Garmin® Introduces New, All-Digital Bluetooth® GMA™ 350c Audio Panel

Combines wireless music, phone, VIRB® XE connectivity, Telligence™ Voice Command and 3D audio

GMA 350c Audio Panel (Photo: Business Wire)

OLATHE, Kan.--()--Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced an all-digital series of Bluetooth enabled audio panels, the GMA 350c, GMA 35c and GMA 350Hc. Designed for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, the GMA 350c series incorporates Bluetooth technology for wireless access to music, phone, Garmin Pilot™ alerts and more. This adds to an impressive list of features, including industry-first Telligence Voice Command technology and 3D Audio processing, as well as enhanced auto squelch capability and more. These features decrease heads-down time and increase overall situational awareness in the cockpit.

“Garmin continues to focus on simplifying the flying experience with the GMA 350c all-digital Bluetooth audio panel, so pilots can focus more readily on the task at hand – flying the aircraft,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “With the GMA 350c, it’s easier to complete important tasks such as opening a flight plan on the ground before departing an uncontrolled field. This, coupled with Telligence Voice Command and 3D audio, combine to make this the most-capable audio panel on the market.”

The all-digital GMA 350c Bluetooth audio panel incorporates patented features and superior voice control to provide pilots with an exclusive feature set unmatched by any other audio panels on the market. Bluetooth technology provides more functionality in the cockpit, giving pilots the option to wirelessly connect a smartphone or tablet to the GMA 350c to easily make phone calls or stream audio entertainment. Additionally, the GMA 350c series can be paired with the Garmin Pilot app to transmit terrain, obstacle or traffic alerts while in-flight. Pilot-controlled audio distribution ensures the appropriate communications are dispersed to passengers and crew accordingly.

Integration with VIRB® XE, Garmin’s next generation HD action camera, brings a new level of capability to the GMA 350c series. Bluetooth Audio connectivity offered by the GMA 350c allows pilots to connect wirelessly to VIRB XE in place of a headset audio cable to conveniently overlay intercom audio and air traffic control communications while capturing rich, high definition video.

Telligence Voice Command allows pilots to activate select audio panel functions by spoken commands. For example, when workload is the highest, pilots can switch from approach to tower frequency with ease by simply stating “COMM one.” With stereo headsets, three-dimensional sound is simulated with 3D Audio, which mimics how pilots hear and process multiple audio sources. This technology differentiates the audio sources and their unique locations or seat position so they are easier to distinguish. For example, sound from COMM 1 will come from the left, whereas sound from COMM 2 will seem as though it’s coming from the right.

Advanced auto squelch automatically adapts to the volume level within the cockpit. An internal microphone senses ambient noise and adjusts cockpit speaker volume level to ensure important audio transmissions are heard throughout all phases of flight. The GMA 350c analyzes cockpit noise levels and adjusts speaker volume accordingly to ensure alerts are quieter on the ground and louder in-flight. The GMA 350c series includes pilot, copilot and up to five passenger stereo intercom. It also supports three stereo music inputs, as well as dual COMM, NAV and AUX audio inputs. A built-in digital clearance recorder can record up to 2.5 minutes of selected COMM radio transmissions, so pilots can optionally play back clearances or unclear radio transmissions.

Contributing to an easy and convenient upgrade path, the GMA 350c is pin-compatible with the GMA 340 and GMA 350. The GMA 350c is designed as a direct replacement for existing GMA audio panel installations and as a slide-in replacement for the GMA 350. In addition to enhanced Bluetooth capabilities, the GTN 750 series has tightly integrated audio compatibility with the GMA 35c remote audio processor. For use in helicopters, the GMA 350Hc has the same core features as the GMA 350c, adding three COMM support, night vision compatibility and more.

The GMA 350c, GMA 35c and GMA 350Hc are expected to be available Q3 2015 starting at $2,295*. For additional information, visit www.garmin.com/aviation or contact a local Garmin authorized dealer.

Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to OEM, aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, an expansive suite of ADS-B solutions and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and value. For more information about Garmin’s full line of avionics, go to www.garmin.com/aviation.

For more than 25 years, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.

About Garmin

Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and VIRB are registered trademarks and GMA, GTN, Garmin Pilot and Telligence are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2014, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

*Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price

Contacts

Garmin International Inc.
Jessica Koss, 913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com

Release Summary

Garmin International today announced an all-digital series of Bluetooth enabled audio panels, the GMA 350c, GMA 35c and GMA 350Hc.

Contacts

Garmin International Inc.
Jessica Koss, 913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com