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 make 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!

Garmin goes golfing with Approach G5

We just took the guesswork out of golf. Introduced this week at CES, the Approach G5 is Garmin’s first touchscreen handheld designed exclusively for the golf course, adding to our popular outdoor recreation and fitness line. The waterproof Approach, with its touchscreen 3" color display, keeps it simple by asking you to either Play or Preview any of the thousands of preloaded courses.

In any situation, a player can get exact yardages with the touch-targeting feature and select the right club with confidence. Worried about that fairway bunker? A single tap on the map will show you how much club you need to carry it – or how little if you decide to play it safe. Perfected your 90-yard wedge shot? By dragging your finger on the map, you can find the precise distance needed to lay up for your perfect shot into the green. Is the pin placed in the back today? By simply touching the corner of the screen, you can zoom in on the green to reposition the flag to correspond with that day’s pin placement. Whether you’re tracking your improvement or playing for bragging rights, the Approach makes it easy to measure the distance of your last shot. Also, you can easily keep the scores for your entire foursome using the intuitive touchscreen digital scorecard.

 

Jake's Journal: Getting fitter on Twitter

In addition to all of the excited recipients of Garmin gifts in our last Twitter-related post, one theme kept coming up as everyone opened surprises from Santa (or ordered their own gifts online): New Year's resolutions will be made easier to achieve through Garmin's fitness products. With goals ranging from getting back on the bike to losing a few pounds, running a first 5K to qualifying for the Boston Marathon, fitness enthusiasts unwrapped their Edges and Forerunners and started racking up the miles. And not to be outdone, hikers and geocachers took to the trails and parks with the help of an Oregon, Colorado, GPSMap 60 or eTrex. And all the while, they were talking about it on Twitter. The authors (the name after the first @) share their thoughts - in their own words, in 140 characters or less - to anyone listening. Click on their names to see what they have to say - and be sure to tell them @JakesJournal sent you. I join in on the conversations whenever possible, and you can follow my Tweets at twitter.com/JakesJournal.

Here, unedited, are my favorite two Tweets, from a runner and a cyclist, followed by dozens more in chronological order:

@KimAms @JakesJournal: I just got a Forerunner 405 for Christmas. I love it. I would rush into a burning building to save it.

@autumnrizing I LOVE MY GARMIN SO MUCH I COULD KISS IT! MAYBE EVEN LICK IT!!

More Dispatches from West Texas: Astro Visits Quail Eden

The thought occurred to me just as the two lemon and white setters locked up on yet another covey of bobwhite quail.  When I die, I want to come back as one of Dale Rollins' dogs!!

An epiphany, for sure, but one that also caused me to whiff an easy shot in front of a gallery of fellow hunters, outdoor writers, and conservationists.  (That's my excuse, anyhow.)  No matter -- we all knew there would be more coveys before our afternoon ended.

Dr. Dale Rollins is one of the world's premier authorities on quail and quail habitat. The land we were hunting was the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, situated in Fisher County, Texas.  It's basically a 4,700 acre research laboratory with a mission of helping find ways to sustain and grow wild quail populations.

Over the past year or so, Garmin has helped the RPQRR by providing Astro GPS Dog Tracking Systems for bird censuses.  We were down visiting Dr. Rollins to see what he was up to.

Click on the jump to find out.

Ask Garmin: Getting to know your gift

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

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

West Texas Wingshooting with Astro

A couple of us are back from a few days of quail hunting in wild and rugged West Texas, where the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System got plenty of use.

West Texas is wide-open country that's built for big-running pointing dogs.  And as luck would have it, Astro is built for those dogs.

 In fact, we never put a dog on the ground without first outfitting them with an Astro.  Knowing exactly where your dog is and what he's doing takes all the stress out of hunting -- and no longer do you have to tolerate beeper collars or holler to find your canine companion.

We spent a couple days hunting for scaled quail with Steve Snell, owner of Gun Dog Supply, Astro dealer, avid upland hunter, and all-around great guy.

Click on the jump to read more about the trip.

