When you golf with Garmin, you get a lot of data. Like, a lot of data. You get helpful health insights from your Garmin golf smartwatch, precise distance measurements from your rangefinder so you know what’s ahead, and robust ball and club metrics from a launch monitor to improve your game.

But you might wonder how your stats fit in with Garmin golfers across the globe. This is our latest deep dive into data logged in the Garmin Golf app, an interactive tool used by golf lovers worldwide to track, analyze and share their activities on the links. As you gather your gear for the upcoming golf season, let’s look at how golfers completed their rounds in 2025 compared to 2024.

Here are a few of the 2025 highlights:

• The number of Garmin golfers under age 20 increased markedly in 2025 from 2024.
• Golfers who used a Garmin launch monitor for at least six months saw a meaningful decrease in their average score.
• Garmin golfers hit the fairway more than a third of the time (and how that compares to the pros).
• Of the locales with the best median handicaps, we have a list of the most popular courses for Garmin golfers around the world — from California in the U.S. to North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.
• Strength training and yoga were two ways Garmin golfers stayed active beyond golf — and they did those activities significantly more than in 2024.

How many more golfers hit the course — and how often?

There’s something special about setting up the tee, perfecting your swing and walking across the green. And more people — especially young golfers — are seeing the appeal. When breaking down the increase in golfers who used a Garmin device by age, young people led the growth in 2025 compared to 2024. In 2025, we saw 76% growth in golfers under age 20. Golfers 20–29 grew 53% while golfers 30–39 grew 18%. Golfers 40–49 grew 15% and those 50–59 grew 12%.

If you have a junior golfer in your life, might we recommend Approach® J1? It’s the first GPS golf watch specifically designed for youth golfers, built to help them learn the game and track their performance.

The median number of golf rounds rose by 13%, with golfers on average squeezing in one more round in 2025 compared to 2024. The number of female and male golfers using Garmin devices each increased about 16%.

The number of real-life rounds increased 17% while the number of virtual rounds increased 58%. (We like to think the premium all-in-one experience you get on the Approach R50 launch monitor and simulator has something to do with that.)

When it comes to virtual rounds, it’s hard to beat the Home Tee Hero app¹. You get more than 43,000 courses to choose from, more realistic graphics and an added on-course practice mode, making it easier than ever to focus on improving your game.

How well were Garmin golfers swinging?

OK, so Garmin golfers were spending more time on the links. How well were they actually performing?

We found that golfers who used a Garmin launch monitor for at least 6 months had average scores that were 4.4 strokes lower after use. Golfers must have played at least 20 rounds before and 20 rounds after getting the launch monitor, using it at least 5 times. Practice makes perfect, after all.

Garmin golfers hit the fairway 37% of the time. (That’s including only those who played a full round of golf in person and those whose rounds were added to either the Garmin Golf app or their Garmin golf device.) Keep in mind, though, that the average for PGA TOUR pros was 59% through the 2025 season — so maybe that 37% isn’t too shabby.

If you struggle to choose which golf club to use or have a hard time avoiding different hazards, a Garmin golf smartwatch such as Approach S70 could help. This Garmin GPS golf watch offers a virtual caddie feature to help you choose your club. This feature also provides a shot dispersion chart to help you determine which club choice gives you the best chance to hit the fairway and avoid hazards.

The median handicap for Garmin golfers was 14 in 2025. If you’re wondering how your handicap stacks up to other locales, we’ve got that answer too. Here’s a sample of 10 median handicaps across the globe.

How close was your handicap to the median? If you’ve got some work to do, we’re here to help. With a Garmin golf launch monitor¹, you can get precise ball and club metrics that analyze your swing. Plus, you can use the golf simulator on Approach R50 (for the ultimate simulator experience) or Approach R10 with a paired smartphone or tablet to spend more time practicing, whether you’re home or on the course¹.

How have Garmin golfers improved?

Ever wondered how your performance measures across different areas of the game, including drives, approach, chip, putt or even bunker shots? That’s where strokes gained comes in. This feature, available in the Garmin Golf app, measures how well you’re trending in those areas over time. It also tells you how well each shot was relative to how a PGA player would have performed from that distance and lie on average. In 2025, Garmin golfers improved the most in the layup, tee, recovery and overall categories. The closer to zero in the chart below, the better.

What are users doing to improve their overall fitness — and swing?

In addition to all that swing practice, golfers are spending plenty of time on activities outside of golf. Users with an Approach smartwatch, including Approach S70 or S50, logged 29% more walking activities in 2025 compared to 2024. They were also dedicated to building muscle and flexibility: Strength training activities increased 45% and yoga activities increased 49% compared to 2024. And for good reason too, considering the benefits of increased flexibility and strength for your golf performance.

The other top activities were all cardio focused, including running, cycling, swimming and using the elliptical.

Where were the most popular golf courses in the top 10 locales?

Remember those locales with the best median handicaps across the world? These were the most popular golf courses in each of them — good luck getting a tee time at one of these courses.

1. Sea ‘n’ Air Golf Course (U.S.)
2. Club de Golf Longchamp (Canada)
3. Wembley Golf Course: Old (Australia)
4. Golf Club Toulouse-Seilh: Jaune (France)
5. Riksten Golfklubb (Sweden)
6. Pyrford Golf Club (United Kingdom)
7. Wakasu Golf Links (Japan)
8. Landgoed Bergvliet Golf Course (Netherlands)
9. Club de Campo Villa de Madrid: Recorrido Negro (Spain)
10. Kölner Golfclub: Championship (Germany)

What’s the best time of day to hit the links?

