Garmin, Ltd. engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of a family of hand-held, portable and fixed-mount GPS-enabled products and other navigation, communications and information products for the consumer and general aviation markets.
Products
Automotive/Mobile
The company offers a range of automotive navigation products, as well as various products and applications designed for the mobile GPS market.
Nuvi: The nuvi is a Personal Travel Assistant that combines a featured GPS navigator, optional language translator, MP3 player, audio book player, currency and measurement converter, world clock and digital photo organizer. Users can also choose to purchase optional software enabling the nuvi to be used as a digital coupon book (Garmin SaversGuide) or as a travel assistant that provides reviews and recommendations for restaurants, hotels, shopping, night life, sporting events, tourist attractions, and Travel Guide. The nuvi 600 series offers the user a wider and brighter screen and an integrated FM traffic receiver, as well as other features, including the option for MSN Direct content on the nuvi 680. The nüvi comes in separate North American and European versions, as well as a combined version that contains pre-loaded street maps for both continents.
StreetPilot: The StreetPilot i-Series (comprises i2, i3, and i5) are the company’s line of automotive navigators, that offer color screens (i3 and i5) and voice prompted, turn-by-turn directions The StreetPilot c-300 series (c310, c320, c330, c340,) features Garmin’s touch-screen interface and turn-by-turn voice directions. The StreetPilot c340 adds the ability to speak street names and also to utilize real-time traffic information in select major metro areas through Garmin’s separate GTM 10 receiver. The StreetPilot c-500 series (c510, c530, c550 and c580) adds Bluetooth Wireless Technology, integrated traffic capabilities (separate subscription required), a high bright display, and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver. The StreetPilot 2720 and 2820 are full-featured navigators in a different form factor. The StreetPilot 7000-Series (7200 and 7500) are high-end automotive units that display navigation, entertainment, traffic, and weather information on a large, seven-inch touch-screen.
Quest: It is a pocket-sized, portable, GPS units with navigation features, including 256-color, bright, sunlight-readable display, automatic routing with turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance, and 115 MB of internal memory. The Quest 2 adds pre-loaded maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Zumo: It is a motorcycle-specific navigator with features, including a glove-friendly touch screen with left-handed controls, high bright sunlight-readable display, motorcycle mount, vibration-tested design and Bluetooth wireless technology. An SD (secure digital) card slot allows riders to share their favorite places and rides with fellow zumo riders. The zumo 550 is also compatible with XM satellite radio. The zumo 450 offers a lower price point by subtracting such features as Bluetooth wireless technology, text-to-speech and XM compatibility.
Garmin Mobile: Garmin Mobile is a subscription-based software application that lets compatible cell phones with either Sprint or Nextel service plans function as GPS navigators.
Garmin Mobile 10/20: Garmin Mobile 10 allows customers to add wireless navigation capabilities to their Bluetooth-enabled laptop, smartphone, Pocket PC or PDA via the Garmin Mobile software application and a small portable GPS receiver, which can either be mounted in the vehicle or clipped to the user’s clothes. Garmin Mobile 20 is designed specifically for Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and comes with a compact and portable smart mount for the phone. Garmin Mobile 10 and 20 are also able to access real-time content from the Garmin Online server, including traffic information, gasoline prices, weather, and hotel information.
GPS 18: The GPS 18 turns a PC laptop into a GPS navigator. It is offered as a sensor or bundled with Garmin’s nRoute and City Select software that automatically guides with turn-by-turn directions and voice prompts. The GPS 18 comes in two different models offering the choice of either a PC or USB connection.
Outdoor/Fitness
The company offers GPS-enabled handheld products for outdoor activities and training assistants for athletic pursuits.
Forerunner: It is a lightweight training assistant for athletes with integrated GPS sensor that provides speed, distance and pace data. Some models also offer a heart rate monitoring function. The Forerunner product line was updated in two new models (Forerunner 205 and 305) with a redesigned style, shape and a new high sensitivity GPS receiver.
Edge: It is an integrated personal training systems designed for cyclists. The Edge 205 measures speed, distance, time, calories burned, climb and descent, altitude and more. The Edge 305 adds a heart rate monitor and/or wireless speed/pedaling cadence sensor.
eTrex: It is a handheld GPS unit for outdoor enthusiasts. These models are waterproof and have rugged designs. The eTrex Summit and eTrex Vista have electronic compass and barometric altimeter functions. eTrex Venture has a worldwide database of cities. eTrex Legend and eTrex Vista have internal basemaps of either North and South America or Europe. The eTrex Legend Cx, Vista Cx and Venture Cx models offer a bright color TFT (thin film transistor) display, together with automatic route generation, longer battery life and memory card slots.
