GPS News and Reviews

Earlier today, Garmin introduced a new GPS watch in their fitness series, the Garmin Forerunner 110. As the product number indicates, this fitness watch with GPS is targeting the entry level portion of the fitness market and is designed to be super easy to use. Garmin will be showing off the watch at the Paris, Boston, [...]

Jim Nardulli – vice president of worldwide sales for mobile navigation software Nav N Go – talks about Google, calls it the advertising company, and the Android phones a Trojan horse. Obviously he’s not very happy seeing Google Navigation in their playing field.

Of course there’s more in the interview: prices, TomTom vs Garmin, iPhone apps, etc. Watch it.

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NavNGo vs Google Navigation

Happy Birthday, Dear Nuvifone! Or perhaps it would more accurately be called Happy Conception Day, Nuvifone. It was one year ago today that Garmin announced the Nuvifone to the world. At that time there was an anticipated availability date in the third quarter of 2008. But as is all too common in the world of [...]

Before anything else: There’s no GPS receiver in this watch. Yes, we know it is from Garmin and all but still. No GPS. Garmin’s doing really good with training devices out there such as heart rate monitors and the software that goes with Forerunners so they’re trying to take advantage of their market share by introducing Garmin FR60 which can wirelessly connect to other sensors such as heart rate monitors and a foot pods.

It can download workout data to a PC or a Mac using USB stick, keep track of speed and distance, heart rate, and calories burned.

There will be two bundles for the FR60 series, one with both the heart rate monitor and the foot pod, the other with the heart rate monitor only.

Triathletes will embrace the versatility of the swim-friendly FR60 as it helps them train and race indoors or outdoors, on the bike, in the water or on the trails. The featherweight foot pod enables the FR60 to track and record speed, distance, calories burned, steps and cadence without excess burden. Cycling enthusiasts will enjoy the versatile options of adding a bike speed and cadence sensor and a handy bike mount. Adding to the wide range of uses and wireless connectivity, FR60 users in the United States will be able to link effortlessly to their ANT+ compatible fitness equipment such as treadmills, spin bikes, elliptical trainers and more.

Garmin FR60 can track and record up to 15 hours and 100 laps of detailed workout data.

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Garmin is continuing to invest in the sports and fitness segment with the launch of the Garmin FR60 sportwatch (read: No GPS in there) that ups the ante from the Garmin Forerunner 50 watch that first brought the Garmin name to an entry level sports watch product. Fashioned after the Garmin Forerunner 405, the new FR60 has a sleek body, and is packed with some features that will allow it to compete well in the sports watch category.

Two versions will be offered: The Black FR60 sportwatch will come with a heart rate monitor (HRM), and footpod (The men's version in red and the woman's version in lilac include just the HRM), which offers a wireless connection to monitor the number of paces you have taken in your workout. The HRM is of course wireless too. The beauty of the unit is that the wireless capabilities run over Garmin's proprietary ANT+ system that offers short range low power consumption communication. They are including the ANT+ Stick that is a USB dongle/stick thing that you plug into your computer and when you want, you can wirelessly sync the Garmin FR60.

The Garmin FR60 in Black - with footpod and Heart rate Monitor will list for $199, while the Red or Lilac versions - with the heart rate monitor only will retail for $129. The Garmin FR60 will be available this spring.

Full press release below....

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced its newest fitness watch that sets the standard for wireless connectivity, the FR60. The latest breakthrough in Garmin's expansive outdoor recreation and fitness line, the stylish and intuitive FR60 was announced in conjunction with the 2009 ISPO Winter trade show in Munich.

"Indoors or out, it's easier than ever to set fitness goals and track your progress with the fashionable yet affordable FR60," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "While you exercise, the easy-to-use FR60 accurately tracks your time, calories burned, heart rate and other data from linked fitness equipment. Once you're done and within range of your computer, that information is wirelessly transferred and stored for later analysis."

