Garmin | On the Water

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.

New Garmin marine products make a splash

Garmin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0500

Today Garmin announced a whole slew of new marine electronics that are sure to get mariners excited for the fall boat show season! In addition to new portrait chartplotters, Garmin is also introducing the new VHF 300 and VHF 300AIS marine radios, as well as the new xHD open-array radars - so you won't miss a thing on the water. Building upon the success and popularity of the GPSMAP 400 and 500 series, the new GPSMAP 4x1, 5x1 and 5x6 plotters feature a high-sensitivity GPS receiver for faster satellite acquisition, and an improved digital design for increased map drawing and panning speeds. The majority of these new units are also NMEA 2000 certified for plug-and-play system integration. Plus, the GPSMAP 5x6 series boasts a brilliant 5: VGA display which gives a sharp, clear picture - no matter the environment. Each unit is also available with sonar capability (designed by an "s" after the model number).

Next up is Garmin's new flagship marine radios - the VHF 300 and VFH 300 AIS, a black box solution for the OEM and high-end boat market. The VHF 300 features NOAA weather alerts, NMEA 2000 and 0183 connectivity, full Class D DSC capability, and position tracking which allows a mariner to locate and keep tabs on up to three other boats. For mariners who want to identify and locate large vessels, the VHF 300 AIS features four built-in receivers: one dedicated for VHF communication, one for Class D DSC transmissions and two dedicated AIS receivers.

And last but certainly not least, we're rolling out the GMR 1204/1206 xHD and the GMR 604/606 xHD open-array digital scanners that set the standard for high definition performance and target detection, transmitting 12 and 6 kilowatts of power respectively. These new four- and six-foot open arrays also feature Dual Range - feature that allows a Garmin network-compatible MFD to display two ranges simultaneously, so boaters can see both close and distant targets on one display.

Stay tuned to the blog to learn more about these and other marine products, as our teams get ready to head into the field for the rest of the tournament season and the start of the fall boat show season!

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.

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.

Free, mandatory GPS software available now

Garmin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:44:38 -0500

Today, Garmin released a free, mandatory GPS software update to correct a software issue that has been discovered to cause select GPS devices to repeatedly attempt to update GPS firmware, and then either shut down or no longer acquire GPS satellite signals. The products affected are the nüvi 7x5 series, nüvi 800 series, nüvi 8x5 series, zūmo 660, GPSMAP 620 and GPSMAP 640.

Garmin nüvi 7x5 series products that are no longer able to acquire a GPS satellite signal may download a firmware update immediately that will correct the software issue. This firmware update may be downloaded using Garmin’s WebUpdater.

Firmware updates for other affected products will be available online through Garmin’s WebUpdater in the near future. Affected customers who have registered their GPS device will be notified about these updates through email.

Garmin nüvi 7x5 customers who are no longer able to power on their GPS device will need to visit www.garmin.com/support, and select the first FAQ titled “My nüvi 755T, 765T, 775T or 785T is giving me the message ‘Updating GPS Firmware’ or will no longer power on…” Customers will then need to follow the instructions to request a return authorization so that the device may be repaired under warranty.

We know our customers rely upon their Garmin GPS device(s), especially during the summer travel season, and we regret any inconvenience this situation may have caused. We are committed to developing products that are known for their quality and reliability and will continue to work diligently to earn the trust of our customers.

Garmin helps land the big fish at SKA tourney

Garmin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:17:00 -0500

Summer is here and the tournament season is heating up! We were in Fernandina Beach, FL, last weekend for the 27th Annual Tournament of Champions Kingfish Tournament, an SKA sponsored event, where we heard from participants with Garmin equipment already on-board, and showed off our latest marine electronic offerings to skippers and other tourney goers alike. A typical boat at this tournament was a high-end center console in the 30-foot range with twin or triple outboards, but the winning boat for this tournament was a victory for the underdog - a 17-foot Boston Whaler (the smallest boat registered) with a single engine and a Garmin chartplotter/sonar combo unit on board. With its built-in digital sounder, the owner credited the GPSMAP 545s for getting him to the fishing spots and for helping him find the winning 48-pound fish! Have a look below at the winning fish, the owner's boat, and the Garmin booth displaying the equipment that helped land that prize-winning catch.

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.

20-year stories: Garmin was his life preserver

Garmin — Mon, 25 May 2009 08:38:00 -0500

In celebration of Garmin’s 20-year anniversary in 2009, we’re reaching back to the past to bring you stories from our younger years, including some memorable customer testimonials. This story comes from a couple of seamen whose Memorial Day 10 years ago was, well … more memorable than most. Here’s their story.

When Steve purchased his 29-foot sport fishing boat along with a business partner, he insisted that they spend a little more money on a GPS system. He chose a Garmin GPSMAP 230. Turns out that was a life-changing decision. Memorial Day weekend, 1999, Steve, Reese and four other friends spent a day fishing in the Gulf Stream off Charleston Harbor. As Reese walked to the boat's stern, he was pitched overboard, but no one heard his cries for help. Shirtless, and without a life jacket, he spent the longest 45 minutes of his life bobbing in the warm Gulf Stream waters.

Back on the boat, Steve woke up from a short nap and asked where Reese was. Nobody knew. Steve immediately radioed the Coast Guard. Then he spoke the words every captain hopes he'll never have to: "I'm missing one of my crew members. I need some assistance." He started fiddling with the GPSMAP 230. He switched to TracBack, a feature that shows the boat's previous course. Steve turned the boat around and started to backtrack. After 30 minutes, his heart sank. There's no way he could tread water for this long, he thought.

But the man overboard kept treading, and when Reese spotted a dot on the horizon, he found the strength to keep going. Aboard the Summer Girl, Steve was the first to spot Reese, bobbing in the two- to three-foot waves. He radioed the Coast Guard. "We have him in sight... I can't believe it." Amazingly, Reese was right on the 230's course plot. "He hadn't drifted a bit, and if we hadn't seen him, we would have run right over him,” Steve said. Safe on board, Reese hugged everyone and said he was sorry for ruining a good day of fishing. And he was glad his buddy was an experienced captain who had insisted on buying first-rate navigation equipment.

R.W. and S.L.

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

Garmin — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:30:00 -0500

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

Garmin — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:52:52 -0500

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.