More Vibrant and Easier to Use, Garmin Introduces GMI 20 and GHC 20

 Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the GMI 20 and GHC 20, the premier Garmin instrumentation that bridges both the powerboat and sail instrument lineup.  Providing a brand new interface that’s easier to use than ever before, the GMI 20 and GHC 20 prove to be vital components in any helm.

“We’ve listened to customer feedback and built off the success of our previous marine instruments to make the GMI 20 and GHC 20 better,” said Dan Bartel, vice president of sales.  “With bigger, brighter, more vibrant screens, the GMI 20 and GHC 20 are easier to see, easier to use and provide more crucial information than ever before.”

The GMI 20 has a bonded 4-inch color screen that displays depth, speed, wind, engine information and over 100 marine and vessel-specific parameters based on the mariner’s preference.  The GMI 20 is designed to fulfill the purpose of its predecessor, the GMI 10, while further expanding functionality by providing more information in a larger and brighter format.

The GHC 20 also has a bonded 4-inch color screen that is designed to display and provide control of autopilot functions.  With a larger and brighter display, the GHC 20 is compatible with legacy Garmin autopilots while also being compatible with newer Garmin autopilot systems.  The GHC 20 can also be operated wirelessly with an autopilot remote and Garmin’s newly announced quatix™ marine watch.  New autopilot corepacks, such as the GHP™ 10, GHP 12 and GHP 20, will have the GHC 20 included.

With an updated user interface, both the GMI and GHC 20 provide menus and gauges that match the aesthetics of Garmin’s newly announced GPSMAP® 8000 Glass Helm Series.  While more user friendly and boasting a more intuitive layout that shares both backlight and color settings, the GMI and GHC 20 have the ability to be flush or flat-mounted, preserving the glass helm appearance that the GPSMAP 8000 Glass Helm Series provides.

Nighttime readability has been increased on the GMI and GHC 20.  With a choice of red/black, green/black or the normal nightmode color scheme, the GMI and GHC 20 have LED backlighting that gives the ability to display information much dimmer than the previous GMI and GHC models could.  Conversely, daylight readability has also been enhanced.  With a higher contrast color scheme and wider viewing angle, the GMI and GHC 20 provide for better clarity and visibility in any sunlight.  In addition, the glass-bonded display of the GMI and GHC 20 ensures that no condensation forms within the unit.  The glass display is also treated to help prevent any glare or reflection, preserving the clearest view of data possible in any weather conditions.

A new feature introduced on the GMI 20 is auto-scroll.  With auto-scroll, the mariner can designate how quickly the pages cycle without user intervention.  The layout can be customized to scroll at different time intervals, thus allowing the freedom to install the unit in a greater variety of places and easily access the information from longer distances.  This also allows the user the ability to utilize one instrument for multiple uses.

The GMI 20 and GHC 20 are scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2013.  For additional information regarding the GMI 20 and GHC 20, visit www.garmin.com.

Garmin’s marine business segment is a leading provider of navigation and communication equipment to retail and OEM customers.  Garmin’s portfolio includes the industry’s most sophisticated array of chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar, high-definition radar, autopilot offerings and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and ease-of-use.