Garmin Announces GPSMAP, echoMAP Product Lines Have Received New Features

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd.

, today announced exciting new software features available to many multi-function displays (MFDs), chartplotters and combination chartplotters in its popular GPSMAP and echoMAP marine product lines. Among the new features included in this update are Auto Guidance 2.0, the import of waypoints, routes and tracks via GPX, advanced sailing features, enhanced safety operations, and more. This software update is available now at no charge. “In an ongoing effort to improve our products and provide our customers with innovative features, we're excited to offer this significant software update that adds a number of premium capabilities to some of our most popular marine product lines,” said David Dunn, senior manager of marine sales and marketing. One of the features now available with this free software update is Auto Guidance 2.0. The original Auto Guidance was a breakthrough in simple, reliable marine auto-navigation. Now, this patented technology offers even more features and capabilities in Version 2.0. The user simply enters the desired destination and the technology instantly searches through relevant charts to create a path free of obstacles, shallow water, buoys and other obstructions. With Auto Guidance 2.0, mariners also get the ability to adjust an Auto Guidance path, review hazards along the way, calculate arrival times and save plotted paths for future navigation. Auto Guidance 2.0 is included with the optional purchase of BlueChart^® g2 Vision^® premium cartography or LakeVü™ HD Ultra freshwater maps and is available for use on all echoMAP series devices and the GPSMAP 8000, GPSMAP 7400/7600, GPSMAP 8x0/10x0, and GPSMAP 5x7/7x1 product lines. The ability to import waypoints, routes and tracks from other manufacturer's GPS products can now be done on all GPSMAP and echoMAP units via industry-standard GPX formatting. With this enhancement, users can retain and transfer their stored waypoints, ensuring critical data is maintained when trading up to a new Garmin product. For sailing customers, many Garmin chartplotters now offer a compelling array of wind-maximizing features. A new pre-race guidance page displays a virtual starting line on the chart, along with data fields showing laylines, time to burn before the start, and a race countdown timer that can be synchronized across all networked Garmin GPS products. In addition, other supported sailing features include an enhanced wind rose, heading and course-over-ground lines, set and drift, true and apparent wind data, and more. These new sailing enhancements are available on all GPSMAP 8000, GPSMAP 7400/7600, and GPSMAP 8x0/10x0 product lines. An exclusive SOS safety assist feature is now available on the higher-end GPSMAP 8000 and GPSMAP 7400/7600 series network chartplotters. This feature makes it easier for anyone – even those not familiar with marine electronics or radio protocols – to quickly call the Coast Guard for help in an emergency situation. By simply tapping the SOS button on the chartplotter's touchscreen display, users are instantly presented with a list of possible situations (Fire, Man Overboard etc.). Once the applicable choice has been selected, the screen will provide a U.S. Coast Guard-approved VHF radio distress call script, along with the ship's current GPS coordinates, that can be read off to responders – thus saving time, averting panic, and providing the essential information needed by rescuers to assure the best possible outcome. Other features also available for the higher-end GPSMAP 8000 and GPSMAP 7400/7600 product lines are a new “Home” screen layout that includes Favorites, Functions, Combos and SmartMode™, and the ability to resize the viewing panes on the display. These devices will also feature an enhanced interface with Axis^® IP Cameras and compatible FLIR^® cameras, often used throughout a vessel for surveillance or security. Users can now pan, tilt and zoom these cameras using on-screen pinch and swipe gestures. All devices in these product lines will also feature an on-board PDF User Manual, allowing customers to quickly reference a feature or configuration setting directly from the chartplotter screen when needed. In addition to the aforementioned features, many Garmin GPSMAP devices will now support several recently introduced Garmin products, including the GHP™ Reactor™ Autopilot series, GMR™ xHD2 open-array radars, and the GSD™ 25 black-box sounder. This software update is free and available now for the following product lines: GPSMAP 8000, GPSMAP 7400/7600, GPSMAP 8x0/10x0, GPSMAP 5x7/7x1, as well as the full echoMAP series. Visit www8.garmin.com/support/software/marine.html to download the update. Garmin's portfolio includes some of the industry's most sophisticated chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar technology, high-definition radar, autopilots, high-resolution mapping, sailing instrumentation and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and ease-of-use. For 25 years, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.