Garmin introduces the GMR Fantom, the first 40W solid-state, pulse compression, Doppler radar series

Garmin is launching at Miami International Boat Show its latest radar series – the new GMR Fantom solid-state pulse compression radar series with MotionScope™ Doppler technology and 40W of power, the highest in the industry for its kind. Available in a 4 or 6 foot open array, the Fantom series uses the Doppler processing to detect and highlight moving targets to help users avoid potential collisions, find flocks of birds, and track weather in a single ping.

With its pulse compression technology, the Fantom provides high resolution while maximising energy on targets to enhance detection and identification of targets. It uses pulse expansion to maximise target size to help differentiate real targets from noise.

Featuring a unique design that’s smaller and lighter than previous open-array radar models, the new Fantom radars deliver high sensitivity for both close and long range without any compromise in ruggedness or reliability. As no warm-up time is needed, mariners can start tracking targets instantly.

“Fantom is the first radar of its kind that allows mariners to see targets moving instantaneously thanks to MotionScope,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “Whether the targets are moving towards or away from the radar, Fantom provides instant detection, highlighting the targets on the radar display so you can navigate around other boats or severe weather, or toward fishing spots where birds are feeding at the surface.” 

The Doppler effect is the frequency shift in the radar echo due to the relative motion of the target. This allows for instant detection of any targets moving toward or away from the radar in real time. MotionScope highlights the moving targets on the radar display with an easy-to-see colour so that users can navigate around other boats, severe weather, or towards fishing spots where birds are feeding at the surface.

When the Echo Trails setting is turned on, a fading “trail” on the screen can help easily identify the direction of the moving targets and potential collision threats. The trails shown are corrected for the boat’s rotation when an autopilot or heading sensor is connected to the Garmin Marine Network.

The Fantom series offers excellent range performance with close and long range detection from 20 feet to 72 nautical miles. The powerful new radars offer Auto Bird Gain, a unique feature that lets mariners easily locate flocks of birds at the water’s surface, indicating a potential hot fishing spot. The radars also have dual radar support that provides radar redundancy and more flexibility to view different data on independent display units.

Due to the dual range feature, mariners have the ability to see both close and long range simultaneously, with an overlay on a chart for one or both ranges. This eliminates the need to toggle between views, and allows the captain to keep a close eye on both immediate surroundings and the horizon to ensure weather patterns, land and structure is always under observation.

Dynamic Auto Gain and Dynamic Sea Filter continually adjust to the surroundings, water and weather conditions to provide optimal performance whilst reducing excess noise and clutter. The MARPA settings enable the tracking of ten targets simultaneously.

The Fantom series is compatible with the GPSMAP 7400 series, the GPSMAP 8000 series, and the new GPSMAP 8400 series and is expected to be available in Q2 2016. The Fantom 4 has a suggested retail price of £6,749.99 inc VAT. The Fantom 6 has a suggested retail price of £7,329.99 inc VAT. Find out more at garmin.com/marine2016

ENDS

For further press information, please contact Jenny Walford from ADPR on 01460 241641 or [email protected]

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, and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and ease-of-use.

FCC Notice:

The GMR Fantom has not been authorised as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorisation is obtained.

About Garmin International Inc.
 Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.  Garmin is a registered trademark and Fantom and MotionScope 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.

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 27, 2014, 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.