Tech Review – Garmin campervan Sat-Nav review

I have been testing this piece of kit out for a few weeks now and one thing people say is this not redundant and I do get their point with our mobile phones doing everything from weather to music calls and traffic but this is on a smaller scale and phones are not specifically designed for the aforementioned.

Garmin are well known in the industry and also have dash cams and smartwatches too some of which we have reviewed in the past but today we take a closer look at the Campervan Sat-Nav, we also have a real hands on look at the unit in our video review below so you get some context over stock image reviews. We show you the features, the unit in operation and more so you get to get a better idea of what exactly you get from the product.

Build and set up

Basically it is a big tablet and it is a well built one at that however it can be placed nicely in your window or where suits you best and it is a simply suction cup and cable to get things going and you are good to go, you might be better off walking through the menu first to change any settings that suit your need though. You should also download the Garmin Drivesmart app to get extra features, I did once snub the app but it has much improved and now includes really cool weather features too, live traffic and much more

The display is bright and clear and one thing I love is the voice navigation it is pleasing which some might find odd but I love it it is clear loud and not really robotic like some systems are. You can also make calls on this and again clear and concise.

Who is this for

It is aimed at those who like camping which has seen a huge rise in recent times but anyone can use it including van drivers that want that bit more and you can see yourself what is on offer via the menu and if like me you like hotels, food and the likes there is a tripdavisor suggestion tool along with many others which you can select from to suit your own personal requirements. Having said all that this can be used by anyone in fairness and it is a nice piece of kit to have.

Features

The Campervan Sat-Nav has many features on board which basically covers you all round, you have Bluetooth, WiFi big clear screen loud clear navigation prompts, warnings for your speed which is vital for how things work today with the fish in a barrel approach by the speed detection vans and pop up windows for turns where applicable to give you a better view of the lanes you might be approaching, again all this is seen in the video review..

Price

This might put some off for a standalone kit, even for me I was kind of leaning the same direction but the pros outweigh the cons as you keep your phone to yourself and you have everything else at your fingertips here on a big screen and the feature I love most asides the navigation is the weather feature which is really cool.. The price of this unit will set you back 299 euros

BUY HERE

Video link 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Look – Garmin Drivesmart 76 with Amazon Alexa

Recently Garmin announced a few new devices to their portfolio and one of them has dropped in to check out and we have a review of another member of the Garmin family dropping this week so stay tuned for that, the Drivesmart 76 is the middle of the trio announced last week and is a 7 inch slab that offers you more more than just navigation.

The new Garmin DriveSmart series comes loaded with road trip-ready functionality to help bring driving freedom to every trip. Drivers can depend on TripadvisorÒ traveller ratings to recommend restaurants, hotels and attractions along the way. In addition, all Garmin DriveSmart sat-navs arrive preloaded with millions of popular points of interest from Foursquare.

Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76, and 86 series

 

The Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76, and 86 sat-navs boast a legacy of industry-leading features, including:

 

  • Access to real-time traffic, photoLive traffic cameras, weather and fuel prices when the sat-nav is paired with a driver’s compatible smartphone using the Garmin Drive app
  • Alexa Built-in3 enables asking for music, listening to audiobooks, hearing the latest news and more (on Alexa-version only, available in English and German languages)
  • Built-in Wi-FiÒ allows for easy map and software updates without the need for a computer
  • A USB-C vehicle power cable equipped with two USB ports (on Alexa versions only) to charge the compatible Garmin sat-nav and a second device

 

Available now, the new Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76 and 86 series has suggested retail prices ranging from £189.99 to £319.99.

Any questions of course feel free to ask below or on our You Tube channel and we will gladly answer all comments as we always do so check out the unboxing and first look below and stay tuned for the full real hands on review soon..

