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

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

 

Running over a Rino

We're proud of the fact that we build some of the most rugged GPS products on the market. And while we often receive notes from our customers detailing use and abuse, it's always nice to hear about a device that went 'above and beyond' the call of duty - and survived to tell a tale about it. 

Here's a nice note we recently received from Rino-user Don A.:

I wanted to pass along my thanks for your awesome product!  I've had my Rino GPS/Radio for 3 years and this year while hunting Elk & Deer on the UT/CO border, I left it on my truck while relocating. I realized where I left it and returned the next morning to hopefully find it. Not only did I find it...crushed into the hard pack snow from my 4WD truck tire...but it was still keeping accurate track! I use it to hike 5-15 miles off-road daily to explore new country at 6-11K' so I'm thankful your product sustained my trip and enjoyment! :-)
Regards,

 Don A.

Thanks for the note, Don! If you want to have your adventures considered for inclusion on the Garmin blog, visit Garmin.com/ContactUs and email us your stories and testimonials. We look forward to hearing from you!

Versatile Oregon 550t finds its way to new mountains and magazines

The day we announced the Oregon 550t, Garmin's waterproof touchscreen handheld with a built-in 3.2 megapixel camera, we knew it would get a lot of people's attention. The hikers and hunters appreciate its preloaded U.S. topo maps, meaning they no longer have to load, erase and repeat when changing areas of exploration. Climbers and campers embrace the built-in barometric altimeter and 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you’re standing still, without holding it level. And geocachers love going paperless, with the ability to display detailed information for up to 5000 caches, such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description. But we hoped that everyone else would find ways to use Oregon in their favorite hobbies and everyday activities. And they have. 

In their November issue, BIKE magazine (above) says Oregon 550t is perfect for "stoking every rider's inner nerd" as one of 2010's 10 Most Promising New Products: "Taking GPS technology to the trail - a movement led by companies like Garmin - has revolutionized the way we find and share new trails. ... With 850 megabytes of storage, the Oregon makes taking and geo-synching trail photos easier than ever." And if you prefer snow to dirt, the folks over at SKI magazine put the 550t in their October issue as part of their fall line of Gear and Gadgets. "The key to this high-end handheld is its big color touchscreen. It's easy to read in direct sunlight and allows for quick toggling between functions, which include compass, altitude, trip calculator and preloaded topo maps." 

Garmin in action: Your pictures are worth a thousand words

Among the many emails we get each day from delighted Garmin users, some just beg to let the pictures do the talking. So here are a few recent notes and images sent our way. The first comes from Runner's World favorite and Forerunner fan John "The Penguin Bingham, who travels long distances to run long distances. "Thought you’d get a kick out of this," John wrote. "We’re marking and measuring the course for the Antarctic Marathon on King George Island using a 205! We had others, all Garmins, but that little thing worked GREAT."

Then there's this one, from Ruane C in Waltham, MA, who caches under the screen name of Findit and showcases his Garmin pride everywhere he travels: "Hi there...I am the proud user/owner of a Garmin Vista HCX and a couple of other Garmin devices used on a regular basis while running, biking and just cruising around.....I use my Vista primarily for Geocaching, but also for occasional hike assistance. I thought I would send you this picture of my Massachusetts Geomobile...you may get a laugh out of it."

Oregon 550t Goes Waterfowling

Our outdoor-rec sales and marketing director is back from a goose and duck hunting trip to Manitoba, and he reports that the Oregon 550t helped make his trip a success.  Of course, having a ruggedized, waterproof camera in the blind is always handy -- and as you can see, the 3.2 megapixel lens takes some nice photos.

And although there isn't a lot of movement involved in waterfowl hunting, the touchscreen Oregon can still come in handy.  Knowing the precise legal shooting hours is a snap, thanks to the built-in sunrise/sunset calendar.  And if you've ever hunted ducks, you know what a pain it can be to lug all of that equipment in heavy clothing in the middle of the dark through mud, swamps, and cornfields.  With GPS, it's a breeze to mark your parking spot and follow the easiest route to the blind -- no wild goose chase necessary.

Little eTrex plays a big role in peacekeepers' mission

From backyards to the Outback, Garmin's classic yellow eTrex has had more than its share of global adventures, and at $99 remains a favorite around the world. It's always amazing to us how such a small device with such a little price tag can have such a big impact on excursions as pertinent as military missions or as personal as family vacations. Here's just one of those stories.  

My name is Justin J. and I work with in many different countries throughout Africa, one of which was Sierra Leone. I was there to train the military for their upcoming peacekeeping mission to Darfur, Sudan. It is the first peacekeeping mission that the country has been involved in. One of my tasks while there was to teach a select number of soldiers how to use some of the new equipment that they would be deploying with. The one piece of equipment that they were most interested in was the Garmin GPS. Most of them had never seen one but had heard stories about them. When I started my class they were absolutely amazed that this technology existed and how easy it was for them to use. In only 5 days they were able to use the GPS with a high level of proficiency.

