It’s Spring Break here at headquarters, and what’s a better
activity than geocaching? Together with the YMCA’s
program “Spring Break at the Y,” we have had an awesome time geocaching this
week. Aside from a few weather delays, the kids were able to have a great time outside
and learn all about geocaching.

Over 300 kids in the Kansas City area participated in “Spring
Break at the Y” camp this year, which gave us a great opportunity to introduce
kids to the awesomeness of geocaching. Each day a group went to a local park
for the afternoon to place and find geocaches.

 All the kids had a
great time both placing and finding the geocaches. They were also able to learn
about GPS technology and apply it to the activities. Even kids as young as five
were in on the action. This is just another example of how geocaching can be fun
for everyone!

Source: Garmin
Read more here:
Spring Break Geocaching with the YMCA

Today, we're proud to introduce quatix, our first marine-oriented GPS watch designed for avid mariners, both power and sail.  Quatix
combines the most pivotal marine features and provides comprehensive
navigation and sailing capabilities while integrating our industry-leading
GPS technology and user-friendly interface.

As an ABC watch (altimeter, barometer and 3-axis compass), quatix also provides pivotal marine datum such as COG (course over ground), SOG
(speed over ground), and VMG (velocity made good), along with alerts for speed
and anchor drag.

Quatix also equips you with advanced sail racing tools, allowing the user to set up a virtual starting line between two GPS waypoints then combining the built-in timer to calculate distance to the line as well as desired speed and burn time.  This enables you to cross the starting line at maximum speed at the exact starting time, providing a competitive edge.  It will then switch to tack-assist mode and provide you the optimal tack angle and give you a more efficient and controlled sailing experience.

We're also concerned for about your safety at sea, so quatix has an integrated MOB (man overboard) feature that triggers a MOB alarm on your Garmin chartplotter if the wearer falls overboard.  If the boat is equipped with one of our autopilot systems, the chartplotter will then engage and navigate back to your last known position.

On the subject of autopilots, quatix can connect wirelessly directly to the GHC-10 head unit and allows you to steer the boat.  No matter where you are on the boat, keep control of the helm.

Quatix is waterproof up to 50m and has a battery life of 6 weeks in watch mode and 16 hours in GPS mode.  Also included are alarms, chimes, various vibration alerts, timing functions, stopwatch and a world/time zone clock.  Quatix is scheduled to be available in Q1 of 2013.

Source: Garmin
Read more here:
Access the Most Crucial Marine Information from Your Wrist with quatix

Whether you’re just not sure what to give this holiday
season or you’re looking for a convenient shopping experience, the Garmin Store
is here to help.  Here’s five reasons to
shop at the Garmin Store this holiday season:

1. Free
   shipping!  Now through December 31,
   get free shipping on any order $100 or more. 
   Just call 312-787-3221 to place your order.  If you want to guarantee your gift is
   delivered by Christmas Day, we recommend calling before 2 p.m. Central on
   Friday, Dec. 14.
2. Win a $3,000
   Shopping Spree!  If Chicago radio
   announcer Jeff Joniak predicts the exact final score of the upcoming football
   game, one winning name will be drawn from that week’s entries and win a $3,000
   Garmin Shopping Spree.  Just stop by or
   call to register for your chance to win!
3. Buy the
   latest & greatest!  Only at the
   Garmin Store can you experience the latest GPS technology in all Garmin
   categories including; automotive, sports, outdoor, marine and aviation.  It’s a one-stop shopping experience.  Our staff can answer your questions and help
   you with your order in one visit or phone call.
4. Price
   Match Pledge!  We know there’s a
   chance you could find a unit less expensive elsewhere, so just show us where
   and we’ll help you out whenever possible. 
   Even if you find it later on, give us a call and we can credit you back
   the amount.
5. Special
   offers!  Ask about special offers now
   through December 24 such as a gift with the purchase of an Approach S3 or
   G6.  There’s more, just ask!

