AMIT unveils latest satellite navigation products to boating industry at Dubai International Boat Show

Garmin's newest flagship series adds to an already extensive line of multi-function navigation devices and features powerful new features and a revamped user-interface with a streamlined design that can make any helm look custom built.

Speaking at the Middle East launch, Abdulaziz Abdulla, Executive Manager at Abdulla Moh'd Ibrahim General Trading (AMIT), Garmin's exclusive distributor in the UAE, said, "This region is known for its love of new technology and gadgets, and with the Arabian Gulf right on our doorstep we also have a love of all things marine. Garmin's GPSMAP 8000 Glass Helm series and the GPSMAP 8500 Black Box series will no doubt be a popular addition to the range."

Offering an 8-inch SVGA, 12-inch and 15-inch XGA multi-touch, pinch-to-zoom multi-function display, the GPSMAP 8000 MFD series boasts a lower profile than previous multi-function models. With the 12-inch and 15-inch models being 30% and 32% thinner, respectively, the 8000 MFD series can easily fit into a pre-existing space where previous MFD units were installed.

Combined with a user-interface designed for efficiency, the GPSMAP 8000 MFD series is essential for any helm. The interface has been streamlined to help access the most important menus and settings, and provides a more intuitive and accessible experience for the user.

With a user control bar docked at the bottom of the screen, information such as waypoints, autopilot and the home menu are only a finger touch away.

"The GPSMAP 8000 Glass Helm series features the ultimate in simplicity, ease-of-use, power and speed," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales.

"Incorporating the look and feel of a glass helm into the marine industry, the Glass Helm series provides a beautiful centerpiece while delivering the most important features and capabilities to the user," he added.

In addition to the GPSMAP 8000 MFD series, Garmin has also launched the GPSMAP 8500 Black Box series for larger vessels with more helm space. Offering a 15-inch XGA, 17-inch or 19-inch SXGA multi-touch, pinch-to-zoom monitor to use with the black box, the GPSMAP 8500 Black Box series allows for easy installation wherever the user chooses and to outfit the 2.16-inch slim monitor directly in the helm.

The independent, detached black box allows for better system cooling, larger screen size capability and easier installation, while the high-resolution monitors can receive up to a 1080p HD resolution video.

With a fully integrated glass display, the sleek GPSMAP 8000 Glass Helm series offers a new flat-mounting option that transforms the vessel's bridge into a glass helm. The series can also be installed by traditional flush mounting, providing a low-profile alternative.

A valuable new feature offered on the GPSMAP 8000 Glass Helm series is SmartMode station control, which allows mariners to customise preset modes based on various activities. With only two button pushes, SmartMode can synchronise all displays to show the most desirable screens for a particular activity. Auto-dimming and power is also synced across displays, providing the easiest, most intuitive controls ever offered by Garmin and allowing for a custom experience to every user.

With the ability to use Garmin's high-sensitivity 10Hz GPS/GLONASS external receiver, the GPSMAP 8000 Glass Helm series is able to update position and heading 10 times per second, providing significantly smoother on-screen navigation. This industry-leading GPS receiver dramatically improves the ability to mark and navigate to a waypoint and also allows for vessel movement to be crisp and fluid on screen.

Steering with autopilot has never been easier with the new on-screen autopilot controls. With a customisation that allows the user to create a quarter- or full-screen autopilot display, the GPSMAP 8000 Glass Helm series works in conjunction with the autopilot head unit to guide the vessel to where the user needs to go.

The perfect accessory to accompany the new Glass Helm series is the GRID (Garmin Remote Input Device), a remote device sold separately that allows for seamless navigation between an individual or multiple displays. GRID can be integrated into a captain's chair for a low-profile controlling solution.