I was a soldier in the United States Army for 14 years before being medically discharged. I deployed overseas 4 separate times in my military career and each time I took a Garmin GPS with me. As you know Garmin has been helping soldiers in the war on terror for many years, but now you know that it is also going to play a very important role in the peacekeeping mission in Darfur.

Thanks, Justin, and keep up the great work. We're honored to be able to help.

Geocoin alert: Cacher flying high after finding Oregon coin

Over the past couple years, the Garmin blog team (and our secret geocaching stashers) have been placing limited-edition Oregon and Colorado geocoins in caches across the U.S. and around the world. Every stashed coin has a message asking the lucky cacher to send us a note when they're found. Here's yet another note that proves to diligent searchers everywhere that these treasures are still out there to be found!! And with Garmin's Oregon, Colorado and Dakota units, that hunt is even easier thanks to paperless caching. Click on their links for interactive demos about each product.  

I retrieved an Oregon Series Garmin Geocoin from central Colorado using my Garmin Colorado 400t GPS. Since then I have taken the coin on a Sky High Adventure to Telluride, CO. riding the gondola and visiting the Gondola Postal Travel Bug Inn cache. Then back to Olathe to see the "O" Sweet Corny Cache. I would like to take the Oregon GARMIN geocoin to Salt Lake to the Geocoin and T.B. event 10-10-2009. Thanks for sharing! I hope to move along soon. -- Sandy M.

Garmin named the "clear leader in GPS satisfaction"

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

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

Download S&R2009_GPSDevices

eTrex survives 12' of mud and muck

Some people may think that our outdoor GPS devices are only for hiking, hunting and geocaching, but they can do so much more. And as you can tell from this recent customer testimonial, they're ruggedized so they'll go the distance:

I use the eTrex for my RC boat hobby, to check max speeds, just to see if I'm making the boat faster or not. About seven weeks back I was testing one of my boats, and I flipped it over and lost the GPS in about 12' of water. Today, I was trying to find a propeller that I lost by dragging a set of magnets and found the eTrex that I lost. After returning home, I open the unit, drained all of the water, cleaned out the mud and sprayed it down with WD40. I notice the spring inside that connect the battery line to the circuit broad was rusted off, but had enough to stretch to make contact. I put it all back together, installed new batteries, and turned it on. After sitting in 12' of water and mud, this thing still works! I went to the page that shows how fast it was traveling.  It still had my max speed and it showed that it ran under water for 3 hours and 53 minutes. I'm amazed and happy to say that Garmin makes a dang good product.
Thanks for your time
Harold M.

Have an interesting story to share about your Garmin GPS? Send it our way!

Early-Season Hunting with the Astro

Recently, a couple of us had the chance to head out to Central Nebraska for a sharptailed grouse and prairie chicken hunt in the Sandhills.  For those of you not aware of this unique ecosystem, it's 20,000 square miles of rolling, sandy prairie.  Since the soil's no good for agriculture, it's more or less in the same state it's been in for hundreds of years.

We met up with Steve Snell and an associate from Gun Dog Supply, one of our Astro GPS Dog Tracking System dealers.  Combine big-running bird dogs with 90,000 acres of federal hunting ground, and you've got a perfect place to use the Astro.

Something as basic as finding your truck in this landscape can be hairy, so we appreciated the Astro's ability to lead us back to our rigs.  But keeping an eye on our dogs is really where this unit shines.  It's easy to lose sight of your dog, and without the Astro, there'd be no way to know if they were over the hill 50 or 500 yards away.

One of the perils of early season hunting is that temperatures can quickly rise to 80 degrees by noon -- hot for humans, but potentially deadly for hard-working dogs.  Thankfully, windmills scattered every half-mile or so served as our oasis, and we used the Astro to help lead us to water (the dog's didn't seem to mind the slime).

The Astro certainly won't guarantee success afield -- we learned that the hard way on this trip.  But it will allow you to let your dogs do what they've been bred to do -- and that in turn lets you enjoy your hunt.

 

Jake's Journal: Charged up for Interbike

Here's hoping that what happens in Vegas next week doesn't stay in Vegas. That's because we're going to be at Interbike at the Sands Expo Center showing off a wide range of new Garmin products that suit every type of cyclist on every type of bike, regardless of whether you're a pro in the peloton, an occasional commuter, an off-road explorer or a weekend wanderer. The headliner is the brand new Edge 500, weighing in at just 2 ounces and bringing ANT+ power compatibility to the masses with a lower price tag. And of course, the Edge 705 and Edge 605 are popular choices for two-wheeled navigation, especially with the new cross-country and commuter options we unveiled recently. You can now get Edge 605 with City Navigator's preloaded points of interest and turn-by-turn directions, or you could choose Edge 705 with topo maps for those hitting the trails. And be sure to watch our online video tutorials to get the most out of your Edge.

But our bike options extend far beyond the Edge series, as our outdoor handhelds are compatible with Garmin bike mounts. Dakota offers a touchscreen interface in a compact, rugged handheld. Dakota 20 features a barometric altimeter for more precise elevation data, and the Dakota 10 is available in a hike and bike bundle with topo maps and a bike mount. Learn more about Dakota at Garmin's Buzz site. If you want to capture memories of your ride, you can opt for the touchscreen Oregon 550 or Oregon 550T (preloaded U.S. topo) with built-in waterproof 3.2MP digital camera. All of your photos are automatically geotagged so that you can navigate back to the site and relive the good times.

