Garmin announced a new and completely redesigned line of chartplotters, sonar, and charting.

The products were introduced at the 2006 Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam.

All of Garmin’s new chartplotters, sonar, and combination units come with a completely redesigned user interface that lets boaters intuitively see and select the information they want, while eliminating the clutter they don’t. All 2007 units also feature a “flat-screen” physical design that compliments today’s modern boats.

All chartplotters in Garmin’s 2007 lineup come loaded with an enhanced worldwide satellite imagery basemap to enhance the standard vector chart format. For higher resolution photomapping capabilities, Garmin offers BlueChart g2 Vision technology on a pre-programmed SD card. In addition to high-res satellite imagery, g2 Vision features true “mariner’s eye view” above water or a “fish eye” underwater perspective – both in three dimensions. The g2 Vision data card also enables auto guidance technology on compatible units – searching all the chart attributes to suggest the best navigational course. For help in navigating tricky harbors and channels – or locating marinas and resorts – g2 Vision cards offer a growing database of aerial reference photos. BlueChart g2 Vision capabilities are only available when the optional card is loaded in a compatible chartplotter.

The GPSMAP 4012 and GPSMAP 4008 are Garmin’s new flagship multifunction displays (MFDs) for its popular Garmin Marine Network. The GPSMAP 4012 sports a 12.1-inch diagonal XGA display with an alphanumeric keypad for easy data entry. For boats where helm space is at a premium, the smaller GPSMAP 4008 features an 8.4-inch VGA screen without the keypad. Both units have eight vertically placed “soft keys”. Mariners can purchase a wireless mouse and remote control for even easier access to these two MFDs. The 4000 series has all of the same networking capabilities of other multifunction displays within the proprietary Garmin Marine Network, a system that combines GPS, radar, XM WX Satellite Weather, sonar, and other data for unparalleled situational awareness. Additionally, Garmin will offer the GPSMAP 4212 and GPSMAP 4208 that come pre-loaded with detailed U.S. coastal charts – including detailed data for the Bahamas, including Explorer Charts. All 4000 series units are NMEA 2000 compliant.

With its 5-inch VGA display, the GPSMAP 5×5 series is combination of size, performance, and features. The GPSMAP 555 UK is available with pre-loaded detailed offshore chart coverage of the United Kingdom, Ireland, and portions of France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The GPSMAP 555 AUS has detailed Australian and New Zealand offshore charts. The GPSMAP 545 includes detailed charts of U.S. coastal waters and Explorer Charts of the Bahamas; the GPSMAP 535 contains pre-loaded maps of thousands of inland U.S. lakes and rivers. The GPSMAP 525 has a pre-loaded worldwide photo-basemap, but no additional built-in cartography.

Each unit in the GPSMAP 5×5 series is also available with sonar capability All 5×5 units are CANet capable, so boaters can share sonar pictures on other compatible plotter displays around the boat.

The GPSMAP 5×0 and GPSMAP 4×0 series are offered with the same cartography configurations as the GPSMAP 5×5 series. This series of plotters is also available with built-in analog sonar and are CANet capable.

All GPSMAP 5×5, 5×0 and 4×0 series units come with an internal GPS patch antenna. For flush-mounting, the unit can connect to an optional external GPS antenna. In addition, all North American versions of the GPSMAP 500 series are capable of displaying XM WX Weather – allowing boaters to see weather data like storms, wind currents, temperatures, and much more – directly on their chartplotter’s display.

Garmin’s new Fishfinder 400C features a unique 4-inch QVGA display that’s easy to see in bright sunlight. The Fishfinder 400C has streamlined user interface and elegant form factor, along with fish-catching features like CANet, water temperature, fully automatic operation, and a choice of either a 400-watt RMS in dual beam or 500-watts RMS dual frequency transducer.

The pictures present: GPSMAP 4008, GPSMAP 4208, GPSMAP 4212; GPSMAP 420, GPSMAP 520, GPSMAP 545; Fishfinder400C.