When you tee off depends on your personal preference and your location; however, golfers tended to tee off most in the early afternoon, followed by the early morning.

What you need to hit the course in 2026 with Garmin

When you golf with Garmin, you can do it all — from the driving range to the final putt.

Garmin offers a variety of golf watches so you can find the one that’s right for you, whether you’re looking to cover the basics or for premium features to improve your game. With a Garmin rangefinder, you’ll know where the hazards are with a quick glance (yes, it’s possible to avoid that bunker). And with a Garmin launch monitor and simulator, you’ll get advanced ball and club metrics as well as the ability to play virtual rounds on more than 43,000 courses to help improve your swing all year long¹.

Take your golf game to the next level with our golf products.

¹_{Active subscription required}

The post The data behind how Garmin golfers hit the course appeared first on Garmin Blog.

My earliest memories revolve around riding horses for ranch work and pleasure — mainly backcountry fishing and hunting trips.

In 2005, during a hunting trip in the Shoshone wilderness in northwest Wyoming, I was on an early morning elk hunt when the young horse I was riding reared over backward on me while crossing a stream. I had a hunting partner who got the horse off me, but I was severely injured and unable to move. He had to ride 6 miles to get to a landline to call for help.

I laid there for almost 10 hours, not knowing if he made it out or if help was coming. Just as dark was setting in, I cannot describe the relief I felt as I heard a helicopter circling overhead. I thought to myself, “Never again will I be in the backcountry without communication.”

I have owned an inReach device for several years now and have used it for checking in with family, checking weather forecasts and messaging hunting partners who are inReach users.

One August, 3 of my old high school buddies and I took off on a backcountry fishing trip we had been planning for years (we turned 65 that year). About 3 miles into the trip, one of my buddy’s horses fell coming out of a creek crossing that had washed out. The horse fell over backward and landed on top of the rider — eerily similar to my accident years before in the same area.

After untangling the rider from the horse, it was apparent we needed help. I pulled out my inReach and hit the SOS button, and within minutes was texting with the Garmin Response℠ team, giving them all the details of the injured rider and relaying to my buddy that help was on the way (much to his relief).  

I then contacted my wife, who had already been contacted by Garmin Response to let her know what was going on, and my son (who was a paramedic and in charge of a backcountry rescue team), who put a team in action that was on scene within 2 hours.

A helicopter was dispatched but could not land due to rough terrain. The backcountry rescue team ended up carting out the injured rider to a waiting ambulance at the trailhead.

Needless to say, I am a big fan of inReach and was thankful that day to have it. I never leave home without it.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

The post inReach SOS: Two horseback riding accidents, 18 years apart appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Whether you’re enjoying a day on your boat, eyeing that next big catch, or both, a durable chartplotter is one of the most important components of your boating experience. You may prefer a large touchscreen with the best screen resolution possible, or you need advanced sonar features such as SideVü, ClearVü or OneVü with LiveScope compatibility. Maybe you just want a fishfinder with GPS and basic sonar.

However you enjoy time on the water, we’re here to help you understand the differences in the many GPS chartplotters and fishfinders Garmin has to offer.

Here are some of our innovative chartplotter and fishfinder offerings:

GPSMAP® 9000 Series (10”, 13”, 17”, 19”, 22”, 24”, 27” Chartplotters)

We’re starting with the big one. The best of the best, one may say. If you’re serious about all things boating and you want a chartplotter loaded with features and capabilities, the GPSMAP 9000 series should be your top choice. This series offers a range of display sizes and configurations to fit different helm setups. With the GPSMAP 9000 chartplotters, you can have stunning 4K resolution at sizes ranging from 13” to 27” and full HD on 10” display screens.

It’s all about speed and clarity with these modern and luxurious chartplotters. The GPSMAP 9000 multifunction display provides connectivity at lightning-fast speeds and can connect to multiple chartplotters, sonars (separate black box required; sold separately), radars and cameras. Those networking speeds clock in at 10 times faster than previous versions on the Garmin BlueNet network. Meanwhile, the processing power is up to seven times faster than previous generations, allowing for faster map drawing and routing.

You can also enjoy top-of-the-line marine charts. The GPSMAP 9000 series has preloaded Garmin Navionics+, which provides detail-rich coastal and inland charts, Auto Guidance+ technology¹ and a 1-year subscription for daily map updates to help keep up with sea bed changes. With an optional upgrade to Garmin Navionics Vision+, see even clearer with high-resolution relief shading and satellite imagery that pops with the 4K screen.

Is entertainment your forte? With the GPSMAP 9000, you can sync your audio and video across your network of screens and speakers — all from one spot at your helm through HDCP distribution. With the GPSMAP 9000, it’s simple.

Plus, for those who want the same powerful capabilities in a more compact configuration with built-in sonar, the GPSMAP 9000xsv models are available in 10” to 17” display sizes. These chartplotters include integrated CHIRP traditional sonar and UHD scanning sonar, allowing you to explore what’s below the surface in vivid detail.

GPSMAP® x3 Series (7”, 9”, 12”, 15” Ultrawide, 16” Chartplotters)

If you want to transform your boating experience, you’ll love the GPSMAP x3 series, available in 7”, 9”, 12”, 15” ultrawide and 16” touchscreens — with or without built-in sonar and Garmin Navionics+ charts. Perfect for a variety of boat types and styles, these chartplotters offer a sunlight-readable display and slimline design borders with edge-to-edge glass.

