Garmin® Astro™ GPS Dog Tracking System

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), announced the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System, designed specifically for sporting dogs and their owners. With the Astro, there’s no wondering where your dog is or what he’s doing,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “There is no subscription or setup fee required to use the device, and when you consider Garmin’s heritage of innovation and reliability, it’s easy to see that the Astro GPS dog tracker is a one-of-a-kind device.”The Astro system has two components: the dog’s transmitter (called the DC 20) and the user’s handheld receiver (named the Astro 220). The DC 20 is mounted into a lightweight neoprene harness that straps to the dog’s collar, around its chest, and behind its front legs. Users can also thread the unit directly onto a standard one-inch collar (a third-party e-collar is recommended for proper mounting) so that the unit fits on the back of the dog’s neck.The system requires very little configuration straight out of the box. Once the transmitter and receiver acquire a GPS signal, the receiver automatically lets users know the location of their dog. Unlike existing radio telemetry collars, the Astro features a dog page that shows the precise direction and distance to a dog – even indicating if it is running, sitting, on point, or treeing quarry – and does it all without the annoyance of beeper collars.The Astro also has a map page to illustrate where a dog is and where it has been – in relation to the hunter – and allows hunters to determine if they have covered nearby ground. For even more detail, hunters can download their waypoints and tracks – as well as their dogs’ tracks – to MapSource® or Motionbased.com™ for analysis on topo maps or Google Earth after the hunt.The Astro can track up to ten dogs per receiver at once, and the collar gives location updates as often as every five seconds. In flat, unobstructed terrain, the Astro transmitter and receiver have an effective range of up to five miles. Battery life is 17 hours on the rechargeable collar and greater than 20 hours on the receiver, which is powered by two AA batteries.For those who enjoy keeping track of bird flushes, Garmin invented the Covey Counter™. Now hunters can mark the precise location, time of day, and elevation where they encountered their quarry. In addition, users can easily note the number of birds flushed and how many were taken. The Astro also comes packed with new hunting-specific icons, to easily mark and identify bird flushes, food plots, tree stands, cover, ATVs, and other outdoor-related features.Besides being a state-of-the-art dog tracking device, the Astro is also a full-featured handheld GPS based on the GPSMAP® 60CSx – Garmin’s flagship outdoor navigator with a sunlight-readable color display and a highly sensitive GPS receiver that works even under a thick tree canopy or in deep canyons. So when the hunting season is over, the Astro can pull double-duty for hiking, boating, or car trips.The Astro has a card slot that allows users to insert optional pre-programmed topo maps or road maps, which can be invaluable in an unfamiliar area. Topo maps give hunters an idea of the most productive areas to hunt, while road maps feature the same basic functions as an automotive GPS navigation unit – even in rural areas. The optional road map data can also give directions to motels, gas stations, restaurants, and even veterinarians.The Astro also calculates area, which is ideal for determining the acreage of a piece of property or the exact size of a food plot. The unit has location-specific sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset tables (ideal for determining legal hunting hours) and a hunting and fishing calendar that suggests the best times to be out in the field.The Astro GPS Dog Tracking System includes a DC 20 transmitter, Astro 220 receiver, harness, user’s manual, power/data cables, Trip & Waypoint Manager CD, and a carrying case. The Astro is expected to be available in June 2007 .

Raymarine’s 45STV HD Reels in High Definition Capabilities

Merrimack, N.H. and Miami International Boat Show, Miami, Fla. – February 15, 2007 – Raymarine, Inc., a world leader in marine electronics, today announced the availability of the 45STV HD Satellite TV Antenna System, a High Definition (HD) system for Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) compatible satellite television receivers. The fully automatic, marine stabilized antenna allows users to enjoy High Definition programming, exclusively from DirecTV, beamed to their vessel while at the dock or on the high seas. Composed of the 45STV High Definition Antenna and the HD Antenna Control Unit, the system delivers exceptional functionality and entertainment with its razor sharp HD digital programming. Expanding on the 45STV system introduced in February 2006, the new 45STV HD features a Dual Low Noise Block (LNB) design that supports multiple receivers, allowing the captain to monitor the weather on the helm display while others enjoy the game on a monitor below deck. The 45STV HD includes technologies, such as DBT (Dynamic Beam Tilting) and WRS (Wide Range Search), to provide uninterrupted HD satellite television reception in almost any weather condition. With a footprint of 19.2 inches in diameter and a weight of only 31 pounds, the 45STV HD makes crystal-clear HD satellite television reception a reality for vessels of all sizes. The HD Antenna Control Unit (ACU) also features a LCD display and keypad for manual programming. “The coveted High Definition experience is finally available to boaters with the 45STV HD, bringing an entirely new dimension to enjoyment on the water,” said Terry Carlson, president of Raymarine. “We initially incorporated the popular HD technology into our HD Digital fishfinders in 2003, representing a huge leap forward from analog technology. We’re thrilled to be expanding our HD capabilities by now offering consumers access to this in-demand technology via their onboard TVs.”To complete installation of the 45STV HD, customers will need to purchase and activate a DVB compatible satellite TV receiver and install a television monitor or other suitable video display. Systems with more than two televisions will require the use of an active antenna multi-switch, which is sold separately.

