Tag: Garmin

Take Two for the Fēnix 2

Fenix-2Garmin has athletes covered with numerous GPS sports watches and for 2014 the fēnix 2 will ensure that wearers find their way again. This new updated model has more focus on fitness and is designed to be paired with the HRM-Run monitor that tracks heart rate, cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time. This can be used to help trail runners and those looking to cross train.

The watch can also estimate a user’s maximum oxygen consumption to evaluate fitness level and even calculate the recovery time post workout.

New training modes for various sports are included and this includes those hitting the pool or the slopes. The ski-board mode can track speed, distance and vertical drop; while in the pool it can track stroke count, interval distance, pace and time. This durable watch is scratch and water-resistant, and can withstand pressure up to 50 meters.

Other features include an altimeter, barometer and compass.

Garmin fēnix 2 Official Website

CES: Vivo Las Vegas

Garmin-vivoGarmin has long been in the fitness technology wearable market, but last week at CES it entered the fitness tracker space and unveiled its vívofit, a sleek personal exercise assistant.

“Garmin has been providing fitness monitoring devices for over a decade, and with vívofit we say hello to the fitness band that knows your potential,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “Being able to monitor the quality of rest after retiring for the night, being challenged by personalized daily goals and doing so without having to charge it every few days, makes vívofit a fitness band that should be on everyone’s wrist.”

It is designed to automatically greet users with a personalized daily goal, tracks their progress and reminds them when it’s time to move. Vívofit follows progress 24/7, and it can stay on for more than a year without a battery change. Viva to vívofit.

Garmin Blog: Garmin vívofit — A Fitness Band That Moves at the Pace of Life

Garmin Gets Tactical

tactix

When we think of tactical gear we think of something the military might use, but Garmin’s tactical GPS navigator watch is a piece of tactical gear for the rest of us. The Tactix features high-sensitivity GPS positioning with automatic calibrating altimeter, barometer and 3-axis compass, as well as negative mode LCD display with green LED. It features TracBack reverse mapping that can help get you back to your starting point.

For those who need waypoints to find the way, this one allows up to 1,000 waypoints along to 10,000 track points to be stored. Forget bread crumbs, with this on your wrist you’ll never get lost again.

Garmin Tactix Official Website

Garmin Approaches the Green

Garmin-ApproachGarmin might not help you get on the green but the Garmin Approach S4 GPS Golf Watch will help you find your way on the course. It is loaded with a database of more than 30,000 golf courses, plus this watch can stream notifications from a mobile phone via Bluetooth. This way the phone can remain in the bag and you can concentrate on your approach. Press Release after the jump

Garmin Gets Going

GarminGarmin has revolutionized the world of cycling computers with its GPS-enabled devices, and now the company could be looking to take on GoPro with two new full HD action cameras.

The VIRB and Wi-Fi-enabled/GPS-enabled VIRB Elite both feature a 1.4-inch display for watching those “dailies” while each unit can capture three hours of HD (1080p) footage on a single charge, and each can be used to capture 16megapixel still images as well.

The VIRB Elite adds the Wi-Fi and GPS functionality, allowing users to embed info on altitude, speed and location into their footage or connect wirelessly to an Android or iOS device. Both cameras will be ready to roll this fall.

Garmin VIRB Official Website

Garmin Power

Garmin-VectorA number of companies are doing power meters but the new Garmin Vector might just power away from the competition. This pedal-based power meter delivers readings from each pod to a head unit (not included) via ANT+, and one notable advantage over other systems is that the pedals can be easily transfer from bike to bike.

The Garmin Vector won’t come cheap – it is available now in the United States for about $1,700. But for those who want to know how much power they generate this could be the system to beat. Official specs after the jump

Taking the Edge for TT

K-EdgeTime trial and triathlon bikes are set up quite differently from road bikes, and this can make mounting a cycling computer a bit of an issue. Fortunately where there is a problem someone sets up with a solution. In this case it is K-Edge, which just announced the release of the TT Mount, which can accommodate Garmin’s ¼ turn interface and places the popular GPS cycling computer between the bar extensions, so riders can glance down and see the information and yet focus on the ride.

K-Edge Official Website

Android GPS

Garmin-MonterraToday Garmin announced the Monterra, the company’s first Wi-Fi-enabled outdoor handheld GPS unit that combines Garmin’s powerful location and mapping capabilities with the versatility of Google’s Android operating system.

From this device users will have easy access the Google Play Store, and can download apps through an available WiFi connection right onto their outdoor optimized Garmin handheld, offering a new ways to explore the great outdoors, The Garmin Monterra is rugged and features an IPX7 waterproof rating, while also offering a backlight LED display that only needs to be turned on in low light conditions. Continue reading Android GPS

The Touring Edge

Garmin-EdgeGarmin has shown the way for many serious riders, but now the company is looking to help the touring riders find their way as well. Garmin is bringing out a full featured navigation model for bicycle touring.

The Garmin Edge Touring won’t offer such things as power data but instead will provide complete mapping tailored to those who want to get out and explore the world on their bike. This will include turn-by-turn directions, while the unit will come with preloaded routes and is compatible with Garmin Connect and Garmin Adventure.

[Via BikeRumor: GARMIN EDGE TOURING GPS BICYCLE COMPUTER SPOTTED]

Bar Fly Goes Off Road

Bar-FlyWe didn’t think “bar flies” tend to leave the bar, but in the case of the Bar Fly handlebar mount for cycling computers the company has looked to change things up. To date Bar Fly has been focused on computer mounts for the road, where the mount put the computer out in front of the bar so as to be better seen. This isn’t quite so ideal on mountain bikes, and now the company appears to be developing a MTB-specific Garmin mount – one that holds the computer securely to the handlebars while making it easy to see.

[Via BikeRumor: BAR FLY TEASES MTB MOUNT FOR GARMINS]

Rino Radio

Garmin-Rino-655t-GPSGetting off the grid and away from it all is good in theory, but perhaps a little communication isn’t such a bad idea. This is where the Garmin RINO 655t GPS/2-way radio comes in quite well. It can put TOPO maps, FRS/GMRS radio, altimeter, compass and weather radio right in the palm of your hand.

The NOAA weather can alert you to incoming storms, while the waterproof design is up to IPX7 standards so it can endure a storm or two. There is even a built-in 5-megapixel autofocus camera with automatic geotagging functionality.

There are times to leave the iPhone and other handsets at home, but this is one radio you shouldn’t go into the wilds without.

Garmin RINO Official Website

Garmin Re-approaches Golf

It was a little over two years ago that Garmin hit the links with its Approach S1 Golf Watch, and now with the golf season just weeks away the company is back in the swing with the Garmin Approach S2 Golf Watch. This new GPS watch comes preloaded with maps to 30,000 international golf courses, with updates four times a year. This is non-touchscreen device – unlike the S3 – but the S2 offers a club selection and gives users yardage to the front, middle and back of the green, plus layup and dogleg distances to improve usability over the entire hole.

Garmin Approach S2 Official Website