Garmin Blog

Victor's Vectors: Pilot My-Cast now supports XM weather

Garmin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:53:30 -0600

I recently read an article about a pilot suing his airline for not having the option to carry his charts electronically on an iPad which led to a back injury. Many pilots, including myself, have felt the pain of carrying several pounds worth of charts. To battle this issue, many pilots are turning to electronic devices such as the iPad or Garmin’s aera 796. Whether you go with a dedicated device such as the aera or you go with the iPad, Garmin has you covered. Pilot My-Cast for the iPad puts large amounts of information literally at your fingertips, and recently Pilot My-Cast has gotten even better. Earlier this week Pilot My-Cast released Version 3.3, which improves on its already stellar list of features.

The enhanced features include:
•    Integration with XM weather using the Baron Mobile Link (purchased separately), which with a subscription from XM will allow you to get XM satellite weather information on your iPad while in flight.
•    Enhanced Flight Plan and Direct-To features, which add the ability to insert departures and arrivals to the active flight plan and graphically edit the flight plan.
•    NavTrack, which is a valuable pre-flight planning tool, now locks to your current location while in-flight updating text products (METARs, TAFs, Winds, etc) and widgets with information closest to your location.
•    Improvements were made to make it even easier to download and access all the charts you need for your flight.

With this large amount of information packaged into an iPad weighing in at less than two pounds it’s a great value that won’t break your back.

Garmin Welcomes World Class Mountain Biker and Endurance Athlete Extraordinaire Rebecca Rusch to the Family

Garmin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:36:16 -0600

“In the morning before getting out of bed, I spend a few moments setting mini goals for the day. I decide what I intend to do and then try to live up to that. I fail on a regular basis for various reasons, but I also succeed some days. The practice of being intentional about how you want to live each day helps me stay focused and on track.” – Rebecca Rusch

Absolutely nothing seems impossible to new Garmin Sponsored Athlete Rebecca Rus c h, in fact, that word doesn’t even exist in her vocabulary. Whether it’s paddling the always dangerous Molokai crossing with the famous Offshore Canoe Club women’s outrigger team, scaling high-peaks during epic ascents like Yosemite, or winning the past three Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike races (setting the course record as well), Rusch is always in search of her next challenge and adventure!

Rusch is excited to incorporate the power of Garmin’s GPS products into her training and racing and has already started using an Edge 500 on her handle bars and a Forerunner 910xt on her wrist while cross training. In addition to three 24-hour solo mountain bike World Champion rainbow jerseys, Rusch is the current World Champion for Master’s XC mountain biking, the 2011 National XC single-speed champion, and a three-time national champion in 24-hour team mountain biking. She has won Idaho’s Short Track state championship (twice), and a Cyclocross state title. An accomplished Nordic skier, she’s won the Masters Cross Country Skiing World Championship, in addition to taking the top prize at Raid Gauloises Adventure Racing World Championships.

“Every night before falling asleep, I ask myself, ‘what was the best part of my day?’ Even if it was a horrible day, I find some little thing to appreciate. Believe me, sometimes I have to dig deep to find
something to feel good about, but I do it anyway.” – Rebecca Rusch

After all her mind boggling achievements and feats that seem un-human, it is Rusch’s down-to-earth and genuine personality that we are most excited about. Like Garmin, Rusch wants nothing more than to see a world of health conscious people who are actively living their lives searching for their next challenge. Welcome to the Garmin family, Rebecca!

Get to know Garmin's new Approach G6 golf GPS

Garmin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:56:16 -0600

Since the Approach G6 was announced last month at CES and showcased at the PGA show in Orlando, it's attracted a lot of attention from golfers who appreciate a streamlined design, a touchscreen interface and innovative technology. Moreso, it's impressed those who want preloaded courses (25,000 of them!) rather than getting stuck with subscriptions or pay-to-play fees on their GPS handhelds. So for all of you who wanted a lot more information about the Approach G6 - and to see it in action - here's an introductory video that highlights the key features and will have you itching to grab your clubs and start working on your swing. It's golf weather somewhere, right?