I could go on and on - Forerunner 310XT is power compatible, Forerunner 405CX has advanced calorie computation, etc. - but you should just find time next week to stop by the Garmin booth #2630, where Team Garmin's Christian Vande Velde and Dave Zabriskie will be meeting fans and signing autographs Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. Hope to see you there!

In water and on bike, Oregon outlasts the worst of the great outdoors

Since we shared a few recent stories about the durability of our rugged outdoor handhelds and marine devices, more proud Garmin customers have been quick to share their experiences. Here's a note from Randy Clark of New Mexico, who knows a thing or two about great adventures.

Last November I took off on a nine month, 3,200 mile kayak/bicycle trip from Key West, Florida to San Diego, CA and back to my home in Rio Rancho, NM. For the first month the Oregon 400c was mounted on the deck of the kayak as I paddled up the coast of Florida. Despite numerous submersions in salt water, occasional bangs with the paddle and two bad squalls, the Oregon never failed me. After 30 days on the kayak I then mounted it on the handlebars of my touring bicycle. For the ensuing eight months it endured constant vibration and weather off all sorts 24/7 and even a misadventure where the bicycle tumbled head over heels down a 1,500 ravine in the Rocky Mountains. After dragging the bike back up the ravine with rope, the Garmin fired right up and I was back on my way!

Rare is the product that holds up to this sort of abuse, much less an electronic device. Well done! Next spring it's off to Canada and Alaska and the Garmin will lead the way.

Thanks, Randy, and we're glad that it's the Oregon and not you that's taken the brunt of the submersions, squalls, swats and spills!!

Ask Garmin: Just how durable are Garmin's outdoor handhelds?

In the 20 years that we've been building rugged GPS devices, they've survived explosions in Iraq, snowbanks in Michigan winters and sharp teeth in a bear's mouth. In a less extreme situation - and one that might hit closer to home - Dario Sartori sent us a testimonial earlier this month to share with anyone wondering about Garmin's legendary reputation for durability.

This past May I took part in a dualsport ride from Stoneyford, CA to Ft. Bragg, Ca. I rode with a group of friends and I had a Garmin Legend HCx on my bike. Part of the ride went through some tight singletrack. Partway in the singletrack one of my buddies who was on a KLR650 had his engine seize up on him.

About 2 miles farther on the trail I tipped over my bike and landed on a bush. I got back on however when I arrived at the end of the trail roughly 2 miles later I noticed that I had lost my GPS unit on the fall. I chose not to retrieve it as the ride had over 500 riders, a lot of whom were coming down the same trail, so to go back would be dangerous as I would be going against the flow of traffic.

Two weeks ago I convinced a friend to go back with me to where I thought the unit was. We failed to find the entrance to the singletrack. So I called the owner of the KLR as he had a Garmin nuvi 500 on that fateful day and he was able to give me the coordinates of where his bike had died. I then proceeded to input these coordinates into my new GPS, a Garmin GPSmap 60Cx. With that and mapsource I was able to figure out where I needed to go, made a waypoint in mapsource and uploaded it to my 60cx. Myself and 2 others went back today, 3 months after the loss of the GPS, and I was able to find it. Believe it or not it was there and it actually started up, not for too long as the batteries were drained, but with new batteries it works fine!!!!

Thanks, Dario, for the great letter. Anyone with great Garmin adventures to share should send us an email, and you just might see your story on the Garmin blog.

K9 Search & Rescue No Longer Searches For Their Dogs

We typically market the Astro Dog Tracking System to hunters, but we've discovered that K9 search and rescue teams are using the system to keep tabs on their animal companions, too.  Here's a story we recently received:

I just purchased the Garmin Astro to use with my search and rescue K9 partner Sula (Redbone Coonhound) and wanted to share a story and my thanks for such a great product!

Yesterday was the first day that I used it on a real search.  We were searching some very thick brush along a river bank and could not see Sula (which is common and one reason I purchased the Astro).  However, I could see where she was in relation to me on the GPS screen - several hundred yards away.  I could also see that she was not moving so I waited a moment and then called her - no movement - called her again and this time I heard her bark so I began to work my way through the thick brush to where she was (really nice to basically just follow the screen and walk right to your dog).

When I got to her I thought maybe she had located what we were searching for but no....she was actually totally wound up in a thick vine all figure-eighted around her hind quarters.  She was just standing there looking at me, not moving, waiting for some help to get out of her mess.  It was wrapped pretty tightly from where she must have tried to get herself out, and would have been nearly impossible for her to get out on her own.

I think the Astro basically paid for itself and then some in one single use!  There is no price to put on my K9 partner, and although I would likely have eventually found her, the Astro made it MUCH easier, quicker, and gave me tremendous peace of mind to be able to see where she was and what she was doing (moving or not).   Thank you for such a wonderful product, I can't imagine going out on a search without it ever again!

