Garmin GDU 370 and GDU 375, Affordable and Expandable Avionics for Light Sport Retrofit and Experimental Aircraft

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today the GDU 370 and GDU 375, full function multi-function displays (MFDs) developed for the light sport retrofit and experimental aircraft markets. The non-certified GDU 370 and GDU 375 are based on Garmin's popular portable GPSMAP 695 and GPSMAP 696, and are designed to be networked with other Garmin products so that in the future the GDU 370 and GDU 375 can provide complete primary flight display (PFD) and MFD capability.

"The beauty of the GDU 370 and GDU 375 are that they are like building-blocks; they're expandable and can be interconnected with other Garmin components," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "Customers will be able to choose one, two or three GDU displays - whatever works best for their aircraft. When customers are ready to expand upon the GDU's MFD capabilities, they can install other Garmin components that will add PFD capabilities to the GDU's. Since all components were designed and manufactured by Garmin, customers have added peace of mind knowing that they will integrate and communicate with each other."

The GDU 370 and GDU 375 are large, seven-inch, portrait displays that incorporate Garmin's latest technology to ensure that pilots can read the vibrant display day or night. The bezel that frames the bright screen has multiple keys on the bottom and right sides. The soft keys at the bottom of the display control the most commonly used features of the current page, such as turning the weather display on/off. The dedicated keys on the display's right side have specific functions such as nearest, direct to, flight plan, zoom in/out and menu. Also on the display's right side is a rotary knob/joystick, similar to the G1000's joystick, that lets pilots enter airport identifiers, pan the map, or scroll to page and sub-page groups. Unlike the GPSMAP 695/696, the GDU 370 and GDU 375 are designed for panel mounting, have redundant power inputs, and a front-mounted SD card slot.

The back of the GDU 370 and GDU 375 have connection ports for external GPS and XM antennas, and a 50-pin connector for power/ground and interfaces. These rear connectors make it possible for customers to install the MFD easily and elegantly, without unsightly wires protruding from the panel. The GDU 370 and GDU 375 can also interface with yet-to-be released Garmin components that will transform the GDU 370 and GDU 375 MFD into a full-functioning PFD/MFD avionics panel with primary flight display and engine data. When all components are purchased and interconnected - GDU 370 and/or GDU 375 display, ADAHRS and EIS, magnetometer and temperature probe - the system will be known as the Garmin G3X^TM.

The GDU 375 includes an XM WX Satellite Weather receiver that provides next generation radar (NEXRAD), aviation routine weather reports (METARs), terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs), temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), lightning, winds aloft, turbulence forecasts, PIREPs, icing forecast information and several other important weather products. The weather data may be laid directly over the unit's navigation and topographic map databases, similar to the GPSMAP 696. The GDU 370 does not include XM WX Satellite Weather.

As full-featured MFDs, the GDU 370 and GDU 375 have many of the same capabilities found on Garmin's other high-end aviation products:

Obstacles and Terrain information: Built-in obstacle and terrain database gives detailed views of route displayed over realistic topography. Terrain mode gives TAWS-like warnings and alerts when proximity conflicts loom ahead.
IFR Map Mode: View maps similar to a standard enroute chart with victor airways, jet routes, minimum enroute altitude (MEA) and leg distance. Also includes major visual reference points like rivers, state boundaries, highways and railroad tracks from Garmin's built-in basemap.
FliteCharts: Electronic version of the National Aeronautical Chart Office (NACO) U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication. With FliteCharts, pilots can quickly find and view all NACO departure procedures (DP), standard terminal arrival routes (STARs), approach charts and airport diagrams.
Smart Airspace: Automatically highlights airspace close to the pilot's current altitude and de-emphasizes airspace away from the current altitude.
SafeTaxi: Geo-referenced diagrams of over 850 U.S. airports that identify runways, taxiways and hangars, as well as the aircraft's exact location on the field.

AOPA Airport Directory data: Electronic version of AOPA's popular U.S. pilot guide with information for over 5,300 public-use airports and more than 7,000 FBOs, such as pilot services, ground transportation, lodging, restaurants, and local attractions. Garmin's electronic version of the AOPA Airport Directory highlights airports where pilots can save on fuel by using self-service fueling locations.
Garmin announced the GDU 370 and GDU 375 in conjunction with the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida, January 22-25, 2009, and they are expected to be available in March 2009 for an expected street price of $3,295.00 and $3,995.00, respectively. The complete G3X system - GDU 370/375 displays, ADAHRS and EIS, magnetometer and temperature probe - is expected to be on display at Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, April 21-26, 2009, and Garmin anticipates availability in the second half of 2009. Customers seeking to expand their GDU 370 or GDU 375 to a full G3X system, may purchase the G3X PFD kit that includes an ADAHRS and EIS, magnetometer and temperature probe, when available, that is preliminarily priced at $9,995.00.

For additional information about the GDU 370 or GDU 375 visit www.garmin.com.