Garmin® Introduces GHP™ 20 Steer-by-Wire Autopilot for Teleflex Marine® Optimus 360 Systems

17 February, 2012

Garmin® the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced its new GHP 20 Steer-by-Wire Autopilot – a marine autopilot certified for all Teleflex Marine Optimus Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Systems.

EPS is a key component of the new Optimus 360 by SeaStar® System. The Optimus 360 is the first integrated boat control solution that enables complete maneuverability for twin outboard boats. Garmin’s GHP 20 for Optimus is being announced in conjunction with the Miami International Boat Show, February 16th. “We’re excited to partner with Teleflex Marine to make boating easier and more enjoyable both out on the open water and when navigating through busy docking areas,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Combining an Optimus system with a Garmin autopilot gives the helmsman a whole new level of control.”

“The new Optimus systems combine our experience in electronics with our proven capabilities in steering and control to give a boater more confidence when he’s at the helm,” said Tom Douglass, Teleflex Marine’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Now, thanks to Garmin’s new autopilot, it’s easier than ever to extend our system’s capabilities to navigation as well.”

The patented Optimus 360 system is a revolutionary joystick steering/shift/throttle control system, engineered for powerboats with twin mechanically-controlled outboards. This system uses state-of-the-art electronics to provide easy 360-degree maneuvering capabilities so that the helmsman can confidently move the boat forward, backwards, diagonally, rotate it on its own axis, or even more sideways to accomplish tricky docking maneuvers.

Coupled with a Teleflex Marine Optimus 360 system, Garmin’s GHP 20 Steer-by-Wire autopilot provides superior control algorithms for unmatched autopilot performance. Thanks to dynamic gain adjustments based on tachometer information provided by the Optimus system, the GHP 20 Steer-by-Wire offers optimal performance at all speeds.

With the GHP 20 Steer-by-Wire system, Optimus customers will enjoy features found throughout Garmin’s existing line of autopilots, including Shadow Drive technology – a patented capability that automatically disengages the autopilot if the helm is turned, allowing for quick and safe manual maneuvers without manually disengaging the autopilot. The autopilot will automatically re-engage once a steady course is re-established. Additionally, this new steer-by-wire autopilot works as a system-wide heading sensor, which enables MARPA and chart overlay when connected to a Garmin chartplotter. For easy installation and integration with other Garmin products, the GHP 20 Steer-by-Wire autopilot has full NMEA 2000 connectivity.

The GHP 20 Steer-by-Wire system for Optimus will utilize Garmin’s GHC™ 10 autopilot control unit, which was designed to help boaters configure and control the autopilot. With an easy-to-read 3.5” color display, three soft keys, and a dedicated “standby” button, Optimus owners will benefit from the simple, interactive interface, and will be able to control the heading of the boat with the press of a key.

The GHP 20 for Optimus is scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2012. For more information on the GHP 20 for Optimus visit http://www.garmin.com/uk/products/marine-products/ and www.optimus-360.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.

About Garmin

The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications since 1989 – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information visit Garmin's media centre at http://garmin.blogs.com/ukpr. Garmin is a registered trademark and GHP, GHC and GWS are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

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