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Garmin GPSMAP 640 - Hybrid marine and auto unit

Garmin is announcing the GPSMAP 640 today, a new hybrid marine and auto navigator. The 600 series represents a completely new product line for Garmin. Nuvi-like in appearance, the 640 features a 5.2" touchscreen, the same size as that found on the nuvi 5000.

With a couple of extra-wide screen models out now, I'm betting we'll see some more 5.2" automotive nuvis announced early next year at CES. The other item of interest for non-boaters is the availability of XM WX Satellite Weather™, which I'd love to see on the nuvi series and Garmin handhelds. And as long as I'm wishing, if Garmin can put aerial imagery on this and other marine units, why not make it available for the rest of us too?

Garmin Colorado 400c review

UPDATE: I'm recommending the new touch-screen Garmin Oregon series instead of the Colorado. It has a superior interface, along with almost all the other good things found on the Colorado. Read my hands-on review of the Oregon 400t for more information.

The Garmin Colorado 400c is the marine version of Garmin's newest handheld GPS series. As such, it includes BlueChart® g2 coastal charts and a worldwide basemap with aerial imagery. The map detail includes includes shorelines, depth contours, navaids, harbors, marinas, port plans and coastal roads for the U.S. and Bahamas.

Garmin 2007 marine GPS preview

I didn't see this until today, but earlier this month, Ben Ellison of Panbo (the best marine GPS blog I know of), posted info on some upcoming Garmin marine GPS units. The big news is that touch screens are coming. The page has been pulled down from TigerGPS.com, but I did find this page on the Garmin GPSMAP 5212 (image at left) at Marine Electronics Unlimited. So apparently boaters, you're going to be getting some new GPS options soon. The 5212 was not included in the Garmin 2007 marine GPS announcements made in November of last year and I expect we'll be seeing other units announced with this one.

$100 rebate on Garmin marine and vehicle units

Garmin has announced $100 rebates on the following hybrid marine / highway units GPSMAP 276C, 376C, 378 and 478. The rebates are good for non-auction sales in the US and Canada, and run through December 31, 2006.

Related posts:

• Garmin GPSMAP 376C review
• Garmin GPSMAP 378 and 478 announced

Free nautical charts

NOAA has a site where you can download free nautical charts for the entire U.S. The charts are in BSB/KAP format, and can be used in OziExplorer. I found this via a post on the OziExplorer message  forum.

U.S. Boating Charts on DVD

MapTech has a new marine product -- U.S. Boating Charts on DVD, which has over 3000 NOAA and river charts. The best part is the price -- only $50. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Updates are free. More information is contained in this U.S. Boating Charts press release.

Technorati tags: GPS

Garmin GPSMAP 376C review

The Garmin GPSMAP 376C marine and vehicle chartplotter updates the 276C, adding XM satellite radio and weather capabilities. Though listed as a marine unit, this is actually a dual-purpose device that supports City Navigator maps and turn-by-turn routing.

The 376C comes with base maps; if you want detailed maps, you'll have to buy those separately. Garmin is currently updating the 376C with the GPSMAP 378 and 478, which have preloaded land and sea maps, and are expected to become available in late May 2006.

Amazon has this to say in their Garmin GPSMAP 376C review:

"The GPSMap 376c GPS offers everything you need for marine navigation in a single space-saving package, including satellite weather reception, GPS functionality, marine chartplotting, and a brilliant, sunlight-readable color TFT screen. The device centers its built-in marine basemap, which is expandable via separately sold data cards programmed with BlueChart or Fishing Hot Spots maps. BlueChart maps deliver exceptional offshore marine coverage that includes shaded depth contours, navigational aids, shoreline detail, and tons of points of interest. For inland boating and fishing, users can turn to the Fishing Hot Spots data cards, which detail U.S. recreational lakes via inland lake maps, profiles, marinas, fishing areas, and more. As an alternative, users can also purchase the optional automotive kit and take the GPSMap 376c on the open road..."

Here's what others have to say about the Garmin 376C:

Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx review

The Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx updates the Garmin GPSMAP 76CS with two major improvements. First, the 76CSx includes the  SiRFSTAR III chipset, which has been getting rave reviews for its fast acquisition time and awesome coverage under canopy, in urban canyons and even indoors! 

Garmin BlueChart g2 incorporates aerial photography

Last month, when I was covering a big line of new Garmin receivers for boaters, I mentioned a new map product too -- Blue Chart g2. Today, an extensive set of web pages turned up about Garmin's BlueChart g2 products.

The best page though, is this one, which you might easily miss. Check out the second image (B) to flip through some of the amazing aerial photography integrated into this product. When do we get that in a landlubber's handheld GPS?!  Will DeLorme beat them to the punch with their long rumored Earthmate PN-20?  I realize that it's more involved, jamming that kind of capability into a little handheld, but c'mon guys -- let's get those next generation products out of R&D and into our hands!

Like recent Garmin cartography products, BlueChart g2 is available only on pre-programmed data cards. Looks like our older Garmin receivers are officially legacy products.

Technorati tags: GPS