Garmin Autopilot
With a range of hand held GPS devices and a line of marine electronics that carry their tradition of navigation assistance to the marine market, Garmin is a name that is widely associated with GPS systems. They start at $129.99 and go up to $599.99. Garmin also makes a number of chart plotters with bright four inch QVGA color displays with high speed design for faster map drawing and panning. The chart plotters cost from $499.99 to $999.99. This price range puts Garmin right in the middle of all other brands prices.
Along with Chart plotters and GPS navigation systems, Garmin also makes VHF marine radios with features that make them an easy fit to your marine safety package. The Garmin VHF 100 has up to 25 watts of power so that you can make contact regardless of where you are on the water. The VHF 100 has Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC) capability and can give out distress calls with one click of a button. Boats that have a compatible GPS plotter can use the VHF 100 as a mayday signaling devise which will broadcast the boats location. NOAA weather alerts and position tracking are also a feature of this radio along with the ability to track your friends who are out on their boats in your area.
Also made by Garmin are the VHF 300 AIS, VHF 300 and VHF 200. For 35 foot or larger boats the 300 AIS is designed to monitor all Automatic Identification System channels simultaneously, guaranteeing you never miss a transmission. The AIS 600 transceiver is also available. It's a device that allows you to receive AIS target data and transmit your vessel information to other AIS receivers in your vicinity.
The GPH 10, an easy to use autopilot system, is the first in a line of auto guided navigation by Garmin. This devise has patented Shadow Drive technology that allows the boaters to maintain control when relying on the autopilot system. There is an automatic Normal 0 disengagement if the helm is turned so that the operator can maneuver the craft. When holding a steady course it automatically re-engages. As many as three controllers for this autopilot system may be had for controll in multiple locations on the boat.
The TR1 Gold Marine Autopilot is sold only in North America and makes available autopilot on small gasoline outboard boats with motors up to 20 hp. It's the first true garmin autopilot designed for smaller boats that are used for trolling or fishing. It can be set so that it holds its position against wind, current, or waves, and with the optional wireless remote, it gives control over steering and throttle control from anywhere on board.
Garmin also makes fish finders, sounders, radar, and marine networking equipment in its stable of marine electronics products. Garmin has been making navigation and communication equipment since 1989, and is based on vertical integration, meaning that the company designs, manufactures, and markets their own products. Garmin also makes automotive and aviation navigation electronics as well as fitness, recreation and smart phone applications that bring GPS technologies to as many applications as possible.