The central element of the user-friendly FR60 system is an advanced fitness watch which interfaces wirelessly with other ANT+™ compatible fitness devices such as a heart rate monitor, a foot pod that monitors speed and distance or third-party fitness equipment at the gym or at home. Available in men's and women's versions, the FR60 comes with a wireless USB ANT™ Stick that plugs into the user's PC or Mac and automatically downloads workout data stored on the watch to a personal computer. No cables are necessary as the FR60 quickly synchronizes with the computer once it is in close proximity. The workouts themselves are made easier with the FR60 as its robust heart rate monitor and slimmed-down foot pod transmit data wirelessly and activate automatically upon movement, removing the need to turn the lightweight accessories on and off. Available in three colors - red, lilac and black - the streamlined FR60 comes packaged with a heart rate monitor, and the foot pod is available in select FR60 bundles.

With this affordable yet sophisticated fitness watch, Garmin broadens its appeal to the millions of consumers who want to burn calories and track workouts in a cost-effective manner. While the FR60 processes much of the same data as its GPS-enabled predecessors, those functions are packaged in a very compact device the size of a typical fitness watch. The FR60 can track and record up to 15 hours and 100 laps of detailed exercise data. And because the FR60 records its data from the heart rate monitor, foot pod and ANT+ compatible fitness equipment, users can exercise indoors.

Triathletes will embrace the versatility of the swim-friendly FR60 as it helps them train and race indoors or outdoors, on the bike, in the water or on the trails. The featherweight foot pod enables the FR60 to track and record speed, distance, calories burned, steps and cadence without excess burden. Cycling enthusiasts will enjoy the versatile options of adding a bike speed and cadence sensor and a handy bike mount. Adding to the wide range of uses and wireless connectivity, FR60 users in the United States will be able to link effortlessly to their ANT+ compatible fitness equipment such as treadmills, spin bikes, elliptical trainers and more. More information about these ANT+ compatible products will be announced in March at the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) international convention and trade show in San Francisco.

When used with Garmin Connect™ -- Garmin's online training site -- the FR60's benefits continue long after the workout. By pairing the FR60 with Garmin Connect, users can automatically log their workouts, track their totals, share workouts with coaches, friends and family and participate in an online fitness community with similar interests.

The wireless features of the FR60 are enabled by ANT+ personal area network technology. ANT+ is a leading wireless interface protocol enabling ultra low power applications like fitness monitors. ANT+ offers all the benefits of digital wireless communications with much lower power consumption than other wireless protocols. The men's version of the FR60 weighs just 44 grams, the women's model weighs 41 grams, and each has a user-replaceable battery with a one-year life.

Lowrance has officially launched three new handheld GPS units in the Endura Line, the Sierra ($549), Safari ($389), and Outback ($229), that include some hefty features in a handheld unit. The pre-loaded maps come with 48-state road data from NAVTEQ and outdoor trail network mapping from Intermap Accuterra data. The Sierra and Safari can be upgraded for turn by turn road navigation if needed. With their marine background, of course they have Fishing Hot Spots (optional content) and are capable of getting you to the best spots that anyone is talking about.....

The units are IPX7 water resistant and offer the nice combination of a touchscreen and buttons to help get you through the most basic navigation routines. The 2.7-inch screen is a bit under the size of the Garmin Colorado (3-inches), and is said to be high resolution. Runs on 2 AA batteries, and is expected to be available this spring.

Full press release below....

Lowrance(R), a world-leading brand in marine electronics and GPS navigational systems since 1957, announced today the introduction of its next-generation handheld GPS devices. The Lowrance Endura Series consists of three innovative touch-screen GPS handhelds for the outdoor market: the flagship Sierra -- the most powerful and complete out-of-box GPS experience available, the Safari -- the most versatile navigator for any outdoor experience, and the Outback -- setting a new standard in affordability and ease of use. Offering best-in-class pre-loaded and aftermarket map content, as well as compatibility with open community content, the Endura Series elevates GPS navigation to new heights.

"The Lowrance Endura Series of handheld GPS devices is the product line that outdoor enthusiasts have been waiting for," said Jens-Thomas Pietralla, president and CEO of Navico. "With detailed on-board mapping, tremendous expansion capabilities and access to community content, the easy to use Endura line is equally suited for hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, backpacking and geocaching, as well as cycling, snowmobiling, off-roading, paddlesports and skiing."

