Garmin's 2013 nüvi sat nav lineup detailed on company's website (update: hands-on photos)
Yep, more Garmin stuff we haven't seen before. The website for the 2013 range of nüvi GPS sat navs is live, and there are a ton of new models in "Essential," "Advanced" and "Prestige" categories. As you can probably guess, models in the Essential series are the most basic, with standard navigation features and 4.3- or 5-inch screens. The Advanced series has slightly more to offer, such as traffic alerts and "Garmin Real Directions," which uses "easy-to-see buildings and landmarks" to guide you; there are a couple of 7-inch models in the Advanced series. The nüvi 3597LMTHD is the most feature-packed model, and the only one worthy of the Prestige label. It's got a 5-inch display, Real Directions, "HD Digital Traffic," free map updates forever and more goodies. The most basic model in the Essential line is listed at $120, while the 3597LMTHD is the most expensive, at $380. The full breakdown of every model can be found at the source link below.
Update: We've added some hands-on and press pics, and the CES announcement PR can now be found after the break. It focuses mainly on the Prestige offering, but gives more detail on features which are also found on some of the cheaper models, too. %Gallery-174929%
Zach Honig contributed to this report.
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Garmin® 2013 nüvi Lineup Makes it Easier Than Ever to Follow Directions
OLATHE, Kan./January 7, 2013/Business Wire - Garmin® International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced its new 2013 nüvi lineup1 of Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs) at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Garmin's latest navigators make it easier than ever to follow directions and stay on route. Instead of only using street names, Garmin Real DirectionsTM guide drivers just like a friend would by telling them to turn at recognizable landmarks, buildings, stop signs and traffic lights. To make sure drivers get in the correct lane, the new Active Lane Guidance features voice prompts as well as a visual lane animation. Garmin's real-time traffic function also provides information on traffic incidents by voice. nüvi models with voice command allow users to select a faster route by simply speaking a response. Furthermore, the 2013 nüvi models feature an all-new design and larger screens that range from 4.3 to 7 inches to display driving-related information at a glance. The new top of the line nüvi 3597 LMTHD comes with a new powered magnetic mount, making it convenient to attach the device and keep it charged. Garmin's new navigators will be showcased in the Garmin booth (South Hall 4 #35812) at this year's CES.
"Garmin nüvi devices are the gold standard of navigation due to their ease of use, reliability and feature richness," said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. "Our new 2013 lineup significantly improves how navigation can help drivers find their way while keeping their eyes on the road. Larger screens provide driving-related information at a glance and our new Real Directions are easier to follow than ever before."
Categorized as Essential, Advanced and Prestige, Garmin's new nüvi devices meet the lifestyle and budget of every customer. The budget-friendly Essential Series is the perfect starting point for any journey with accurate turn-by-turn directions, spoken street names and lane assist with junction views. The new Advanced Series offers additional premium features to guide drivers, such as the new Garmin Real DirectionsTM, Active Lane Guidance and real-time traffic with voice integration. The new top of the line nüvi 3597 LMTHD (Prestige Series) combines the best in car navigation available from Garmin. With its elegant styling and ultra-slim profile, nüvi 3597 LMTHD reflects a refined aesthetic that suits the interior of any vehicle. In addition to features available for the Advanced Series, it features a five-inch multi-touch glass screen in a brushed-metal housing as well as a powered magnetic mount that automatically snaps in once the user holds the device close. This premium navigator also includes lifetime map updates2, Garmin's most advanced traffic service, HD Digital Traffic, 3D buildings and terrain and voice command. For more information about individual models, features and pricing, visit garmin.com/nuvi.
Garmin Real DirectionsTM
Garmin Real DirectionsTM guide drivers in a natural and intuitive way. The new feature uses recognizable landmarks, buildings, traffic lights and stop signs to give directions. For example, the new feature tells drivers to "turn right after the Starbucks®" or "turn left at the traffic light." This provides drivers confidence early on that they're going the right way and lets them focus on the road instead of trying to read street signs. It also makes it easier to remember a route. Garmin Real DirectionsTM is powered by the high-quality NAVTEQ® Map to ensure accuracy. Garmin partnered with the leading global provider of map content to develop a sophisticated data collection and processing system. The landmarks and buildings selected for directions have been checked rigorously for visibility, prominence and permanence. Additionally, Garmin also improved the navigation voice itself: Garmin Real VoiceTM is a new human voice that sounds better than ever before.
Active Lane Guidance
The new Active Lane Guidance feature uses a combination of voice prompts and visual cues to prepare users to drive through an exit or interchange with confidence. Utilizing the larger screens of the 2013 nüvi devices, Active Lane Guidance displays an animated graphic next to the map view that uses brightly colored arrows to indicate the proper lane needed to make a turn.
Improved, Voice-Activated Traffic
Garmin offers free lifetime traffic3 on selected nüvi models without any fees, subscriptions or ads, helping drivers to avoid delays. The 2013 Advanced and Prestige Series now make it even easier to asses the traffic situation and decide on whether an alternative route makes sense or not. Voice integration lets drivers know if there is traffic on the route, what the expected delay is and if there is a faster route. nüvi devices of the Advanced and Prestige Series that include voice command allow drivers to select an alternative route by simply speaking a response. Garmin's new traffic interface also depicts important traffic information next to the map view, including the expected delay as well as an animated graphic that indicates the traffic situation ahead in real-time.
Garmin's most advanced traffic service, Garmin HD Digital Traffic®, is included with the top of the line nüvi 3597 LMTHD and available through an accessory for nüvi units of the Advanced Series. Garmin HD Digital Traffic delivers updates as often as every 30 seconds over the HD RadioTM system. It provides traffic information for interstates and highways as well as detailed coverage of side streets and other secondary roads in major cities.
More Information at a Glance
Garmin's 2013 nüvi models feature an all-new design and larger screens that range from 4.3 to 7 inches, displaying more driving-related information at a glance. The new and refined interface keeps the driving map onscreen at all times and displays additional information in slide-in windows, such as points of interest along the route and real-time traffic. A new Up Ahead function provides easy access to points of interest nearby. Up Ahead appears alongside the driving map and constantly informs of nearby services, including restaurants, fuel stations, hospitals and stores. In addition to speed limit warnings, the new nüvi units now also provide school zone warnings.
Garmin Express
Garmin Express is a new and seamless way to keep nüvi devices up to date. Users simply download the free software to receive free lifetime software updates. Garmin Express also provides an easy way to update maps, backup or transfer data and download content, such as free vehicles icons, voices and dashboards.
The nüvi 3597 LMTHD and selected models of the Advanced Series are compatible with Garmin Smartphone Link, an Android app that provides live services to the PND. Among other functionalities, the app lets nüvi users add live services4 such as traffic camera images, weather and fuel prices to their navigation device, utilizing the smartphone's mobile data plan.
Garmin nüvi devices use the NAVTEQ Map, which has been meticulously developed over the last 30 years. The new nüvi lineup is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2013.
The 2013 nüvi lineup is the latest from Garmin's consumer automotive segment, the leading worldwide provider of portable navigation devices for automobiles, motorcycles and trucks. Garmin's user-friendly PND solutions have innovative features that provide time- and fuel-saving benefits to meet the demands of everyday driving.
