Garmin GPS at GPS Gazette

There was a rumor posted that Garmin was to going to announce a new line of Nuvis at the 2007 CeBIT this month, the Nuvi 200. After a bit of searching I found that Garmin’s Danish site has already pages for three new GPS Systems, the Nuvi 200, 250 and the Nuvi 270. To be totally honest I can’t seem to find what differences this new line will have from the previous Nuvi systems and autotranslators don’t work that well. If any Danish speaker could help us find out what new features will these new PNDs have, it would be great. Of course we can also wait for the CeBIT that is just around the corner.

Nuvi 200
Nuvi 250
Nuvi 270

GolfLogix today announced a new Golf GPS unit that is powered by Garmin and it will be showcased at the PGA Merchandise Show (January 25-27, 2007). The GolfLogix GPS appears to be an easy to use with straightforward interface device.
Some of the features and specifications include:

• Provides distance information for
  • Front, Center Back of Green
  • Bunkers
  • Water Hazards
  • Lay-ups
  • Carries
• 12-month warranty
• Auto-advances to each target on the course for completely hands-free use so there is no need for complex button layouts to learn or lasers to point during your round
• A large LCD screen (1.25” wide x 2.25” tall), with a resolution of 64 x 128 pixels
• Large number displays that are easy to read for all ages and eye-visions.
• Excellent visibility in direct sunlight with adjustable screen contrasts
• Backlight screen setting for dark playing conditions
• Completely waterproof case (submersible)
• Shock-proof and impact resistant for rugged outdoor use
• Displays in Yards or Meters
• Includes multi-use belt or bag clip
• Up to 22-hour battery life
• 12-channel GPS receiver with precise accuracy (+/- 2 yards)
• Serial and USB cables included
• GolfLogix Course Manager PC software CD-ROM with USB drivers
• Weighs 5.3 oz with batteries
• Size: 4.4″H x 2.0″W x 1.2″D
• Holds multiple golf course maps
• Thousands of worldwide golf courses available to download ($29.95 annual membership)
• Free golf course download included with purchase

The GolfLogix GPS will be available with a suggested retail of $349

Product Page
Press Release

Garmin has released information on yet another member of the Streetpilot series, this new entry is the Streetpilot c580. The main difference with it’s predecessor the c550 is that it has, like all the recently announced devices by Garmin, MSN direct functionality. This new feature that has been added allows users to obtain localized information like local weather reports and local gas prices. Of course all the strong points of the previous Streetpilot series such as the hands free calling function can be found in c580 as well.

Garmin Streetpilot Features and Specifications

• GPS Chipset: SiRFstarIII
• Screen: 3.5 inch with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels touchscreen
• Weight: 9.0 ounces
• Hands Free calling using Bluetooth
• MP3 player
• MSN Direct
• Turn-by-turn voice directions
• 2D or 3D maps from NAVTEQ
• SD card slot
• Garmin Lock™
• Dimensions: 4.4”W x 3.2”H x 2.2”D
• Battery life: up to 8 hours

Pricing and Availability

The Streetpilot c580 is expected in the first quarter of 2007 with a suggested retail price of $857.13

Besides the 680 there are two more releases from Garmin for the Nuvi line of GPS receivers, Garmin nuvi 370 and nuvi 670. You can read the press release here.
Some of the notable features of these new GPS receivers include the integrated traffic receiver and the hands free calling feature using Bluetooth Wireless Technology capabilities and integrated microphone and speaker.