NANOV announces its new 20.1” Waterproof Outdoor LCD TV

Nanov Display, Inc, a manufacturer and marketer of security and marine products announces its development of 20.1” waterproof outdoor LCD TVs – Model Number: NKLT201DGWP, the industry’s first immersable liquid crystal display television. The addition of new products is further evidence of the company’s commitment to provide innovative technology as a display supplier in the Security and Marine industries. NANOV’s quality products are designed and engineered to complement today’s advanced product development using an engineering team of boat builders and experienced TV manufacturers. Nanov Display products are made by South Korean TV manufacturers.
Major features of this product are:
• High Brightness: 1000cd/m2 to view outdoor sunlight circumstance
• Aluminum Housing: Heat transfer and protection from salt corrosion
• Poly Carbonate glass: protection from scratching
• Waterproof: Vacuumed circuit boards
• Connectors: Rubber shielded connectors

Nanov Display, Inc plans to market new products products which are used in swimming pool areas at hotels, outdoor back yards at home and Oceanside shops, restaurants and bars in addition to cockpit areas on yachts.

Garmin Teams with Ford to Sell nüvi Navigators

OLATHE, Kan./February 6, 2007/PR Newswire — Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today announced that Ford Component Sales, LLC, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) will begin offering the nüvi 680 with MSN Direct and the nüvi 360 – two award-winning personal navigation devices – in Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury dealerships across the United States.“We are delighted to help Ford offer its customers the most advanced personal navigation devices available,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Selling GPS navigation at the dealer level gives Ford the ability to offer its customers one of the hottest emerging technologies today – and it’s available to customers when they’re already in a buying mood.”"We want to provide our consumers the latest in portable navigation technology, and Garmin has the products that fill that need," said Mike Suchodolski, Ford Licensed Accessories manager. "Consumers can now get another great automotive product through their local Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership, and enhance their overall driving experience. The MSN Direct services and dynamic trip routing are amazing and they can save you time. Consumers will also love the other great features the nüvis have to offer."The nüvi 680 is Garmin’s top-of-the-line navigator that features a super-bright 4.3-inch touchscreen and dynamic data from Microsoft’s MSN Direct network. The unit receives up-to-date traffic incident and flow information for major cities across the United States. Once a motorist programs a destination into the device, MSN Direct traffic data helps select a route that saves drivers time by avoiding traffic accidents, road closures, and construction.The nüvi 680 with MSN Direct also receives gas price data from over 100,000 gas stations across the nation. Drivers will always know where to get the best prices – and save time and fuel by using their unit to navigate directly to the station of their choice. In addition, the nüvi 680 features current weather conditions, three day weather forecasts, and even displays movie show times for area theaters.Ford will also offer the nüvi 360, a smaller (3.5-inch display) navigator that does not display MSN Direct data. Both devices incorporate easy-to-use turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions that speak street names — making it easy to find your way anywhere in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico. The two nüvis feature Bluetooth wireless technology – allowing users to send and receive phone calls through their device (for supported phones). Both units also feature an MP3 player, audio book player, language translator and travel guide capability, currency converter, world travel clock, and more.The Ford-branded nüvis also feature a custom splash screen and database of Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships and Quick Lane™ service centers across the US. The units will be sold in a special Ford Official Licensed Product branded retail box. The portable unit easily mounts to any Ford Motor Company vehicle, and can be used for pedestrian navigation as well.The Ford-branded nüvis will be available at the end of March. Ford dealerships will display interactive point-of-purchase displays and collateral materials that highlight nüvi’s many features.