The GPSMAP x3 series comes with optional built-in 1 kW traditional CHIRP sonar as well as Ultra High-Definition SideVü and ClearVü scanning sonars with vivid, high-contrast color palettes to differentiate fish from everything else. Furthermore, the GPSMAP x3 series supports the full lineup of LiveScope, Panoptix and CHIRP traditional sonar, so you’ll have the visibility you need around your boat, in real time (transducers sold separately).

Are you passionate about sailing? Then this is the chartplotter for you. With the GPSMAP x3 series, take advantage of sailing features such as Garmin SailAssist to view laylines, receive race start line guidance, view enhanced wind rose and more. Embrace your vessel’s polar table and view key data to guide how you trim your sails.

And rest assured, you can navigate confidently with superior marine charts with the built-in Garmin Navionics+ mapping, which provides detail-rich coastal and inland charts of lakes, rivers, inlets, bays, and nearshore and offshore waters. It includes Auto Guidance+ technology¹ and a 1-year subscription to daily updates. Or you could upgrade to a whole new level with Garmin Navionics Vision+ charts that supply high-resolution relief shading and satellite imagery.

With any of the GPSMAP x3 chartplotters, you’ll be able to build a complete onboard marine system using NMEA® networks or the Garmin Marine Network. With compatible sonar, autopilot, radars, cameras and more, you’ll be completely connected.

Consider your boating experience officially transformed.

ECHOMAP Ultra 2 Series (10”, 12”, 16” Chartplotters)

If you’re serious about your fishing and looking to get more out of your chartplotter, we’ve designed the ECHOMAP Ultra 2 just for you.

Take it all in with the Ultra 2’s larger display options at 10”, 12” or 16” with the highest screen resolution in the ECHOMAP series for the best Ultra High-Definition scanning sonar image. With LiveScope compatibility, these Ultra 2 chartplotters can capture your impressive fish catches with the new screen recording feature. These chartplotters come with preloaded Garmin Navionics+ U.S. coastal and inland mapping, a 1-year subscription for daily updates, depth range shading and detailed 1” contours to help you identify fishing hot spots. Additionally, optional Garmin Navionics Vision+ gives you features such as high-resolution relief shading, satellite imagery and more.

If you have more than one UHD2 or Ultra 2, you can network them wirelessly to share sonar, waypoints and routes. Wirelessly connect to your Force® trolling motor to navigate to waypoints, draw and follow routes, and more. Get improved position accuracy in areas where the signal is weak with multi-band GPS.

ECHOMAP UHD2 Series (5”, 6”, 7”, 9” Chartplotters)

Do you like to tread new waters? Great, because with an ECHOMAP UHD2 chartplotter, you can know the water better than a local thanks to best-in-class sonar and mapping.

The UHD2 6”, 7” and 9” sv chartplotters come with an ultra high-definition transducer that produces Garmin traditional and ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonar images so you can zero in on your next catch. You can choose between a unit preloaded with Garmin Navionics+ U.S. inland or coastal mapping (plus a 1-year subscription to daily map updates) with features such as depth range shading, shallow water shading and detailed 1” contours to assist in locating fishing hot spots.

Is a touchscreen a must for you? The UHD2 6”, 7”and 9” sv chartplotters have your back with an easy-to-use, sunlight-readable touchscreen display with a keyed assist interface. Other perks? Wireless networking for data sharing with a separate UHD2 or Ultra 2, support for LiveScope live-scanning sonar, multi-band GPS and wireless connectivity with your Force trolling motor.

If you’re just looking for basic sonar and mapping, we’ve got you covered there too. The convenient UHD2 5” and 7” cv units are available with CHIRP traditional and ClearVü scanning sonars offering high-resolution color palettes. They come preloaded with inland or coastal Garmin Navionics+ mapping.

Treading new waters has never been this easy.

STRIKER® Vivid (4”, 5”, 7”, 9” Fishfinders)

The STRIKER Vivid series is sure to catch your attention. The STRIKER Vivid fishfinders come with a transducer, scanning and traditional sonar, and built-in GPS to mark fishing hotspots. If you’re on a budget and you need a robust GPS fishfinder, the Vivid is a great option for you.

Perfect for lakes, ponds and inland coastal waters, the STRIKER Vivid series is available in 4”, 5”, 7” and 9” screen sizes with mounting hardware. The 4”, 5” and 7” cv units come with a GT20-TM transducer and support traditional and ClearVü scanning sonar. Meanwhile, the 7” and 9” sv fishfinders have a GT52HW-TM transducer and support traditional, ClearVü and SideVü technology.

We bet you’re paying attention now.

We understand that not all anglers, cruisers and sailors are alike, which is why Garmin offers many options. For more information, check out all of our chartplotter and fishfinder offerings.

_{¹Auto Guidance+ is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations}

_{NMEA®, NMEA 2000®, and the NMEA 2000 logo are registered trademarks of the National Marine Electronics Association.}

The post Which Garmin chartplotter or fishfinder is right for me? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Connection to the Only Satellite Network with Global Coverage

The Iridium^® satellite network, the world’s largest commercial satellite constellation, is the system that allows inReach handhelds to work globally. Its low orbit satellites enable inReach satellite communicators to relay messages, provide weather forecasts, navigate and trigger SOS alerts — even when you and your device are well out of range of cellular coverage. Plus, the multidirectional, purpose-built antennas in inReach handhelds help ensure a prompt connection, which is especially important in an emergency when every second counts.

