Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Introducing the Garmin® StreetPilot® c340
Beat the traffic before it beats you
OLATHE, Kan., July 15 -- Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN), has introduced the StreetPilot c340 GPS Navigator, an automotive GPS navigator that features text-to-speech, traffic, and safety camera information database.
"By combining cutting-edge technology with our unparalleled ability to make easy-to-use products, the c340 raises the bar in auto navigation," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's director of marketing. "The text to speech and traffic features allow users to reach their destination with fewer enroute delays and makes travel more flexible and stress-free."
The new StreetPilot c340 provides in-car navigation that is simple for anyone to use directly out-of-the-box. After selecting a destination from the user-friendly touch screen interface, Garmin's text to speech feature tells users what street to turn on, what direction to turn, and when to turn. If the driver misses their turn, the c340 automatically calculates a new route to the destination.
Notification of traffic delays is a c340 option that lets drivers see congested areas via a color-coded map. This feature lets users avoid traffic by simply pushing a button that will calculate a new route. This traffic awareness is made possible via the new Garmin GTM10 TMC receiver that connects to selected Garmin street navigation products. The GTM10 receives digital data from specific FM broadcast stations in select major metro areas throughout the United States and Europe through Clear Channel.
Garmin has also added the ability for customers to augment the pre-loaded maps with Custom POI's from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras. In addition, a proximity alert feature is included to optionally notify the driver of upcoming Custom POI's. This feature is predicted to be popular in Europe and Asia because of the increasing use of safety cameras on roadways. This safety feature is designed to help reinforce the importance of traveling at appropriate and legal speeds.
The StreetPilot c340 comes pre-loaded with highly detailed City Select® NT street data of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The industry-leading database features nearly six million points of interest -- including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions. Map data is provided by NAVTEQ(TM) -- a world leader in premium-quality mapping.
The StreetPilot c340 joins Garmin's growing line of automotive GPS navigators. It has a bright, 3.5-inch diagonal, 16-bit color display with touchscreen; dual integrated speakers for high-quality voice prompts; and an internal lithium-ion battery for out-of-car route planning.
The StreetPilot c-series boasts distinctive and sleek styling -- the units' only buttons are a rotary volume knob and an on/off switch. The device is secured by a suction-mount cradle that fastens to the windshield, for easy portability between vehicles. Users can customize their unit's appearance with an array of colored faceplates (sold separately).
The StreetPilot c340 is expected to be available in late July 2005 at an estimated retail price of $799(US). The unit is sold with a suction cup mount and 12-volt adapter, USB cable, and quick reference guide.
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, StreetPilot, MapSource, and City Select are registered trademarks, GTM 10 and Quest is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Anticipated product availability dates are based on management's current expectations and are not guaranteed.
Source: Garmin International Inc.
CONTACT: Ted Gartner or Jessica Myers, both of Garmin International Inc., +1-913-397-8200, media.relations@garmin.com
Web site: http://www.garmin.com/