Adeo Attitude

I’ve spent the last several weeks testing a clever little device called the Adeo, a combination GPS receiver/chronograph that works with any MP3 player, and I love it. The idea may sound familiar, but I believe that the folks behind the Adeo have it all over the Nike + iPod system. If you’re in the market for a device like this, I’d put the Adeo at the top of the list.

The Adeo is about the size and shape of a package of Chicklets, and probably weighs less at 2.1 ounces. You can either use it alone or in conjunction with an MP3 player, and once it’s set up, it’s amazingly simple to use. As you start your workout, the Adeo begins tracking your time and distance and announces your elapsed time, total distance covered, elevation above sea level, calories burned and current pace every quarter mile. It also has the ingenious capability to sense when you’ve stopped for a few seconds, like at an intersection, and automatically pauses your workout.

After your workout, you can connect the Adeo to any PC or Mac via a USB connection and upload your data using the included MotionTrak software. The application is intuitive and blessedly simple to use and also gives you the option of storing your workouts on the company’s servers so you can see aerial views of your running routes and keep an online training log. The Adeo can hold up to 10 hours of workout data, so you don’t have to go through this process but once a week or less if you choose.

In practice, there are a few minor drawbacks to using the Adeo. If you’re using it with an MP3 player, as I did with an iPod Mini, you are compelled to wear a fairly large neoprene belt that has slots in the back for the Adeo and the MP3 player. The belt is much like the water-bottle carriers many runners use on long runs, and it shares their annoying tendency to ride up and end up under your rib cage after a few minutes.

The other problem I encountered was with the battery. The Adeo has a rechargeable lithium ion cell, which the company says has a life of six hours after a charge of four to six hours. However, several times I went for runs of an hour or a little more and by the next day, the battery was completely dead. Having to charge the battery after every run got to be a bit much.

But overall the Adeo was simple to use and the GPS receiver worked in a number of areas where my standalone GPS watch often loses its connection with the satellites.
Give it a look and I think you’ll be impressed.