Interactive SOS

With an inReach device and an active subscription, you can trigger an SOS message and connect directly to the Garmin Response^SM team. When an SOS alert is received, team members pinpoint the incident location. Then, via two-way messaging, team members gather information from the user, coordinate the rescue response and connect with emergency contacts.

Internal Emergency Monitoring

A unique part of the inReach experience is that SOS activations are managed by Garmin’s in-house emergency monitoring team and incident response coordination center, Garmin Response. Operating since 2007, Garmin Response is staffed by trained professionals. They use proprietary emergency handling software to manage each SOS alert and work with a private global database of local first responders.

Optional Search and Rescue Insurance

The last thing anyone wants to consider while recreating is the “what ifs.” To help alleviate those worries, Garmin offers its own Search and Rescue (SAR) insurance plans for select regions. With an inReach device and active subscription plan, you can choose from one of three SAR plans that provide financial reimbursement for qualified search and rescue-related expenses incurred during a rescue.

Three Messaging Types to Stay Connected to Friends and Family

inReach handhelds are often thought of for navigation or SOS use. However, they are also satellite texting devices that offer flexible messaging options to help you stay connected to loved ones, even if it’s a simple “I’m OK” update. Using the global coverage of the Iridium satellite network, inReach devices can send messages to cellphone numbers, email addresses or other inReach devices.

Send Photos and Voice Messages With inReach Plus Technology

When used with the Garmin Messenger app, handhelds with inReach Plus technology have a built-in speaker and microphone for exchanging voice messages and can send and receive photos² — no cell coverage needed.

Other Valuable inReach Handheld Functions

Battery life: With the battery life of select inReach models lasting up to 30 days, you can stay on adventures longer. Check the Specs section on each inReach device product page for detailed battery life information.

Rugged construction: inReach devices are tough, durable, impact-resistant and water-rated to IPX7. The manual SOS button is designed to work in wet and cold conditions, as proven by this SOS rescue.

inReach to compatible device pairing: Certain inReach handhelds (inReach^® Mini and newer) can be paired with compatible Garmin devices (watches, cycling computers, chartplotters, etc.) to control inReach functionalities, including SOS, from the paired device.

MapShare and LiveTrack: Give peace of mind to loved ones by using the tracking feature to share your location at specified intervals, either on your personal tracking page or embedded into messages (active subscription required).

Weather forecasts: An active subscription and connection to the Iridium satellite network allow you to get detailed weather forecasts for your current location or other destinations on your route from your inReach handheld, helping you to make better decisions about your adventure. This feature has proven to be invaluable in many extreme weather situations.

inReach devices deliver a lot of powerful features and functionalities. Find out which device is right for you based on your favorite activities.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

²Taking and sending photos requires use of the Garmin Messenger app on your paired smartphone.

The post What’s different about inReach devices? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

More than 395 million people globally are injured at work each year, according to the International Labour Organization. The ILO also found work accidents cause 330,000 deaths annually.

Safer workplaces help reduce absenteeism and turnover, keeping production efficient and reliable. Biometric data provides a new way to address prevention by focusing on monitoring vitals related to extreme heat, fatigue and stress.

With the Garmin Health connected ecosystem, companies can support workplace awareness by accessing insights related to detecting falls, physical workload, fatigue and environmental conditions in operational settings.

This Garmin Health workers’ safety glimpse demonstrates how Garmin smartwatches¹ are supporting companies that aim to improve the safety of workers around the world.

Detecting falls or immobilization

Sleep Advice Technologies (SAT) and Altenia

The project: SAT recently debuted a new Man Down Emergency System feature, which can help detect if workers have fallen or are immobilized, triggering an alert procedure. This program is piloted with Altenia, a leading player in the Italian energy sector that specializes in the design, construction, management and maintenance of high voltage electrical infrastructures as well as photovoltaic plants, and part of the Terna Energy Solutions Group. This innovative digital tool uses sensors on compatible Garmin smartwatches¹ as an input for the specialized software of SAT.

How Garmin factors in: Altenia employees are equipped with Instinct® 3 smartwatches and utilize an app developed by SAT. This app provides a real-time stream of biometric data that supports SAT’s proprietary algorithms for fall and immobilization detection.

The goal: Data from Garmin smartwatches feeds into a centralized monitoring system of SAT. By using SAT’s digital solution receiving continuous input, Altenia (and other companies with employees at risk of falls or immobilization) can better address workplace monitoring and implementation of proactive procedures as needed.

Safeguarding workers from extreme heat

VigiLife, Inc.  

The project: VigiLife’s SafeGuard platform helps workers and their site managers monitor indicators associated with heat stress. Using heart rate¹ and energy expenditure (i.e., calories) data from Garmin smartwatches via the Garmin Companion SDK integration, SafeGuard provides access to personalized core body temperature awareness as well as early insight when heat strain is too high to continue working safely. Beyond heat, SafeGuard also tracks environmental exposures such as carbon monoxide and noise and also includes wellness features that support overall worker health.

How Garmin factors in:Garmin smartwatches provide durable, reliable and data-rich smartwatches with superior battery life. The data SafeGuard collects — including heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), step count, stress, respiration rate and Body Battery energy monitoring¹ — is transformed into predictive insights and alerts.

