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Garmin Nuvi GPS
Garmin was founded by Gary Burrell and Dr. Min Kao, and now have their world headquarters in Olathe, Kansas.
A few engineers sitting around a small table in 1989 brainstorming about how to create navigation and communication devices has spawned into a world-wide explosion of products. Innovative products in the areas of automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation and wireless applications found their way into the hands of consumers to enrich and simplify their lives.
Of course the first product used GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, to help people find their way around the world in which they live. Surrounding themselves with creative minds and passionate spirits, Burrell and Kao focused on selling various navigation and communication devices that would enrich customers lives.
A GPS navigation device is any device that receives Global Positioning System (GPS) signals to determine the device's current location here on Earth. GPS devices provide latitude and longitude information.
All kinds of GPS devices are used in many ways: military, aviation, marine and consumer products.
GPS devices may also have many other capabilities such as:
• containing maps, which may be displayed in readable format via text or as a graph
• providing suggested directions to a auto or boat driver by text or speech
• providing directions directly to an automated vehicle such as a robotic probe
• providing information on traffic conditions (either via historical or real time data) and suggesting other routes
• providing information on nearby places such as restaurants, gas stations, etc.
So, in other words, the purpose of all GPS devices is to answer the question "Where am I?", and also some are able to answer:
• which roads or paths are available to me now?
• which roads or paths should I take in order to get to my desired destination?
• if some roads are usually busy at this time or are busy right now, what would be a better route to take?
• where can I get something to eat nearby or where can I get fuel for my vehicle?
Consumer GPS navigation devices can include:
• Dedicated GPS navigation devices
• GPS modules that need to be connected to a computer
• GPS loggers that record your trip information to download later. You can use this GPS tracking for trailblazing, mapping when you go hiking and cycling, and to produce geocoded photographs.
• Converged devices, such as GPS Phones and GPS cameras, in which the GPS is a feature rather than the primary purpose of the device.
Garmin designs, manufactures, markets and sells their product themselves, with enthusiastic support from all their employees, from engineers to product testers to writers and salespeople.
Begun in 1989, Garmin grew from a handful of employees to over a thousand by 1999, doubled over the next 4 years, and by 2007 Garmin’s worldwide workforce had expanded to over 7,000.
Garmin designs its products with the end user in mind. Eliminating the stress of navigation or travel begins with easy-to-use menus, logical options and intuitive features.
• Automotive GPS products help drivers get to where they want to go easily while enjoying the journey
• Marine units support detailed charts with essential data
• Aviation technology provides pilots with essential information at a glance
• Fitness devices are efficient ways to make the workout more effective.
• Outdoor recreation options are fun to use for hikers, campers snowmobilers and ATVers
• Wireless applications juice up your smart phone
Whether you use it in your rental car or while fishing, first-time Garmin users quickly realize the value of the information that can be packed into a compact, portable unit.
From the official Garmin website:
“We don’t just design and sell products, we embrace the lifestyles. From aviation to marine, automotive to fitness, wireless solutions to outdoor recreation, Garmin employees are in the air, on the water, in the woods, behind the wheel and on the run. And we’re always thinking of ways to adapt and improve. At Garmin, you never know how the next great idea will be born. But you know it’s coming soon. “