| January 8, 2003
Garmin Introduces Sleek, Simple GPS Devices
with ‘Geko’ Line
Geko 101 and Geko 201 deliver compact, lightweight
GPS products for outdoor fun
OLATHE, Kan./PR Newswire — Garmin International Inc., a
unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today unveiled a new line
of lightweight, easy-to-use GPS products that are both colorful
and affordable. The company showed off its Geko
101 and Geko 201
devices today at the 2003 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The Geko name is inspired by the multiple species of small, sleek
Gecko lizards that inhabit various parts of the world. As pets,
Gecko lizards are known for their low maintenance and high entertainment
value.
"We designed our Geko line to be inviting, useful and affordable,"
said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s director of marketing. "Whimsical
colors, waterproof construction, easy operation, intuitive software
— even fun outdoor games — are all built into these
GPS devices that are designed to fit as comfortably into your
shirt pocket as they do into your budget."
The Geko series follows in the footsteps of the company’s
successful eTrex product line. The Geko series has Garmin’s
traditional compact, waterproof design and user-friendly interface
(with features such as one-touch waypoint marking). However, these
products are slimmer and lighter than the eTrex family, feature
front-button functionality and operate on two AAA batteries.
The Geko 101 (yellow)
is a low-cost device for navigational novices. It has five buttons
(Up/Zoom Out, Down/Zoom In, OK, Page, and Power/Backlight) for
easy operation and 250-waypoint storage capacity with graphic
identification to mark campsites, parking spots and other specific
locations. Targeted at the casual user, the Geko 101 will be one
of Garmin’s most affordable new products at approximately
$100.
The Geko 201 (green)
is for consumers who want to graduate up to the next level of
outdoor navigation. The Geko 201 takes the basic functions of
the Geko 101 and adds the utility of the Wide Area Augmentation
System (WAAS) to deliver accuracy of less than 10 feet. The Geko
201 also boasts a user-configurable trip computer and 10,000 log
points for automatic recording of electronic "breadcrumb
trails."
The Geko 201 is also packed with several Garmin-proprietary games
that transform the great outdoors into a virtual board game. Consumers
can enjoy a good workout while they chase a virtual lizard in
Geko Smak, match symbols in a grid version of Memory Race, navigate
to reference points without crossing one’s trail in Nibbons,
and collect symbols along a path in Virtual Maze.
Other specifications of the Geko 101 and Geko
201:
- Accuracy: 45 feet or less (Geko 101); 10 feet or less with
WAAS (Geko 201)
- Size: 3.92" (H) x 1.85" (W) x 0.96" (D)
- Weight: 3.1 oz. (with batteries)
- Screen Size: 1.8" (diagonal)
- Screen Resolution: 100 (H) x 64 (W) pixel count
- Battery Life: 12 hours (typical use) on two AAA batteries
- Waypoint/Route storage: 250/0 (Geko 101); 500/20 (Geko 201)
- Automatic track storage: 3,000 trackpoints (Geko 101); 10,000
trackpoints and 20 saved tracks (Geko 201)
- Trip Odometer Functions: Average/maximum speed; average/maximum
distance; total trip time
- Waterproof Construction: Submersible for 30 minutes in one
meter of water (IPX-7 standards)
The Geko 101 and Geko 201 will be available in the first quarter
of 2003 with suggested retail prices of $113.00 and $149.99, respectively.
Both will ship standard with a quick-start guide and owner’s
manual.
The Geko 201 was also selected as a CES Innovations 2003 Design
& Engineering Showcase Award honoree in the Personal Electronics
category for its innovative combination of form, function and
value.
Garmin International Inc. is a member of the Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq:
GRMN) group of companies, which designs and manufactures navigation,
communication and information devices -- most of which are enabled
by GPS technology. Garmin is a leader in the general aviation
and consumer GPS markets and its products serve aviation, marine,
outdoor recreation, automotive, wireless and OEM applications.
Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal
subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the
United Kingdom. Visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom
or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200 for
more information. GARMIN and eTrex are registered trademarks,
and Geko, Geko 101 and Geko 201 are trademarks of Garmin Ltd.
or its subsidiaries.
Notice on forward-looking statements:
This release includes projections and other forward-looking
statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Any statements
regarding the companys future financial position, revenues,
earnings, product introductions, plans and objectives are forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed
in this release may not occur and actual results could differ
materially as a result of risk factors affecting Garmin. Information
concerning risk factors that could affect Garmins actual
results is contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 29, 2001 filed by Garmin with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy
of Garmins Form 10-K can be downloaded from http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html.
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