Garmin Nuvi 370 Specifications

• Receiver: high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS receiver
• Display: 2.8” W x 2.1” H (3.5” diag.), 320 x 240 pixels; bright, TFT display, 64K colors, with white backlight and touch screen
• Unit dimensions: 3.87″ W x 2.91″ H x 0.87″ D (9.83 cm x 7.39 cm x 2.21 cm)
• Weight: 5.1 ounces (144.6 grams)
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, 4-8 hours of battery life depending on use
• Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling
• Alerts for traffic, road construction and weather-related tie-ups. nüvi 660 uses data to suggest alternate routes before problems are encountered
• Includes Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature
• Voice announces streets by name
• Preloaded maps for all of North America and Europe
• Fingertip touch-screen interface
• Look up addresses and points of interest
• Choose 2D or 3D maps
• Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cameras with POI Loader
• Built in Travel Kit includes MP3 player with sample MP3s, audio books, picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters, calculator and more
• Add optional software such as Travel and Language Guides to personalize nüvi
• SD card slot
• USB interface for loading data

Pricing and Availability

The Nuvi 370 is expected to start shipping in the 1st quarter of 2007 with a suggested price of $964.27

Garmin Nuvi 670 Specifications

The 670 has similar specifications with its little brother, the main differences include

• Display: 4.3 diagonal, 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA TFT landscape display, with white
  backlight and touchscreen
• Unit dimensions: 4.9”W x 2.9”H x 0.9” D (12.4 x 7.4 x 2.3 cm)
• Weight: 6.2 oz (190 g)

Pricing and Availability

The Nuvi 670 is expected to start shipping in the 1st quarter of 2007 with a suggested price of $1178.56

Garmin Nuvi 680is the newest member of the very succesful family of GPS receivers. The most innovative new feature of this new GPS receiver when comparing with the previous Nuvi receivers is the MSN Direct functionality that Garmin is integrating to its latest releases. This feature will allow its users to receive up to date information on movie showtimes and other similar events or even compare gas prices at their current location.

Garmin Nuvi 680 Features Specifications

• GPS Receiver: high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS receiver
• Screen: 4.3 diagonal, 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA TFT landscape display, with white backlight and touchscreen
• Dimensions weight : 4.9”W x 2.9”H x 0.9” D (12.4 x 7.4 x 2.3 cm) 6.2 oz (190 g)
• Battery life: 3 to 7 hours
• Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling
• FM transmitter (U.S., Australia and New Zealand only)
• Dynamic content from MSN Direct
• Includes Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature
• Voice announces streets by name
• Choose 2D or 3D maps
• Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cams
• Multimedia Features: MP3 player, picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters, calculator and more
• Misceleneous: World clock, currency and measurement converters, calculator and more
• SD card slot
• USB interface

Pricing and availability

Garmin Nuvi 680 is expected in 1st Quarter, 2007 with a suggested price of $1071.41

Garmin announced yesterday a new release in the Zumo series, the Garmin Zumo 450.

Garmin officials said.

The zūmo 450 is positioned towards the budget conscience rider who wants a solid and reliable GPS designed for motorcycles

Since this new GPS device is geared towards motorcycle riders it was essential for it to have a glove friendly design, and indeed it features left-handed controls and oversized touchscreen buttons. Some others features declare include that it is waterproof (IEC 529 IPX-7 standards), sunlight-readable, UV-resistant screen.

Garmin Zumo 450 Features and Specifications

And from Garmin’s official site here is a roundup of it’s features and specifications.

• High-sensitivity GPS receiver
• Display: 2.8” W x 2.1” H (3.5” diag.), 320 x 240 pixels; high bright sunlight-readable, UV-resistant, touch screen display
• Unit dimensions: 4.8″ W x 3.9″ H x 1.6″ D
• Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Removable lithium-ion battery
• Supports optional FM TMC traffic alerts
• Preloaded maps for all of North America or Europe
• Look up addresses and points of interest
• Choose 2D or 3D maps
• Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cameras
• Built-in MP3 player and JPEG Picture Viewer
• SD card slot makes it easy to store data and share routes
• Export and review your travels in Google™ Earth with a free account from MotionBased.com
• Glove-friendly touch screen with left-handed controls makes it easy to operate
• Motorcycle console for trip information, including fuel gauge to warn you when it’s time to fill up
• Motorcycle mount with standard 4-hole AMPS pattern so you can mount it anywhere
• Includes Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature
• Waterproof: IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 min.)

