Garmin® Makes Splash with Totally New Marine Lineup
State-of-the-art chartplotters, sonar, and cartography
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Nov. 13 -- Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN), today announced a new and completely redesigned line of chartplotters, sonar, and charting that offers powerful features, state-of-the-art satellite photo-generated cartography, and a sleek user interface and design. The products were introduced today at the 2006 Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam.
"Garmin's 2007 marine lineup will have the world talking," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "Our new chartplotters feature a streamlined user interface that makes it simple to access important data as well as an eye-popping worldwide satellite imagery basemap. With our new optional BlueChart® g2 Vision(TM) data, boaters now have access to high-res aerial photomapping, 3D views above and below the waterline, and auto guidance technology to suggest the best routes for passage."
All of Garmin's new chartplotters, sonar, and combination units come with a completely redesigned user interface that lets boaters intuitively see and select the information they want, while eliminating the clutter they don't -- all with fewer button pushes. All 2007 units also feature a sophisticated and elegant "flat-screen" physical design that compliments today's modern boats.
All chartplotters in Garmin's 2007 lineup come loaded with an enhanced worldwide satellite imagery basemap to enhance the standard vector chart format. For even higher resolution photomapping capabilities, Garmin now offers BlueChart® g2 Vision(TM) technology - conveniently available on a pre-programmed SD card. In addition to high-res satellite imagery, g2 Vision features true "mariner's eye view" above water or a "fish eye" underwater perspective - both in three dimensions. The g2 Vision data card also enables auto guidance technology on compatible units - searching all the chart attributes to suggest the best navigational course. For help in navigating tricky harbors and channels - or locating marinas and resorts - g2 Vision cards offer a growing database of aerial reference photos. BlueChart g2 Vision capabilities are only available when the optional card is loaded in a compatible chartplotter.
The GPSMAP® 4012 and GPSMAP 4008 are Garmin's new flagship multifunction displays (MFDs) for its popular Garmin Marine Network. The GPSMAP 4012 sports a 12.1-inch diagonal XGA display with an alphanumeric keypad for easy data entry. For boats where helm space is at a premium, the smaller GPSMAP 4008 features an 8.4-inch VGA screen without the keypad. Both units have eight vertically placed "soft keys" that make navigating the Marine Network a snap. Mariners can purchase a wireless mouse and remote control for even easier access to these two MFDs. The 4000 series has all of the same networking capabilities of other multifunction displays within the proprietary Garmin Marine Network(TM), a system that combines GPS, radar, XM WX Satellite Weather, sonar, and other data for unparalleled situational awareness. Additionally, Garmin will offer the GPSMAP 4212 and GPSMAP 4208 that come pre- loaded with detailed U.S. coastal charts - including detailed data for the Bahamas, including Explorer Charts. All 4000 series units are NMEA 2000 compliant.
With a new, vivid and sunlight readable 5-inch VGA display, the GPSMAP 5x5 series is in a class by itself - a powerful combination of size, performance, and features. The GPSMAP 555 UK is available with pre-loaded detailed offshore chart coverage of the United Kingdom, Ireland, and portions of France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The GPSMAP 555 AUS has detailed Australian and New Zealand offshore charts. North American boaters will like the GPSMAP 545, which includes detailed charts of U.S. coastal waters and Explorer Charts of the Bahamas - or the GPSMAP 535, which contains pre-loaded maps of thousands of inland U.S. lakes and rivers. The GPSMAP 525 has a pre- loaded worldwide photo-basemap, but no additional built-in cartography.
Each unit in the GPSMAP 5x5 series is also available with sonar capability (designated by an "s" after the model number). Sonar models have a digital sonar receiver to give extraordinary target definition and boast 1 kW/500-watt RMS (depending on transducer used) with a dual frequency transducer for offshore and 400-watt RMS with a dual beam transducer for inland use. All 5x5 units are CANet(TM) capable as well - so boaters can share sonar pictures on other compatible plotter displays around the boat.
The GPSMAP 5x0 series combines performance and value - with a QVGA display and the same easy-to-use interface and worldwide satellite imagery basemap. Additionally, the series features pre-loaded detailed charts, including the GPSMAP 550 UK (UK, Ireland, and portions of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands); the GPSMAP 550 AUS (Australia/New Zealand); GPSMAP 540 (U.S. and detailed Bahamas data using Explorer Charts); the GPSMAP 530 (inland U.S. lakes); and the GPSMAP 520 (no detailed charts preloaded). This series of plotters is also available with built-in analog sonar (400-watts RMS in dual beam configuration, or 500-watts RMS in dual frequency) and is CANet capable.
The GPSMAP 4x0 series is designed for the boater who wants performance in a small package. Along with Garmin's redesigned user interface and satellite imagery basemap, these units feature bright 4-inch QVGA displays, and are offered with the same cartography configurations as the GPSMAP 5x0 series. This series of plotters is also available with built-in analog sonar (400- watts RMS in dual beam configuration, or 500-watts RMS in dual frequency) and are CANet capable.
All GPSMAP 5x5, 5x0 and 4x0 series units come with an internal GPS patch antenna. For flush-mounting, the unit can connect to an optional external GPS antenna. In addition, all North American versions of the GPSMAP 500 series are capable of displaying XM WX Weather - allowing boaters to see weather data like storms, wind currents, temperatures, and much more - directly on their chartplotter's display (GPSMAP 400 models that are identified by an "x" are also XM compatible). XM WX requires the purchase of a GXM(TM) 31 antenna and a subscription through XM Satellite Radio (http://www.xmradio.com/).
Garmin's new Fishfinder 400C features a unique 4-inch QVGA display that's easy to see in bright sunlight. Easy on the wallet but rich in function, the Fishfinder 400C has streamlined user interface and elegant form factor, along with fish-catching features like CANet, water temperature, fully automatic operation, and a choice of either a 400-watt RMS in dual beam or 500-watts RMS dual frequency transducer.
For more specifications, availability, and pricing on Garmin's 2007 marine lineup, visit www.garmin.com/marine2007 .
Garmin International Inc. is a member of the Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN) group of companies, which designs and manufactures navigation, communication and information devices - most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin is a leader in the general aviation and consumer GPS markets and its products serve aviation, marine, outdoor recreation, automotive, wireless and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin, GPSMAP, and BlueChart are registered trademarks, and g2 Vision, Garmin Marine Network, and GXM are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Anticipated product availability dates are based on management's current expectations and are not guaranteed.
FCMN Contact: ted.gartner@garmin.com
Source: Garmin International Inc.
CONTACT:
Ted Gartner / Jessica Myers
Garmin International Inc.
+1-913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com
Web site: www.garmin.com/
http://www.garmin.com/marine2007
