Garmin Ltd. (GRMN)

GPS's are being commoditized, especially starting this year.

Every smart phone has navigation included. I recently played with a Nuviphone. Not only is it expensive, but the interface is terrible. Iphone and blackberry and Droid kill it. I don't know how Garmin will continue to grow. They have some cash, but smart phone makers move much more quickly to introduce new technology than Garmin. I think they are a one trick pony.

GRMN is currently a very good looking company. they are selling more and becoming more efficient in their operations. They have FCF and are held heavily by insiders. However, much of their revenues do come from small portable GPS systems. As cell phones applications become cheaper and cell phone technology becomes more robust, many potential Garmin users may turn to cell phone applications with turn by turn directions. It will be hard for Garmin to sustain in the future marketplace.

one word: google

Navigator? What is that?

RIP - killed by google. murder in the 1st.

it is difficult to compete with googles free navigation

Future doesn't seem to bright. Google is coming out with a free turn by turn nav app.

Garmin phone is also a failure.

While the stock appears cheap, the contracting margins and the expensive foray into the cell phone business will keep the stock price depressed. This company is just fighting against the wave that is the GPS commoditization.

I haven't looked at there numbers, I don't know how sales are doing, this is purely based on the Nuvifone. What a disappointment! Two years ago it might have had a chance but not today. The product is getting horrid reviews and is plagued with problems......

Garmin makes great standalone GPS's, but this one is going to give them indigestion. They didn't want to develop for the iPhone or Android, they wanted to be different and release there own device and I respect that. However, then they need to compete with the others in price, features and quality. In this case they failed on all accounts. Sorry but this was a big mistake.

Why would I need a Garmin GPS device when I can get one in my iPhone, blackberry, palm etc?

It seems like this company's business is being commoditized, bad for Garmin good for customers who want to use their iPhone, blackberry, palm as a GPS device too.

Will follow cyclical consumer spending and economic growth, which may or may not be substantial.

Downgraded to "Conviction Sell" by Goldman Sachs.

priced for perfect execution and not counting on shrinking margins and commoditization

GPS is now commoditized. iPhones and Blackberry handsets have GPS that is clean looking and easy to use. Why are people going to spend $ on Garmin's stuff? They are not, that's why. 10 million iphones a year in the US means a definite 10 million people not needing Garmin. Add the Blackberry sales and the PALM Pre...forget about Garmin. The car manufacturers are also rolling their own Linux and creating MID devices for the dash of these cars that include GPS. Bye bye Garmin's business model.

I question Garmin's future success because they don't have recurring revenue from consumers. Someone buys a $200 navigation device, and that's it. There's no subscription fee like there is with other "satellite service" companies, such as DirecTV, Dish Network, Sirius XM, etc. Garmin became successful through one-time purchases of the Nuvi and other navigational devices, but as these become more and more integrated with cell phones, Garmin's sales will struggle, while their fixed costs of maintaining satellites in the sky will continue to be expensive.

One of the silliest gadgets ever.

"Turn left into your driveway!"

Once the new gadget factor wears off, you just turn the damn thing off and it eventually ends up under the seat. If you could get your money back, you'd return it. Just admit it. I will.

I just don't see it. I feel that with the advent of GPS inside of phones the demand and growth might not be there for Garmin,

Why do I need a gps, it is on my phone. I have google maps which works excellent, and I can use my phone when I go mountain biking, running etc to track my exercise! Nokia all the way.