Regards,

Joan Brehm and K9 Sula

Manage your pics with myPhotos, now part of dashboard on my.Garmin

So you have an Oregon 550T touchscreen handheld with built-in digital camera, and you've snapped pictures of that vacation you squeezed in before school was back in session. Now what? With a to-do list longer than ever, you need a simple way to see, store and share your pictures. That's where myPhotos will save the day. Part of the feature-filled dashboard on my.Garmin.com, myPhotos helps you upload to an online photo sharing community, where you and your friends and family can enjoy the pictures that were automatically geotagged when you snapped the photo with Oregon 550T's 3.2MP camera. Through automatic geotagging, the location of the photo was saved as part of the file so that you or people you share the image with can see where it was taken - and even navigate back to that spot. To learn more about Oregon 550T, check out the product page and watch this quick video.

While you're exploring my.Garmin, you'll see that myPhotos is just one of many helpful features that makes this dashboard a one-stop-shop.

Downloadable US TrailMaps enhance equestrian and whitewater adventures

If you enjoy exploring the outdoors on land and on the water, you'll be excited to hear that Garmin has teamed with US TrailMaps to offer equestrian trails and whitewater runs available for download from the Garmin website. Use the featured trail data in conjunction with Garmin topo map offerings such as TOPO 100K or TOPO U.S. 24K for a complete adventure. Conveniently download the maps to your GPS and you’ll add even more detail including complete trail information, useful points of interest, and trail and rapid names. When used with Garmin’s topo maps, US TrailMaps enhances your outdoor journey even more, plus it adds the most comprehensive whitewater or equestrian information available for your GPS.

US TrailMaps Whitewater contains 4,400 classified whitewater runs totaling over 42,000 miles. You can get detailed information such as rapids names and put-in and take-out access points for each run. US TrailMaps Equestrian contains over 20,000 miles of comprehensive equestrian trails and information for your GPS. You’ll have vital points of interest including the locations of hitching rails, watering holes, trailer parking areas, horse camping, tack shops, horse training, trailheads, visitor centers, stables, shelters, restrooms and picnic areas.

So take a moment to explore US TrailMaps and get the most out of every outing!

Garmin Foretrex catches a record wave, makes it official

For those of us at Garmin's landlocked U.S. headquarters in the Midwest, the only surfing we do is online. So you can imagine how thrilled we were to hear from our Brazilian colleagues that our Foretrex 201 was used to document and certify a new world record in one of the northernmost points in Brazil in the State of Amapa which borders French Guiana. According to World Surfing News, "Professional surfer Serginho Laus broke the world record for surfing the Pororoca in the Araguari River, State of Amapá for the second time on June 8, 2009. ...The specialist in tidal waves reached the distance of 11.8 km in 36 minutes of an uninterrupted wave that varied from one-half to one-meter high."

Congratulations to Serginho and to the engineers behind the Foretrex family, which just added two new models, the Foretrex 401 and Foretrex 301, both with high-sensitivity GPS receivers. Maybe we should have Serginho try it again, this time with the Garmin blog team there to chronicle his efforts.

Plan a route, geotag photos with BaseCamp, now free for Mac and PC

If you're heading into the great outdoors, either for a long week of camping or a quick day of hiking, you can quickly survey the land and easily plan your adventure with BaseCamp, a free software utility for Mac or PC that lets you view and organize your maps, waypoints, routes and tracks and send them to your Garmin GPS device. You can click here to learn more about BaseCamp's many uses, but in a nutshell, this free download:

• Allows you to view the vivid details of 24K or 100K topographic maps and other topographic data from Garmin
• Displays maps in 2-D or 3-D, including elevation profiles, and allows you to view and rotate them at any angle
• Allows you to create waypoints and routes on your computer and transfer maps, waypoints, routes, tracks and geotagged photos between your computer and your Garmin device
• Shows animated playback of routes and tracks over time
• Supports geotagged photos
• Lets you easily organize data into folders
• Prints full-page, color maps
• Exports user data for viewing in Google Earth™
• Includes advanced geocaching support; can import data from geocaching.com

So before you venture outdoors, spend a little time with BaseCamp and make your outing that much more efficient and enjoyable.

Oregon, Dakota and Foretrex share spotlight at Outdoor Retailer

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

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

Backpacker, Wired magazines applaud Oregon 400t

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

Go Garmin!

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

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

South Dakota Offers Detailed Electronic Public Land Maps

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

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

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.

Sleek and simple, touchscreen Dakota makes being tough look easy

More than ever, touchscreen navigation in the great outdoors is within your reach. Today, we announced Garmin's new Dakota 10 and Dakota 20 outdoor handhelds. Physically smaller than the iconic Garmin eTrex, Dakota boasts a much bigger color display thanks to the 2.6-inch glove-friendly touchscreen.

