Garmin Showcases Land/Marine GPS Combos

The GPSMAP 378 and GPSMAP 478 combine both land and marine maps with optional XM weather data and will be available in May.

Garmin today introduced two new portable GPS units which come pre-loaded with both land and marine related maps and information. The waterproof GPSMAP 378 and GPSMAP 478 are expected to be available in late May 2006 for $1199.99 each.

The GPSMAP 378 and 478, said Garmin, each boast a high resolution 256 color TFT display. For road related trips, both units come pre-loaded with detailed street maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico which highlight more than six million points of interest. In regards to marine uses, the GPSMAP 478 features built-in marine detail charts of the United States coastline, including Alaska and Hawaii, while the GPSMAP 378 boasts 10-meter resolution for more than 3200 lakes across the entire continental United States.

Other features of the GPSMAP 378 and 478 include compatibility with an optional XM Satellite Radio antenna which provides site-specific, real time weather data as well as XM music and talk radio programming, an audio output jack that allows users to wire XM audio and turn-by-turn navigational voice prompts directly into their vehicle’s audio system, a USB to PC interface for map transfers or software updates and a data card slot for loading additional charts, maps, waypoints or routes.

“Our customers want GPS navigators that come pre-loaded with the cartography that they need, and the GPSMAP 378 and 478 fit the bill,” said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s vice president of marketing, in a statement.