Garmin Astro Helps Search and Rescue Team

We typically market the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System to hunters -- whether they're after upland game, raccoons, or big game.  But they're also being used for much more serious purposes -- finding people.  K-9 search and rescue teams across the country are realizing the utility of the Astro, whether it's apprehending bad guys or searching for lost or missing people.  Here's a note from William Hall, a K-9 handler based in Iowa who travels throughout North America with his dogs:

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I wanted to let you know that the 3 DC 30's that we ordered arrived the day before we were to leave for Ontario to look for a missing 20 year old woman (missing since August 2007).  They worked flawlessly and provided us the information we needed to track where we had searched in the wilderness areas of a provincial park.  We were able to utilize the Astro to position ourselves in a way to guide the K-9 on a grid pattern even when we could not "see" where they were due to the terrain and vegetation.  I was even able to follow the activity of two additional K-9's working over 2 miles away from my location.   The Astros from other K-9 handlers were picking up my K-9s' location as well.  The DC 30 antennas maintained their vertical position even when the K-9 went under logs and brush.  They are far superior to the 4 DC 20's that we used previously.  I had them mounted on top the vests you see in the attached pictures.  They caused the vests to slide to one side while working.  I believe that you should see some additional sales of Astro systems based on the performance other K-9 teams saw from these during our search.

Thanks for the story and the feedback, Bill -- and hats off to search and rescue teams, both human and canine.

Jake's Journal: Oregon 400t makes my job easy

It only looks like I'm all play and no work. Sure, I get to do plenty of research in interesting locations: the five boroughs of New York City, the mountains of Colorado, the shorelines of France. But it's all in a day's work, I swear. Yet the most rewarding part of my job is seeing how experts review our products. A perfect example of a device that passes these rigorous tests with flying colors is the Oregon 400t.

In honoring it as Best of Adventure Must-Have Gear, National Geographic Adventure says the Oregon has "the most intuitive interface of any touchscreen device." Backpacker magazine tested several GPS handhelds for its January issue and named the Oregon the "all-around champ" for being advanced and yet intuitive. One of Backpacker's testers is quoted as saying, "If you can withdraw cash from an ATM, you can operate this unit." And it's not just the outdoor magazines that are raving about the Oregon 400t. Men's Journal honored the Oregon in its Gear of the Year, and Forbes tested it out in New York's urban canyons and said, "Oregon is so much fun that I navigate to everything."

To learn more about the Oregon 400t, check out this online demo and take a trip to the Land of Oregon, our highly interactive - and addictive - minisite that highlights the Oregon's features and versatility.

Garmin's Colorado is a star

It's nothing new to have Garmin devices star in commercials. Take, for example, our Give-a-Garmin holiday ads in which a nuvi 880 eases a driver's holiday stress in "Coffee Shop" and an ensemble cast saves the day in "One for All," which features products from fitness, auto, outdoor and marine.

Now the Colorado steals the spotlight in an online Best Buy ad, called "Gift Hunters." Think geocaching with giftwrap. Sure, there are two cute kids, but they wouldn't have the success they do finding all of their hidden gifts without the high-sensitivity GPS receiver and full-screen compass of the Colorado. Click here to see the ad, and visit the Colorado minisite to see even more features in action. And to see our other new outdoor handheld come to life, visit the Land of Oregon interactive minisite.

eTrex navigates, distracts the bears

We know that our outdoor and rec products are an important tool to bring with you on almost any outdoor adventure. But you don't take our word for it -- read the story below sent in from a customer in Alaska to see how Garmin saved the day in more ways than one!

Dear Garmin: Since it was first released I have relied on the Garmin etrex Vista to get me in and out of some of the toughest and 1000-pound brown bear infested terrain in the world to safely guide clients to the best fly fishing in the world. From the thickest brush, deepest canyons, and heaviest rain, fog, and even snow, my etrex Vista with its amazing battery life has performed flawlessly! 

With our plane, fitted with floats, I can land on anything bigger than a puddle. Once there, two clients and I will set off to where there are no trails and the topography all looks the same - if you can see beyond right in front of you at all.  Thanks to this amazing little device I've never been late for a pick up and can maximize our time on the river by following maps, creating trails of our own, and following the "time until next point" meter. Missing a pick up time is a no-can-do when you're dealing with current, wind, rocks, trees and airplanes!