Lightweight, rugged and waterproof, Garmin’s new Dakota devices quickly acquire and maintain satellite reception – even in heavy tree cover or deep canyons – thanks to a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFixTM, which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information and can use that information to quickly calculate a position. Everyone from geocachers and youth scouts to surveyors and hunters can take advantage of Dakota’s 850 MB of internal memory, which can store up to 1,000 waypoints, 50 routes, 2,000 geocaches and an active tracklog of up to 10,000 points and 200 saved tracks.

Dakota 20 adds even more features, including a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, a microSD card slot for increased mapping and memory storage, and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity for sharing your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with compatible Dakota, Oregon, Colorado and Foretrex devices. Dakota 20’s 3-axis, tilt-compensated electronic compass shows your heading even when you’re standing still, without needing to hold it level.

Jake's Journal: Why June 18 is better than my birthday

Today is a good day. Scratch that, an excellent day. Two years ago, on June 18, I walked into Garmin's headquarters on my first day of work ready for a new adventure. A big reason I was hired is because of my fondness for fitness and the outdoors. Since June 18, 2007, I've completed my first marathon and finished three more in the past eight months. I've hiked the Rockies of Colorado and the hills of Cinque Terre in Italy. I've ridden the California coast with some of the brightest minds in cycling. I've raced in two events on opposite coasts, finishing by wading into different oceans a week apart. I've done it all with the best GPS technology available, and the adventure is still just getting started.

On June 18, 2008, I was honored to be the one announcing Garmin's title sponsorship of the Slipstream elite cycling team. Since then, I've been with Team Garmin at the finish line for victories, in a helicopter above the peloton in France, in casual conversations with champions from countries near and far, and proud to be a student of an amazing sport with the best teachers imaginable. And the education continues next month when I spend time in France with Jonathan Vaughters, Matt White and the argyle armada that makes us proud every time they hit the roads with Garmin on their chests and the Edge 705 on their handlebars. And I'm going to be looking for suggestions from you as to what I should ask them, which pictures I should take and what you'd like to see on the Garmin blog from France. Shoot me a note on Twitter - I'm @jakesjournal - and I'll take everyone's suggestions with me across the ocean.

So how is this June 18 measuring up? Not too shabby. I joined a friend for 8 miles this morning with temps in the 80s, and there's a department picnic after work. And while it may not go down in my personal history books like the past two years, I sure do like barbecue and badminton. I can hardly wait to see what happens next year.

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.

The Perfect Gift for the Hunting Dad

All this week we're showcasing various Garmin devices for Father's Day, and if your dad takes to the fields and forests with hunting dogs, the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System is the perfect gift.  Astro pinpoints your dog's precise position, and lets you know if he's running, on point, or treeing game -- up to seven miles away, depending on terrain.

Believe it or not, hunting season is right around the corner, so get Dad a piece of technology that makes him more efficient in the field.  We can't promise that we'll make him a better shot, but Astro will definitely help him keep tabs on his dogs -- and get him back home in time for dinner.

Versatile new Foretrex units perfect for military use or some family fun

Few products can fit the rigorous demands of the challenges that face our armed forces. Even fewer can stand up to those tests while being simple enough for recreational family outings. That's why we're excited to announce the simple yet sophisticated Foretrex 301 and 401, slim wrist-worn GPS navigators perfect for outdoor activities that require the use of all of your attention -- and both of your hands. These new Foretrex models combine a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, rugged, waterproof design and USB interface into a lightweight device that is reliable enough for military personnel yet versatile enough for hikers, skiers, campers and families.

Foretrex keeps track of your path and displays it as a dotted trail on the screen. Just turn on Foretrex's TracBack feature, and you can retrace your path back to where you started. You can save locations in memory as waypoints (up to 500 of them), so you can always find your way back to any important place, like your campsite or vehicle.

Military personnel can use the “Jumpmaster” function for static, HAHO (high opening) and HALO (low opening) jumps, making it possible to set data points for under-canopy guidance to a landing zone. Based on forward throw and windspeeds at altitude, Foretrex will calculate your HARP (high altitude release point) for the best results every time.

Adding even more features to the mix, Foretrex 401 has an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter. Foretrex 401 allows you to wirelessly share routes, tracks and waypoints between certain Foretrex, Oregon and Colorado devices, and it is also compatible with Garmin heart-rate monitors and cadence sensors.

For great dads who love the great outdoors

With Father's Day right around the corner (you didn't forget, did you?), we're here to help with a few gift ideas. With innovative products in so many areas - automotive, marine, aviation, fitness, outdoor recreation and mobile devices - there's no shortage of options with Garmin. For starters, let's take a look at technology for the trails.

Whether Dad's idea of outdoor activity is a walk around the neighborhood or an expedition to foreign lands, Garmin's outdoor handhelds can make his next outing even more enjoyable. And with products boasting high-sensitivity GPS receivers for just $99.99, there's an outdoor handheld that can fit any budget and any backpack. Your options include the iconic eTrex series, the buddy-tracking Rino two-way radios, the award-winning Colorado series and the revolutionary Oregon touchscreen devices. While each product has its unique features and preloaded capabilities, they all come in handy when you're hiking, camping, climbing, exploring or just wandering. You can learn more about the eTrex Venture HC this Saturday at 7:50 a.m. Eastern as Fox & Friends does a Father's Day roundup. And with Oregon 550's built-in camera, you and your dad can even capture the memories as you're making them. But no matter which device you choose for Dad, you can be sure he'll have the intuitive interface mastered in no time, regardless of whether he's a recreational rookie or ultimate survivalist. And the best part of the gift will be the assurance that you'll both find time to get outside and away from your hectic schedules. Don't worry, you'll always be able to find your way back home. Even if you're in no hurry to do so.

