Just in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Garmin continues its world tour by introducing the City Navigator NT- China, software that includes a DVD and pre-programmed data cards with maps of the country.

GPSLodge says the software also includes a set of custom points of interest, and the nice thing is "that they already did some thinking for you and made the sports venues organized by city or by sport."

According to TMCNet, "Garmin is also posting a set of free custom POIs for the most important Chinese sporting venues in Beijing, Shenyang, Shanghai, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, and Qingdao. Each entry is sorted by both city and type of sport -- and contains specific dates of competition."

Gearlog says, "The names of locations are displayed in Pinyin, a popular Latin-alphabet phonetic spelling of the Mandarin language," and locations range not only to sporting events, but hotels and restaurants, so tourists, "can spend their time being spectators instead of worrying about how to get there," says Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales in a press release. 

Bloggers report the Navigator NT software is undoubtedly a useful device to have. Ubergizmo writes, "Tourists will definitely find these handy, that's for sure -- especially when you're in dire need for the nearest restroom." 

But others worry about how necessary the product will be. "Not sure that many people will [be] driving over there for the Olympics," GPSLodge notes, "as the Chinese are taking cars off the roads like crazy trying to clean up the air ahead of the games."

What the software does do is further enhance Garmin as a global brand. Although Garmin is the leading manufacturer of U.S. portable nav units, TomTom beats them in sales in other countries. Garmin sells its units in Ford vehicles overseas, and joined forces with Chipotle in a three-year sponsorship deal for a Tour de France team.

According to the Kansas City Star, "The team members used Garmin's Edge cycling computers, and the Garmin logo was plastered across the team jerseys, team truck, team bus and team cars." Recently this logo was seen whizzing past the finish line, when a Garmin-Chipotle team member finished in fifth place in the race.

Check out our buyer's guide if you're looking for a cheap gps unit with either local or international savvy.