OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced a premier addition to their fully integrated line of GPSMAP series chartplotters and combination plotter/sonar units. Boasting a sleek new design, vibrant touchscreen and unsurpassed positioning technology, these eight new models offer boaters and anglers the features they demand.
“Boaters can rely on this new line of plotters to get them to their fishing spots with unparalleled precision,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “And thanks to Spread-Spectrum CHIRP sonar capability, anglers can see deeper than ever before, with excellent target separation.”
Whether deciding between the 5-inch VGA screen on the new 500-series or the 7-inch WVGA touchscreen display with pinch-to-zoom on the 700-series, both allow for easy visibility, day or night. Each series provides a streamlined look by being flat or flush-mounted, while the 700-series can also be gimble-mounted and the 500-series can be swivel-mounted. Coupled with Garmin’s hallmark user-friendly interface, these chartplotters will be the focal point when showcased in any helm.
With the integration of the high-sensitivity 10Hz GPS/GLONASS receiver, both the new 500 and 700-series are able to update position and heading ten times per second, providing significantly smoother on-screen navigation. This industry-leading GPS receiver dramatically improves the ability to mark and navigate to any one of 5000 user-created waypoints and also allows for vessel movement to be crisp and fluid on screen. Although the water may be choppy, navigation won’t be.
The product lineup includes the GPSMAP 547, 741, 547xs and 741xs which include built-in U.S. coastal and inland mapping. It also includes the GPSMAP 527, 721, 527xs, and 721xs with built-in World-wide basemap.
For superior situational awareness, mariners can also load the new GPSMAP 700-series plotters with an optional BlueChart® g2 Vision® micro-SD card to navigate with a clear moving-map representation of the boat’s position. With BlueChart g2 Vision, mariners can also take advantage of the Auto Guidance feature which suggests the best routes to follow. In addition, g2 Vision features true MarinerEye view above water or a FishEye underwater perspective – both in 3D. And for help in navigating tricky harbors and channels – or locating marinas and resorts – g2 Vision cards offer a growing database of aerial reference photos.
With the ‘xs’ series, Garmin has not only included the newly redesigned, highly acclaimed HD-ID sonar technology but they’ve also included built-in Spread-Spectrum CHIRP sonar capability. When used with a compatible CHIRP transducer, the combination devices can display crystal-clear sonar images to help find the next hidden fishing spot, ship wreckage or diving location. With Garmin’s Spread-Spectrum technology, not only will boaters see target separation and resolution at extraordinary depths, but they can dial into specific frequencies to target certain species of sport fish. Bottom contours are also more visible and signal noise can be suppressed at greater depths to provide a more timely interpretation of what’s below for safer navigation and better fishing.
While the GPSMAP 700-series will fully support radar, all of the new GPSMAP products will support Garmin weather receivers (sold separately) and are NMEA 2000 compatible. The new line of GPSMAP devices will also have full wireless connectivity to tablets and smartphones for use with the BlueChart Mobile app as well as a suite of other apps available in 2013.
The new GPSMAP standalone and combination units are scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2013. For additional information regarding these devices, visit www.garmin.com/combos.
Garmin’s marine business segment is a leading provider of navigation and communication equipment to retail and OEM customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes the industry’s most sophisticated array of chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar, high-definition radar, autopilot offerings and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and ease-of-use.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, 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, BlueChart and g2 Vision are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on forward-looking statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. All statements regarding the company’s future product introductions are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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