Garmin® Introduces New Chartplotters, Adding High Sensitivity, Faster Processors to Affordable Marine Navigation

OLATHE, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced that it has refreshed its GPSMAP® 400 and 500 series by adding a high sensitivity GPS receiver for faster satellite acquisition, an improved digital design for increased map drawing and panning speeds, and NMEA 2000 connectivity* for plug-and-play system integration.

“Combining performance and value, these new portrait plotters are designed for boaters who demand a high-performance, compact unit with a small footprint,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales.

Building upon the success of the GPSMAP 400 and 500 series and Garmin’s proven easy-to-use interface, the new chartplotters in the GPSMAP 5×6, 5×1 and 4×1 series come standard with an internal high-sensitivity GPS receiver that allows for faster acquisition times and superior satellite tracking so that boaters are able to acquire and maintain a GPS fix more easily. In addition, these units boast an improved, high-speed digital design that will increase map drawing and panning speeds, making chart adjustments extremely fast. Many of the new models in this series are also NMEA 2000 certified and can interface with Garmin’s full lineup of NMEA 2000 marine sensors and autopilots and other third-party sensors.

Ultra-sharp and easy-to-read, the GPSMAP 5×6 series with its brilliant 5-inch VGA display makes no excuses. The GPSMAP 556 UK has preloaded detailed offshore chart coverage of the United Kingdom, Ireland, and portions of France, Belgium and the Netherlands, while the GPSMAP 556 AUS had detailed Australian and New Zealand offshore charts. Boaters in North America will like the GPSMAP 546 that comes preloaded with detailed BlueChart® g2 marine cartography of U.S. coastal waters, including Alaska, Hawaii and Explorer Chart data of the Bahamas – or the GPSMAP 536, which contains preloaded maps of more than 14,000 U.S. lakes and rivers. The GPSMAP 526 has a preloaded worldwide basemap that allows the customer to choose the best cartography for their area on a data card sold separately.

Each unit in the GPSMAP 5×6 series is also available with sonar capability (designated by an “s” after the model number). Sonar models have a digital sonar receiver to give extraordinary target definition and boast a built-in 500-watt RMS digital sounder with a dual frequency transducer for offshore and a 400-watt RMS with a dual beam transducer for inland use. These units can also support an optional 1,000-watt transducer for even more power. In addition, this powerful sounder can scan fish, structure or other objects as deep as 2,000 feet. All units in the GPSMAP 5×6 series are compatible with the GXM 51, Garmin’s latest XM WX weather antenna that allows boaters to see weather data like storms, wind currents, temperatures and much more on the chartplotter. A subscription through XM Satellite Radio is required to receive the XM WX data.

The GPSMAP 5×1 series packs a powerful punch with compact plotters that feature a 5-inch QVGA sunlight-readable display. This series also features preloaded detailed charts, including the GPSMAP 551 UK (UK, Ireland, and portions of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands); the GPSMAP 551 AUS (Australia/New Zealand); the GPSMAP 541 (U.S. and detailed Bahamas data using Explorer Charts); the GPSMAP 531 (inland U.S. lakes); and the GPSMAP 521 (no detailed charts preloaded). The GPSMAP 5x1s series has built-in sonar for use with a 500-watt RMS dual-frequency transducer for offshore use and a 400-watt RMS with a dual beam transducer for inland use. Mariners with a GPSMAP 541 and 521 can add the optional GXM 51 receiver for satellite weather and radio capability.

With a 4-inch QVGA sunlight-readable display, the GPSMAP 4×1 series was designed for the boater who wants high performance in a small package. Along with Garmin’s easy-to-use interface, these units also feature a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and faster processors, and are offered with the same cartography configuration as the GPSMAP 5×1 series. Likewise, the GPSMAP 4x1s series is also available with a built-in sonar with a 500-watt RMS dual-frequency transducer for offshore use and a 400-watt RMS with a dual beam transducer for inland use. For satellite weather and radio data, the GPSMAP 441 and 421 are also compatible with the GXM 51 receiver.

An optional flush-mount kit is available for each unit for custom installation. For more specifications, availability and pricing on each new series, visit www.garmin.com.

*Models with NMEA 2000 certification include: GPSMAP 556, GPSMAP 556s, GPSMAP 546, GPSMAP 546s, GPSMAP 536, GPSMAP 563s, GPSMAP 526, GPSMAP 526s, GPSMAP 551, GPSMAP 551s, GPSMAP 541, GPSMAP 541s, GPSMAP 521, GPSMAP 521s, GPSMAP 451, GPSMAP 451s, GPSMAP 441, GPSMAP 441s, GPSMAP 421 and GPSMAP 421s.

About Garmin International Inc.

Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – 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 the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin, GPSMAP and BlueChart are registered 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. All statements regarding the company’s future product introductions are forward-looking statements. 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, 2008, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of Garmin’s Form 10-K can be downloaded at 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.