Ok, we said five, but here’s one more; the Garmin Store Gift
Kit.  Sometimes you just don’t know which
Forerunner is best or whether you need Bluetooth on a nuvi.  In situations like this, we recommend our
gift kit.  Just purchase a $150 gift card
and wrap it up in a carry all case for an extra $10. We’ll even include a
non-working model version of the unit you recommend.  Show that you’ve put the time and effort into
the gift and then let them decide.

Just in case you missed it, here’s our phone number one more
time; 312-787-3221.  We’re located at 663
N Michigan Ave, right at the corner of Michigan and Erie on the Magnificent
Mile in Downtown Chicago.  If you’d like
more info on the store visit our web site at garmin.com/retail.  We hope to hear from you this holiday
season! 

Source: Garmin
Read more here:
Five (or more) reasons to shop at the Garmin Store this holiday season!

Today we introduced GLO, a portable GPS and GLONASS receiver that brings Garmin’s industry-leading GPS technology to mobile devices.

“As the first wireless GPS receiver with the ability to receive signals from both the United States’ GPS satellite network and Russia’s GLONASS satellite network, GLO provides the most comprehensive satellite coverage available,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Whether you’re driving through an urban canyon or flying an airplane at any altitude, GLO ensures that your mobile device maintains a strong, reliable GPS signal.”

When using both GPS and GLONASS satellites, the time it takes for the receiver to “lock on” to a position is (on average) approximately 20 percent faster than using GPS alone. Furthermore, when using both GPS and GLONASS, the receiver has access to 24 more satellites than using GPS alone. This is particularly helpful for users who need reliable satellite navigation in challenging environments such as deep canyons or urban environments where a large portion of the sky is blocked by solid objects.

GLO wirelessly connects to compatible Apple® and Android™ devices via Bluetooth. It offers a 12 hour battery life and a position update rate of up to 10 times per second (update rate may be limited by the host device). This is 10 times faster than the internal GPS receivers of most mobile devices.

For pilots, an exclusive GLO for Aviation package is available, which comes with a mount, power cable and a free six-month trial of Garmin Pilot, Garmin’s aviation navigation app for Apple and Android mobile devices, available in the App Store℠ and Google Play.

“GLO will be especially popular with pilots. Mobile applications such as Garmin Pilot™ have further advanced the use of iPads® and other smart devices as navigation tools in the cockpit. But because the internal GPS receivers in these devices are not optimized for use in flight, the GPS signal can be less accurate and slow to provide updates,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “GLO solves that problem by leveraging two independent satellite networks and Garmin’s industry-leading GPS technology to provide the most accurate and most frequent position updates available for a mobile device in the cockpit.”

GLO will be available in August for $99. GLO for Aviation is available today for $129.

Source: Garmin
Read more here:
Garmin GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS Receiver Brings High-Integrity GPS Capability to Mobile Devices

Today, we announced fēnix, our first GPS wrist watch for outdoorsmen, such as mountaineers, hikers, cyclists, hunters and backpackers. fēnix provides comprehensive navigation and tracking functionalities as well as trip information to guide adventurers during their challenging activities off the beaten track. Its built-in sensors provide information on heading, elevation and weather changes. Utilizing Garmin’s leading GPS technology, fēnix can guide adventurers off the trail and back to the safety of a vehicle, trailhead or campsite. Sporting a classic round watch design in a high-strength housing with a scratch-resisting display, it is built to endure the toughest outdoor conditions and also makes a stylish day-to-day timepiece.

“fēnix packs Garmin’s leading and trusted outdoor technology into a robust, wrist-worn GPS watch that outdoorsmen can rely on,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Being able to go hands free while still having access to Garmin’s precise and accurate information on weather, elevation and position provides adventurers the confidence and peace of mind to take their outdoor activities even further off-trail.”

Plan, Navigate and Track

fēnix includes a comprehensive navigational toolset that allows users to plan trips and create routes, record waypoints, such as campsites or points of interest, and record GPS bread crumb trails on the move (tracklogs). Adventurers can navigate to coordinates, along a track or route, towards waypoints, geocaches or along any other selected bearing. A navigation arrow provides clear directional guidance and the TracBack^® function can guide one back along a previously recorded tracklog. This provides adventurers peace of mind knowing they’re never “lost” and can easily find their way back in case of an emergency or bad weather conditions. Also included is a worldwide basemap displaying cities nearby. Using the BaseCamp^TM desktop application, fēnix users will be able to easily plan trips and share their adventures with friends and family. fēnix is equipped with both ANT capabilities and Bluetooth^® to wirelessly share tracks, waypoints, routes and geocaches with other compatible Garmin devices. A Basecamp mobile app allows users to transfer waypoints and tracklogs to view them on a more detailed map and larger screen of select smartphones[1].