The goal: The SafeGuard platform helps proactively manage heat risk by combining biometric and environmental monitoring with predictive analytics. This approach can help protect crews, reduce incidents and keep projects on track.

Predicting driver fatigue

Sleep Advice Technologies (SAT) and WHG

The project: FleetPREDICT from WHG leverages SAT’s IP to help predict driver fatigue based on Garmin smartwatch data. The platform monitors, tracks and predicts human fatigue, and acts as an early warning system to potentially reduce the risk of accidents caused by drowsy driving.

How Garmin factors in: Garmin smartwatches provide key vital monitoring — such as heart rate, beat-to-beat intervals (BBI) and HRV¹ — and the Companion SDK integration provides access to a real-time stream of Garmin data that powers SAT’s proprietary algorithms for fatigue detection.

The goal: SAT and WHG, by collaborating with Garmin, aim to empower industries to act before accidents happen and bring peace of mind to drivers with a non-invasive solution.

Reducing risk in the workplace

Alternative Data Management (ADAM) AI SOLUTIONS s.r.l.

The project: ADAM PRESTO is a predictive safety tool focused on helping prevent incidents that can result in injuries or deaths. The proprietary risk engine calculates a risk indicator using real-time information collected from Garmin smartwatches along with data from the company, workers and the working environment.

How Garmin factors in: Garmin provides reliable devices, sensor data and customized interfaces to collect stress, heart rate and Body Battery energy monitoring¹ data in real time.

The goal: The risk indicator prompts actions when a worker exceeds a predefined threshold, such as being too stressed to perform a task. ADAM PRESTO aims to improve safety at work by predicting and preventing workplace incidents.

Want to learn more about Garmin Health in workers safety or in general? Visit the Garmin Health solutions page for more information or contact us here if Garmin wearable technology and the Garmin Health connected ecosystem could play a vital role in your next project. Sign up for the Garmin Health newsletter here to stay up to date on the latest trends, research and innovations.

¹_{Garmin smartwatches are consumer devices and are not safety or medical devices, and are not designed or intended to prevent safety incidents or monitor or diagnose diseases or any medical conditions. Find information metric accuracy here.}

The post Garmin Health glimpse: Supporting workers’ safety appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Luckily, Garmin has plenty of sonar options including underwater perspectives from the side of, around or in front of your boat. With enhanced 2D and 3D multidimensional sonar visuals, anglers can find nooks and crannies in bottom structure as well as uncover fish patterns and positioning.

Keeping reading to learn more about Garmin sonar and the benefits of utilizing on your next fishing trip.

What is Garmin sonar?

At Garmin, sonar offerings span from captured images (scanning sonar) to real-time footage (live sonar) that can be seen on your compatible chartplotter.

Whether you just got your first fishfinder or you’re a seasoned angler, CHIRP sonar is ideal. CHIRP sonar uses multiple frequencies to bring you high-resolution images with even better target separation. CHIRP kHZ allows you to adjust your settings to low, medium or high depending on the depths you’re exploring. High settings are preferable for shallow waters and identifying smaller targets while low CHIRP is meant for deep water and marking targets at various depths.

When you first get out on the water, you need big picture details. That’s where scanning sonar comes into play. Begin your trip by finding bottom structure and cover, both potential hiding spots for fish, with ClearVü, SideVü and OneVü. When you have a Garmin transducer, use ClearVü to see directly below your boat and SideVü to see details to the side of you. Broaden your scope even more with OneVü. If you have Spy Pole and the GT360UHD transducer onboard, get a 360-degree view of life below your boat in both 2D and 3D. Plus, scan up to a whole football field worth of data.

Now that you have an idea of where you might find some fish, use Garmin LiveScope to home in on them with live sonar footage. Live sonar allows you to see fish in relation to your boat in 3 different modes. Forward mode shows you the surroundings in front of your boat, down mode details underwater surroundings directly below your boat and perspective mode gives you a horizontal field of view — preferable for fishing in shallow water.

Benefits of having sonar onboard

1. Finding fishing spots

Instead of lingering in an area where baiting fish would be hard to do, scanning sonar, like ClearVü, SideVü and OneVü, makes it undeniably easy to see bottom structure where fish might be hiding. Now, you’ll be able to cover water quickly and detect hard-to-find spots.

2. Precision and efficiency

Time is valuable when you’re on the water, especially in tournaments. Once you’ve quickly identified potential fishing spots, turn to live sonar to study fish patterns and movement. Cast your line and see your positioning in relation to the fish or bottom structure below on your chartplotter. Plus, watch as fish interact with your line to detect early bites and better understand behavior towards your bait.

3. Navigate confidently

Sonar can be used for more than just catching fish. See water depths and avoid bottom structure when viewing below the surface imagery on your chartplotter. When in shallow water, be aware of rocks and reefs so you can prevent potential collisions.

4. GPS integration

You’ve found a fishing spot that consistently provides results. Come back time and time again when you mark a waypoint on your chartplotter. Then, you can easily navigate back. Plus, if you have a Force® trolling motor mounted, let it take over and automatically route you back.

And, if you have a Garmin GT360UHD transducer, built-in TrueMotion technology lets you spend more time catching fish. Even if your boat moves, the technology integrates with GPS and allows you to roam within the scanned area.

Help ensure a successful fishing trip with when you take advantage of Garmin sonar capabilities. Prepare for your next outing and learn more about getting sonar on your boat.

