GPSFix

• RT @allory_d MapInstall software version 3.13.5 (Windows) http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3291 #
• Garmin Oregon 450 and 450t owners manual available. Also covers the 550 and 550t. http://tinyurl.com/ykhodw6 (PDF) #
• RT @allory_d MapSource software version 6.15.11 http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209 #
• RT @gpstracklog GIS Data For US National Parks And Monuments: http://bit.ly/8Zyyit #
• TopoFusion Pro 3.97 released. Rolls up previous beta releases into official version. http://tinyurl.com/ya85xfa #
• RT @gregorypleau #Garmin Colorado v3.1, 3.2 annoying how 3rd party maps cover all waypoints. Could you fix before EOLing the firmware! #
• RT @gpsreview Appalachian Trail GIS and GPS Data: http://bit.ly/cWehPP #
• RT @JakesJournal Garmin has some February fun with Vancouver cityXplorer http://bit.ly/azHDGH Me: CX works on handhelds too. #
• Quick tutorial on how to change Maps on your Oregon/Dakota/Colorado. Covers other Garmin GPS's too. http://tinyurl.com/yz3uspx #

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After making new releases available for the Oregon x00, Oregon x50 and Dakotas just weeks ago, Garmin has quickly followed up with a fix-up release that addresses several common complaints.

The new software lineup made available on January 28th includes Oregon x00 version 3.6, Oregon x50 version 3.1 and Dakota version 2.6.  All of these releases can be downloaded to your GPS using Garmin’s WebUpdater.  The release notes from Garmin include:

• Increased the map drawing range to allow maps to draw farther south.
• Corrected issue with route line sometimes not drawing.
• Corrected issues with marine POI.
• Corrected issues with GB Discoverer maps.
• Corrected issues with possible corrupted profile showing on the Profile Change page.  (only listed for the Oregon x50)
• Corrected issue with project waypoint bearing sometimes not showing the input value .

Unless you are below latitude south 60 degrees (where the first issue might be your most important fix!) the second item, a missing routing line, was an issue that generated a lot of user complaints.   A quick perusal of the discussions for the new firmware reveals there are still some issues to be sorted out:

• GB Discover maps don’t update properly during driving
• Custom maps color scheme is lighter and (in my opinion) more washed and harder to read

Note for Oregon 450 and 450t owners: it appears that the Oregon 550 and 450 share exactly the same firmware.   New 450 users are reporting that the Webupdater is upgrading them to version 3.1.

• Garminconnect still can't split tracks if you forget to reset odometer before starting a activity on your Oregon, Dakota, Colorado. #
• Anyone got their hands on a #Garmin Oregon 450 or 450t yet? #
• Appearance of custom maps different in newest Garmin Oregon/Dakota beta. Most feel it is worse now http://tinyurl.com/yesv8gf #
• Reading @geeks2null Garmin Oregon 450 Test (German) http://bit.ly/betgaW Me: Display is not much better than 300 similar to 550 #

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• RT @gpstracklog Garmin BirdsEye imagery is officially announced: http://bit.ly/63uC6f #
• RT @GarminUK Garmin Launches BirdsEye™ Satellite and Aerial Imagery, available March 2010. Link to Garmin PR http://bit.ly/5iXNiz #
• DigitalGlobe coverage (supplier of #Garmin BirdsEye data) detailed here. http://tinyurl.com/y889974 #
• RT @ACR406 SafeLife provides subscription service for 406MHz beacon owners to send non-distress text and email showing GPS position #
• New Delorme PN-60 "screen will flip if you turn the device upside down… sweet." http://bit.ly/7ePH1Q . Wish Garmin would do that! #
• Looks like there will also be a Garmin Oregon 450t for Canada available tomorrow http://tinyurl.com/y8k3crn #
• Trying the Foarm case for my Colorado. Quite big but with a screen protector it feels indestructible. http://tinyurl.com/yddxtbr #
• RT @gpstracklog US officials say "GPS has been jammed or interfered with recently" http://bit.ly/6gZ97W #
• #Garmin Oregon 450t available at GPSCity, order now, ships by 3pm PST. http://tinyurl.com/ybkh7zs #
• RT @JakesJournal http://twitpic.com/z4c4l – At #ORWinter, BirdsEye Satellite Imagery and free Custom Maps are big hits! #
• RT @gpsreview Garmin's quarterly map update, City Navigator North America 2010.40, was released today. http://tinyurl.com/yc8hajr #
• Great site for prebuilt UK OSM-based maps. Free UK routable maps on your Garmin. handheld. http://tinyurl.com/adyrsd #
• Making Custom Maps with G-Raster. A quick tutorial by Jack at gpsinformation.net http://gpsinformation.org/G-Raster/G-Raster.html #

