Garmin® Adds High-Definition to its Open-Array Radars

Garmin the global leader in satellite navigation is pleased to announce its next generation of open-array digital radar scanners – the GMR™ 1204/1206 xHD and the GMR 604/606 xHD – setting the standard for high-definition performance and target detection, transmitting with 12 and 6 kilowatts of power respectively.

Nigel Craine, Marine Product and OEM Manager said: “These new open-array scanners transmit more power than ever before, making them the ideal solution for those who demand a high-power, high-performance radar that will deliver incredible target detection and detail.

“Whether you’re entering the harbour on a foggy evening, or a fisherman looking for birds in the distance, you’ll see what’s out there sooner and with more confidence.”

The powerful 6-foot GMR 1206 xHD and GMR 606 xHD feature a 1.1-degree horizontal and 25-degree vertical beamwidth, which offers outstanding clarity, precision and target definition. The GMR 1204 xHD and GMR 604 xHD boast a 4-foot antenna that focuses energy with a 1.8-degree horizontal and 25-degree vertical beamwidth. All four open-array scanners have a maximum effective range of 72 nautical miles and offer selectable rotation speeds from 24 RPM or 48 RPM for rapid target updates.

These new xHD scanners provide up to eight times more sampling data than Garmin’s current open-array offerings, so mariners won’t miss a thing. 

GMR606xHD_HR_805

For the ultimate in situational awareness, these new radar units also incorporate a Dual Range feature that allows a Garmin network-compatible chartplotter to display two ranges simultaneously, so users can see both close and distant targets on one display.

As with other Garmin radar devices, these new units also support MARPA (Mini Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) collision avoidance capability, which allows mariners to track the course, speed and predicted closest approach of multiple targets (with optional heading sensor).

Each new four and six-foot open-array scanner features automatic and manual sensitivity, tuning controls, including gain, sea clutter and rain clutter – which allows users to spend less time tuning the unit and more time navigating.

Mariners will also benefit as these units transmit data over the Garmin Marine Network™, a plug-and-play proprietary system that allows the user to expand the boat’s electronics as needed. This network can provide important situational awareness data like GPS, radar and sonar directly on a GPSMAP® 4008 or 5008 chartplotter.

The GMR 604 xHD has a suggested retail price of £699.99, and the GMR 606 xHD is available for £1299.99.  The GMR 1204 xHD has a suggested retail price of £699.99 and the GMR 1206 xHD is available for £1299.99.

All Garmin radar units come standard with a full two-year warranty. These new xHD units are expected to be available in late 2009. For more information, go to www.garmin.co.uk

About Garmin
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications since 1989 – 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 the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information visit Garmin's media centre at www.garmin.co.uk/mediacentre. Garmin is a registered trademark 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 29, 2007 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 000-31983). A copy of Garmin’s Form 10-K can be downloaded 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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