The post Benefits of using Garmin sonar for fishing appeared first on Garmin Blog.

The right bike gear can help you practice responsible riding and feel more secure on your rides, whether you’re squeezing in post-work road rides as the sun sets or dedicating hours to your bike in peak sunshine on the trails.

No matter what type of cyclist you are, you should brush up on these five cycling safety tips — and consider adding Garmin bike computers, radars and lights before you start pedaling.

1. Make sure you can see other people.

With rearview radars and smart lights, you can help raise your awareness of drivers behind and in front of you.

The Varia Vue headlight camera records front-facing video in 4K (memory card required¹; sold separately) and automatically stores the video on the device if an incident is detected. Varia Vue offers five light modes and an auto brightness control that adjusts to your speed and surroundings, designed to help you see the road ahead — and to increase the chance that other drivers will see you². You can spend more time on the road with up to 7 hours of battery life in day flash mode with the camera recording, and up to 9 hours when not using the headlight.

Plus, you can get coverage from the back of your bike by adding the Varia RearVue 820 rearview radar tail light or Varia RCT715 rearview radar tail light and camera.

Our most powerful and precise radar yet, Varia RearVue 820 provides more reliable alerts than ever before. It can send visual and audible alerts while you ride when you connect it to the Varia smartphone app, compatible Edge® bike computers or select Garmin smartwatches — so you can easily get a heads-up that a car is approaching³. With advanced vehicle tracking, you’ll see alerts based on size, movement and threat level when you ride with compatible Edge cycling computers or the Varia app on your compatible smartphone.

If you want a radar tail light with a camera, consider Varia RCT715. Instead of advanced vehicle tracking, you’ll get essential visual and audible notifications on your paired Edge cycling computer, select Garmin smartwatches or the Varia app on your paired smartphone. Plus, Varia RCT715 adjusts the intensity of your tail light when it senses oncoming vehicles. You can adjust your light intensity and flash behavior to fit your ride. The easy-to-mount Varia RCT715 also features a built-in camera that will continuously record the surroundings behind you and, in the event of an incident, automatically save video footage from before, during and after the event. Plus, you’ll get up to 6 hours of battery life with radar, tail light in day flash and camera recording.

If you have an eBike, then Varia eRTL615 is the rearview radar for you. Varia eRTL615 features a battery-free design that is powered by your compatible eBike⁴, and it can help increase awareness between rider and driver.

While we hope most drivers are patient with cyclists, this isn’t always the case. The alerts from our rearview radars give you the opportunity to judge the car’s position and speed to determine if you need to pull over and give them a little more room to pass. 

2. Make sure other people can see you.

It’s always a good idea to wear reflective clothing when you ride, but thanks to the latest advancements in Garmin technology, you can take your visibility to a whole new level regardless of when the sun sets.

Our brightest tail light, Varia RearVue 820 , offers up to 1.24 miles (or 2 kilometers) of visibility and a brake light that shows when you’re slowing or stopping, while the Varia eRTL615 radar tail light can be seen up to a mile away. The Varia Vue headlight camera projects a steady blast of up to 600 lumens to help drivers coming from the other direction see you from up to 1 mile away. It also includes a cutoff beam, meaning the light intensity is reduced above the cutoff line to help preserve the vision of oncoming drivers.

3. Know exactly where you’re navigating.

No natural sense of direction? No problem. The latest Garmin Edge GPS cycling computers come equipped with multi-band GPS, which provides superior positioning accuracy.

Plus, thanks to the vivid display on the Edge 1050 premium cycling computer, and the more compact Edge 550 and 850 devices, you can see your maps in greater detail. With these Edge computers, you can get ride-specific routing, no matter if you’re on mountain, gravel or road rides. With Trendline popularity routing, your Edge cycling computer will find a route recommended for you based on the most traveled roads and trails by other Garmin cyclists. (You can learn more about choosing which Garmin bike computer is right for you here).

4. Stay connected in case of an emergency.

With the LiveTrack feature on a compatible Edge cycling computer (or your Garmin smartwatch), you can share your rides with contacts you have selected in the Garmin Connect app. This allows viewers to track your location and see where you are in real time. 

Plus, Garmin Edge cycling computers offer an incident detection feature that sends a message⁵ to your designated contacts with your live location if the device detects an incident. (Reminder: You need to set up emergency contacts in the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone before you can use the incident detection feature). You’ll receive a message on your Edge device and paired smartphone letting you know the message to your contacts will be sent within 30 seconds, giving you plenty of time to cancel the automated emergency message if you don’t need help.

You can also pair your compatible cycling computer to an inReach® satellite communicator⁶ to stay connected wherever you ride — even when you don’t have cell service. When you’re cycling through backcountry trails, you don’t need to swap back and forth between devices. Instead, you can use your Edge to control features such as sharing location data and viewing and replying to messages. However, your incident detection contacts are different from your inReach contacts, which can be set up through the Garmin Explore app or the Garmin Messenger app, depending on which device is being used. In an emergency, you can trigger an SOS message on your Edge to Garmin Response^℠, our 24/7-staffed international emergency coordination center, which will connect you to help if you need it.

5. Follow the rules of the road.

Traffic laws are put in place to help keep people safe on the road, and they apply to cyclists as well. It’s critical to obey all traffic signs and signals. Use bike lanes when available and be aware of your surroundings.

