Garmin International announces its first touchscreen handheld designed exclusively for the golf course, the Approach G5. The latest breakthrough in Garmin’s expansive outdoor recreation and fitness line, the Approach G5 was announced in conjunction with the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, and will be on display at the Garmin booth.

Garmin International announces the nüvi 885T, adding lane assist with junction view as well as dynamic content from MSN Direct to a portable and powerful voice-activated navigator. The Garmin nüvi 885T was announced in conjunction with the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, and will be on display at the Garmin booth. “Combining two of Garmin’s most popular features - speech recognition and lane assist with junction view - the Garmin nüvi 885T lets drivers keep both hands on the wheel and takes the guesswork out of navigation,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales.

JVC Mobile Entertainment has added the JVC KW-NT1 AV Navigation system to the 2009 lineup to support strong demand for the in-dash Navigation market. The new JVC KW-NT1 includes an advanced Intelligent Navigation with Text-to-Speech, and a 6.1-inch detachable faceplate for extra security. Also included is a high quality DVD pick-up & mechanism, built in Bluetooth wireless technology with high-quality external microphone and front mounted full-speed USB 2.0 and AV-input connections. These connections allow the user to connect their iPod/iPhone or other audio/video devices directly into the front of the receiver via USB or using the included AV mini-jack cable. An SD memory card slot for MP3 audio playback is also integrated.

Garmin announced the GPSMAP 640 - an ultra portable and rugged touchscreen navigator that comes preloaded with a comprehensive set of street maps and marine charts. Garmin also introduced the GPSMAP 620, which shares the same intuitive interface and is designed for markets outside the United States. “Blending the best aspects of our popular portable marine units with the intuitive user interface of our automotive flagship line of nüvi navigators, the Garmin GPSMAP 600 series is the perfect tool in the boat and on the road,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales.

Garmin introduced the Oregon series of handheld GPS devices for outdoor, marine and fitness enthusiasts, combining an intuitive touchscreen interface, rugged, resilient design and a variety of preloaded mapping options. Easy to learn and simple to use, the waterproof Oregon features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, preloaded mapping and a high-resolution, color 3-inch screen that reacts as users tap or drag through menus and options. On a mountain or an ocean, satellite reception is even faster than before thanks to Garmin’s new HotFix feature, which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information and can use that information to quickly calculate a position without waiting for data collection from the satellites.

Outdoor GPS devices and solutions are quickly gaining momentum. An increasing number of high-end handheld outdoor GPS navigation devices with intuitive user interfaces and multimedia features, along with the emergence of converged outdoor software solutions, are driving overall demand. Combined with increased interest in the outdoors, the result is a thriving outdoor GPS ecosystem.

Garmin introduces the Edge 705 and Edge 605 the latest innovations in the popular line of integrated personal training systems for recreational and advanced cyclists. The Edge 705 and Edge 605 provide mapping capabilities, street navigation and a 2.2” colour display in addition to tracking vertical profiles, climb and descent, altitude, speed, distance, and time.The Edge 705 represents several breakthroughs in cycling technology, including SRM compatibility and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity.

Garmin introduces the Forerunner 405 - the latest in Garmin’s popular line of GPS-enabled fitness devices, packing powerful functions and innovative features into a compact size like none other. Runners can track their speed, distance, heart rate and location accurately and effortlessly, and the revolutionary patent pending touch bezel on the face of the watch makes navigating the options easier than ever. Simply by tapping, holding or running a finger along the bezel, runners can begin a new workout, access their training history or challenge a Virtual Partner.

In today’s mobile society of single parents and dual-income spouses, heads of families are often absent from home and unable to stay connected with their children, elderly parents and other loved ones and unable to verify that they are where they are supposed to be. Location Based Technologies provides families with peace of mind by allowing them to verify - almost instantaneously - the location of family members, loved ones and pets at anytime from almost anywhere using PocketFinder location devices.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the average American spends 90 minutes a day frantically looking for lost and misplaced items. Loc8tor, developer of the most sophisticated personal tracking device of its kind, has announced its newest pioneering product, Loc8tor Lite - the simple solution to this angst-ridden, time-consuming activity. Unlike anything else currently available on the market, the credit card sized Loc8tor Lite using clear audio and visual directional cues guides the user straight to their lost items from anywhere up to 400 feet away. With its super slim design, this tracking device provides the same award-winning technology found in existing Loc8tor devices to find valuables, yet it can fit easily into a purse or wallet.