Garmin® GPSMAP® 495: A Feature Rich, Great Value GPS for Pilots
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the
global leader in satellite navigation, announced today the GPSMAP 495, a
portable aviation device designed for pilots who want many of the same
features as the popular GPSMAP 496 at a fraction of the cost. The GPSMAP
495 includes Garmin’s SafeTaxi® airport diagrams, Garmin’s Smart
Airspace, AOPA’s Airport Directory data, enhanced high-resolution
terrain database, aviation database with private airports and heliports,
accelerated GPS update rate, and European VFR reporting waypoints.
“Those familiar with our aviation handheld product line will see the
GPSMAP 495 as a cross between the GPSMAP 296 and GPSMAP 496 because it
provides some of the advanced features found on the GPSMAP 496, but is
closer to the GPSMAP 296’s price point,” said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s vice
president of marketing.
The GPSMAP 495 incorporates the same, higher resolution terrain database
found on the GPSMAP 496. The land graphics have over ten times as much
data as other Garmin handhelds and vividly display proximity hazards. In
aviation mode, pilots have the benefit of terrain and obstacle alerting,
pop-up alerts, and customizable minimum clearance limits that give
audible terrain alerts at specified altitudes. Pilots will also
appreciate Garmin’s Smart Airspace feature that automatically highlights
airspace close to the pilot’s current altitude and de-emphasizes
airspace away from the current altitude.
Like the GPSMAP 496, the GPSMAP 495 has an increased GPS update rate
that is five times faster than other handheld GPS devices. This
impressive speed gives fluid updates of GPS derived data including the
aircraft’s flight indicators, such as the HSI and turn rate indicator.
The GPSMAP 495’s SafeTaxi diagrams and Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association (AOPA) Airport Directory data help reduce the headaches
associated with navigating unfamiliar taxiways and airports. With over
850 US airport diagrams preloaded, SafeTaxi lets pilots see the
aircraft’s exact location on the field in relation to charts that
identify runways, taxiways and hangars. The preloaded AOPA Airport
Directory data includes information for over 5,300 public-use airports
and more than 7,000 FBOs, such as pilot services, ground transportation,
lodging, restaurants, and local attractions. In addition, Garmin’s
version of the AOPA’s Airport Directory highlights airports where pilots
can save on fuel by using self-service fueling locations.
Those who want to use the GPSMAP 495 on the road or water can do so by
adding optional MapSource® City Navigator® street maps or BlueChart®
marine cartography. City Navigator helps drivers navigate unfamiliar
streets with turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions to specific
addresses and points of interests. When MapSource BlueChart® marine
cartography is installed, the waterproof GPSMAP 495 displays information
like depth contours, inter-tidal zones, spot soundings, wrecks, navaids,
port plans, restricted areas, cable areas and anchorages.
The GPSMAP 495 is expected to be available April 8-13, 2008, at the Sun
‘n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida. The expected street price is
$1,595.00. Those who purchase a GPSMAP 495 at the 2008 Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In
are also eligible to receive a $100 rebate. The GPSMAP 495 package
includes a yoke mount, cigarette-lighter adapter, AC adapter cable,
USB-to-PC interface cable, low-profile remote GPS antenna, carrying
case, free Jeppesen update certificate, owner’s manual and
quick-reference guide. The GPSMAP 495 does not include the GXM 30A smart
antenna with XM WX Satellite Weather and it is not compatible with the
GXM™ 30A smart antenna.
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 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, SafeTaxi, City Navigator, MapSource and BlueChart are registered
trademarks, and GXM is a 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.