Lowrance Endura devices offer a range of preloaded maps and provide a micro SD expansion slot supporting up to an additional 32GB of storage for mapping, pictures and MP3 audio files. The pre-loaded content includes Intermap's Accuterra(TM) mapping, extensive outdoor trail networks and Points of Interest, as well as the NAVTEQ(R) road network for the contiguous 48 states with an upgrade option on Sierra and Safari for full-featured turn-by-turn navigation. In addition, Lowrance offers a full range of optional mapping content including Fishing Hot Spots(R) and other national and international map content. Fully customizable, all three models accept many public domain files and community-based content such as GPX trails and general outdoor POI's.

Fully waterproof to the IPx7 standard (submersible), the compact Endura Series offers a comfortable grip and robust housing with rubberized armoring. The devices measure 5.1-inch high x 2.3-inch wide x 1.1-inch deep (130 mm x 60 mm x 31 mm) and weigh a scant 5.8 ounces (165 grams) without two AA batteries. The handheld devices include a high-resolution 2.7-inch (6.8 cm) color touch-screen display, mini-USB port for power and data cables, and two reinforced attachment loops. All models in the Endura line are protected by a one-year limited warranty.

Price & Availability:

The Lowrance Endura Series GPS Devices, Sierra, Safari and Outback have a suggested retail price of U.S. $549.99, $384.99 and $229.99, respectively, and will be available for purchase in May 2009 through authorized Lowrance dealers and distributors. For more information on the complete Endura line and compatible mapping products, visit www.lowrance.com/Endura, or call 1.800.324.1356 in the USA or 1.800.661.3983 in Canada.

* The Lowrance Endura line consists of three innovative touch-screen GPS handhelds for the outdoor market: the flagship Sierra -- the most powerful and complete out-of-box GPS experience available, the Safari -- the most versatile navigator for any outdoor experience, and the Outback -- setting a new standard in affordability and ease of use.

Garmin numaps program will be going live today. Basically it guarantees you will be getting the newest maps, available by download, for free if a map update occurs within sixty days of purchase of a Garmin nuvi or zumo. If you purchased your zumo or nuvi after August 17 of this year you are eligible for the program. To qualify for the update you will need to register your device within sixty days of the first use of your device. Registration can be done at http://my.garmin.com.

In some stroke of miscommunication and bad outcomes, TomTom has won the Garmin T3 Gadgets Awards for Gadget You Can't Live without from the Brit Gadget site T3. This stopped me in my tracks this morning as I read it and thought; huh? So it seems the Garmin is sponsoring the T3 gadget awards, specifically the Gadget of the Year category, but TomTom was voted by the generally Euro based readers as the Gadget you Can't do Without - specifically the TomTom GO 930.

Want to learn more about the TomTom GO 930 - check out my Full Review of the TomTom GO 930.

Check out the whole list of awards at T3

Garmin who owns a giant share of the US market, is starting to plan for ways to capture more revenue from that installed base; this time with a Map Subscription. Following on the heels of Navigon's FreshMaps and TomTom's Update Service, Garmin is bringing updated maps to subscribers on a regular basis. I was speculating about a Garmin release in the TomTom announcement thinking that with Navigon also using NAVTEQ maps said to me that it wasn't a map supplier barrier that needed to be broken down; it was an internal Garmin decision based on technical delivery and market strategy. I have talked a lot lately about getting different revenue streams from the GPS after its sale, and map updates have been a good one. The subscription model though brings a large cash flow injection upfront that has marginal costs later on down the line. In these troubled times, it's great to capitalize on the cash flow now. This may also lead to a better marketing position at point of sale, and result in more satisfied users who stick with the brand due to better perceived quality of the product.

The Cost is 119 Euros, which directly translated to the US is pretty high, but my hunch is that the US price will be more competitive with Navigon's $79 price point. The updates are quarterly for the lifetime of your device.

More at YourNav

I just received Garmin's highly anticipated nuvi 785T and will be posting the full review within a few days. In the mean time, here's a few unboxing photos to whet your appetite....

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