Garmin expands GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv Series

Garmin International, Inc. today announced the GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series, an extension of its flagship GPSMAP 8600 series that brings premium features like built-in sonar and new BlueChart g3 coastal cartography and LakeVü g3 maps with Navionics data and built-in Auto Guidance* to smaller, more affordable display options. Available in 10-, 12- and 16-inch displays that feature full HD in-plane switching (IPS) screens with multi-touch control, the GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series is Wi-Fi enabled and offers full connectivity and networkability so mariners can completely customize their marine electronics system based on their needs and preferences. The new GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series is being announced at the 2018 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, and will be on display at the Garmin booth #332 in the electronics tent.

“Garmin was the first to create a glass-helm design, and we’re excited to bring this stunning appearance to smaller, more affordable displays without compromising the premium performance our customers know and depend on from our award-winning GPSMAP series,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin worldwide vice president of consumer sales. “The GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series offers unmatched sonar, cartography and connectivity capabilities so fishermen, cruisers and sailors can feel more confident at the helm, and spend more time enjoying their passions on the water.”

With built-in support for Garmin’s industry-leading sonar, the GPSMAP 8600xsv series includes support for dual-channel 1kW traditional CHIRP, CHIRP ClearVü and CHIRP SideVü scanning sonars, plus Ultra High-Definition scanning sonar, giving anglers the greatest sonar detail available from a Garmin system to date. These chartplotters also support the full Garmin Panoptix all-seeing sonar product line, including Panoptix LiveScope, the first and only live real-time scanning sonar available on the market today. Transducers are sold separately. Non-sonar capable versions of each new display – the GPSMAP 8610, GPSMAP 8612 and    GPSMAP 8616 – are also available.

The new GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series is the first to come preloaded with Garmin’s exclusive  BlueChart g3 coastal charts and LakeVü g3 inland maps with integrated Navionics data and Auto Guidance technology. This new Garmin cartography brings unrivaled detail and convenience to users by blending the best of all three data sets – BlueChart, LakeVü and Navionics – to provide navigational aids, spot soundings, depth contours, tides and currents, and detailed harbors and marinas. In addition, Garmin’s preloaded BlueChart g3 is the first to offer built-in Auto Guidance technology that instantly searches through relevant charts to create a suggested path based upon the dimensions of the user’s boat – one that seeks to avoid low bridges, shallow water and other charted obstructions. International versions of this new series, the GPSMAP 8400/8400xsv series, are also available and come preloaded with a worldwide basemap.

For superior clarity and sunlight readability, the new GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series offers full-HD IPS touchscreen displays that provide consistent, accurate colors that can be seen from all viewing angles, even with polarized sunglasses. The maximum glass design can be bail-, flush- or flat-mounted, enabling edge-to-edge installation of multiple displays.

The premium processing power found in the GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series significantly benefits all onboard sensors like sonar, radar, cameras, video and digital switching, and enhances the user experience across the entire network. This lightning fast processor also delivers Garmin’s fastest map drawing capabilities, so there’s hardly ever a delay, even at high speeds. With SmartMode, these multi-function displays (MFDs) are designed to give the user quick, one-touch access to the information they care most about. Users can configure and customize their entire system for activities ranging from docking, cruising, fishing, and anchoring with just one touch.

These powerful new MFDs are fully network capable with NMEA 2000 connectivity and the Garmin Marine Network to easily build a customized electronics suite – from sonar, radar and autopilots to instruments, cameras and multimedia. The screen can even be spilt to show up to six different features simultaneously, including HDMI video input. Sailors will also appreciate the built-in SailAssist feature that provides data, displays and prerace guidance needed to gain a competitive edge. For full control of the boat from the MFD, the GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series also supports OneHelm, an integrated solution that brings the power and convenience of controlling onboard boat systems like digital switching, lighting, stabilization and more, to the Garmin display.

The all-in-one compact design of the GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series eliminates the need for black-boxes, monitors, and external Wi-Fi antennas. They feature built-in Bluetooth^® connectivity,    Wi-Fi^® and ANT^® that allow the chartplotter to connect with additional Garmin devices like a quatix 5 marine smartwatch, VIRB^® action cameras, or gWind Wireless 2 wind sensor. Users can also pair the new GPSMAPs with the free ActiveCaptain^® mobile app for access to OneChart, smart notifications, trip planning, software updates and much more.

The new GPSMAP 8600/8600xsv series is expected to be available in Q1 2019 with an MRSP ranging from $2499.99 to $5999.99. For more information, visit garmin.com/newmarine.

Garmin is the world’s leading marine electronics manufacturer² and was recently named Manufacturer of the Year for the fourth consecutive year by the NMEA, an honor given to the most recognized marine electronics company for support of products in the field. Garmin’s portfolio includes some of the industry’s most sophisticated chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar technology, high-definition radar, autopilots, high-resolution mapping, sailing instrumentation, audio, entertainment and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and ease-of-use. Other Garmin marine brands include FUSION Entertainment, Navionics, a premier supplier of electronic navigation charts, and EmpirBus.

For decades, 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.

^*Auto Guidance is for planning purposes only and does not replace safe navigation operations.
² Based on 2017 reported sales.
The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. 

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 30, 2017, 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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