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One of our best just got better, just in time for summer adventures. Garmin today announced the GPSMAP 62 series of rugged outdoor handheld devices, bringing a sleek updated look, new mapping options and many technical innovations to a product line beloved by hunters, hikers and geocachers of all ages.

“The GPSMAP 60 series has been one of our most popular product lines, and the new GPSMAP 62 series improves the form and functionality to make a best-in-class device even better,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Whether you’ve been using Garmin for years or are buying your first handheld, GPSMAP 62 is ideal as it combines our new breakthroughs in outdoor recreation technology with the comfortable feel of an old favorite.”

To help each user maximize the mapping potential of Garmin handhelds, each model in the GPSMAP 62 series is compatible with Garmin’s subscription-based BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, the free online community at Garmin Connect as well as Garmin’s free Custom Maps utility for transferring paper or digital maps onto a compatible handheld.

Boasting a 2.6” sunlight-readable color display, up to 20 hours of battery life and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and quad helix antenna for unparalleled reception, the GPSMAP 62 series features three distinct waterproof models to suit various activities and interests. The basic GPSMAP 62 includes a built-in worldwide basemap with shaded relief. The GPSMAP 62s adds a 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass and wireless connectivity for sharing routes, tracks, waypoints and geocaches between other compatible Garmin handhelds. GPSMAP 62s also includes a barometric altimeter that tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. Users can also plot barometric pressure over time, which can help keep an eye on changing weather conditions. In addition to these key features, GPSMAP 62st includes preloaded 100K topographic maps for the entire United States (or preloaded 50K topographic mapping of Canada for the Canadian version). Coverage on GPSMAP 62st includes major trails, urban and rural roads, interstates, highways, coastlines, rivers and lakes as well as national, state and local parks, forests and wilderness areas. In addition, you can search for points of interest by name or proximity to your location and view descriptive details for terrain contours, topo elevations, summits and geographical points.

Subscribers to BirdsEye Satellite Imagery can use BaseCamp software to quickly transfer high-resolution satellite images to any Garmin GPSMAP 62 device and seamlessly integrate those images into the handheld’s maps to get a true representation of the surroundings. More details can be found at www.garmin.com/birdseyesatimagery.

Customizing maps for your Garmin outdoor handheld has never been easier. Through a few simple steps, Garmin’s Custom Maps can bring the details, labels and landmarks of your existing paper or electronic map to a product in the GPSMAP 62 series, or a compatible Garmin Oregon, Dakota or Colorado. Compatible with both PC and Mac, this free utility complements the myriad of mapping products already offered for Garmin devices, including City Navigator, NT for turn-by-turn directions on city streets, Blue Chart g2, for marine charting, and TOPO U.S. 24K and 100K map software for incredible terrain detail (each sold separately). To walk through the steps, to find and share maps and to join discussions about Garmin Custom Maps, visit www.garmin.com/CustomMaps.

Experiences will live on long after the activity has ended, thanks to Garmin Connect (http://garminconnect.com), the free-to-join online community of more than 20 million activities for sharing, storing, analyzing and enjoying at garminconnect.com. Outdoor and fitness enthusiasts alike can share activities on Facebook and Twitter, export to Google Earth or relive the activity in table view, calendar view or on a variety of maps including our new embedded Google Earth view.

Each device in the GPSMAP 62 series has a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix, which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information and can use that information to quickly calculate a position. The GPSMAP 62 series is made even more versatile through its universal mounting system that is compatible with the same accessories as Garmin’s Oregon, Dakota and Colorado products. Other key upgrades include photo navigation and onboard memory for downloading maps. GPSMAP 62s and GPSMAP 62st models also feature high-speed USB for faster map transfers with your computer, as well as a 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows the user’s heading even when standing still, without the need to hold it level. In addition to the preloaded topographic details for the entire United States, GPSMAP 62st features 500 MB of available built-in memory. GPSMAP 62 and GPSMAP 62s are ready to be customized to fit any user’s activity, thanks to 1.7 GB of onboard memory.

• In Australia, Optus announced that it will offer the Garmin-Asus A10 smartphone beginning June 7. The A10 Android-powered smartphone includes Garmin's premium navigation so customers will always be able to get where they want to go with ease.
• In Taipei, Garmin-Asus is participating in the Computex trade show and will have its full line of smartphones on display -- A10, M10 and A50. Those at the show should stop by the booth, T0101D.
• In Sweden, Tele2 is the first to sell the Garmin-Asus A10 and availability is expected in July.
• In the US, the Garminfone will be available on June 9 through T-Mobile USA. 

Make sure to follow Garmin-Asus on Facebook or Twitter for all the latest news.

Today's Ask Garmin question was sent to @JakesJournal on Twitter by Lindy G (or @formerfatmama), who describes herself as "A deaf 37 yr old single mom on a weight loss journey. I plan to walk across America." Lindy asked "Which GPS device would you recommend for someone who's planning to walk across america? Preferably a handheld or wristheld." Not a typical question as Lindy's goal is pretty remarkable, but the answer(s) can apply to many hikers/walkers/runners. Meanwhile, another cross-country endeavor is tapping into Garmin's technology, as Move For ALS cyclists are currently using an Edge 605 to pile on the miles for ALS awareness.

As for Lindy's trek, Jake's condensed reply (the 140-character limit on Twitter is the only way we can keep him from rambling) was: "@formerfatmama Great goal to walk across US! I'd suggest either Oregon (geotagged photos), Dakota (light navigation), Forerunner (mileage)"

So here's where we elaborate on the strengths of each:

Oregon 550 (or 550t, which adds preloaded U.S. topography in case Lindy goes cross-country): In addition to super-simple touchscreen interface and robust variety of features, the 550 series features a built-in 3.2 MP camera so that Lindy can snap pictures of her journey along the way. Because the pictures are automatically geotagged with her location, her friends, family and supporters can see where each was taken.

Dakota 10 or 20: Lindy can save a little money (and a few ounces in her backpack) by going with Dakota, which features the same touchscreen ease of use in a little smaller package. Like Oregon, the Dakota can use City Navigator microSD cards to add turn-by-turn directions and millions of points of interest.

Forerunner series: If Lindy just wants to track mileage and be able to upload her routes each day for friends to see on Garmin Connect, any of the GPS-enabled Forerunner watches will do the trick while sitting comfortably on her wrist. For a long battery life of up to 20 hours, she could turn to the Forerunner 310XT. Also, 310XT, the 405/405CX or older 305 or 205 could help with breadcrumb navigation and waypoint management. And for simple start-and-stop tracking of pace, time and distance, the Forerunner 110 is a great bargain.

Foretrex series: Lindy can get key features from both our outdoor recreation and fitness products by turning to a Foretrex for wrist-worn navigation with breadcrumb trails and easy waypoint marking. As with all of the devices listed above, she'll be able to easily upload her progress to Garmin Connect. 

Whichever Garmin she goes with, we wish Lindy all the best on reaching her goals and continued success to the Move For ALS cyclists for supporting a great cause.

It’s getting hot out there. The season for fishing, boating, and kayaking is here.

And to help you make the most of outdoor activities in areas near and far, we now offer BlueChart g2 and BlueChart g2 Vision data as downloadable accessory content, as well as Inland Lakes downloadable maps.

If, at the last minute, you get that overwhelming desire to be on the water in an instant and have a compatible Garmin (but lack the maps), all you have to do is visit the On the Water maps section of our website. 

Once there, simply add the download to your cart and checkout through your myGarmin account. 

It’s really that easy. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!