Jalopnik: Garmin

How Much Is Too Much For GPS? How About A G?

Travis Hudson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:20:00 EDT

Garmin's ever-expanding line of GPS navigation units is getting an expensive new addition. The Garmin Nuvi 880 is now available for pre-order at Amazon for a ridiculous, ball-busting $1,000. You're probably telling yourself that a GPS system had better be able to read your mind and make coffee to be worth $1,000, right? Well, it can't quite do either, but it does have an extensive list of features and abilities. Full list after the jump.

Text-to-speech

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) capability (screen control)

Bluetooth wireless technology (pair with phone or headset)

FM transmitter

Picture navigation: routing to a geocoded point in JPEG files

Included traffic receiver via MSN Direct receiver for North America

Last position: The unit automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windshield mount, so you can navigate with the Nüvi on foot and find your way back to your vehicle

Location and Text messages

Instant on

Web drop: create favorites in a PC browser and send to Nuvi via USB (.gps files)

Route planning with via points

USB 2.0, high-speed connectivity and mass storage

SD card slot

MCX connector (external antenna)

Digital Elevation Maps (DEM)

Embedded Linux (OS)

Replaceable battery, high-capacity Lithium-ion (up to 5 hours use)

In addition to this extensive list, the 880 also has a 4.3-inch screen to go along with its most-touted feature: speech recognition, which can be activated with the remote. [Amazon via Navigadget]

Bus Driver Scalps Bus Thanks To GPS Guidance

Travis Hudson — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EDT

We may be inching towards the future of autonomous vehicles, but we're not quite there yet and a bus driver in Seattle has yet to figure that out. This is just another instance of individuals putting too much faith into GPS navigation devices. Following the directions from a Garmin GPS navigation unit, the Seattle bus driver attempted to go under a low footbridge that was a bit too low as it managed to scalp the bus and injure five. The driver was carrying home the Garfield High School girl's softball team. This unfortunate accident does bring up an interesting conundrum. The driver had put the Garmin device on the "bus" setting and failed to notice the signs prior to the bridge. Obviously the driver is to blame, but how much consideration should Garmin and other GPS manufacturers take when including a "bus" setting?

Garmin told the Seattle PI that its GPS navigation units don't include height information and that drivers should always watch for posted signs. As a zinger, Garmin even went as far as saying that it doesn't include stoplights in its mapping data and people are expected to obey those as well. An independent company supplies the underlying mapping information for Garmin. Should it be okay for a company like Garmin to include a GPS setting for buses, but not take into consideration height restrictions? And for the record, inputting vehicle height into a GPS is a very feasible option as TeleType already does it.

Most surprisingly, the nearly century-old bridge was not damaged more than minor chips and scratches. [Seattle PI]

Send Google Maps, MapQuest Directions Directly To Your Garmin

Travis Hudson — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EDT

OnStar isn't the only company to work with mapping software companies. Garmin recently announced the ability to directly send maps and directions to a Garmin GPS navigation system. Rather than taking the painstaking process of looking up an address, writing it down and inputting it into your Garmin GPS navigation unit, you can just plug your Garmin into the computer and use a simple command now integrated into Google Maps and soon to be integrated in MapQuest on April 15 to shoot the directions directly to the Garmin GPS unit.

Of course, the Dash Express already has this feature beat by allowing the instructions to be sent wirelessly, but this is a nice lazy-man feature added by Garmin. [Gizmodo]

Garmin Tosses 4 More GPS Navigation Units Into The Ring

Travis Hudson — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST

And here Garmin goes again releasing a relentless amount of GPS navigation units onto the poor, confused public that doesn't understand the difference between the Nuvi 350 and 360 (hell, I don't even know the difference). Now Garmin has used the ~~currywurst~~ consumer electronics festival known as CeBIT to do the launching. The 205, 205W, 255 and 255W are the four new models to grace Garmin's vast arsenal of GPS navigation units.

These four units are designed to be lower end "affordable" options for GPS navigation. They include the regular features. Some bonus good include navigation by photos using Garmin Connect Photos, elevation modeling, Garmin HotFix that enhances satellite acquisition speed and a "Where am I?" feature to find longitude and latitude coordinates on the fly.

The 255 versions also include full maps for Europe, Australia and New Zealand while the 205 versions don't. The 255s also include street name voices in directions so you will know what road to turn at in addition to a numerical distance gauge like most GPS navigation units. Prices begin around $210. [Garmin]

Today Show Takes GPS Testing Seriously

Travis Hudson — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST

Okay, we know Boston is a tough place for GPS navigation units, but we didn't know it was this tough. This morning, the Today Show pitted three drivers against each other using three different GPS navigation units from TomTom, Garmin and Magellan navigating in Boston. It seemed like a simple test, but Greg John, the driver using the TomTom needed to make it apparent he won by flipping the bird to WHDH anchor, Adam Williams after his victory. Greg John must have a lot of pent-up anger from having two first names. It's okay, buddy, it's just GPS, no need to be so hateful.

