Garmin enter the DashCam market with nuviCam

MikeB

Garmin have just introduced a new SatNav system with a built-in dash cam in North America. The device is a regular SatNav enabling you to navigate in the manner that previous Garmin GPS systems have in the past, but also includes a camera on the back of the device.

The nuviCam is not just a trip recording device though it offers enhanced "Driver Awareness" functionality. Lane departure warns the driver when the vehicle starts to drift across into the next lane when driving on a motorway. There is also a "Forward Collision Warning" which warns you when the vehicle is too close to the one in front. This could be an interesting feature promoting more responsible driving and help preventing tailgating and rear-end collisions.

A further feature of the camera is to overlay your destination on the camera's view as you approach the end of your journey. This will obviously be dependant on the accuracy of the location data for addresses.

The nuviCam comes with lifetime updates for both mapping data and Garmin's HD Digital Traffic.

The full Garmin press release follows:

OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced nüviCam LMTHD, the first portable navigation device (PND) to feature a built-in dash cam and advanced alerts to enhance driver awareness on the road. Thanks to the integrated dash cam that continuously records and automatically saves files on impact, the nüviCam offers the protection of having an eyewitness that records exactly where and when events occurred.

One of the most comprehensive PNDs to ever hit the roads, the nüviCam offers the latest in premium driver-assist features typically found only in luxury vehicles. For example, Forward Collision Warning1 alerts drivers if they’re driving too close to the car ahead; Lane Departure Warning1 alerts will appear and sound if the driver drifts off the road or into oncoming traffic; and Garmin Real Vision™ takes the guess work out of deciphering hard-to-see house numbers by displaying the camera view along with a bright arrow to direct drivers where to go when approaching select destinations.

“The nüviCam LMTHD goes beyond helping drivers get from Point A to Point B,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “The intuitive driver-assist features not only lessen the stress of getting you to your destination, but the nüviCam also provides peace of mind in knowing that your commute is being recorded and can be referenced should you need it.”

The nüviCam features a 6-inch pinch-to-zoom glass display with a high-definition dash cam built in to the back of the device. When powered on, the integrated dash cam continuously records on the included microSD card, and if an incident occurs, the device’s Incident Detection will automatically save files on impact. GPS records exactly where and when events occur, and drivers can play back the video on the device or watch later from a computer. There’s also a Snapshot feature on the nüviCam that allows drivers to capture still images in or outside of the vehicle if desired. The included magnetic mount enables the device to be easily and quickly secured or removed from the vehicle.

Other navigation features offered with safety and convenience in mind include voice-activated navigation that allows drivers to speak commands to the device while their hands stay safely on the wheel, and Bluetooth® wireless technology for hands-free calling (requires Bluetooth-enabled smartphone sold separately). Smartphone Link, a free mobile app that connects nüviCam with a compatible iPhone® or Android™ smartphone, can also provide real-time data services2, such as live weather radar, to the navigator. Drivers can even pair the nüviCam with the Garmin BC™ 30 Wireless Backup Camera (sold separately) to see what’s behind their vehicle when they reverse.

To make sure drivers never miss a turn, the nüviCam utilizes Active Lane Guidance, which uses a combination of voice prompts and visual cues to prepare users to drive through an exit or interchange with confidence. Up Ahead appears alongside the driving map and constantly informs of nearby services, including restaurants, fuel stations and rest areas, and spoken Garmin Real Directions™ guides drivers like a friend would, using recognizable landmarks, buildings and traffic lights. Additional features included are speed limit warnings, school zone warnings, photoReal Junction View, Bird’s Eye Junction View, and preloaded Foursquare® data that adds millions of new and popular points of interest like restaurants, shops and more.

The nüviCam comes preloaded with detailed maps of North America and free lifetime3 map updates are included to ensure the most up-to-date maps, points of interest and navigation information is available. This navigator also features HD Digital Traffic4, the best and fastest traffic solution available from Garmin, for the useful life of the device.

The Garmin nüviCam LMTHD is expected to be available in May of 2015 with a suggested retail price of $399.99. For more information, visit www.garmin.com/nuvi.

_________________
Mike Barrett

Kremmen · Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 1:48 pm Post subject:

Yes, we've been discussing this here for just over a week now.

All I need to know is whether the traffic receiver is in the unit ala 2599 or in the cable ala 3598.

If the latter I will reluctantly not get one as I hate trailing cables and I have my 2599 TA cable almost invisible.
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

BAVC10 · Lifetime Member Joined: Dec 20, 2005 Posts: 756

The specs show the traffic cable is a GTM70 which is the same as the one which comes with the 3597/3598 model.

The manual for the nuvicam also shows the "antenna lump".

Shame Garmin couldn't integrate this within the unit - it's a pretty big beast compared to the 3598.
_________________
DriveLuxe 51 LMT D - Firmware 6.80
Previously owned: DriveLuxe 50 LMT-D, NuviCam LMT-D, Nuvi 3598 LMT-D, Nuvi 3490LMT, 3790T, 1690, 765, 760, 660, 610, 360, 310, 300 and Streetpilot i3

Kremmen · Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 5:02 pm Post subject:

Oh well, that's saved me £300.

I don't like visible cables draped across the dash controls but I had a spot of good luck.
Even though Garmin say not to coil the TA cable I did, about a 4 inch loop with about 4 or 5 coils and cable tied it to a metal dash fixing plate. I wired in a power socket under the dash.

The end result is that I only have about 4 inches of cable showing from the A pillar to the Garmin and that is behind the unit.

What the dash plate seems to have done is provide a receiver as I'm getting 5/5 bars on signal strength on my TA20 cable.
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

hijacker · Regular Visitor Joined: Dec 20, 2003 Posts: 188

Will PGPSWorld be carrying out a hardware review for this?
_________________
TT GO 1005

alan_sh · Posted: Sat May 02, 2015 1:10 pm Post subject:

My sat nav plugs into my CD slot - so a camera on the back would not be any use.

Shame, because I like the idea.

Alan

MaFt · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 4:10 pm Post subject:

sussamb · Posted: Wed May 06, 2015 4:23 pm Post subject:

In the other thread about this there's a link to the manual, in there it explains how to align the camera.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=95622&start=15

It says you tilt the device and rotate the camera ... whatever that means. There are apparently crosshairs and alignment lines to help set it up correctly.
_________________
Where there's a will ... there's a way.

	PocketGPS
	Web