Garmin GPS units get bird's eye imagery
updated 04:15 pm EST, Mon January 18, 2010
Garmin intros BirdsEye imagery service
Garmin will soon offer an annual subscription service, BirdsEye Satellite and Aerial Imagery, for some of its portable navigation devices that will show detailed, photo-based maps. The software is raster-based, or compiled with aerial photos and images that are scanned, geo-referenced and overlaid onto the GPS receiver's display. These images, like Google Maps' satellite view show actual buildings, vehicles, roads and other physical landmarks for easier navigation.
The images have 0.5-meter per pixel resolution in many areas of the US, and can be viewed at zoom levels from between 20 feet to 12 miles. The images are supplied by DigitalGlobe and users can overlay vector maps over them. The service is compatible with Garmin's Oregon, Dakota and Colorado series of devices.
The service gives users unlimited downloads for a single Garmin device, which can be managed and viewed on a Mac or PC thanks to the free BaseCamp application. BirdsEye Satellite and Aerial Imagery will be available in March, priced at $30.