NUDAR Turns Your GPS Into A Boobie Finder

Travis Hudson — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:15:00 EST

GPS Navigation has been around for quite a few years and it's a damn shame that it has taken this long for a NUDAR to come around. NUDAR is a company compiling a GPS point-of-interest file capable of directing an individual to any establishment that would provide nudity, such as (and most popularly) strip clubs, but also including nude beaches, resorts, festivals, ~~dragons~~, events and more.

The NUDAR POI file supports the big-name GPS navigation units, such as Garmin, TomTom and Magellan. You should probably act quickly, because NUDAR is currently in an beta open-registration until February 22. After that it becomes a $30-per-year service, which is completely worth it for those who travel a lot, or those that just love the boobies. [NUDAR (NSFW) via Crunchgear

Garmin Stereotypes The Hell Out Of Women

Travis Hudson — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:15:00 EST

Hey Garmin, everyone knows all women like to do is shop, eat at bistros, spend their man's money and forget where they parked, but you don't have to make it so obvious with this commercial for the Nuviphone. Check out the first part of the ad above, where a woman's inability to do anything productive with her life is pointed out. Oh, and Suzie, since you are obviously a ~~sugar mama~~ gold digger, get that man of yours to buy you a better vehicle—that sheet of drywall with a steering wheel isn't cutting it.

Click through to see the rest of this horrible ad, which features a very hot, and highly anticipated, GPS-enabled cellphone. [Geeksugar]

Garmin Superbowl Ad Pokes Fun at Short French Emperor

Travis Hudson — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:30:00 EST

Garmin has been keeping really busy this week. The GPS giant has been dropping hints all over the place about its Super Bowl ad that surprisingly (or maybe not, if you're a marketer who's savvy with these interwebs) isn't debuting during the Super Bowl, but rather online. The ad has gone live and it's all right, I guess. I've never been one of the "watch the Super Bowl for the commercials" kind of people, mainly because I have a horrible gambling problem and usually have a vested interest in the game. I'm sorry. So very sorry. But this ad isn't too bad. Kind of cute, kind of funny. It stars Napoleon, the diminutive Corsican who dominated all Europe long ago in the pre-Garmin era (we have GPS, Napoleon had Eclaireurs-a-Cheval—scouts on horseback). This commercial is also one less thing that I'll have to pay attention to Sunday when I'm plump with beer and brats and squandering February's rent. Or winning big! Like I said, I have a problem. [Garmin Gameday]

Garmin Nuviphone: What Does It Mean For The GPS Biz?

Travis Hudson — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:45:00 EST

Just when I thought Garmin was too busy releasing a relentless number of GPS navigation systems, they come out of nowhere with the Nuviphone, a full-blown cellphone based around a GPS core that's set for a third quarter release this year. No word on the carrier or price. With a variety of carriers and manufacturers marketing their own gimpy solutions to GPS on cellphones, what does this phone mean for the industry? Quite a bit, actually.

Garmin is a big name brand in the GPS navigation industry. Arguably, they're the top dog. And when they make a big change, like this one, everyone will take note.

The Nuviphone is another iPhone competitor, but the difference here is that the Nuviphone features full blown GPS and not the triangulation and location-based mumbo-jumbo that the iPhone and many other cellphone manufacturers put out there.

The Nuviphone still has a long way to go, but a release of this magnitude—i.e., a cellphone that one can truly dock in a car and be used for navigation—will ripple throughout the industry and hopefully force other manufacturers to take note and include TRUE GPS (worthy of use in cars for navigation) into cellphones.

The phone itself is the whole enchilada, as far as features go. And in addition to the GPS navigation, the phone includes Google local search and Garmin online services (traffic, weather, fuel prices, etc) that links up with the core navigation system. [Garmin via Giz]

Garmin, MSN Eliminate Unnecessary Address Entry on GPS Units

Travis Hudson — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST

Garmin is taking steps in the right direction with a new service it recently announced. Everyone who has used a GPS navigation knows that entering addresses is pretty painstaking, so this new service—a collaboration between Garmin and MSN Direct—tries to eliminate that requirement altogether. It seems the service is pretty simple: beaming directions from a computer using Microsoft Live Search Maps directly to a compatible Garmin GPS unit. But the method they used to get to that point is an interesting one.

Back in 2003, Microsoft introduced Spot, an information service that operated on the FM frequency band. There functioned using watches that could receive weather info, sports scores, etc. Spot has taken on a new identity as MSN Direct now provides a direct method of communication between your PC and compatible GPS receiver or other gadgets.