On one such endeavor we were caught between a sow and her cubs and as we quickly removed ourselves from the situation our gear became play toys! The etrex found itself in the mouth of a nearly thousand-pound angry momma bear and subsequently her children... teeth bashed through the metal housing, and claws scratched and stomped -- Although the unit smelled terribly, it worked well enough to get us home and the removable Micro SD data card inside the unit was safe and sound -- preserving  years of invaluable trails and topographical information I worked so hard to create!

Thank you Garmin!
D.M.
Licensed Alaskan Guide

Oregon Helps Tag Missouri Deer

As you might imagine, one of the fringe benefits of working at Garmin is the ability to "field test" our products in any number of outdoor activities.  Last weekend marked the opening of the Missouri deer season, and Bryan, one of our outdoor/rec sales and marketing gurus got a chance to put the Oregon 400T through its paces.  Here's his report:

The quest for venison took place in Texas County, Missouri near the town of Mountain View.  Beautiful rolling hills.  Most of the leaves off the trees.  Cold, wet morning with 15 mph winds, 31 degrees.  Oregon color touch screen worked flawlessly in the cold with me wearing heavy winter gloves.   Deer came down a narrow draw from slight clearing above the stand.  Whitetail deer - 70 yd shot shot with my 1973 Winchester model 70 – .270.  3D view helped finding areas where the deer would feed in from during the morning hours.  Hunting calculator indicated when game would be most active.  Preloaded topo map helped with terrain in the Ozark landscape.  I also was able to mark my truck so I wouldn't get lost in the Ozark backcountry.  Oregon field test and hunting trip were both a success!

Jake's Journal: From New York to New Year in no time

When did November get so busy? Back in the day, this was a month set aside for enjoying stockpiled Halloween candy. Instead my month began in New York, where I enjoyed meeting American distance champions Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall. They even told me what they love most about training with the Garmin Forerunner. You can see videos of Deena and Ryan on our YouTube channel. I capped off my visit with a 26.2-mile jaunt across town, giving me plenty of good material for Flickr photos.

Then came a couple days in Vegas, where I joined our automotive team amid the sights and sounds of SEMA. My return from Vegas was followed by a tour of Oregon. OK, I didn't actually get to leave Olathe for this one, but I did enjoy visiting the interactive Oregon minisite. Part video game, part scavenger hunt and part online tutorial, The Land of Oregon is an impressive piece of work by our Web team. And if you look closely enough, you can even find my smiling face hiding in there.

Happy Birthday, Garmin Chicago store!

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

Gift guides galore!

It's beginning to look a lot like the gift-giving season around here. If you're putting your list together (and checking it twice) or shopping around for gifts for others, our Holiday Guide is here to help. From the recently announced nüvi 765T with lane assist and lifetime traffic, to the Edge 705 cycling computer to the Fishfinder 400C that's ready for freshwater and saltwater fishing - Garmin has something for everyone! But don't take our word for it. The crew at CNET has also put the nüvi 880 at the top of their holiday gift guide this year, calling it "one of the best GPS we've tested to date." So stop by our Holiday Guide if you haven't already and find the GPS that's right for you. And in case you need a little inspiration, our newest "Give-a-Garmin" holiday commercials can be found there, too!

Go get some cache

Last weekend, I finally did something smart instead of choosing the rational path. Rational would have been answering emails or clearing out the growing nest of mess that clogs our basement. Smart was obeying the voice of my inner child, which was pleading “it’s sunny, it’s warm … let’s play!” So I grabbed a Garmin handheld GPS, packed up my kids and some trinkets and headed outdoors to find some cache. Make that caches since our sport of the day was geocaching. A neighbor friend even decided to join our expedition when she heard talk of “treasure hunting”. Before we took off, we logged onto geocaching.com to look up sites nearby.

It was great fun to watch the kids follow the GPS to within a few feet of the first cache location and then witness our new geocacher pull the ammo box from under the bushes. In all, we found 3 of the 4 sites we set out to find, including one cleverly hidden in the fork of a tree, which required a bit of a boost for my 5-foot-and-under friends to discover. I hope you find a little free time this fall to go out and play. Check out our new Land of Oregon minisite for a guided tour of the Oregon series — our top handhelds for geocachers and anyone who likes to play in the dirt.