2007 Miami International Boat Show

The 66th Miami International Boat Show and 22nd Strictly Sail Miami will anchor in South Florida for a five-day run, Feb. 15-19, 2007, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Sea Isle Marina & Yachting Center and Miamarina at Bayside.The annual celebration of the boating lifestyle brings together more than 2,200 exhibitors showcasing the latest and greatest in powerboats, sailboats, engines, personal watercraft and marine accessories before an audience of more than 145,000 national and international visitors. In addition to the various exhibits, the show offers boating enthusiast and novices the opportunity to test drive watercraft, participate in interactive seminars and access to a wealth of resources that enhance time spent out on the water.“The Miami show is truly the world’s greatest because it offers something for everyone,” said Cathy Johnston, vice president of Southern Shows for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which produces the show. “Exhibitors use the Miami show to introduce new products for the upcoming season, while consumers find a one-stop source for all of their boating needs as well as a venue for getting the best deals on every product imaginable.”Added Kevin Murphy, show manager for Strictly Sail Miami, “The Miami show sets the barometer for new boat sales in the U.S. Moreover, it marks the busiest weekend in South Florida and brings tremendous economic benefits to the state, including $817.8 million in gross sales and wages.” Highlights of the 2007 Miami International Boat Show will include:Big Game Room – Sport Fishing ExpoThe Big Game Room at the Miami International Boat Show is a fisherman’s paradise with every imaginable product and resource available in one central location within the Miami Beach Convention Center. The show within a show provides visitors with opportunities to browse and buy the latest in fishing gear; learn about fishing tournaments, charters and resort destination; and participate in seminars led by world-renowned anglers and fishing experts.Presented by sponsors Marlin and Sport Fishing magazines, the Big Game Room is located on the second floor of the Miami Beach Convention Center, above Hall B.Discover Boating CenterThe Discover Boating Center is a resource hub that provides novice and experienced boaters with unbiased brand-neutral advice about selecting, buying and maintaining a boat along with information about financing, popular fishing destinations and boating tips. The Discover Boating Center is located in C Lobby of the Miami Beach Convention Center.Discover Boating Photo ContestThe fifth annual Discover Boating Photo Contest encourages show visitors to share their fondest memories on time spent on the water. Sponsored byThe Miami Herald, the contest seeks photographs that best capture “the boating lifestyle,” whether it is water-skiing, wakeboarding, fishing or simply cruising. One grand prize winner will receive an Adirondack Pack boat, valued at $2,500, and a $500 boat-show shopping spree. Ten runner-ups will receive $50 boat-show shopping sprees. Visitors are encouraged to bring their favorite boating-related photographs to the Discover Boating Center, located at C Lobby in the Miami Beach Convention Center, by 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, to enter to win. Entry forms will be available at the Miami International Boat Show’s Web site, which is located at www.miamiboatshow.com.Boaters World Boat Show SweepstakesBoat buyers at the Miami show have an opportunity to win gift certificates from Boaters World and be entered to win a $5,000 grand prize. The first 200 new boat buyers who bring their sales contracts to the show office, will receive $50 that they can use at Boaters World to accessorize their new purchases. All boat buyers will be entered to receive a $5,000 cash grand prize that will be awarded upon delivery of their new boat.Sea Vee Fishing Trip of a LifetimeVisitors can complete an online entry form at www.miamiboatshow.com to enter to win a Sea Vee Fishing Trip of a Lifetime that includes, lodging for two in Key West, Fla.; a full-day of fishing with ESPN celebrity angler Jose Wejebe aboard his 340 See Vee, "Spanish Fly"; as well as a $500 gift certificate. Entries must be received by February 19, and winners will be announced on February 20.Sunset CelebrationsVisitors to the Miami International Boat Show can celebrate the South Florida sunsets with food and drink specials from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16, through Sunday, Feb. 18, along Convention Center Drive at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Elite Fleet VIP TicketsVisitors who purchase Elite Fleet VIP tickets to the Miami International Boat Show gain entry to the show’s three locations as well as the Elite Fleet Club Lounge at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, which is adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center. Here’s Elite Fleet VIPs can relax in a lounge setting and receive two complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres.Allstate Safety WeekendChildren 12 and under will receive a free life jacket when they come to the show on Saturday and Sunday, compliments of Allstate's Boat Owner's Insurance.Kids Play AreaThe Miami International Boat Show introduces a Kids Play Area in 2007, complete with a rock-climbing wall, Mutiny on the Bouncer pirate ship and a bounce house/slide. Located in the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, the kids play area will also provide free balloons and tattoos for little ones Saturday through Monday.

BOATERS MUST NOT OPERATE 121.5/243 MHZ EPIRBs AFTER 31 DECEMBER 2006

WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard reminds all boaters that beginning January 1, 2007, both 121.5 and 243 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are prohibited from use in both commercial and recreational watercraft. Boaters wishing to have an emergency rescue beacon aboard their vessel must have a digital 406 MHz model. The January 1, 2007, date to stop using 121.5 MHz EPIRBs is in preparation for February 1, 2009, when satellite processing of distress signals from all 121.5/243 MHz beacons will terminate. Following this termination date, only the 406 MHz beacons will be detected by the International Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System which provides distress alert and location data for search and rescue operations around the world. The regulation applies to all Class A, B, and S 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs. It does not affect 121.5/243 MHz man overboard devices which are designed to work directly with a base alerting unit only and not with the satellite system. This change, in large part, was brought about by the unreliability of the 121.5/243 MHz beacons in an emergency situation. Data reveals that with a 121.5 MHz beacon, only one alert out of every 50 is a genuine distress situation. This has a significant effect on expending the limited resources of search and rescue personnel and platforms. With 406 MHz beacons, false alerts have been reduced significantly, and, when properly registered, can usually be resolved with a telephone call to the beacon owner. Consequently, real alerts can receive the attention they deserve. When a 406 MHz beacon signal is received, search and rescue personnel can retrieve information from a registration database. This includes the beacon owner's contact information, emergency contact information, and vessel/aircraft identifying characteristics. Having this information allows the Coast Guard, or other rescue personnel, to respond appropriately. In the U.S. , users are required by law to directly register their beacon in the U.S. 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database at: http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ or by calling 1-888-212-SAVE. Other users can register their beacon in their country's national beacon registration database or, if no national database is available, in the International Beacon Registration Database at https://www.406registration.com/. The United States Coast Guard is the lead agency for coordinating national maritime search and rescue policy and is responsible for providing search and rescue services on, under and over assigned international waters and waters subject to United States jurisdiction. The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within theDepartment of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America .