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ASK GARMIN: EPISODE THREE

Garmin — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:09:27 +0000

This week we'll teach you more about Garmin Garage, how to get voices on your nuvi with the Voice Studio and how to load European maps to your device. To see your question featured on Ask Garmin, send response to garminblogs@garmin.com.

ASK GARMIN: EPISODE TWO

Garmin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:22:37 +0000

In this second installment of Ask Garmin, where we will answer questions, keep you up to date with industry news and provide tips and tricks, you'll learn about Geocaching and find the perfect GPS device for hiking and mountain biking. We'll also tell you about pro mountain bike racer Sonya Looney and her victory in Nepal. To see your question featured on Ask Garmin, send responses to garminblogs@garmin.com. Photo credits: Nepal Sutra.

ASK GARMIN: EPISODE ONE

Garmin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:01:18 +0000

This is the first episode of ASK Garmin, where we will answer questions, keep you up to date with industry news and provide tips and tricks. In this episode we'll talk about the Garmin Marathon and why your Forerunner might display a further distance than the race you just ran.

Inside Garmin Connect: An update on Moving Time

Garmin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:31:44 +0000

Thank you for all of the feedback regarding the recent removal of Moving Time from Garmin Connect. While the switch was done with the best intentions of clearing up confusion that we’d heard about from some customers, it’s very clear that the information provided by this data was very valuable to many of you. We appreciate all of the responses we’ve received, and we’ll be reinstating Moving Time in the next update that will roll out the first week of April. Moving Time data will again be viewable in your previous activities as well as those you’ve done since the recent change. We apologize for any additional confusion or frustration that these changes may have caused, as our goal was just the opposite. Thank you again for the valuable feedback!

Peg’s Posts: Foot podology

Garmin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:20:44 +0000

Recently, I’ve had several coworkers and running friends ask me questions about our foot pod, so I thought it was time for a quick overview of the pod’s purpose. First and foremost, you ought to know what this tiny tool is — an accelerometer. And what it’s not — a pedometer. The primary purpose of the foot pod is to gather precise speed and distance data when used with a non-GPS fitness watch like the FR60 or when used indoors with a compatible Garmin sport watch like Forerunner 210, 410 and others. In the second case, the built-in GPS on Forerunner is giving you speed and distance data when used outdoors, anywhere in the world. But since your watch can’t receive GPS signals indoors, the foot pod gives you the option of capturing your data from indoor treadmill or track runs.

The secondary purpose of the foot pod is to track your running cadence, or foot strikes per minute. Certain compatible Forerunners like the 310XT, 405 series and 410, can even display cadence or number of total steps, on the watch if you customize the data fields to show that data. Other watches, like the 210, will simply collect the cadence data and show it when you upload to Garmin Connect. Some runners use cadence training to help optimize their speed or stride length. Beginning runners sometimes fall prey to overstriding, which can lead to injury. To avoid this and to sharpen foot turnover for speed, some sources recommend runners aim for a “sweet spot” of 180 steps per minute. So, if you’re using the foot pod for cadence training, you could aim for a cadence around 90 since it’s counting the number of steps taken by one foot.

How it works: It’s a little bit of magic (ANT+ wireless technology) and a lot of high-tech wizardry. I’ve seen the charts and heard a high-level explanation direct from the developers and I’m not fit to even recap it beyond this: the foot pod is 98 percent accurate out of the box for most users. And its accuracy comes from the fact that it’s tracking the entire movement of your foot stride — not just forward motion.

Where it goes: This tiny tool can snap onto your shoelaces or fits in the sole of certain running shoes. Make sure the arrow on the foot pod bracket points outward, to your toes. This is to ensure the best accuracy. When I ran the Rock’n’Roll Arizona half back in January, I did a little on-the-spot tech support in the porta-jill line. I noticed a woman had her foot pod positioned the opposite way, so we got her pod pointed in the right direction and she was grateful for the tip.

To learn more about the foot pod, watch this video showing how it works with the FR60. And stay tuned for a more in-depth rundown in an upcoming fit tech blog post.