Oregon 550 meets record crowd at GeoWoodstock

Geocachers from at least 46 states in the U.S. and various regions of Europe gathered in Bell Buckle, TN, over the weekend for GeoWoodstock 7. More than 5,000 cachers - from youngsters to age 76, and traveling from as far as 4,500 miles away - made this the largest GeoWoodstock ever and kept us busy in the Garmin booth, where we were showing off the Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t, our newest touchscreen handhelds with built-in camera.

We also gave limited-edition Oregon geocoins to a few lucky winners, and there are more of these coveted coins stashed in random caches around the world so let us know if you stumble across one. As you can imagine, we spent most of our time at GeoWoodstock talking about the 550's built-in, waterproof 3.2MP camera that is perfect for capturing every cache at the moment of discovery, but we did find time to snap a few pics of our own. Especially when Alamogul stopped by the Garmin booth. Known to the rest of the world as Lee van der Bokke, Alamogul has logged more finds (32,670 and counting) so we were excited to snap his picture (above) with the Oregon 550t. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth and attended GeoWoodstock 7, and we'll see you on the trails and on the road!

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

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

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

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

What to get Dads and Grads

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

Peg’s Posts: How to make mom’s day

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

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

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

Picture Perfect: Oregon® 550/550t with built-in camera ready to do it all

One of the most common questions we get is: "If I want one device for the trail, the bike, the car, the boat - which one can I get?" It's a tough question, because Garmin makes so many great products tailor-made for your different activities, but the search for a versatile device just got easier with the newly announced Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t. And we added a camera to chronicle your adventures.

We've taken the popular Oregon touchscreen handheld and built in a 3.2 megapixel digital camera, which creates geotagged images, and a 3-axis compass into the popular series of intuitive touchscreen handhelds. The waterproof Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t (which features preloaded 100K topo maps for the entire U.S. in state-of-the-art 3D elevation perspective), have an easy-to-use interface and versatile features that make either the ideal solution for customers looking for a multipurpose GPS device.

There’s no need to tote a separate camera in your pack or pocket as Oregon 550's 3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom automatically geotags each photo with the location of where it was taken, allowing you to mark, remember and navigate back to that exact spot in the future. With this waterproof digital camera, you can take and view pictures in landscape or portrait orientation, and 850 MB of internal memory offers ample storage. These pictures can then be printed or stored and shared online, making every trip even more memorable. Once your Oregon 550 is connected via USB, you can use my.Garmin.com to detect Oregon’s photos, simplify the selection and uploading processes and then store those photos on Picasa, a popular online photo sharing community for friends and families around the world.

Ask Garmin: Comparison shopping made easy

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

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

Oregon 400t Helps Bag Kansas Gobbler

We hadn't even made it to our spot when the turkeys started thundering from their roost -- back in the woods 100 yards away.  Cris, a national sales manager here at Garmin, hastily put up a couple of decoys in the plowed field in front of us, and within five minutes, a trophy Tom Turkey came charging in, irate that a rival might be stealing his hens.  Seconds later, Cris' 12 gauge thundered, and the hunt ended in success.  We had the bird cleaned and were back at the Garmin mothership before the clock struck eight.

Sometimes, everything just comes together right on a spring turkey hunt.  But a little preparation helped us, too.  The night before, we "put the birds to bed" and marked our morning ambush spot with the Oregon 400t.  Doing so made it easy to quickly and stealthily move in this morning and help Cris fill his tag.  In fact, the Oregon 400t can help a turkey hunter in all sorts of ways -- from marking strut zones to reading the topography of creek draws to knowing the precise time the sun rises.  So when you're loading up your turkey vest this season, make sure you pack the Garmin -- you'll be glad you did.

Jake's Journal: Lucky Winners in the Land of Oregon

So I just sent out an email to four people - Steven in Westminster, CA; Emily in Scott Depot, WV; Kyle in Riverton, UT; and Michael in Barstow, CA - and I usually don't share such notes but I thought you might want to congratulate these four if you know them ... or visit the Land of Oregon to see what you missed ... or start searching for Garmin geocoins in random caches. Here's what I sent: 

I hope this note finds you well – because we have some great news for you. You must have had a pretty good time in Garmin’s Land of Oregon minisite, because of the countless visitors – and the thousands who completed every task asked of them – you’re one of just four winners!