It sends the directions and addresses to your GPS receiver over the FM frequency. The current two compatible GPS receivers are the Garmin nuvi 880 and 780. An additional MSN Direct receiver is also required for your GPS unit, a $50 per year operation cost. So by no means is being lazy cheap, but it sure as hell is convenient. [Navigadget]

The Ultimate Garmin Nuvi Shopping Guide

Travis Hudson — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST

One of the biggest gripes about aftermarket GPS navigation systems is that there are simply too many choices. Seriously, do you really need to release a new model because it has microSD expandability rather than mere SD? Cut out the gadget diarrhea already. Enter Navigadget, performing a valuable service by breaking down all of the Garmin Nuvi GPS systems in a handy and convenient chart. It covers price, display size, battery life, text-to-speech ability, map choices, Bluetooth, MP3 player, remote control, voice communication, MSN direct, FM transmission and type of memory card slot. This is great, and I'll be the first to give Garmin top honors in the GPS realm, but as the chart suggests, the sheer number of options is a bit much. [Navigadget]

Custom Garmin BMW Receivers for 1, 3 Series

Travis Hudson — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST

Garmin has struck a deal with BMW to begin producing customized Garmin units for the 1- and 3-series vehicles. The Nuvi 360 will be the model of choice for BMW owners and will come with the usual array of features, including Bluetooth, MP3 player, street pronunciation and more. Unfortunately, the BMW-ified 360 isn't all that exciting.

Besides a "special" location database based on BMW dealers, it includes the BMW logo and a mounting bracket designed specifically for 1- and 3-series. This is nice because it eliminates any kind of windshield suction cup action normally required for aftermarket GPS receivers. This should apeal to owners who have a BMW that lacks factory-GPS. The regular Garmin 360 sells to the average Joe for $360—no idea how much the BMW mark-up will be for this unit. [Navigadget]

Garmin Nuvi 5000 Belongs in a Museum

Travis Hudson — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST

It's absolutely beautiful, isn't it? Look at her, the Garmin Nuvi 5000; she's just so beautiful and elegant and deserves a spot on the dashboard of only the most elite luxury vehicles. Right? The Nuvi 5000 is Garmin's latest heavy hitting GPS navigation system announced at the CES show this week.

The new nav unit measures in with a 5.2-inch screen and will include the usual array of features. One extra special ability is the video input so you can plug anything into it and see it displayed on the big and bright screen, including items such as backup cameras.

It does lack a battery, so it will always have to be juiced, but it's okay Nuvi 5000 baby, I still love you. [Navigadget]
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What the? — is this Garmin's New Colorado 300 GPS Unit?

Travis Hudson — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST

Apparently, this is the new Colorado (no, not that Colorado). Well, the picture says so, but we don't always believe in overly grainy pictures, especially when cameraphones nowadays can outperform many actual cameras. The Colorado 300 appears to be Garmin's latest, greatest and oddly shaped GPS unit. According to the leakee, the large round button on top does all of the control work. Another source says that it will be available in three versions: topography, inland lakes and coastal with all likely including city navigation software.

The form factor is pretty unique and looks very suitable for hand-usage, but if you could flip the sucker on its side to be used in a vehicle we would be much happier with a hybrid device like this. The rumored release date is spring 2008 with a price tag well above the $500 range. See, gadget hounds can have fun with spy photos as well. [Garmin Colorado via Gizmodo]

TomTom Offers Serious MoneyMoney for Tele Atlas

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST

Making good street maps is a pretty tough gig, which is why TomTom and Garmin are in a bidding war for Tele Atlas, the only major unsold mapmaker left (Navteq was purchased by Nokia for $8.1 billion). TomTom, the leader in navigation equipment, raised the stakes by offering a whopping $4.2 billion. What's great about this, especially for Tele Atlas, is that the mapping company has lost money for the last 10 years.

But with cell phones, cars and coffee makers all coming equipped with GPS it's an advantage to control the maps as well as make the devices. Having access to content will allow either company to increase their offerings and improve quality, with TomTom claiming they'll be able to offer significantly better maps within a year of purchase. Try and remember that when your TomTom tells you to turn into a lake. [Bloomberg]

An Orgasmic Explosion Of Directions: Gizmodo's GPS Gang Bang

Ray Wert — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:19:24 EDT

Charlie White, from our brother gadget-loving site, recently went hands-on with four GPS units — the Cobra NavOne GPSM 4500, the Mio C710 DigiWalker, the Garmin StreetPilot c550 and lastly the Honda Civic Hybrid Factory-installed GPS Navigation System (yeah, we dunno why they tested that one too — maybe they should have saved the last one for a climactic money shot with other factory-installed systems, but whatevs). As part of the hands-on, Charlie did a test run with all four units simultaneously. Watch in horror as Charlie takes two opposing directions at the same time, and ends up spinning the wheel clean off the steering column — eliciting a laugh from the Civic's now-in-control Nav system. Mwah-ha-ha! – Ray Wert

GPS Gang Bang: Garmin, Mio, Cobra and Honda [Gizmodo]