Ask Garmin: help for holiday shoppers

Garmin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Today’s Ask Garmin question comes from Sharon, who wrote: “What does the L, M and T mean on all your nüvi devices? I need a quick and easy explanation so I know when I am looking in the store." We’re happy to divulge the code that denotes some of the “extras” that come with your nüvi purchase. The “LT” stands for lifetime traffic, which means that nüvi provides subscription-free traffic alerts for the life of the unit. This option is standard on most of our units and it’s a great sanity-saver for commuters or anyone who doesn’t care to sit idle in traffic jams. “LM” stands for lifetime maps, which means if your nüvi comes with this, you can download the latest maps for your unit up to four times a year, with no monthly fees. And, for those who want a truly an all-in-one product offering, devices with “LMT”, such as nüvi 3790LMT, come with lifetime maps and traffic.

Happy shopping. Be sure to check out the Garmin gift guide for more holiday ideas plus details on our Black Friday and Cyber Monday specials.

Garmin Connect: Inside the latest update

Garmin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:32:06 +0000

In the latest update at Garmin Connect, we introduced several improvements to our free online community that is home to more than a million users and their activities. Here are just some of the highlights from this week's update (for best results, we suggest clearing your cache):
1. Ability to manually delete entries in the Health Tab
2. Improvements to the Calendar Page
3. Streamlined RSS feeds
4. Improved use of 'embedded' activities without location data
5. Enhanced map availability and Player function availability
6. Transitioned to Bing maps

Garmin has a rich history of collaborating with many industry leaders, and using Bing maps with Garmin Connect provided an opportunity to build upon our existing relationship with Microsoft. Garmin Connect users will continue to enjoy all of the familiar mapping features and functions that bring more than 40 million saved activities to life, and working with Bing will lead to more exciting developments in the future.

Ask Garmin: Sync your Garminfone and iTunes

Garmin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:49:41 +0000

Want to port your iTunes library into your Garminfone so that you can listen to your favorite tunes on the go? Whether you're using a Windows-based computer or Mac, it's possible. And even better than that, it's quick and easy to do. The "iTunes Agent" for Windows users and "iTuneMyWalkman" for Mac users is all you'll need. Here's the step-by-step process for Windows-based computers.

1. Download and install iTunes Agent (or iTuneMyWalkman if on a Mac). You'll now see it in the system tray.
2. Plug the Garminfone into your computer's USB port and select transfer files
3. Create a folder in the Garminfone called Music

Next, you'll need to configure iTunes. Learn how to do that here so that you can successful transfer your files to your Garminfone.

Garmin.com is your one-stop shop for browsing, learning, buying

Garmin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:37:29 +0000

Finding the perfect Garmin product has never been easier at Garmin.com. Now you can sort and compare your various options in one spot, and then learn about many of them at our online learning center. And you can even buy certain Garmin devices directly from Garmin.com - just look for the "Add to Cart" button on the specific product page. And of course, you can purchase accessories, maps and other downloadable content through Garmin.com.

To get started with your search, choose the type of activities in which you'll be using your Garmin - On the Trail, Into Sports, On the Water, etc. - and then start narrowing down your options from there. Once you're on a page that lists various products, you can even select a couple that catch your eye and compare the specific features and characteristics. As you scroll down through the specs, certain features will jump out through differences in shading if they differ from one product to the other.

A few helpful links on the product pages will help you learn even more about all of these features. Many products are showcased in online demos, interactive minisites or Training Videos, and you'll find these links on the right side of the product pages. The Training Videos link will take you to our online Learning Center, where we bring the devices to life through brief and informative tutorials. Watch the videos that best relate to how you'll be using your Garmin, and it's as if you're getting help from one of our product experts in person! Finally, when you've done your research and landed on the ideal product for your favorite activities, go back to the product page and click on either "Add to Cart" or "Find a Store," which shows you a list of area retailers most likely to have it in stock. Happy shopping, sorting and learning!

Garmin.com is your one-stop shop for browsing, learning, buying

Garmin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:37:29 +0000