As a result of your keen eye, quick wit and adventurous spirit, we’re sending you an Oregon 400t touchscreen handheld device, preloaded with topo maps of the entire U.S. and capable of sharing data with other nearby Oregon and Colorado units. We’re also sending you two limited-edition Oregon geocoins, with a little favor to ask. One of the geocoins is for you, no strings attached. The other is for you to stash, thus passing along the fun of geocaching and the thrill of discovery. You see, these coins aren’t available for purchase. The only way to get them is from Garmin HQ or to find one that’s been stashed. Then send me the cache location where you hid the coin so that I can keep an eye on the logs and see when and where they’re found. Just like that, cachers around the world will have memorable stories to share at garmin.blogs.com and at geocaching forums and gatherings, and it will be thanks to you!

So congratulations again to Steven, Emily, Kyle and Michael, and even though the contest has ended, the adventures continue in the Land of Oregon ... and beyond. And if you find one of those limited-edition coins that has been stashed, send us your story and we'll share it on the blog.

Two years later, eTrex was waiting to be found

At Garmin, we make our devices to be durable and withstand the demands of the outdoors. But abandoned for two years in the wild, will our outdoor handheld survive? Dan Stubblefield of Oregon sent in this story:

I hike with a group of codgers every Wednesday and on 1/31/07 we were bush whacking between two trails down a steep, heavily wooded slope above Lost Creek Lake, Oregon. At some point, my eTrex Legend came off my pack and was lost. Truthfully, I wasn’t all that upset since I had been wanting to buy a newer unit with a color screen and a better antenna. So this gave me the perfect justification for buying my 60CSx.

We decided to do the same hike this week but I didn’t even think about looking for the lost unit. The forest floor where it was lost is completely covered with a very thick layer of decomposing leaves and needles and lots of downed brush. As in 2007, each of us took quite different lines down the slope, and probably were spread out over 100 yards or more as we worked our way down. Anyway, one of the guys noticed the blue edge of the unit at the foot of a tree.

So, after 770 days out in the elements the unit was found.

Geocacher goes "Above the Clouds" on Kilimanjaro

Maybe it's spring fever, but great stories about amazing adventures with Garmin are coming out of the woodwork. Jay told us her story at last month's Gasparilla Expo, and we're excited to pass it along.

I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in January 2006, for both the adventure and to raise funds for the Climb for Cancer Foundation. It was a fantastic journey! Being on the mountain felt like being in another world (to me).

Almost every type of climate is represented along with a wide variety of unique vegetation and geology. We hiked through bush rainforest with mild temperatures up into semi-desert conditions, onto steep ridges with some very intense boulder scrambling. Every day we average a 3000’ gain in elevation with temperatures dropping dramatically in the evening and through out the night. Summit day, around midnight we left icy tents behind to struggle up rough lava rock and loose scree. The light wind and temps of around -20˚C kept us moving slow and steady.

"Amazing" tale goes from the outdoors to the inbox

Another exciting adventure, and another satisfied customer, that made its way to the Garmin inbox.

My name is Robert Barber and I just wanted to say that the Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx is an amazing piece of technology. I was first skeptical on buying it because of what "waterproof" really meant. I was fishing today in the Youghiogheny River and slipped off a rock into it. I didn't go in too deep, only to about my neck. Everything was soaked including the GPS. My phone was totally wet and seemed broken; I thought the same fate occurred to the GPS. After almost drowning in the current, I crawled back onto the rock and immediately turned on the Garmin. I was amazed that it still worked even after taking a big drink of the Yough. I bought the Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx mainly because it said "waterproof." If by any chance I floated down the river in the current, at least I know my GPS would still work. You guys really know how to make them, don't change a thing! -- Robert Barber

Thanks, Robert. For the record, the GPSMAP 60 series is waterproof to an IPX7 standard, which means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Even in the mighty Yough.

Nominate your favorite GPS device

It's time to get out and vote! Engadget.com is preparing for their 2008 awards and they want to hear about your favorite GPS device. Everyone who has voted so far seems to lean towards automotive devices, but we can't see any reason why you can't nominate a non-automotive device if that's your favorite. Regardless of how you decide to vote, keep in mind that they only want nominations for those products that hit store shelves in 2008. This means you have to narrow down your choice to one of 25-or-so Garmin products: nüvi 2x5, 500, 7x5, and 800 series; Colorado series; Oregon series; Forerunner 405; and Garmin Mobile PC. From where this blogger is sitting, that's more then enough to choose from! Cast your ballot here.

Ask Garmin: If I only had a heart-rate monitor

Today's Ask Garmin question comes from Chuck, who is hoping to outfit his fitness device. "A friend has an Edge 305 without heart rate or speed/cadence. I said he may be able to buy the heart-rate monitor or speed/cadence sensor separately. He said the unit probably does not have that capability. If he were to buy the accessories, would they in fact work?" Congratulations, Chuck, you win.

If you have one of our compatible devices -- the Edge 705/305 or Forerunner 405/305/50 (even Oregon and Colorado units work with ANT+) -- you can add a heart-rate monitor or speed/cadence sensor later. And because we know that Garmin fans may be upgrading from, for example, a Forerunner 305 to a Forerunner 405, we made the 405 available with or without a heart-rate monitor in the box. Since 305 owners already have the heart-rate strap, this option not only saves you money, it also saves you some space in your closet. To learn more about using your heart-rate monitor, check out our Forerunner 405 tutorial videos.

