Garmin listens to their users (the people that are making them money) and then markets the products that people want.

Look how many people are out there on the internet searching for free Garmin voices or free Garmin voice packs! I’m telling you - there’s lots of people out there looking for this kind of stuff and it is not easy to find anything.

Sure, if you’re going to disrespect the ancient and outdated copyright laws you’ll likely find some stuff on the torrent sites and the P2P networks - but you know the risks in doing that.

What Garmin did above all is listened to the market. Garmin developed a piece of software that allows you to make your own voices for Garmin GPS devices and they are giving it away for free.

You thought you were going to have to pay for something like that didn’t you?

You can download Garmin Voice Studio directly from the Garmin Web Site.

For those of you who think outside the box you’ll figure out that you’ll have no problem making any free Garmin GPS voice pack that you want to with this piece of software.

If you don’t have a Garmin yet - get with it! We suggest the new Garmin nüvi 1690 4.3-Inch Portable Bluetooth Navigator with nüLink! Services

See larger image Garmin nüvi 1690 4.3-Inch Portable Bluetooth Navigator with nüLink! Services (Electronics) List Price: Price Not Listed New From: Check Amazon For Pricing In Stock Used from: $249.99 In Stock

The Garmin Rino 530HCx is a really powerful collaborative GPS device that allows you to communicate with and view other people’s positions in real time.

Since I’m in the mining industry I see the potential in a device such as this. When I’m out in the wild looking for rocks or taking samples it’s sure be nice to have a team of people out there with me that I could communicate with without having to bring a separate radio.

But the Garmin Rino 530HCx goes way farther than voice communication with its’ position reporting function that allows you to report your position to other Rino users in the group. The position reporting feature allows Rino users to report and receive Rino user positions and display them on the handheld GPS device.

Obviously I see the potential for use in the exploration part of the mining industry but I also see how it would be useful in search and rescue operations, group hiking, hunting and many other group based activities.

If you’re used to carrying a radio to communicate with other users while you’re doing activities that require both a GPS and a radio the Rino will allow you to shed a bit of weight by combining these devices.

See larger image GARMIN 010-00564-00 Rino 520HCx 2-Way Radio With GPS/FRS/GMRS (Electronics) List Price: Price Not Listed New From: Check Amazon For Pricing In Stock

If you have a Nuvi 205, Nuvi 705, Nuvi 1200 or a Nuvi 1300 you’re on your way to saving some money.

The Garmin Nuvi EcoRoute software lets you choose between getting to your destination quickly, getting there via the shortest route or getting there saving some money by the most fuel efficient route.

The software will also allow you to keep track of your fuel usage and tell you just how fuel efficient your driving is. So if you’re one of those people that like to race to the next stop light or sign you may be able to break yourself of the habit by watching your fuel consumption using different styles.

When you’re doing a lot of running around or short trips back and forth you can also keep track of how much it costs you to do them! Keep running tabs on your trips and maybe you’ll even start walking once the trips to the corner store costs start adding up.

If you already have a compatible GPS you probably already know about the EcoRoute Web Site.

If you don’t have a GPS yet follow the links to find great prices on the following EcoRoute compatible Garmin GPS Devices:
Garmin nüvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin nüvi 1200 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin nüvi 1300 Series 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Enjoy the Savings!

So if you’re going on a road trip with the guys maybe you’ll want some entertainment on the way. You can get that with some new Politically Incorrect GPS voices from P.I.G.Tones.

Now that GW Bush’s term is just about over you will be hearing from him a lot less. Not that I personally have a problem with that but some of you out there just might be fond of the little guy after the eight terribly long, almost unbearable years he spent in office… Well, if you find that you do miss him you can download and have him right there as a little, electronic voice.

Just as if he were in office using his veto powers against the will of the majority of the people he was supposed to be serving - he can STILL be telling you WHERE TO GO!

This is excellent news for all of us that want a heavy-duty buttonless GPS that’s waterproof and has a special sunlight-readable touchscreen.

Here’s our original article on the Garmin Oregon GPS.

Garmin had originally scheduled the buttonless, touchscreen nüvifone to come out about this time but has delayed the release due to cellular network preparations taking a little bit longer than expected. Garmin has pushed the nüvifone release to sometime in the first half of 2009.

Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s president and COO says that, “The nüvifone is an all-in-one device offering unmatched integration of utility and function in a single mobile device, this is the breakthrough product that cell phone and GPS users around the world have been longing for - a single device that does it all.”

He’s totally right on that one! But I think what we’re all looking for as well as network choice and the ability to use the device the way that we want to unfettered by the need to use a certain provider on a certain type of network - One of the great downfalls of the Apple iPhone.


