle in his eyes as he rushes through his tasks so he can get outside sooner. And as much as he likes sledding, he loves leading the way on your nuvi! Grab Tubin' Scooter while you can and let him lead you to winter fun no matter where you're going!

Merriment on Michigan Avenue

Anyone who has seen our holiday ads knows how much we love seasonal songs. So we were thrilled when a quartet of carolers dressed in Dickens-era costumes sang to customers in the Garmin Store in Chicago for an hour Saturday afternoon. The best news? They're making an encore appearance this Saturday, Dec. 22, from 3 to 4 p.m. If you're lucky, they just might sing about your favorite moose or the ever-popular unibrow. And others are taking notice of the positive vibe at 663 N. Michigan Ave. A local concierge who was on assignment recording holiday hours for Michigan Avenue retailers said that Garmin's atmosphere was the best around.

So come check it out for yourself. If you're still undecided about which Garmin device is perfect for each person on your list, you can ask our helpful store associates and even try them out for yourself. Whether you're shopping for a runner, a hiker, a fisherman, a cyclist, a hunter, a pilot, a geocacher or just anyone who spends any time on the road at all, it's always a good plan to give-a, give-a, give-a Garmin.

12 Cars of Christmas: Day 5 – Sweet Tooth

Since the holidays are usually full of cookies, candies and so many other sugary delights, we thought Sweet Tooth would make the perfect addition to your nuvi during the winter season. It’s the ideal travel companion to help guide you to holiday party after holiday party. And even though it’s made almost entirely out of candy, we’re proud to announce that it’s 100% calorie free! So you can enjoy Sweet Tooth all season long and not have to think twice about putting on a pound. It’s a great jump start to any New Year’s resolution!

12 Cars of Christmas: Day 4 – Driftin’ Scooter

Some of our astute blog readers may recognize Scooter from the Garmin GPS Academy. Well, when class isn’t in session, he can often be found hanging out in the Garmin Garage. And when the snow falls, the fun begins. Scooter’s usually the first one to hit the hills on his trusty toboggan. From sun up to sun down, he is often making downhill runs at warp speed. And while he’s good at finding fun, he’s great at leading you and your nuvi on all of your winter trips. So make your way to the Garmin Garage and pick up Driftin’ Scooter this holiday season!

12 Cars of Christmas: Day 3 - Twinkle

If you’ve already decked your halls this holiday season, here’s your chance to deck out your nuvi, too. Twinkle may have lost the rest of the holiday lights he was once grouped with but he’ll never lead you astray. He’s like your personal guiding light to get you through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. And the best thing about Twinkle - you can keep him on your nuvi all year long and never worry once about getting that big electric bill in the mail! It truly is the gift the keeps on giving! Stop by the Garmin Garage today and let Twinkle light up your Garmin GPS device.