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• #Garmin BaseCamp 2.0.9 fixes issue where GPS does not see uploaded waypoints, routes or tracks http://tinyurl.com/cejcne #
• #Garmin Time Zone map updated for Oregon and Dakota (and other PNDs). Run WebUpdater to install. http://tinyurl.com/yhddpnu #
• RT @gpsreview DeLorme PN-60w wireless communication and SPOT Messenger announced: http://short.to/12gw7 #
• RT @engadget Garmin's CES lineup leaked: golf, cars, and do-it-yourself navigation voices http://bit.ly/4ZFo6D #
• RT @gpstracklog DeLorme + SPOT to put your buddies on the map (of your PN-60w) http://bit.ly/8uy9gS #
• #Garmin discontinues National Parks 24k topo maps. http://tinyurl.com/y9n28no #
• Delorme PN-60w and SPOT details on the Delorme Blog http://tinyurl.com/yefyp6s #
• RT @gpstracklog Free Geography Tools on the new GMap4 US/Canada topo website: http://bit.ly/8BdUkx #
• RT @GoGeocaching For all those who have been asking, the geocaching app for Android will be available sometime in Q1 2010 #
• I think I might pick up a few of these NiZn batteries to see how work in my GPS . Anyone tried yet? http://www.powergenix.com/ #
• Picked up 4 NiZn AA's @ Amazon w/charger for $25. Cold weather perf good, needing another charger bad. http://tinyurl.com/ycrcauu #
• RT @gcpodcast Recording an interview with Chip of Delorme while he is at CES about the Delorme PN-60w for the geocaching podcast for release #
• Garmin US 24K Northeast DVD available: WI, MI, IL, IN, OH, PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, NH, ME, VT, RI http://tinyurl.com/ydz54xt #
• Tutorial: Uploading tracks from your Garmin Oregon, Colorado, Dakota to TopoFusion http://tinyurl.com/ybc9bo2 #
• RT @gpstracklog Transparent Eastern public land ownership map (Garmin) for AR, IL, IN, KY, MO, TN, VA & DC http://bit.ly/4X8C7b #
• RT @JakesJournal New at Garmin.blogs.com: See your @garminconnect data in Google Earth view http://bit.ly/4OJU2a #running #cycling #hiking #
• RT @gpsreview Digging a little deeper into the DeLorme PN-60w technologies: http://www.gpsreview.net/delorme-pn-w-digging-deeper #
• RT @garminconnect To any NEW users experiencing trouble with the GC Plugin: http://bit.ly/8w6LZi #
• RT @gpstracklog In search of the perfect fieldwork GPS (Free Geography Tools) http://bit.ly/5NPA8N. Me: What would you want? #
• GPSCity listing #Garmin Oregon 450/450t availability as 1/21 http://tinyurl.com/ybkh7zs #
• RT @gpstracklog Making Garmin Custom Maps with Global Mapper http://bit.ly/7KiKsr #
• #Garmin Dakota 2.50 released. Appears to be an official release of beta 2.41, no additional changes listed. http://tinyurl.com/m63mkz #
• #Garmin Oregon 550 3.00 released == 2.81 beta plus minor enhancements from DK, OR x00 beta http://bit.ly/1ScC1F #
• #Garmin Oregon 300/400 3.50 released. Appears to be an official release of beta 3.42 http://bit.ly/Mcjzs #
• RT @garminconnect Just launched the GC Fan page on Facebook: http://bit.ly/7AaNEE #
• RT @gpstracklog Two free apps help name that peak http://bit.ly/8CCdux. Me: Agreed, why can we get this on Garmin's GPS's #
• Users reporting no go to line after using latest #Garmin updates posted yesterday. May be map related: http://tinyurl.com/ybfh5ar #

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Update 1/18: Garmin officially announced BirdsEye today.  Availability is March 2010.

Details are still a bit sketchy but it looks like Garmin is finally releasing an all-you-can-eat satellite imagery subscription called BirdsEye for their outdoor handhelds that support Garmin Custom Maps. For $30 a year Oregon, Colorado and Dakota users who install a yet to be released version 3.0.0 of BaseCamp will be able to download all the “sub-meter” satellite imagery they want and then transfer those maps to their device.  The subscription would work on only one device and would require a myGarmin account to take advantage of the new service which is obviously aimed squarely at Delorme and Lowrance who already offer similar services.

Here are some details from the Garmin site.

• Transfer an unlimited number of satellite and aerial images to your device with this subscription and free software BaseCamp™.
• High-resolution sub-meter color satellite imagery captures the world in brilliant clarity and detail.
• Allows you to layer the Garmin vector maps on your handheld (such as TOPO 100K, TOPO 24K or City Navigator^®) with BirdsEye Satellite Imagery for a real-life view of roads, buildings and terrain.
• Makes it easy for hunters to perform preseason scouting, determine placement of stands and locate game pinchpoints.
• Helps hikers and campers find trails/trailheads and clearings for camping areas.
• Lets geocachers determine the terrain type around a cache and identify parking areas close to the caches.
• Allows travelers to view tourist hot spots and landmarks from an aerial view to make excursions memorable without getting lost.

The entire Oregon and Dakota line exited another beta phase today with new official releases of software from Garmin.  Nothing very interesting to report since we’ve seen all of this in the prior beta releases but obviously Garmin is feeling good enough to make it official.  The major improvements include support for new dashboards, dashboards on more pages, enhanced track navigation, symbols on list views and improvements to the elevation plot to show predicted elevation change along your route.  Our latest posts on the Dakota beta and the Oregon beta contain screens shots and details on how to use these new features.

In order to update you’ll need to connect your GPS device to your computer and run the WebUpdater.  Garmin’s official release notes for the Dakota (2.5), Oregon x00 (3.5) and Oregon x50 (3.0):

• Added ability to view elevation plot of upcoming active route or currently navigated track in blue.
• Added display of icons to the lists in Where To? > Waypoints and the Geocaching application.
• Added phone numbers when available to POI review pages.
• Added Compass, Stopwatch, Active Geocache, and Elevation Plot dashboard options.
• Introduced dashboard options to the Compass and Map pages.
• Improved track navigation.Visit http://garmin.blogs.com/softwareupdates/trail-tech/ for more information.