GPS60: The GPS 60 is a basic GPS without mapping while the GPSMAP 60 offers a monochrome display and 24 MB of downloadable memory.
GPS 72: It is a handheld GPS for land or marine navigation. Its features include 1 MB internal memory for loading MapSource points of interest and high contrast 4-level gray scale display.
GPS 76: It is a handheld GPS with display and a waterproof case which floats in water. The GPS 76 is a basic GPS without a basemap. The GPSMAP 76 has an internal basemap and MapSource compatibility for street level mapping and detailed marine charts. The GPSMAP 76S additionally features a barometric altimeter and an electronic compass. In 2006, the company added the GPSMAP 76Cx and the GPSMAP 76CSx to this family of products.
Rino: It is a handheld two-way Family Radio Service (FRS) and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios that integrate two-way voice communications with GPS navigation. The Rino 120 has an internal basemap and MapSource compatibility for street-level mapping. The Rino 130 has 24 MB of internal memory, built-in electronic compass, barometric sensor, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio receiver. The Rino 520 has 5 watts of transmit power, color display, mini-USB interface, and a turn-by turn automatic route calculation for use in automobiles.
Marine
The company's marine lineup includes network products and multifunction displays, fixed-mount GPS/chartplotter products, and sounder products.
Marine Chartplotters and Networking Products
GPSMAP 5000 series: These touch- screen multifunction displays for the Garmin Marine Network (a system that combines GPS, radar, XM WX Satellite Weather, sonar, and other data) offer video-quality resolution and color. The 5212 and 5208 come pre-loaded with detailed U.S. coastal charts, including Explorer Charts, and are compatible with Garmin’s BlueChart g2 Vision charts which offer satellite imagery, 3D map perspective, aerial reference photos, and auto guidance.
GPSMAP 4000 series/ 4200 series: These are multifunction displays for the Garmin Marine Network (a system that combines GPS, radar, XM WX Satellite Weather, sonar, and other data) offer ease of use and video-quality resolution and color. The 4212 and 4208 come pre-loaded with detailed U.S. coastal charts, including Explorer Charts, and are compatible with Garmin’s BlueChart g2 Vision charts which offer satellite imagery, 3D map perspective, aerial reference photos, and auto guidance.
GPSMAP 3000 series / 3200 series: These configurable chartplotter/multifunction displays (MFDs) are all network-enabled and come in either a 10 inches, 6 inches or 5 inches display. The GPSMAP 3200 series of multifunction displays for the Garmin Marine Network feature pre-loaded Marine Detail Charts of the U.S. coastline, including Alaska and Hawaii.
3200 series GDL 30 & 30A: These weather data receivers deliver real-time XM WX Satellite Weather data for the continental United States to Garmin Marine Network compatible display units. In addition, the GDL 30A adds CD-quality audio capability utilizing the XM Satellite Radio service.
GSD 21 and 22: These black-box sounders interface with Garmin display units and chartplotters and improve their utility by providing the depth sounder and fish finder functions in a remote mounted package.
GMS 10: The GMS 10 Network Port Expander is the nerve center of the Garmin Marine Network. This 100-Mbit switch is designed to support the connection of multiple sensors to the Garmin Marine Network.
Other Marine Products
Fishfinders: Garmin offers five fishfinder options spanning various price points. All models feature Garmin’s Ultrascroll technology, which allows boaters to get a faster refresh rate on their sonar display, and dual-beam transducer operation. Three of the models offer color displays. The Fishfinder 400C comes with dual beam or dual frequency transducers for adaptability to either freshwater or saltwater fishing. It also offers an interface and built in CANet connectivity to enable sonar data to be shared with compatible Garmin chartplotters.
GPSMAP 4x0 and 5x0 series: The 4x0 and 5x0 chartplotters and chartplotter/sonar units feature highly-detailed pre-loaded marine cartography and offer a range of display sizes and networking options. All units are compatible with Garmin’s BlueChart g2 data cards.