It is expected to become available in the first quarter of 2007 with a suggested price of $857.13

Garmin has officially announced the Garmin StreetPilot 2820, a new GPS device designed for in car use or motorcycle use. One of the most interesting features of the Garmin StreetPilot 2820 is that it allows you to make hands free calls with a microphone and speaker on a compatible Bluetooth phone, through the integrated wireless technology. Motorcyclists can connect a Bluetooth-enabled headset simultaneously with a Bluetooth phone to the StreetPilot 2820 to communicate hands-free on the road or receive wireless navigation directions. Here are the features of the Garmin StreetPilot 2820.

* Receiver: WAAS-enabled 12 parallel channel GPS
* Display: 3.3” W x 1.7” H (3.8” diag.), 454 x 240 pixels; bright, automotive-grade 64K color TFT with automatic dimming backlight and touch screen
* Unit dimensions: 5.6″ W x 3.2″ H x 2.0″ D
* Weight: .91 pounds (411 g)
* Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling and navigation audio prompts
* Supports FM TMC traffic alerting
* XM NavTraffic capabilities
* Preloaded maps for all of North America or Europe
* Voice announces streets by name
* Look up addresses and points of interest
* Choose 2D or 3D map perspective
* Fingertip touch-screen interface and remote control
* Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones, safety cams, and LPG filling stations
* Built-in MP3 and audio book player
* Waterproof: IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 mins.)
* 2.5 mm microphone input & 3.5 mm stereo headphone/line-out jack
* Improved track log with 10,000 track log points

The StreetPilot 2820 is expected to become available this June with an estimated price of $1,099

Technorati Tags: Garmin, StreetPilot 2820, GPS

Garmin today announced two new portable GPS navigators that come preloaded with both land and sea maps, the GPSMAP 378 and the GPSMAP 478. Both of them expected to be available in late May
with an expected street price of $1199.99.

Here is the press release :

OLATHE, Kan., March 27 /PRNewswire/ — Garmin International Inc., a unit
of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today announced the GPSMAP 378 and GPSMAP 478
– two amazingly versatile and portable GPS navigators that come pre-loaded
with a comprehensive set of maps and charts.
“Our customers want GPS navigators that come pre-loaded with the
cartography that they need, and the GPSMAP 378 and 478 fit the bill. These
two units are the ideal companions whether you’re sailing coastal waterways,
boating on inland lakes, or driving across North America,” said Gary Kelley,
Garmin’s vice president of marketing. “With optional XM WX Weather
capabilities, the GPSMAP 378 and 478 are the only portable units on the market
that can also let mariners and motorists know what kind of weather to expect
during their trip.” Continue Reading »

Garmin has announced throught their blog that about 20 new marine products that were announced last November are now available. These products are Garmin’s 2006 lineup of chartplotters, fishfinders, and BlueChart g2 cartography and by now they should be available in stores around the world. You can read the announcement here.

Garmin has announced today the Garmin eTrex Venture Cx handheld GPS device. It is an entry level GPS device and will be the least expensive model of Garmin’s eTrex series when it’s released. The Venture Cx will come with a with a built-in Americas basemap. However, it is equipped with a microSD card slot and users can optionally purchase microSD cards pre-loaded with BlueChart marine cartography and MapSource Topo and inland lake maps. Some of the other features of the eTrex Venture Cx include:

- Display: 1.3”W x 1.7”H, 256-color, high resolution, transflective TFT (176 x 220 pixels).
- Waterproof Design (submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes).
- Battery Life: Up to 32 hours with typical use using two AA alkaline batteries.
- Waypoints/Routes/Tracks: 500 user waypoints with name and graphic symbol; 20 reversible routes, 50 points per route. 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions.
- USB interface

The eTrex Venture Cx is expected to be available in March 2006 with estimated retail price of $249.99.

Technorati Tags: Garmin, GPS, eTrex, Venture Cx