Garmin | In the Air

Victor's Vectors: FliteLevel warranty extends your peace of mind

Garmin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:02:46 -0500

In the July edition of The Aviation Consumer, there is a good article about extended warranties. The author gives a convincing argument for what normally he considers “a hard sell.” One of the programs featured in the article is Garmin’s FliteLevel warranty program for the G1000. After reading the article you should also check out Garmin’s online FliteLevel brochure and press release. For more information and to enroll, contact your local Garmin aviation dealer or OEM service center.

Go Garmin!

Garmin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:00:25 -0500

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.

Victor's Vectors: SVT now available for Cessnas in the field

Garmin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:01:37 -0500

“Fezzik, are there rocks ahead?” “If there are, we all be dead.” This line from the 1987 movie The Princess Bride comes to mind just about every time I see a picture of an earlier version G1000 compared to a G1000 with Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT). Why? Because what was hidden from view is now seen in bright crisp contrast. The reason for my nostalgia is that towards the end of June, Cessna released a Service Bulletin announcing the availability for SVT upgrades on 172’s, 182’s, and 206’s in the field. This much anticipated upgrade can now be completed by a Cessna Service Center near you. The G1000 and SVT transform the cockpit. SVT accurately displays synthetic terrain, flight hazards, flight path marker and highway-in-the-sky on the PFD so that you'll have excellent airborne situational awareness even when flying in conditions of reduced visibility or darkness.

Ask Garmin: Updating your nüvi, zūmo or GPSMAP software

Garmin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:19:59 -0500

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.

Victor's Vectors: flyGarmin.com takes center stage

Garmin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:02:51 -0500

For those of you who are dedicated blog readers, when I mention flyGarmin you know exactly what I’m talking about and have probably been using this website for updates since last November. But for those of you who either haven’t heard or have resisted the change, flyGarmin has now taken center stage. Now when clicking on the aviation databases link on the aviation part of Garmin.com instead of being directed to the old update website you are now directed to flyGarmin.com. For those of you visiting this site for the first time, then it’s time to rejoice. flyGarmin.com is much more user friendly and helps you manage your aviation database updates and subscriptions. As a reminder, here are a few links to some Blog’s written about flyGarmin that will help you in setting up your account, navigating the website, purchasing your updates, and downloading to your GPS. The old website had its time in the spotlight but it has graciously stepped aside to let flyGarmin shine.

Learn your Garmin with the Garmin Learning Center

Garmin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:25:42 -0500

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.

Victor's Vectors: Migrating to Duluth

Garmin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:28:39 -0500

Today is the first day of the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) Migration Fly-In, and Garmin representatives are already in Duluth so they can meet current and future Perspective owners and provide helpful tips and tricks about the Perspective avionics suite. The Cirrus Perspective is an all-glass Garmin cockpit that is tailored for Cirrus aircraft. With this cutting edge avoinics panel, all information — from aircraft attitude and air data to engine instrumentation, real-time weather data link, traffic and terrain — is integrated and digitally depicted on the 12-inch PFD and MFD. Thanks to these large displays, pilots can see the big picture, which ultimately helps simplify operation, enhance situational awareness and increase flight safety. The Perspective also includes a unique “LEVEL (LVL) MODE” button, a new safety feature that may be used in times of high workload when the pilot needs a few extra moments to flip through charts or read back a clearance. When engaged, it brings the aircraft to straight and level flight. The Perspective is chock-full of features and we've barely scratched the surface in this blog post. If you're in Duluth this weekend, stop by and say hi and learn more about other Perspective features like SVT, GFC 700 autopilot, dual AHRS, SafeTaxi, FliteCharts and more.

Make the most of your Garmin with one-click

Garmin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:53:28 -0500

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.

Great Gifts for Flying Fathers

Garmin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:07:12 -0500

If you are anything like me, you were looking at the calendar and thinking about how many activities you could cram into the weekend only to be surprised to see that it’s Father’s Day. Why is it that father’s are the hardest people to shop for? If your dad is a pilot then there is no need for that spotted tie this year. Garmin has several aviation portable GPS products to fit your budget and any flying father would be happy to unwrap one. If a new Garmin portable is out of your price range this year, you could also give him a single or annual subscription update for the portable or panel-mount system he already owns.

If you don’t have time to get to you local aviation dealer, don’t worry. You can do your comparison shopping on Garmin’s website and purchase it from any of our online dealers.

Victor's Vectors: Chasing storms with a 696

Garmin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:34:04 -0500

With the recent storms rumbling through the Midwest making national attention for the tornados and hail, I’m really getting a good idea of the advanced weather and safety capabilities of the GPSMAP 696. The large display and XM weather give an enhanced view of severe weather with not only NEXRAD but also lightning, storm tracking, and SIGMETs. Even when I’m here sitting in the safety of the office it is awesome to see the intensity of nature’s fury. This also makes me appreciate the enhanced NRST features of the 696 with its split screen moving map and nearest airport list. Just in case the view of the weather out the windshield necessitates an in-flight change in the flight plan.