GPS, Garmin's CES leaks confirmed, please try to act surprised
By Tim Stevens 
posted January 5th 2010 7:16PM
posted January 5th 2010 7:16PM
It wouldn't be a CES without a little leakage, and there hasn't been any shortage this year. Garmin's lineup of prize winning thoroughbreds sneaked out last night, and rather than close the barn doors the company has flung them wide open, confirming all four things:
- Voice Studio: As expected, this app will let you record your own navigation voiceover, meaning you can do fun things like say "right" when they should go left, and "turn around" when they should keep going straight. Garmin not only confirmed it, but you can download it right now! Happy pranking.
- Zumo 665: This motorcycle-friendly navigation unit is also confirmed, as is its XM radio compatibility and A2DP wireless for streaming tunes and directions right into your lid. At a $999 MSRP, though, we'd almost rather get lost.
- ecoRoute HD: The ecoRoute HD will indeed be launching in March of this year, retailing for $149, and providing the Greenpeace subscribing backseat driver we all crave.
- Approach G3: Finally, the links-specific GPS from Garmin has also been confirmed, shipping with a database of 12,000 course maps and not relying on any subscriptions or fees for use. More money for lessons, then.
"meaning you can do fun things like say "right" when they should go left, and "turn around" when they should keep going straight..."
...Yes, that will end well and should amuse your loved ones. :|
Where's new Forerunner stuff!?
I wanted to ask: "'sneaked', is it?"
Because I always thought it was "snuck".
But, alas:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sneaked
Maybe it matters what kind of shoes they were wearing when they did it? - That's probably it.
What model GPS is that in the picture? How does it get that info from your engine?
@erik87 Yeah that screen is neat, it will make my shitbox look like a GT-R! Anyone know what model?
It's the Ecoroute HD in action. It uses a dongle that interfaces with the engine and sends the info via bluetooth to the Nüvi. Should work with the newer bluetooth enabled nüvi:s, from the 12xx, 13xx, 14xx and 16xx series. More info can be found here: http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2010/01/ecoroute-hd-transforms-your-nuvi-into-a-realtime-diagnostics-computer.html
@moffa
thats cool stuff
@erik87
It interfaces with the OBD-II port that's usually found under the dash on the drivers side of most modern cars. It's the same port that mechanics plug their diagnostic gear into when you go in for a tune up or to get your IM test. It feeds every bit of sensory data coming from the engine, including manifold pressure and temperature, RPM, fuel economy, etc etc etc, along with any technical fault codes, although I doubt this setup is geared to monitor those.
@erik87
I was wondering myself, but I know engadget likes to do mock ups and I think this is one for two reasons:
1) Timing advance is 39 degrees? That's incredibly high!
2) Intake manifold pressure is 2 psi. Any car at idle will show vacuum. With increasing throttle, naturally aspirated cars will show increase in vacuum and turbo cars will increase in to the positive ranges of psi.
@beatsandmelody
Ok well I know now it's not an engadget mock up, but I still think it's marketing mockup (akin to the "images simulated" message you see during commercials for cellphones and such).
So for my bike, I can get the new Garmin all hooked up, or ....
Get a smartphone that does more for about half the price, put it in a ziplog baggie in my breast pocket, and use Bluetooth for turn by turn navigation.
I appreciate the engineering effort to make a high-contrast, glove operable, rainproof GPS that can be run off my bike's battery. But pricing it at 1/6th the cost of my motorcycle itself?!?! No, no thank you.
@woogs On a long ride, you have to keep the phone "awake" and connected to your bluetooth headset. You have to plug the phone into power which can be messy unless you have a transparent tank bag. I like my older Zumo 550 (granted it was only $500 and not $1000) because it can play MP3s to my bluetooth headset and it came with a windshield mount to use in a car. I'm not sure the 665 is worth the 1k but IMHO an older Zumo will work much better than a phone.
@woogs Yeah I often wondered why the hell those motorcycle GPS's were outrageously priced.
engadget look out, someone's going to try that prank and blame you for instilling the idea when it goes south!
So here is what I'm not getting, and I hope you guys can ask a Garmin rep for me when you get a chance: Will this only work with the 1000+ line, or will it work with any Ecoroute-compatible unit with bluetooth functionality, like my 765t?
Thanks in advance.
anyone saw the bullets and thought giveaway?
Garmin Voice Studio, custom voices in your GPS? I don't have onebut I couldn't resist recording the phrases used by Garmin Voice Studio.
www.JetCityOrange.com/Garmin/
Now I can talk you down and get you home on time!