Team Garmin notches first win of 2012 in true team fashion

Garmin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:11:07 -0600

Garmin-Barracuda scored its first victory of the 2012 professional cycling campaign in true team fashion, winning the team time trial of Stage 2 in the Tour of Qatar. Here's the report from SlipstreamSports.com:

The boys in argyle blasted through the 11.3km out and back ‘Merckx-style’ time trial course, setting an early time of 12 minutes and 38 seconds which held throughout the day. The impressive result also moved team sprinter Tyler Farrar up to second overall on GC while the second-year rider Ramunas Navardauskas moves into the best young rider jersey. With more sprint stages to come Farrar is poised to contend for the yellow jersey.

“The TTT is close to our hearts at Garmin-Barracuda and winning today, as a team, is really exciting,” said Farrar. “It's a great way to start off the year.”

Peg’s Posts: students spin to be green

Garmin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:57:39 -0600

Last week I had a chance to mix up a few of my favorite topics — fitness, families and being green — at a math and science night at a local school. Garmin associates Greg and Kerri helped with our interactive demo where we invited young participants to see how pedaling their way to school and errands is the green way to go. With the help of a Garmin speed/cadence sensor and an Edge 800 bike computer, the students were able to see their spin speed while the bike was secured in a trainer. Plenty of “time trials” ensued throughout the evening with young riders wanting to one-up their buddy’s speed. We were impressed with how many students are already biking to school. The school supports this effort by offering bike safety training for students so they can safely navigate their way once they hit third grade. Greg and I were also awed by a few students who’d been on longer rides — 10 miles and more — which means they are now on our scouting list. We figure with the right gear and a little training, they could be sporting argyle very soon for The Other Team Garmin at Bike MS.

Motivate the next generation: join SoleMates for Girls on the Run

Garmin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:15:18 -0600

As a national sponsor of the Girls on the Run SoleMates charity runner program, Garmin is partnering with this great organization to further their mission and share the stories of the women and men who are “running for a reason”. Runners can sign up for any event — runs, walks, bike rides or triathlons — and raise funds that will support their chosen council of Girls on the Run. Want your next race to help change lives? Find out more here. Today’s story comes from Marsha, who coaches Girls on the Run in North Carolina and is a SoleMates fundraiser. Marsha tells how she’s gained new perspective and motivation for her own life through Girls on the Run.

Girls on the Run and SoleMates were the catalysts to get me moving forward and in the right direction. It was a matter of life and death for me. With a family history of heart disease and diabetes, I didn’t have time to sit around and wait to get my life into gear. I had settled into a lazy lifestyle and doing “just enough” to get by in the self-care department. I was letting life pass me by and was not fully participating in the moments that matter the most. I desperately needed inspiration and motivation. All that changed when a friend asked me to help coach a new Girls on the Run team at our daughters’ school. I immediately said yes without considering my current physical and mental shape. Somehow, I had faith that GOTR would pull me out of the hole that I was in.

I found my spark after attending the coaches training and feeling the power that Girls on the Run has on the inner girl that we sometimes try to quiet by telling ourselves that we can’t do something. I felt empowered and ready to conquer the world and signed up to join SoleMates to help me set goals and take charge of my life while benefiting GOTR. Little did I know that it would only get better after our first GOTR season started. Every practice brings about a new awareness to my life and I feel a real connection with the lessons and the girls that I’m coaching. Girls on the Run and SoleMates have changed my life and I will continue to feel empowered and move forward through my journey in this life, fully participating in every moment. Thanks Girls on the Run and SoleMates!”

Enter to win a fishing trip with FLW Tour winner Scott Martin

Garmin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:41:45 -0600

If you love Garmin's echo fishfinders, you'll definitely want to check out our Fish with a Pro sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to Florida to spend a day on Lake Okeechobee fishing with Garmin pro, Scott Martin, on his tournament boat rigged with the latest and greatest in Garmin equipment! Our echo fishfinders feature the highest performance, power and pixels for your money - each echo model features Garmin's HD-ID target tracking technology which provides the clearest possible picture of what lies below; each offer smooth scaling with seamless screen transitions from shallow to deeper water; and each come with a trolling motor/transom transducer right out of the box! Not only can you enter to win a trip to fish with Scott on his home lake, but you'll also be entered for a chance to win your very own echo fishfinder and Garmin fishing gear, too. Enter for your chance to win today - Garmin's Fish with a Pro sweepstakes ends April 30, 2012!

