Garmin is out today with word of a new GPS system targeted at pilots. It is known as the Garmin GPSMAP 495 and pricing is set at around $1,595.

The Garmin GPSMAP 495 is designed to help get pilots the information they need to flight safely from start to finish. The unit incorporates a high resolution terrain database and offers options like “terrain and obstacle alerting, pop-up alerts, and customizable minimum clearance limits that give audible terrain alerts at specified altitudes.”

It really sucks when you get lost and it’s even worse if you happen to have a wife or significant other in the car at the time to tell you that you should have stopped for directions. The easy way to avoid this is to get a navigation unit, but for some the thought of cluttering up their car with a navigation unit is unbearable. Kenwood’s new products that feature built-in navigation in-dash may be just the ticket.

Garmin and Kenwood announced today that they were extending their relationship. Gamin will be the exclusive navigation supplier for Kenwood’s new 2008 line of in-dash automotive electronics. Garmin and Kenwood also say that they will work together on advertising for the new Kenwood products featuring Garmin navigation.

Garmin grew its family of nuvi GPS navigators by four today as it introduced the 2×5 models. These models - the nuvi 255, 255w, 205 and 205W - are considered entry level models by Garmin and part of its nuvi 200 series.

Garmin’s new 2×5 nuvis offer up, according to Garmin, “improved mapping and routing features, faster satellite acquisition, navigation by photos, FM traffic updates or dynamic content from MSN Direct.” They make use of 4.3-inch or 3.5-inch touchscreen displays with a new shaded elevation map display and include support for download of one’s choice of millions of geo-located photos from Google for use as a more visual navigation guide.

Today in an unexpected announcement Garmin, makers of all types of GPS devices, threw their hat into the cell phone market ring with the Garmin nuvifone. The nuvifone’s cornerstone is still as a GPS device but it is also a full-on GSM HDSPA smartphone with a large 3.5-inch touchscreen and modes for calling, searching and viewing maps. It even sports an internet browser with Google local search built in.

Like other Garmin GPS devices the nuvifone carries pre-loaded maps of North America or Europe, a media player, millions of points of interest and voice promted turn-by-turn directions. But with this one there is much more. Ever forget where you parked your car in the parking lot? When you take the nuvifone out of its mount it will take note of where its at and help you find it later.

A “Where am I?” feature gives you quick access to the nearest address, intersection, closest hospital or just your latitude and longitude coordinates whenever you need it. Hey, you never know when you’ll need them to properly set up your telescope. A built in camera comes standard and of course it will geo-tag your photos, and Garmin Online brings real-time traffic, stock info, sports action and news right to the device. And of course don’t forget email, text and instant messaging.

Garmin has a new exercise gadget debuting at CES this year called the Forerunner 405, designed for runners to aid in training and track routes. The new 405 is also a little more stylish than previous models with similar functionality, keeping the size to a minimum so the gadget doesn’t look like such a gaudy chunk of electronics on your wrist.

The Forerunner 405 is GPS enabled and allows outdoor runners to keep track of their speed, distance, heart rate and location through the watch. This model also features a cool new bezel around the display that lets users navigate and change settings on the watch by simply tapping it and sliding their finger around the metal circle.