Video link 

New Garmin DriveSmart GPS sat-navs bring simplicity to the open road with larger displays

Garmin International today announced the Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76, and 86 series – a fresh lineup of portable car GPS sat-navs designed to bring a new level of simplicity and freedom to drivers. The Garmin DriveSmart series revs onto the scene with crisp 6, 7 or 8-inch high-definition displays allowing drivers to clearly find the best route. What’s more, the 8-inch display model can be easily mounted in both landscape or portrait mode to show more of the road ahead. These versatile sat-navs can guide the way for family weekend adventures thanks to detailed maps of Europe, while making the weekday commute a breeze with noteworthy features like environmental zone routing, hands-free calling, and built-in Garmin voice assist to ask the device for directions.

“The new Garmin DriveSmart series accomplishes so much more than navigating to a destination thanks to new larger display options,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “Whether drivers choose the 6, 7 or 8-inch display, they can very clearly follow the recommended route while also seeing relevant information like environmental zones and traffic notifications along the way to truly simplify their driving experience.”

Drive confidently

Drivers will get peace of mind with the new environmental zone routing feature. After setting up the car’s environmental profile, drivers will receive warnings and guidance about environmental zones on their route. During hectic commutes or inspired road trips, the Garmin DriveSmart series excels with driver alerts to help encourage a safer driving experience and boost situational awareness. Drivers can receive warnings for upcoming speed changes, sharp curves along the route and other potential hazards to stay up-to-date on all upcoming road conditions.

Garmin DriveSmart™ 66, 76, and 86 series

Love the drive

The new Garmin DriveSmart series comes loaded with road trip-ready functionality to help bring driving freedom to every trip. Drivers can depend on TripadvisorÒ traveller ratings to recommend restaurants, hotels and attractions along the way. In addition, all Garmin DriveSmart sat-navs arrive preloaded with millions of popular points of interest from Foursquare.

The Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76, and 86 sat-navs boast a legacy of industry-leading features, including:

  • Access to real-time traffic, photoLive traffic cameras, weather and fuel prices when the sat-nav is paired with a driver’s compatible smartphone using the Garmin Drive app
  • Alexa Built-in3 enables asking for music, listening to audiobooks, hearing the latest news and more (on Alexa-version only, available in English and German languages)
  • Built-in Wi-FiÒ allows for easy map and software updates without the need for a computer
  • A USB-C vehicle power cable equipped with two USB ports (on Alexa versions only) to charge the compatible Garmin sat-nav and a second device

Available now, the new Garmin DriveSmart 66, 76 and 86 series has suggested retail prices ranging from £189.99 to £319.99.

Fish Finders Are Worth It – Here Are 4 Reasons Why

If you are in the market for fishing gear, then fish finders may be worth it. Fishfinders increase your chances of catching fish by allowing you to locate them in the water. They also come in many shapes and sizes, so you must know what features are most important to you before making a purchase decision. Here are four reasons why fish finders are worth it.

  • A good fish finder will last for years and years

Fishfinders are not like other electronics that will need to be replaced over time. Instead, they can last for decades if the proper care is taken on them and also when you purchase a good model with high-quality construction. In addition to this, the best fish finder gadgets will be of great help when catching and locating where the biggest fish are. There is no fun time like when you go fishing with your family and are able to catch fish right away with the help of a fish finder. Isn’t it somehow frustrating and boring when you are in the dark and you have to stay without even catching on fish the whole day?

There are a variety of fish finders to choose from. These might include; Lowrance Hook2 4x portable, Garmin STRIKER 4 portable, piranha max 4 PT, and the least is endless.

So, if you’re looking for a tool that will last and make your fishing experiences even better than before, then it’s time to invest in a fish finder. You won’t be sorry. Just remember, however, that there are many different models on the market today so take some time to choose one based upon what you really need from it. The more features that come with the model, generally speaking, the higher its price point is going to be.

  • They’re a great way to learn about the underwater world

Additionally, fishfinder reviews have found that many people use their fishfinder devices as an educational tool for children, teaching them how the water environment works and why it’s important to protect aquatic life. That being said, these types of gadgets aren’t just used by parents looking for fun activities with their kids; they can also be helpful tools in adult education settings or for more advanced divers who want to explore further than before. And because there is no experience necessary, everyone can benefit from having one of these on hand while fishing.

