OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the slim, lightweight Approach S5 GPS golf watch. Boasting a high-res color display, the Approach S5 comes preloaded with CourseView mapping for more than 38,000 international courses with Touch Targeting and Manual Pin Positioning. With the Approach S5, golfers can track their stats, then upload data to Garmin Connect to share and compare their rounds. Golfers can also stay connected on the course with the Smart Notification feature, which sends call, text and email alerts to the watch from a compatible smartphone. With the S5, Garmin expands the Approach series of GPS golf watches with a sleek, feature-packed device.

The Approach S5 will be showcased along with other golf devices in the Garmin booth (#1313) at the PGA Show in Orlando, Fla.

“The Approach S5 boasts an extensive feature set that would benefit any golfer,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “With the color touchscreen and CourseView mapping, the Approach S5 gives golfers a desirable advantage whether it's used on their home course or anywhere else in the world.”

Preloaded with more than 38,000 international courses and free lifetime updates, the Approach S5 is full of features to assist golfers of all skill levels. With full CourseView mapping, golfers can preview hole details like doglegs, traps, water hazards, and green shapes while they're on the course or even in the clubhouse. In addition to CourseView, the Approach S5 has GreenView, which shows golfers the layout of the green, as well as nearby bunkers and water hazards. Golfers can even use the touchscreen to drag and drop the pin to the day's location, giving them the most accurate yardages. With the high-resolution touchscreen, golfers can utilize the Touch Targeting feature to show the precise distance to any point on the hole, whether it's a fairway, hazard, or green.

The Approach S5 doubles as an electronic scorecard to save, review, and share scorecards and stats. Sync the S5 to Garmin Connect™ or the Garmin Connect Mobile app, and golfers will be able to upload, analyze and share their scorecards, as well as other data like fairways hit, greens in regulation, shot distance and number of putts. They can even analyze course data, and see hole-by-hole details to understand their own trends and tendencies to improve their game. The Approach S5 also has a Handicap Scoring feature, which provides handicap scoring options for individual holes, the golfer's local handicap, or index/slope methods. This is great to track golfers' progress and improvements over time for every course they play.

The Approach S5 packs additional wireless connectivity into a small, easy to wear package. The Smart Notification feature allows golfers to stay connected while on the course. When paired with a compatible smartphone¹, golfers can receive text, email and missed call alerts right on the watch, so they're able to leave their phone in the cart or packed away in their bag.

The Approach S5 boasts up to 10 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 20 weeks in watch mode. It has a rugged design and is water resistant to 50 meters², so it's durable enough to withstand a rainstorm, or being tossed in a golf bag. The S5 has an easy-to-use interface and comes equipped with an odometer and round timer so golfers can track the distance walked and time spent playing.

The Approach S5 will be available in black with blue bezel accents, with a variety of colorful accessory bands sold separately. The S5 will be available at specialty golf retailers and golf pro shops in Q1 2015, and will have a suggested retail price of $349.99.

The Approach S5 is the latest solution from Garmin's expanding outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users' outdoor experiences. Whether hiking, hunting, geocaching, golfing, dog training, or capturing it all on VIRB action cameras, Garmin outdoor devices are becoming essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. For more information about Garmin's other outdoor products and services, go to http://www.garmin.com/outdoors, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin.

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.

¹ Examples of compatible phones include: iPhone® 4S & later, Android™ 4.3, Galaxy S3 or later, Galaxy Note 3 or HTC One, phone must be Bluetooth Smart. For the full list of compatible smartphones, click here.

² For more information on Garmin water ratings, click here.

About Garmin

Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark and Approach, CourseView and Garmin Connect are trademarks 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. 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 28, 2013, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at http://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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