Radar: Garmin offers both radomes and open array radar products with compatibility to any network-compatible Garmin chartplotter so that the chartplotter can double as the radar screen. The GMR 18, 21 and 41 models are digital radome products in various sizes and power specifications. The GMR 404 and 406 open array radar scanners provide clarity and a 72 nautical mile range.
Aviation
The company's panel-mounted product line includes GPS-enabled navigation, VHF communications transmitters/receivers, multi-function displays, receivers, instrument landing system (ILS) receivers, digital transponders (which transmit an aircraft’s altitude and its flight identification number in response to requests transmitted by ground-based air traffic control radar systems or collision avoidance devices on other aircraft), marker beacon receivers and audio panels.
The company's panel-mounted aviation products are sold in both new aircraft and the retrofit market where existing aircraft are fitted with the latest electronics from Garmin’s product line.
The company’s range of avionics offerings include the Cessna Aircraft Company, Raytheon Aircraft Company, Diamond Aircraft Industries, Mooney Aircraft Corporation and Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation through the installation of the G1000 integrated flight deck as original equipment aboard new aircraft. This system integrates attitude, heading, air data, navigation, communication, engine monitoring, and other aircraft functions into a single cohesive system which interfaces with the flight crew using a set of large, bright TFT displays. The G1000 also comes with an optional integrated autopilot the GFC70. Garmin also has expanded its G1000 sales to the business jet segment, such as Cessna with its Citation Mustang jet and Embraer.
Handheld and portable aviation products:
GPSMAP 96 & 96C: These are portable units integrating GPS navigation with Jeppesen database and comprehensive towers-and-obstacles database. GPSMAP 96C offers a color display and 119 MB of memory for downloadable maps.
GPSMAP 296: In addition to a 3.8 inches diagonal color display, this portable GPS receiver offers new features like terrain cautions and alerts, sectional chart-like topographic data, a built-in obstacle database, and a transparent navigation arc view for course, speed and distance information.
GPSMAP 396: It is a portable navigation device that offers users GPS navigation, XM WX Satellite Weather capability, a terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), and XM entertainment programming, among other features.
GPSMAP 496: The GPSMAP 496 expands on the GPSMAP 396 by adding such new features as Garmin’s SafeTaxi airport diagrams, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Airport directory data, database, accelerated GPS update rate, and pre-loaded automotive maps of North America.
iQue 3600a: Combines the convenience of a Palm PDA with the features of a Garmin GPS aviation portable. Features include Jeppesen database and obstacle databases, Terrain mode, detailed Sectional chart-style overview, and a patent-pending aviation cradle mount. Optional MapSource CD downloads and user-selectable formats enable the iQue 3600a to move from plane to automobile.
Panel-mount aviation products:
G1000: The G1000 integrates navigation, communication, attitude, weather, terrain, traffic, surveillance and engine information on high-resolution color displays. The G1000 offers general aviation airplane manufacturers a solution for flight displays.
400 Series: The GNS 430 is an IFR certified GPS navigation receiver/traditional VHF navigation receiver/instrument landing systems receiver and VHF communication transmitter/receiver. Features available in different 400 series models include 4-color map graphics, GPS, communication and navigation capabilities. The 430 Series units might be ordered with or upgraded to Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability.
500 Series: The 530 Series units might be ordered with or upgraded to Class B Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS-B) and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability.
GI-102A & 106A: Course deviation indicators (CDIs). The GI-106A features an instrument landing system receiver to aid in landing.
GMA 340 & 347: The GMA 340 is a feature-rich audio panel with six-place stereo intercom and independent pilot/co-pilot communications capabilities. The GMA 347 has automatic squelch, digital clearance recorder, and a full-duplex telephone interface.
GTX 330 & 330D: FAA-certified Mode S transponders with data link capability, including local air traffic information at FAA radar sites equipped with Traffic Information Service (TIS).
GTX 320A & 327: FAA-certified transponders which transmit altitude or flight identification to air traffic control radar systems or other aircraft’s air traffic avoidance devices and feature solid-state construction for longer life. The GTX 327 offers a digital display with timing functions.
GTX 32: Remote mounted solid-state Mode C digital transponder. Its solid-state transmitter provides 200 watts of nominal power output.
GTX 33 & 33D: Remote mounted Mode S, IFR-certified transponders with datalink capability, including local traffic updates. Receive FAA Traffic Information Services (TIS), including location, direction, altitude, and climb/descent information of nearby aircraft.