A True Garmin Fashionista Uses Custom Forerunner During First Marathon

Garmin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:30:27 -0600

Whether you are a Runner, Cyclist, Paddle-Boarder, Golfer or even Fisherman, Hunter or Pilot you most likely have a favorite piece of equipment or a good luck charm. We totally get it!! Many times it is that gadget that helps keep you on the right track to achieve your goals.

In the case of Sonya, a mother, die-hard runner and her running group's fashion guru, her can't live without item is a Forerunner 205. But not just any Forerunner 205, I might add. Sonya, who is known to her training partners and friends as outgoing and fun-loving shows her personality with her style!

Here is what Sonya had to say about her one of a kind Forerunner 205 and her first marathon in Miami, FL:

I love my Garmin 205!! It is my most treasured piece of equipment for my runs!! When or if it ever fails to work I may have a complete "come-apart"! I love running more than I have words to describe, but I have become the fashionista runner among my running group and just when they thought I could not make my outfits anymore spectacular - I did!

My "upgraded" (blinged out) device really captures everyone's attention, especially on a beautiful sunny day!!

This blinged out Garmin helped me reach my goal of under 4 1/2 hours in my inaugural marathon attempt this past weekend!! It looked awesome with my 1st-marathon-outfit! Here are some pics! Thanks again for such a great product for us runners!

P.S. Now my daughter and her friends want their car GPS Garmins "blinged" - Oh the madness!!!

If you have your own "Custom Garmin" story and would like us to feature it on the blog send us a note to garminblogs@garmin.com or share it with us on facebook and twitter.

Garmin’s Chicago Store voted a Concierge Favorite and a One-of-a-Kind-Find!

Garmin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:10:09 -0600

Garmin’s one and only retail store - dedicated to the sales and service of Garmin GPS devices - received the honor of a Top 40 Shopping Destination and Concierge Favorite as voted by over 700 Chicago city and suburb concierges. This annual vote runs in conjunction with Concierge Day as proclaimed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel on January 26. According to Concierge Preferred, the sponsor of the Favorites Award, almost five million referrals are made by Chicago’s 750-plus city and suburban concierges with over 1.1 shopping suggestions being made each year.

Store representatives attended the Concierge Day Awards Event on Thursday evening, where the Concierge announced their top five choices in each category. The Store’s thank you video to the concierges aired throughout the evening. The store was also featured in the official web article as a One of a Kind Find. Check out the article posted on Concierge Preferred’s web site.

Thank you to the Chicago Concierge Community for this great honor! We are proud to be a one-of-a-kind shopping destination in Chicago!

Victor's Vectors: Loading approaches on the GTN

Garmin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:45:16 -0600

I love to see comments on the blog, and occasionally we even get a good question that we can spin into another post for others to learn from, as well. Recently we received a question about the operational difference between the GNS 530W and the GTN 750 with regard to loading approaches. In the 530W, when you select an approach, the GPS has you choose a transition. The transitions are a list of the first fix of all approach transition routes, plus a list of any Initial Approach Fixes (IAFs) on those transition routes that a pilot may choose to start from instead. “Vectors” is also an option as a transition, which basically tells the 530W that you are being vectored by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to the final approach segment of the approach. All intermediate and initial fixes are removed and the final segment becomes active. Garmin found that a large number of customers were choosing the Vectors option, so in the GTN 750 it is the default transition. To select a full approach with an IAF on the GTN you will touch the “Transition” field on the PROC – Approach page (depicted on page 6-11 in the Pilot’s Guide) and then touch the transition you would like to use for the approach from the list. Doing this will load the full approach with the points that are part of that route. It is often recommended to load the full approach in case ATC has you fly to an intermediate approach fix. This is something I recommend as well. Vectors can be activated later in the flight by going to the Procedures page and touching the button for “Activate Vectors To Final”. If you would like to practice using the GTN, download the free trainer and the Pilot’s Guide from Garmin’s website. Or download the GTN Trainer app for your iPad. Hopefully this answers the question and gives some insight to the operational differences, and keep those comments coming!