  • They can help you catch more fish

 

Fishfinders show you the bottom of the water where fish are more likely to be. Fish can’t see your boat or lure, but they sure notice a big bright beam that shines down into their world from above! If you know what’s under them and when they will strike, it’ll up your odds for success tremendously. Fishfinders can also tell you where the fish are located so that your lures don’t go wandering around empty-handed (or rather empty-mouthed). Fishfinders can also help you determine the depth of the water, which is crucial for fishing in deep areas. Fish don’t need to breathe but they do like things a certain way and that includes having enough oxygen as well as not being too deep or too shallow. They also allow you to help them out in this department.

  • You can use a fish finder to locate sunken treasure on the ocean floor

Fishfinders are not just used to find fish, but they can also be used for treasure hunting and things you might never have thought of before. Fishfinders can be used to scan the ocean floor and locate precious metals like gold, silver, and other important items that might have sunken down in ships over time. Fishfinder technology has allowed you an exciting new way to enjoy your favorite hobby with its many benefits at your fingertips. 

 

If you’ve been looking for a way to make fishing more fun and productive, then investing in a fish finder is the best way. In addition to this, fish finders are not only a lot of fun, but they can also really help you increase your success rate. You also get to catch more fish by locating them on the screen of your device while they swim around underwater. You might be surprised at how much information is available about what lies below the surface with just the push of one button. If all four of these reasons sound like something that might interest you then it is time for you to make the investment in a fish finder today before prices start going up even further.

#Garmin announces vívoactive HR and vivofit 3 smart #wearable at #MWC2016 by @Tiwaash

Garmin, the popular innovative wearable along with maker has announced vívoactive HR along with the vivofit 3 fitness tracker, successor of last year’s vivofit 2, at the MWC 2016 in Barcelona.

Garmin vívoactive HR

Vívoactive HR features a built-in GPS-enabled sports apps for walking, running, biking, swimming, golfing, paddle boarding, rowing, skiing and snowboarding. It uses 24/7 wrist-based heart rate data to calculate calories burned information as well as the intensity of fitness activities. With the Connect IQ store, users can easily personalize their vívoactive HR with free apps, widgets, watch faces and data fields.

The vívoactive HR sports a always-on, touchscreen, sunlight-readable Garmin Chroma Display that lets users track activity and stay connected along with a GPS with Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate technology. It keeps track of activities like counting steps and floors climbed, intensity minutes, monitoring sleep. It also comes with Garmin Move IQ which continuously monitors for periods of sustained activity and automatically recognizes walking, running, biking, swimming and elliptical training.

Garmin vivofit 3

vivofit 3 has has a backlit display that shows steps, calories, distance, intensity minutes and time of day. It also comes with Garmin Move IQ that captures different activities, such as walking, running, biking, swimming and using an elliptical, to view on Garmin Connect.

vivofit 3 is  water resistant to 50 meters, has one-year battery life and comes with a range of colorful interchangeable accessory bands, designs from the Garmin Style Collection and new styles from the Jonathan Adler + Garmin line. The move bar with audible alert reminds users when they have been inactive too long.

Pricing and availability:

The vívoactive HR costs $249.99 and will begin shipping in Q2. It will be available in regular and extra large fit black bands. Accessory bands will be available in black, white, force yellow and lava red for a suggested retail price of $29.99 each.

The Garmin vivofit 3 is priced at $99.99 that comes with a regular or extra large sized black band.  Tracker with regular sized dark camo band is priced at $109.99. The Garmin Style Collection’s Gabrielle bundle includes a small sized black quilted band and white waves band for $119.99. Interchangeable accessory bands will be available in regular and extra large sized two packs for $29.99 each. Two pack options include marsala and white, slate and borealis, slate and marsala, camo and orange, and pink camo and white.

See Garmin for more details