Garmin® Launches “X”-treme Handheld Makeover

GPSMAP 60Cx
LAS VEGAS, Nev./January 3, 2006/PR Newswire — Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today announced that it is refreshing its most popular handheld navigation devices by adding removable microSD memory in a waterproof and ruggedized housing. The new x-series devices were introduced at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (booth #35920).
The eTrex Legend® Cx, eTrex Vista® Cx, GPSMAP® 60Cx, GPSMAP 60CSx, GPSMAP 76Cx, and GPSMAP 76CSx will all feature the new card slot. In addition, the new 60x-series and 76x-series units will feature a new and highly sensitive GPS receiver that obtains faster acquisition times and lets users determine and track their location in challenging conditions such as heavy foliage or deep canyons.
“The new x-series of handhelds gives hikers, hunters, geocachers, and boaters exactly what they’re looking for – the versatility of a memory card slot for adding highly-detailed maps,” said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s vice president of marketing. “And with the addition of new GPS technology in our 60x and 76x lineup, acquiring and maintaining a fix is easier than ever.”
Owners of the new x-series of handhelds also can purchase new microSD cards that are pre-loaded with MapSource® Topo and inland lake maps, BlueChart® marine cartography, and City Navigator™ street maps. The microSD card slot is located inside the waterproof (IPX-7) battery compartment. Users can also load map data and transfer routes and waypoints through the units’ fast USB connection.
Designed as entry-level yet full-featured navigators, the eTrex Legend Cx and Vista Cx boast a color TFT display and advanced GPS routing capabilities in a waterproof design. A blank 32MB microSD card is included with these units. The Vista Cx incorporates a barometric altimeter for extremely accurate elevation data and an electronic compass displays accurate heading while standing still.
Considered the mainstay among serious outdoor enthusiasts, the GPSMAP 60Cx and 60CSx offer a large color TFT display and turn-by-turn routing capability and rugged looks. Each unit comes with a blank 64MB microSD card. The GPSMAP 60CSx also incorporates a barometric altimeter for extremely accurate elevation data and an electronic compass displays accurate heading while standing still.
Favorites among boaters, the GPSMAP 76Cx and 76CSx have the same features and large color display as the 60x series, with an added benefit for mariners – the units float. The 76x-series units are all equipped with a blank 128MB microSD card. Like the 60CSx, the GPSMAP 76CSx includes a barometric altimeter and electronic compass.
The x-series units are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2006 and are some of the many products the company announced at CES. For pricing and further details, on these and other newly-announced products, please visit www.garmin.com.

NEW COLOR LCD FURUNO GP7000F/NT IS ADVANCED ALL-IN-ONE GPS/WAAS, CHART PLOTTER AND FISH FINDER

Furuno’s new GP7000F/NT combines a GPS/WAAS, chart plotter and fish finder in a single, compact, waterproof color LCD display. Ideal for smaller boats and pleasure craft, the GP7000F/NT delivers vivid pictures on its 7” wide color LCD (TFT) screen (16:9 aspect ratio). It incorporates a new ultra bright display with an Anti-Reflective coating that enhances the GP7000F/NT’s sunlight viewability. It also features extremely wide viewing angles, so you can see the display from nearly anywhere on your boat.
The GP7000F/NT is simple to operate, thanks to conveniently arranged front panel controls, a rotary encoder knob and easy-to-understand “soft key” menus. Its built-in GPS/WAAS receiver provides a precise position fix.
This innovative, space-saving unit also features the added bonus of a built-in, dual-frequency (50/200 kHz) menu selected 600 Watt or 1,000 Watt (RMS) fish finder that supplies superior fish detection and detailed bottom readings. Sounder pictures can be displayed jointly with course plot and other nav information in split-screen format, or on the full width of the screen.
The fish finder features cruising and fishing auto modes or you can manually adjust the settings to suit your specific needs. Choose between LF (50kHz), HF (200kHz) or both at the touch of a key and obtain detailed echoes of bottom structure and fish using 8 custom ranges to 4,000 feet. Other modes include Bottom Lock, Bottom Zoom, A-Scope and Marker Zoom. Display digital depth, water temp and boat speed when appropriate sensors are attached.
The GP7000F/NT was specifically engineered to utilize the latest C-MapNT+ electronic charts, which provide highly-detailed charts and information on more than 1,000 of the most popular cruising, fishing and sailing marinas across the county. It operates using C-Map’s Local, Wide or SuperWide charts available on a new SD (Secure Digital) memory card. These are like the memory cards that are commonly found in your digital camera or MP3 players. The GP7000F/NT has two SD card slots allowing one slot to be used for a chart, while the second slot can be utilized for storage of waypoints, routes and other data. The cards are front-loading, allowing for easy flush-mounting of the unit.
Another feature using C-Map charts is Guardian Technology, which continuously scans the chart data in front of the boat to detect rocks, shoals, obstructions and land areas that could pose a threat. It will trigger alarms if the boat were to continue along the current course. The area searched is user-definable and is identified by a triangle on the screen.
A variety of presentation modes are offered. Within the Course Plot Mode, users can choose from True Motion North-up, True Motion Course-up, Relative Motion North-up, Relative Motion Course-up and Auto Course-up options. Other modes include Alphanumeric Nav Data, Steering and Highway.
Furuno’s GP7000F/NT also features built-in alarm functions to alert the user when the vessel enters or leaves a pre-defined area (Arrival/Anchor Watch), exceeds a preset limit (XTE) or approaches a dangerous area (proximity alert). Water depth and fish alarms are also available.
Besides the GP7000F/NT, There’s also a GP7000/NT unit that is simply a state-of-the-art combination GPS/WAAS and chart plotter.