March 12, 2001
Garmin® Delivers Greater Accuracy to its Products
with the Addition of WAAS Capability
Olathe, Kan. - Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd.
(Nasdaq: GRMN), a leading manufacturer of navigation, communication
and information electronics, is pleased to announce the addition
of WAAS capability on several of its products.
The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) is being developed by
the FAA to enhance the accuracy and integrity of global positioning
receivers. WAAS consists of a network of ground stations, which
monitor the integrity and accuracy of Global Positioning System
(GPS) satellites. This information is transmitted to users via
a geo-stationary satellite in a format, which is compatible with
the basic GPS signal structure. WAAS information is offered free-of-charge
to GPS users and does not require the purchase of additional receiving
equipment. The WAAS signal has been available since December 1999
on a near continuous basis. By using WAAS information, select
Garmin products can offer enhanced accuracy typically within three
meters or about five times better than products which are not
compatible with the WAAS system.
"This is exciting news for our customers," said Gary
Kelley, director of marketing, Garmin International. "The
addition of WAAS will make a significant difference to Garmin
users who are navigating in poor visibility conditions. In the
case of a mariner encountering heavy fog, WAAS corrections could
help paint a more accurate picture of his environment, thus resulting
in safer travel."
In August 2000, the FAA declared the WAAS system available for
non-aviation applications like boaters and recreational users.
Other governments are developing similar differential systems
such as the Japanese Multi-Functional Satellite Augmentation System
(MSAS) and the European Euro Geo Stationary Overlay Program (EGNOS)
system. Eventually, users around the world will have access to
precise positioning using the WAAS, MSAS, EGNOS and other compatible
systems.
Garmin has now made this amazing technology available in some
of its handheld and fixed-mount GPS receivers. The recently announced
eTrex Venture®,
eTrex Legend™ and
eTrex Vista® handheld
units now feature WAAS capability, as does the GPS
152, a new fixed-mount marine unit. In addition, the GPSMAP®
162 and GPSMAP 168
Sounder will also support WAAS corrections after a software
update. Customers can visit the Garmin Web site at www.garmin.com
to obtain a free software download for the GPSMAP 162 and GPSMAP
168 Sounder.
Garmin International, Inc. and Garmin Corp. are members of
the Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN) group of companies. Garmin Ltd.,
through its operating subsidiaries, designs and manufactures navigation,
communication and information electronics. The companys
full product line serves the aviation, marine, outdoor recreation,
automotive, wireless and OEM markets. The company is incorporated
in the Cayman Islands and its principal subsidiaries maintain
offices in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For
more information, visit the Virtual Press Room at www.garmin.com/pressroom,
or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin
and eTrex are registered trademarks and eTrex Venture, eTrex Legend,
eTrex Vista GPS 152, GPS 162 and GPSMAP 168 Sounder are trademarks
of Garmin Corporation.
This press release contains forward-looking statements respecting
Garmin Ltd. and its business. These forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ
materially. There could be a number of factors affecting future
results, including those factors identified in Garmin's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 dated December 8, 2000 and filed by Garmin
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file no.
333-45514). Garmin will not update any forward-looking statements
in this press release to reflect future events or developments. |