Olathe, Kan. — Garmin announced a new portable combination marine and automotive GPS, called the GPSMAP 640, that is the company’s first to include separate operating systems for marine and automotive modes.
When placed in a marine cradle, the device shifts into marine mode, and when placed in a car cradle, it shifts into automotive mode.
The GPSMAP 640 is waterproof (IPX7) and has a 5.2-inch touchscreen. It is preloaded with street maps of North America and worldwide shaded relief mapping in addition to detailed U.S. coastal charts.
In marine mode it shows shaded depth contours, port plans, wrecks, and restricted areas. With optional maps it can provide 3-D above the water navigation and below the water topographical views.
In auto mode it offers turn-by-turn directions with text-to-speech pronunciation of street names.
The GPSMAP 640 is compatible with XM WX Satellite Weather, XM radio and XM NavTraffic with an optional antenna.
The GPSMAP 640 has a suggested retail of $1,199. An international version with street maps on an SD card is available at $999.
Garmin’s first marine/auto GPS units were introduced two years ago but did not offer separate modes for marine and automotive, said the company.