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.

Search and rescue with Garmin

We all know that Garmin devices can be used to have plenty of fun - road trips, day hikes, bike rides, golf outings, fishing excursions, etc. - but a recent video we posted on our YouTube channel reminds us of our serious side. Testimonials pour in from the military about how our GPS devices helped maximize a mission. We're reminded by search teams about how our Rino two-way radios and Astro dog-trackers, both GPS-enabled, make their jobs more efficient. Even a random geocache came in handy last year when two climbers who were lost on Mount Hood used the GPS coordinates to help rescuers. So grab your Garmin, get out there and have a good time - with added peace of mind.

Caddy Confidential: Tee 'Em High With Approach G5

Down here at Caddy Confidential, we're going nuts. Stir crazy. We're stuck indoors, cold and grumpy, seeing colleagues finish marathons in sunny Florida and cheering on Team Garmin as they pedal back into form Down Under. We're checking the weather religiously waiting for one good day to get out and fire up the latest and greatest from Garmin, the Approach G5. Finally, a few days ago, we got a blast of hot air from somewhere, pulled our clubs out of the closet and sped off to the nearest golf course. ...Or more accurately, we first groveled to get permission to do some, eh-hem, "research."

The conversation with our boss went something like this: "Excuse me, sir, it is imperative that we head out to the golf course today to capture some very important video that will highlight some of the great features of the Approach... Well, yes sir, we will be doing a bit of golfing... No sir, not because we want to. No no. Only because we have to."

Ask Garmin: Which GPS is best for trail, car and bike?

This week's Ask Garmin question comes from John Schmid, who isn't alone in wanting one device to do the work of many. "I'm interested in a 'hybrid Garmin.' What would your recommendation be for a GPS device that could be clamped on a bike for road touring and yet excellent for hiking with topo maps included." While many of our outdoor handhelds could do the trick - even our Edge 605 and Edge 705 cycling computers can display optional topo maps - two of our newer devices are ideal for these situations: nüvi 500 and Oregon 400t.

Packed with detailed street and topo maps, the waterproof nüvi 500 is built for versatility. With the screen and interface of an automotive unit paired with the rugged durability of an outdoor handheld, nüvi 500 can navigate you efficiently in your car, on the trails and on the water. And with an optional handlebar mount, you can enjoy the same benefits on two wheels that you do with four.

If your focus is more on off-road adventures, either on foot or by bike, Oregon 400t provides an easy-to-use interface, wireless unit-to-unit transfer and preloaded topo maps for the entire U.S. And with its glove-friendly touchscreen, the waterproof Oregon is built to stand up to the weather. By purchasing a memory card with city mapping, you get the database with millions of preloaded points of interest as well as turn-by-turn directions displayed on the 3" color screen of the Oregon, which has various mounting options for the car or handlebars. 

Thanks, John, for the great question and enjoy the outdoors with the do-it-all Garmin of your choice!

Garmin comes through for couple lost in the woods

We often talk about how Garmin employees embrace the activities in which our products are used. Most of the time, this is a pretty easy assignment - go golfing, ride your bike, run a few miles, catch some fish - but what started as recreation Monday night turned into the rescue of a lost couple in the California woods. Here's the story as told by Clark, one of our online gurus at Garmin Connect and MotionBased. This link shows the adventure as captured in Garmin Connect and reminds us why Garmin devices have "Back to start".

So random... I'm just cruisin' through the woods on a trail run testing some Garmin GPS devices, and I come upon this couple clearly out of sorts and freaking out. They thought I was part of the rescue crew looking for them. It was pitch black outside, and they were a few miles from their car with no map and no light. They had parked at the Muir Woods main lot and hiked up a good portion of Mt Tam near Pantoll. (If you click on my Garmin Connect link, I found them where you can see my path end and turn around.) I just had them follow me with my headlamp as we hiked back to my car. Talked to the park rangers afterward who were thankful that I found them. They were bumming hard on the prospect of spending the entire night searching all of Mt Tam looking for these guys.

Garmin goes Hollywood

Maybe there were too many snacks at the Golden Globe parties. Regardless of the reason, Access Hollywood is taking a timeout from passing along the latest celebrity buzz to focus on fitness and the outdoors. This weekend, the entertainment show will feature Garmin's Edge 705 and Colorado 400t devices for cycling and hiking, respectively. And the Forerunner 405 fitness watch was just called in for a casting call for a future show. While both the Edge 705 and Colorado 400t have color maps and wireless unit-to-unit data transfer, the Edge 705 boasts power compatibility for cyclists who want to train like the pros, and the Colorado 400t features paperless geocaching and preloaded topographic maps for the entire U.S. Check your local listings and watch for Garmin on Access Hollywood this weekend. Or if you want to watch it online, you can click here. 

In other TV cameos, Garmin played a role in the end of an era Thursday night. Without giving away too much, we'll just say that Gil Grissom used an eTrex Legend to find closure. If you've seen Garmin pop up in your favorite shows, send us an e-mail or add a comment below.  

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!