Part of that awareness should also include awareness of hazards. With a compatible Edge computer, you — and other Garmin cyclists — can report five types of community-generated road hazards: animals, obstructions, potholes, slippery surfaces and general hazards. You can also see hazards as an alert on your Edge, allowing you to be more aware of potential hazards ahead based on what other riders reported.

By following these five simple tips, you will be on your way to becoming a more responsible cyclist. Ready to hit the road? Be sure to outfit your bike with the latest Garmin technology for superior, bike-specific navigation and a host of performance features for cyclists at any level.

¹_{See Garmin.com/variavuememorycard}

²_{When paired with your Edge cycling computer}

³_{Requires a compatible Garmin cable (sold separately)}

⁴_{When riding with your compatible Edge cycling computer or the Varia app on your paired smartphone}

⁵_{When paired with your compatible smartphone. For safety and tracking feature requirements and limitations, see Garmin.com/safety.}

⁶_{Jurisdiction restrictions may apply; requires active inReach subscription and paired smartphone. Photo and voice messaging requires use of the Garmin Messenger app on your compatible smartphone.}

The post How Garmin cycling gear can help give you peace of mind appeared first on Garmin Blog.

The newly released Garmin Health Diabetes Insight Report details several of these collaborations and shares a unique perspective from Garmin Health leadership about the growing global prevalence of type 2 diabetes.

Here is a short preview of what you can find in the report.

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes is a preventable metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal hyperglycemia. As one of the leading causes of mortality, diabetes impacts 1 in every 11 adults worldwide and is responsible for an estimated $1 trillion in health care costs. Contributing factors include the proliferation of highly processed foods, increasingly sedentary lifestyles and rapid changes in urbanization.

Evolving solutions

Digital applications have shifted care from a reactive, one-size-fits-all approach to proactive and personalized insights based upon biometric data from wearables like Garmin smartwatches¹ and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in tandem with AI platforms. Additionally, the recent rise in peptide therapies like GLP-1 drugs has shown a significant impact. However, the cost and side effects of these medications are limiting factors, making lifestyle modifications tied to physical activity, stress and sleep enduring components of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes care.

Twin Health and other collaborators

As the creator of the first AI digital twin, U.S.-based technology company Twin Health has shown impressive results for metabolic disease reversal, prevention and optimal metabolic health. In a landmark Twin Health study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, 71% of twin participants reduced A1C below the diabetes range, compared to just 2.4% in the control group.

Additional collaborators include:

• Diabetes2CARE (Netherlands)
• Hello Inside (Austria)
• ON LiMiT (Denmark)
• Project Embrace (United Kingdom)
• SENTI-H (Switzerland)

At the center of these innovative, AI-driven solutions is data. This is the vital intersection at which Garmin Health sits, unlocking solutions with Garmin smartwatches and data integration one collaboration at a time. As Scott Burgett, senior director of Garmin Health engineering, states in the report, “Diabetes may be one of the greatest public health issues in modern history, but we are seeing strong evidence that scalable preventive care, powered by data, can help change its trajectory.”

To learn more about how Garmin smartwatch data is being utilized by the aforementioned organizations, read the full Diabetes Insight Report.

For additional information related to Garmin Health, visit the Garmin Health solutions page. Contact us if Garmin wearable technology and the Garmin Health connected ecosystem could play a vital role in your next project.

Finally, sign up for the Garmin Health newsletter to stay up to date on the latest trends, research and innovations.

_{¹Garmin wearable devices are consumer wellness devices and are not medical devices under the regulation of any jurisdiction, including Regulation (EU) 2017/745. They are not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, or treatment of any disease. Any medical or clinical functionality described is provided by a third-party solution and is solely based on their interpretation of data gathered from various data sources.}

The post Inside look: Garmin Health Diabetes Insight Report appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Watch the video below to see how it works:

Want to learn more? Sign up here to receive the latest news from Garmin aviation.

¹ _{When paired with a smartphone, with a data connection, and in range of Bluetooth® technology}

The post How to import your digital logbook into Garmin Pilot appeared first on Garmin Blog.

That’s where Garmin Spy pole comes into play. Having Spy pole on board helps increase your chances of a catch. Plus, the Garmin live sonar pole connects with both your Garmin chartplotter and the Garmin Force® trolling motor so you can control more of your boat and use your Garmin LiveScope system to its fullest potential.

Let’s breakdown the benefits of having Spy pole on your boat for even better fishing.

1. Independent positioning

Stay locked in on fish and worry less about maintaining your position. Thanks to built-in True Motion technology, keep your true position without losing sight of your next catch.

If you’re locked in on a certain brush pile or school of fish, you can trust that your trolling motor will work to maintain ideal heading position while your Spy pole and LiveScope show you where the fish are in real time with SpyLock.

2. Seamless integration

When you have both a Garmin chartplotter and trolling motor, Spy pole is an ideal addition. The trio allows you to control your LiveScope pole directly from your chartplotter for a simplified, performance-driven outing. When paired, take advantage of predefined modes such as SpyLock to lock your LiveScope on a point of interest and SpyScan to oscillate the pole as you search for fish and structure.

Plus, Spy pole can mirror the speed and mount direction of your Force trolling motor in SpyLink mode. Traditionally done with a LiveScope transducer, users can scan the underwater world with their trolling motor remote and foot pedal. Even when your anchor lock is set, use the Force foot pedal to control your pole. 