Explore the Land of Oregon

It's been a while since we first announced the Oregon - so people have had a chance to get out there with this rugged navigator and do some exploring.

Well, you wouldn't believe some of the reports we've received from people who have had some time to hit the trails and venture off the beaten path. At first, we were in shock about what we were hearing as reports trickled in. But apparently those Oregons pack quite a punch - because they managed to find a new place to explore. We were amazed! So now it's time to share the information with you. And with that, we're pleased to introduce you to The Land of Oregon!

You won't believe how much there is to see and do in this amazing place. But fear not! There's an Oregon 400t and a trusty trail guide waiting for your when you arrive. It took us a while, but we managed to find our way through The Land of Oregon and discover all 16 items - plus we had a few laughs here and there, too. Think you can find all that there is to find?  Stop by The Land of Oregon and take a look around. You won't believe what you see . . . .

Garmin holiday commercials have arrived

In case you didn't catch our new holiday commercial spots yesterday during your favorite football game, here's your chance to see the fun and sing along. Building off of our previous commercials, you'll hear the popular "Give-a-give-a-give-a Garmin" tune and see some of your favorite Garmin products in action. Whether you're a commuter on a motor scooter, in spandex on a bike, on a long jog or out for some hiking, we've got great gifts for everyone on your list this holiday season. And, in case you need some help selecting what to get that special someone, our Gift Guide is filled with our favorite gadgets that are sure to please. So, without any further ado, check out "One For All" and "Coffee Shop" below and see some of the many benefits of giving the gift of Garmin this holiday...

Jake's Journal: 26.2 reasons I heart NYC

We'll get to my time in a moment, but I wanted to note the most memorable parts of today's New York City marathon: 1) The highest climb of the race is right out of the gate, though it lasts 2 miles along the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. 2) Staten Island. We spent three hours there shivering before the race - the longest time in any borough and the shortest distance. 3) My 40,000 fellow runners from around the globe, as gracious and enthusiastic as any I've met. 4) Brooklyn. From firemen to five-year-olds, they made miles 2-13 fly by. 5) My friend Joel, pictured. I never would've thought when I ran with him last year at our Garmin store in Chicago that we would be tackling the Big Apple together. 6) Water. Lots of it. 7) My Forerunner 405. Average pace, current lap pace, mile splits and distance on demand. It provided inspiration and necessary distraction. 8) Socks on my hands. It was cold. 9) My name on my shirt. There's something about the name Jake that makes people love yelling it. Whether short and staccato, or drawn out like celebrating a soccer goal (Jaaaaaake), the crowd's cheers paved the way.

Chicago Store: GPS treats

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

-Garmin Guru

Astro: It's Not Just For Pooches Anymore...

We've told you a bunch of times how the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System can change the way you hunt this fall.  But what we haven't told you is that it's also a great way to entertain the kids.  Allow us to explain.

A couple weeks back, one of your friendly blog editors met a longtime hunting buddy up in northern Minnesota for an annual ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting trip.  This was the first year that kids -- ages ranging from five to ten -- got the chance to tag along.  The hunting was tough and the birds were uncharacteristically sparse, but sharing the experience with the kiddoes made it a trip of a lifetime.

To help keep the young'uns entertained, one of the favorite games was Astro Hide and Seek, which took one of two permutations.  In one, a kid would take an DC 20 transmitter (no, not strapped to their neck, but in a fanny pack...) and get a five minute head start to hide in the woods, and the other kids would track them down.  In the other version, the dads would hide the transmitter deep in the woods, and then give the kids a certain amount of time to find it -- if they beat the buzzer, a candy bar of their choice awaited them.

What's the point of all this?  Well, with the hunting season upon us, there may be some hunting dog owners out there who are still Astro-less.  Is the family CFO requiring a bit more justification before you spend money on hunting gear?  Try this line: it's for the kids, honey.

Nicely done, fellow hunter.  Nicely done.