Altimeter, Barometer and Compass

fēnix is equipped with ABC sensors (altimeter, barometer and compass) to provide explorers relevant real-time information. The built-in altimeter provides elevation data to accurately monitor ascent and descent, the barometer can be used to predict weather changes by showing short-term trends in air pressure and a 3-axis electronic compass keeps the user’s bearing whether he’s moving or not. Utilizing its GPS receiver, fēnix can auto-calibrate its ABC sensors and also auto sets the time based on location. For an extremely accurate temperature reading, fēnix can be paired with tempe^TM, Garmin’s new external temperature sensor.  

Measure Performance

Similar to Garmin’s running watches, fēnix provides real-time performance data, such as distance, pace time and calories, helping outdoorsmen keep track of their progress during and after their adventures. This is especially useful to keep track of fitness activities off the beaten track, such as adventure or trail running. fēnix is also compatible with Garmin’s premium heart rate monitor for heart rate info and with a speed/cadence sensor for distance, speed and cadence while on a bike. The displayed data fields are fully customizable right from the watch.

Built to Endure the Roughest Conditions

fēnix is built to endure the toughest outdoor conditions, combining a high-strength housing to survive shocks with a mineral glass lens to resist scratching. It boasts a large LCD display with LED backlight and a robust polyurethane wristbands. Garmin’s outdoor watch is waterproof to 50 meters and has a battery life of up to 50 hours in GPS mode (depends on settings) and up to 6 weeks in watch mode. Basic watch functions include alarms, tones, vibration alerts, timer, stopwatch and world clock with the ability to display several times zones at once.

Garmin fēnix is expected to be available in fall 2012 and will have a suggested retail price of $399.99. tempe is an optional accessory and has a suggested retail price of $29.99. The polyurethane wristband will be available in olive or orange and an optional leather wristband can be added. To see fēnix in action go to: http://www.garmin.com/fenix

Source: Garmin
Read more here:
Garmin® fēnix™ Outdoor Watch Lets Adventurers Go Even Further Off-Trail

In less than ten days, the parking lot at our World Headquarters in Olathe, KS will be filled with excitement and adventure. Saturday March 24th, 2012 marks the first ever KC Cache Dash– a high-tech scavenger hunt based on GPS technology and social media connectivity, designed to promote awareness and support for local charities. Not only will we be celebrating what these great charities do for our communities, we are also extremely excited to welcome the Boy Scouts of America to our facility.

We know, through the 102 years of their existence, that Scouting provides lifelong benefits, and their focus on values and character are right in line with those of Garmin and OpenCaching.com. Representatives from the Boy Scouts will be on hand and are eager to answer questions about their programs and to even let you know how you can earn a geocaching merit badge– something that will be possible using the OpenCaching Kit we will be providing. So gather your Scout troops and come out to Garmin with your friends and family to explore, learn and have FUN!

Speaking of the OpenCaching Kit, we'll have geocaching experts on hand to help you build your very own kits filled with all kinds of cool stuff, including these stickers (on the right) and to get you started in this global game. If you are a seasoned cacher, not to worry, our engineers will be on site and you'll be able to pick the brains behind Garmin's GPS handheld devices and dig into the "guts" behind the battery doors of your favorite geocaching tools. Even the creator of Opie, the official OpenCaching mascot, has chipped in. He has designed limited edition pathtags that we will be hiding around the property for you to find and take home.

Don't forget that you can follow all the action from this great event via twitter,@KCcachedash and remember to use the #KCCacheDash in your tweets.

Source: Garmin
Read more here:
KC Cache Dash: An Adventure With OpenCaching.com Where Everyone is a Winner