25 New GPS Products (Garmin)

[GordMay]

Garmin launches 25 new GPS products at METS
Garmin International has launched 25 new marine products at the 2006 Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam. The company said it introduced new and completely redesigned line of chartplotters, sonar, radar, and charting on its GPS products.
"We have completely reinvigorated the line from top to bottom," Garmin spokesman Ted Gartner told reporters. Gartner said that Garmin has paid special attention to design ergonomics on the units, and has incorporated a number of features from its automotive GPS products. "Our automotive units are very streamlined and intuitive and we've replicated that in our marine products," said Gartner. He also said that the level of detail in the electronic cartography has increased, and that some chartplotters now offer aerial photographs of harbors to help with navigation. "With our new optional BlueChart g2 Vision 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," said Gartner.
All chartplotters in Garmin's 2007 lineup come with an enhanced worldwide satellite imagery basemap to enhance the standard vector chart format. Gartner said that Garmin now offers the most powerful 18-inch radar on the market. "We've thrown down the gauntlet with all the new features on these products," he said.
He said that the company's choice of METS as the launch point did not mean the company would push harder into the European market or ignore its US market. "These days we are a global company, so we design products to be used everywhere in the world," said Gartner.