GDL 90: The GDL 90 is the first airborne Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) product certified by the FAA to TSO C145A standards. The GDL 90 relies on the infrastructure that is part of the FAA’s Safe Flight 21 program. This program is under development with implementation of the ground-based portion of the ADS-B network taking place along the East Coast and other selected areas of the U.S.A. Additional installations of the ADS-B ground stations are planned. The ground stations can track aircraft movement and are be used to broadcast traffic and weather services.
GDL 69 and 69A: The GDL 69 offers the ability to provide real-time weather information to the aircraft which can be displayed on panel-mounted devices, such as the GNS 430, GNS 530, MX20, and G1000 systems. The GDL 69 and GDL 69A receive real-time weather information broadcast by the XM WX Satellite radio system. In addition, the GDL 69A provides CD quality audio provided by XM Satellite Radio.
GNS 480: Integrated avionics unit with GPS navigation receiver certified for primary means Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)/GPS navigation and VHF navigation receiver/instrument landing systems receiver and VHF communication transmitter/receiver.
SL 30 and SL 40: The SL30 is a compact VHF navigation and communications unit that combines a 760-channel VHF communications radio with 200-channel glideslope and localizer receivers. The SL40 is a 760-channel VHF communications radio only. Both the SL30 and SL40 feature 10 watt communications transmitters.
Acquisition
In December 2006, the company acquired Dynastream Innovations, Inc., a Canadian company specializing in the field of personal monitoring technology such as foot pods and heart rate monitors for sports and fitness products and a provider of wireless connectivity solutions for a range of applications. In January 2007, it acquired Digital Cyclone, Inc. and EME TecSat SAS.
Sales and Marketing
The company offers marketing support from offices in Olathe, Kansas (North, South and Central America), Romsey, U.K. (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Shijr, Taiwan (Asia, Australia and New Zealand).
Customers
The company's customers include Chrysler/Mopar, Toyota, Harley-Davidson, BMW Motorrad, and Honda Motorcycle and certain rental car companies including Dollar/Thrifty, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National, and Alamo. Garmin has also developed promotional relationships with certain automotive dealerships in certain countries including BMW, Mazda, Saab and Ford. Garmin’s products are also standard equipment on various models of boats manufactured by Allison Boats, Bennington Marine, Cigarette Racing Team, Inc., Cobalt Boats, G3 Boats, Premier Marine and Pro Sports Boats and are optional equipment on boats manufactured by Chaparral Boats, Inc., Cruiser Yachts, Formula Boats, Glacier Bay Catamarans, Inc., Mastercraft Boat Company and Pro-Line Boats. In the aviation market, Garmin’s avionics are standard equipment on various models of aircraft built by Cessna Aircraft Company, Cirrus Design Corporation, Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation, Diamond Aircraft Industries, EADS SOCATA, Eurocopter, Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Raytheon Aircraft Company, Robinson Helicopter, and the New Piper Aircraft Company.
Competition
The company's competitors for portable automotive products are TomTom NV, Magellan Navigation, Inc. (Magellan), Alpine Electronics, Inc., Navman, Mio Technology Ltd. and Sony Corporation. The company's competitors for handheld recreational product lines are Magellan and Lowrance Electronics, Inc. (Lowrance) For marine chartplotter products, the company competitors are Raymarine Ltd. (Raymarine), Furuno Electronic Company (Furuno), Navman, the Standard Vertex Division of Yaesu Co. Ltd. (Standard), and Simrad Yachting AS. For Garmin’s fishfinder/depth sounder product lines, the company's competitors are Lowrance, Raymarine, the Humminbird division of Johnson Outdoors, Inc., Navman, Simrad and Furuno. For Garmin’s general aviation product lines, Garmin considers its principal competitors to be Lowrance, for portable GPS units, and Honeywell, Inc., Avidyne Corporation, L-3 Avionics Systems, Meggitt PLC, Rockwell Collins, Inc., Universal Avionics Systems Corporation, Chelton Flight Systems and Free Flight Systems for panel-mount GPS and display units. For Garmin’s Family Radio Service and General Mobile Radio Service product line, Garmin believes that its principal competitors are Motorola, Inc. (Motorola), Cobra and Audiovox Corporation.
History
Garmin, Ltd. was founded in 1990.
