Garmin Debuts New GPS III Plus

January 7, 1999

"Handheld unit offers even greater street-level detail and CD-ROM interface capability"

OLATHE, Kan. – GARMIN International, the world's leading GPS manufacturer, is pleased to introduce the GPS III Plus Personal Navigator – a handheld GPS featuring spectacular mapping detail through an enhanced basemap and an optional CD ROM feature.

Based on the popular GPS III, the GPS III Plus takes detailed mapping one step further, by offering increased cartographic capabilities previously found only in high-end automotive navigation and marine chartplotting units. By plugging the GPS III Plus into a PC, a user can download data from GARMIN's optional line of MapSource CD-ROMs. MapSource CDs work with Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT software.

Users will find more than 10,000 additional towns within metro areas on the basemap of the new GPS III Plus. In addition, the GPS III Plus comes with an extensive and detailed database of exit information for the federal interstate highway system. With the touch of a button, a user will be able to find a host of information on everything from food and lodging to service stations.

"The GPS III Plus is going to give the GPS user even more detail when they need it most," said Gary Kelley, director of marketing. "The enhanced basemap is going to open up all kinds of new mapping options that were previously only available in more expensive units."

Specific features of the GPS III Plus include:

MapSource CD ROM compatible
Enhanced basemap of North and South America contains state/country boundaries, lakes, rivers, streams, airports, cities, towns, coastline, U.S., state and interstate highways
Local thoroughfares and secondary roads within metro areas
Basemap includes more than 10,000 additional small cities
Federal interstate highway exit information for food, lodging, and truck/RV/automotive service stations
500 user waypoints with graphic icons
TracBack feature lets user quickly navigate track log back home
Immersible waterproof construction, IEC-529, IPX7

The GPS III Plus is shipped standard with a PC interface cable, lanyard, Velcro mount, owner's manual and quick reference guide. The GPS III Plus will be available in January 1999 at a suggested list price of $571.80.