The nüvifone obviously has mobile phone capability with an internet browser, data connectivity, personal messaging, and personal navigation functions in one device. What really sets it ahead of the iPhone in terms of GPS Navigation is that Garmin includes their own turn by turn voice prompted navigational software while the iPhone still has to rely on a speachless Google Maps GPS interface which you also have to use a data connection for.

Since the nüvifone is a real mobile device it has an intelligently design docking mode - when the nüvifone is docked onto the vehicle mount, it automatically turns on the GPS, activates the navigation menu, and enables hands-free calling. When you take the nüvifone off of the vehicle mount it automatically marks the location of your vehicle - so you’ll be able to get back to it no matter how big the parking lot.

The nüvifone includes a built in camera that has geotagging capabilities - this means that the image has the latitude and longitude information stored inside the picture so programs can read the information and map it in a geographic location. Of course the NuviFone also features a built-in video camera, MP3 and MPEG4/AAC capability.

So let’s hope that this one won’t be locked onto any specific network and we’ll all be able to use the device as if it were our own.

Additional information about nüvifone is available at www.garmin.com/nuvifone.

*** UPDATE!!! - The Garmin Oregon Models are available and in stock on Amazon.com NOW!

Garmin has really done it this time with their Oregon series of GPS devices targeted to those who really like the outdoors.

I’ve always found that the elements take their toll on electronic equipment and that includes GPS devices. These electronic devices are used in rugged environments so they should be able to take what mother nature can dish out.

Garmin has finally answered the call of nature and now produces a buttonless, waterproof line of GPS devices named Oregon. Without buttons there’s a lot less areas for dust and moisture to get into your electronics and wreak havoc on its’ functionality. You don’t have to be scared when you’re hiking in the rain either when you pull out your Oregon GPS because it’s waterproof.

If you’re not having enough fun hiking through rough back-country in a torrential downpour you can do it on bright sun-lit day too because the Oregon features a “sunlight readable” touch screen.

“The Oregon series plays well with others, as the 400t, 400c, 400i and 300 allow for wireless exchange of tracks, waypoints and geocaches between other Oregon units and Colorado models. Each of these models is equipped with a barometric altimeter and electronic compass and is compatible with Garmin’s heart-rate monitors and speed/cadence sensors.

Geocaching is even easier with the Oregon, which quickly downloads online information for every cache, such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description, so that you don’t have to tote printouts with you. Cachers and collectors will be hunting for a limited-edition Geocoin minted to commemorate the launch of the Oregon series. Oregon users can experience Wherigo™, the newest GPS-based activity from Groundspeak, the people who made geocaching a worldwide phenomenon. WherIGo is a toolset for creating and completing adventure games, historical tours or other innovative activities in the real world.”

Order yours today and be ready to hunt for the limited-edition Geocoin when the Oregon series launches!

We’re not sure on how long Garmin will leave the door open on getting their MapSource for free with no cracks or hacks so you’ll want to do this as soon as you read it.

The first part to getting your Free MapSource is to Download the Training Center.

Once you’ve downloaded the Training Center go ahead and install it on your machine. You can play around with it if you want to but really this is just opening the door into getting what you want for free.

After you have the MapSource Training Center installed you’ll want to Download the Update and install it.

You should now have the full blown and up-to-date MapSource!

First here’s a couple of sites with a lot of maps:

Map Center
Free Garmin GPS Maps

Here’s some more sites with specific location maps.

Australia - Tracks for Australia
Canada - Canadian ‘eh’ Topo Maps
Caribbean - This maps site has maps of Japan, Bermuda and Antarctica too.
China - Yunnan Explorer
Greece - Greece GPS Maps
Morocco - Maps of Morocco
New Zealand - The New Zealand Open GPS project
South America - Argentina and Uruguay with some more countries on the way.

If you don’t have it already you’ll need a utility to help you get your .img files to your Garmin GPS you can download Img2GPS to help you along with that.

Don’t forget that a lot of these projects are all driven by public contribution, if you think you can help the project in some way don’t be too shy to send them an inquiry.

There’s now a 2009 North America Map Update available for Garmin GPS Navigators. The DVD contains full coverage for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

The DVD comes jam packed full with almost 6 million Points of Interest too! With the latest maps you’ll have no problems finding businesses, coffee shops, lodging, attractions and more entertainment than ever before.

Get your 2009 City Navigator Map Update for the Garmin GPS Navigator now and be on your way in confidence with the latest interstates, highways and streets all up to date and available when you need them. The security of knowing you’ll have the latest maps and the enjoyment of the most up to date Points of Interest for your next road trip is less than $60 - RIGHT NOW.