April 12, 2001

Garmin® Debuts New WAAS-Capable GPS/Chartplotters

GPSMAP® 182, GPSMAP 232, GPSMAP 188 Sounder and GPSMAP 238 Sounder boast greater accuracy, higher-resolution displays, new cartography and much more

Olathe, Kan. - Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), a leading manufacturer of navigation, communication and information electronics, is unveiling four new products for the marine market – introducing the GPSMAP 182, GPSMAP 232, GPSMAP 188 Sounder and GPSMAP 238 Sounder.

These products will replace existing Garmin chartplotters and chartplotter/sounder combination units. The GPSMAP 182 will replace the GPSMAP 180, the GPSMAP 232 replaces the GPSMAP 230, the GPSMAP 188 replaces the GPSMAP 185 and the GPSMAP 238 will replace the GPSMAP 235.

The most notable external features on these units are their crisp, high-resolution displays that feature pixel counts of 240 x 360. These displays are also high-contrast, which makes them easy to read even in direct sunlight.

All four units feature the same internal enhancements such as increased speed and greater accuracy. A new processor makes map redraw rates, panning and zooming functions even faster than before. And positional accuracy up to three meters in the United States and portions of Canada and Mexico is now standard thanks to compatibility with the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). WAAS enhances the accuracy and integrity of global positioning receivers through a system of ground stations and geosyncronous satellites.

"These products will be terrific additions to our saltwater marine line," said Gary Kelley, director of marketing, Garmin International. "Not only are customers getting a new choice in chartplotters and chartplotter/sounder combinations with brighter displays, but they’re also getting improved positional accuracy thanks to the built-in WAAS capability."

Another shared characteristic among the four units is a built-in worldwide marine basemap complete with U.S. tide data. The units also accept additional offshore cartography from Garmin BlueCharts®. The information includes depth contours, spot soundings, wrecks and navaids just to name a few. The cartography is stored on a miniature data card that is easily inserted into the data card slot on each of the units.

What sets the units apart are display size and the addition of depth sounders. The GPSMAP 182 has a 5.5" diagonal display, while the GPSMAP 232 has a 7.1-inch diagonal display. The GPSMAP 188 Sounder has the same 5.5-inch diagonal display plus a 500-watt, dual frequency depth sounder. The GPSMAP 238 Sounder has a 7.1-inch diagonal display plus a 500-watt, dual frequency depth sounder.

Specific features of the GPSMAP 182, GPSMAP 232, GPSMAP 188 Sounder and GPSMAP 238 Sounder include:

WAAS capable for GPS accuracy to approximately three meters

Built-in worldwide, marine basemap

Tide data for the United States

5.5-inch diagonal, high-resolution display with 360 x 240 pixels (GPSMAP 182/188 Sounder)

7.1-inch diagonal, high-resolution display with 360 x 240 pixels (GPSMAP 232/238 Sounder)

Dual frequency (50 and 200 kHz), 500-watt depth sounder (GPSMAP 188 Sounder and GPSMAP 238 Sounder)

Works with Garmin BlueCharts for offshore mapping detail including depth contours, spot soundings, wrecks, navaids and more; information contained on miniature data cards

Waterproof to IPX7 standards; can be immersed in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes

Stores up to 500 waypoints with name and graphic symbol

Built-in celestial tables provide for sun and moon information by date and position

The GPSMAP 182 is expected to be available in May at the following manufacturer’s suggested retail prices: $775.70 with internal antenna and $799.99 with external antenna. The GPSMAP 232 is expected to be available in May at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,142.84. The GPSMAP 188 Sounder is expected to be available in August at the following manufacturer’s suggested retail prices: $951.41 with internal antenna and without transducer; $975.70 with external antenna and without transducer; $1004.27 with internal antenna and with transducer; and $1028.56 with external antenna and without transducer. The GPSMAP 238 Sounder is expected to be available in August at the following suggested retail prices: $1,318.56 without transducer and $1,371.41 with transducer.