BMEA

Garmin announces its first touchscreen multi-use nüvi portable navigation device (PND) dedicated to boating, walking, cycling, motorbiking and driving, in one rugged easy-to-use unit. The nüvi 500 series comes equipped with the latest technology from Garmin including NavTeq sophisticated mapping data and the ability to accept different types of mapping including BlueChart cartography for marine use and TOPO for outdoor navigation.

Clive Taylor, Garmin’s UK Director of Product, said, “The nüvi 500 series is a true chameleon in the gadget world, it extends the use of GPS across the range, from boating to driving, walking to cycling. It’s ideal for individuals or families who want to go and explore the great outdoors in every way they can. With the built-in compass and integrated Wherigo™ and Geocaching player, the sat-nav’s use is extended beyond just navigating: users can enjoy the fun of the many family treasure hunts and adventures available online.”

The new waterproof nüvi 500 series combines the latest Garmin navigation technology including Hotfix™, detailed NavTeq mapping, millions of points of interest (POIs) and traffic avoidance compatibility for the times when sitting in a traffic jam is not an option. In addition, the nüvi 500 series comes standard with Garmin’s popular “Where am I?” safety feature. At any time, with a single tap of the car icon, drivers can display their exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations and recovery service telephone number.  In addition, with Garmin Connect Photos, users can choose from millions of geo-located images provided by Google’s Panoramio to photo-navigate on land or water.

With one touch, the nüvi 500 transitions between boating, walking, biking, or driving mode.

Boating
When loaded with optional BlueChart® g2 Vision marine cartography, the nüvi 500 series is great on the water, providing detailed chart-specific information, spot soundings, inter tidal zones, wrecks, port plans, restricted areas and more. The nüvi 500 is ideal for the occasional boating enthusiast who wants one navigational device for foot, car, bike or boat.

Walking and outdoor pursuits
Ready for the great outdoors, the nüvi 500 models display shaded digital elevation mapping on the 3.5” waterproof touchscreen.  This series comes standard with a compass page, track log and a removable, rechargeable battery for extended outdoor use. The integrated Wherigo™ and Geocaching player means the nüvi 500 series is ideal for getting the family to enjoy the great outdoors with the many downloadable ‘adventures and treasure hunts’ available online.  Optional TOPO mapping will give additional detailed maps.