With a Garmin live sonar pole, GPS integration results in clear imagery and precise structure position.

3. Advanced sonar imagery

With Spy pole, there’s no excuse for not having the full picture. When you mount the GT360UHD transducer to your Spy pole, see 360-sonar 3D and 2D images with OneVü. With views all around, scan and store the equivalent of up to 120 yards of sonar imagery – the size of a football field. When viewing imagery on your Garmin chartplotter, customize the color, dial in the settings, and engage auto, manual or constant scans depending on your preference.

4. Ultimate control

Whether you’re casting your line or surveying a bank or channel, remain in control in most situations. Have the choice of hands-free fishing with the gesture remote and wireless foot controls. Attach your gesture remote to your rod or hold it and point your Spy pole in the direction you prefer to scan.

If you prefer hands-free control, Spy pole includes a low-profile foot control. To switch up your views as you hold onto your rod, change the position of the Spy pole by shifting the weight of your foot.

When you’re on the move, anglers can troll and scan simultaneously with independent control of their trolling motor.

For every angler and every catch, Spy pole should be your next upgrade. Learn more about Garmin LiveScope and other marine electronic offerings so you can be up to date on all thing’s live sonar.

The post 4 benefits to having Spy pole on your boat appeared first on Garmin Blog.

ActiveCaptain Community has grown into a valuable resource and a friend to boaters everywhere, amassing more than 176,000 independent reviews of marinas, points of interest, places to drop anchor, potential hazards, bridges, dams, boat ramps and more. Users can also provide photos along with their written reviews, painting an even clearer picture of what you may encounter.

Whether you’re a cruiser, sailor, angler or even a passenger, Sharing the Experience^® is made possible with access to user-left information and by providing your own comments and reviews through the ActiveCaptain^® app and ActiveCaptain Community online.

Here’s a breakdown of all you can do when you’re connected to fellow boaters through ActiveCaptain Community.

Plan the perfect trip

Before stepping foot on the boat, familiarize yourself with potential locations using ratings, reviews and user-submitted photos on your compatible Garmin chartplotter and ActiveCaptain app. Community input makes it easier to determine where you want to stop and where you want to explore.

Find information on the water

If you find yourself making an unexpected pit stop or wanting to change course in the middle of a trip, use ActiveCaptain Community to discover new places to visit and local marinas with an available slip or mooring.

If you’re looking for information on marinas, anchorages or waterfront services, click on the markers to see user reviews and ratings. If you’re changing your route, click on nearby markers with user-left comments for information on potential hazards, boat ramps, dams and more.

Take a look at what some of our users have said in the ActiveCaptain Community:

• Wormley Creek Marina 5-star review: “A little slice of heaven. We loved seeing the gorgeous sunsets and the coast guard going out. The entire staff was so friendly and helpful!”
• Pinckney Island: “Very comfortable anchorage with good holding. Current is minimal. Entrance to Mackey Creek from Port Royal Sound was 5 feet at mid tide, depth quickly improved. Very quiet with only a few other smaller boats passing during the day.”
• Glover Bight 5-star review: “Tied to the pier with a stern anchor out and explored the park for 1/2 a day. Rotary Park was great and FREE: nature center with snakes, fish, salamanders, butterflies, lots of trails, lookout towers, dog park and places to stop and rest or use the exercise stations.”

Provide your own boating insights

Chances are you’ve gained some unique insights during your time on the water and can help other boaters in your area. You don’t have to share all your secrets, but maybe there’s a spot where you always buy your live bait or a boat launch upstream that’s easier to use if you have a larger truck. If so, share your experiences with other mariners by leaving your own reviews and comments.

Ready to join the community? Learn more about the ActiveCaptain Community and its offerings.

The post How to connect with other boaters using ActiveCaptain Community appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Garmin users with select smartwatches can now integrate their temperature data with the FDA-cleared Natural Cycles app.¹

Here’s how you can use your Garmin smartwatch with the Natural Cycles app.    

What is Natural Cycles?

The Natural Cycles (NC°) app is an FDA Class II medical device designed to prevent and plan pregnancy naturally. It analyzes body temperature and other key fertility indicators to determine each user’s unique daily fertility status and provide personalized cycle insights.

This hormone-free birth control app helps women know their fertile days and when they need protection.

How does Natural Cycles integrate with Garmin?

Your hormones fluctuate throughout your cycle, causing your body temperature to rise after ovulation and decrease during your period. Tracking your skin temperature overnight provides a glimpse into those changes. While Natural Cycles users sleep, their compatible Garmin smartwatch tracks their skin temperature throughout the night, automatically syncing to the Garmin Connect app and sending the data to the NC° app in the morning. The NC° app then generates personalized daily insights, helping women take control of their fertility from birth control to pregnancy planning and beyond.

Why is this helpful for you?

By considering factors such as menstrual cycle irregularities, temperature changes and hormone fluctuations, the Natural Cycles app delivers customized fertility insights, helping users better understand their reproductive health at each stage.

Browse compatible Garmin smartwatches today. And whether you’re looking to prevent pregnancy, plan pregnancy faster, or just learn more about your body, start by learning more about Natural Cycles.

¹_{Compatible Garmin smartwatches are consumer wellness devices and are not medical devices intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or monitor medical conditions. The Natural Cycles app independently determines fertility status based on skin temperature and other data.}

The post How to use the Natural Cycles° app with your Garmin smartwatch appeared first on Garmin Blog.