OLATHE, Kan., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Garmin International
Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today introduced the Edge 705
and Edge 605 -- the latest innovations in the popular line of integrated
personal training systems for recreational and advanced cyclists. The Edge
705 and Edge 605 provide mapping capabilities, street navigation and a 2.2"
color display in addition to tracking vertical profiles, climb and descent,
altitude, speed, distance, and time.
The Edge 705 represents several breakthroughs in cycling technology,
including power compatibility and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity.
Through collaborative efforts with SRM, Quarq and other experts in mobile
power diagnostics for bicycles, Garmin for the first time gives cyclists
the opportunity to monitor GPS position, power, heart rate, speed, cadence,
altitude and gradient on the same display. And Edge 705 users will be able
to share their information -- including saved rides, waypoints and workouts
-- with each other through ANT+Sport(TM) wireless technology.
"The Edge 705 gives cyclists the most effective tools they need to
train efficiently and share data easily," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice
president of worldwide sales, "and these new products are further proof of
how innovative technology can enrich people's lives and help them better
enjoy their exercise and recreational activities."
ANT+Sport technology allows the Edge to interface wirelessly with other
fitness devices such as a heart rate monitor, cadence sensor or other Edge
units. Cyclists can share courses, workout data and saved rides. When
paired with an optional power meter from SRM or Quarq or another third
party's ANT+Sport-enabled device, the Edge 705 measures power -- torque and
cadence for each leg at the pedals -- which is often cited as a true
indicator of an efficient ride.
The mapping capabilities on the Edge 705 and Edge 605 allow cyclists to
truly get lost in their ride without losing their way. Routes can be
adapted to revisit previous rides, personalized shortcuts or new
destinations. Both units come with built-in basemaps, and optional detailed
street or topo maps are available on preloaded data cards.
Altitude is recorded using a barometric altimeter for the Edge 705.
This accurate altitude data makes it much easier for cyclists to match
their altitude profile with their speed, cadence and heart rate during
post-ride analysis. The Edge 605 measures altitude through GPS positioning.
Whether you need to know where you've been, where you're going, how
long it's taking or how high you're climbing, the Edge 705 and Edge 605
offer answers. Cyclists can display their customizable data fields on large
color screens, and the addition of a click stick helps users navigate
through the various options. Sleek, waterproof and durable, the Edge uses a
high- sensitivity GPS receiver to sustain reception in the most challenging
conditions, such as heavy tree cover or "urban canyons" created by
skyscrapers. It attaches to either the stem or handlebars of the bicycle,
and is designed for easy removal at the end of the workout.
The Edge 705 heart rate monitor uses a robust wireless technology that
eliminates cross-talk and interference and delivers real-time heart rate
data exclusively to the user's device. This data is stored with each track
point for post-workout analysis. The Edge 705 with speed/cadence sensor
incorporates a self-calibrating, wireless speed/cadence sensor that mounts
to the rear chain stay of the bicycle.
Customizing the Edge is achieved using several innovative features:
-- Workouts: Design workouts with multiple steps based on time, distance,
calories or heart rate. Establishes workout targets based on speed,
calories, cadence, heart rate and power (heart rate is standard on
Edge 705, speed/cadence sensor is optional and power requires an
ANT+Sport-enabled third-party meter).
-- Virtual Partner(R): Team up with a virtual training partner that
provides continuous feedback. Depicts a digital cyclist (desired speed)
in relation to the user's real-time speed and notifies if ahead or
behind desired target.
-- Courses: Cyclists can race against a recorded course and match
previously set speeds at every point of the way. Combine the Courses
and Virtual Partner features and race an opponent that varies speed
while climbing hills and navigating tricky turns.
-- Navigation: Ride to a specified location by following turn-by-turn
prompts, or try out brand new routes by downloading GPX files and
leaving your paper directions at home.
-- Bike Computer: Customizable bike computer screen shows up to eight
different data fields. The user may customize the display for the size
and placement of the data.
-- Auto Pause(R): Pauses the timer when the user's speed drops below a
preset threshold.
-- Alerts: Program alerts to sound if the user strays outside the range
of speed, heart rate or cadence values. Alerts can also indicate when a
set amount of time or distance has passed.
When used with Garmin Connect(TM) -- Garmin's new and improved online
training site at connect.garmin.com -- the Edge's benefits continue long
after the workout. By pairing the Edge 705 or Edge 605 with Garmin Connect,
users can join a worldwide network of cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts and
log their workouts, track their totals, share workouts and participate in
an online community.
The Edge 705 with Heart Rate Monitor is expected to be available in
December 2007 and have an estimated retail price of $499.99. This device
includes an ANT+Sport heart rate monitor, AC charger, USB PC interface
cable, bike mounts, owner's manual on disk and quick-reference guide.
The Edge 705 with Heart Rate Monitor and Speed/Cadence Sensor is
expected to be available in December 2007 and have an estimated retail
price of $549.99. This device includes an ANT+Sport heart rate monitor,
speed/cadence sensor, AC charger, USB PC interface cable, bike mounts,
owner's manual on disk and quick-reference guide.
The Edge 705 bundle is expected to be available in December 2007 and
have an estimated retail price of $649.99. This device includes an
ANT+Sport heart rate monitor, speed/cadence sensor, microSD card with City
Nav NT maps, AC charger, USB PC interface cable, bike mounts, owner's
manual on disk and quick-reference guide.
The Edge 605 is expected to be available in December 2007 and has an
estimated retail price of $399.99. It includes bike mounts, USB PC
interface cable, AC charger, owner's manual on disk and quick-reference
guide.
Garmin International Inc. is a member of the Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN)
group of companies, which designs and manufactures navigation,
communication and information devices -- most of which are enabled by GPS
technology. Garmin is a leader in the general aviation and consumer GPS
markets and its products serve aviation, marine, outdoor recreation,
automotive, wireless and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in
the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the
United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit
Garmin's virtual pressroom at http://www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact
the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin is a registered
trademark, and Edge, Virtual Partner, Auto Pause, ANT and ANT+Sport are
trademarks and Garmin Connect is a service mark of Garmin Ltd. or its
subsidiaries. Anticipated product availability dates are based on
management's current expectations and are not guaranteed.
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. All statements regarding the company's future product
introductions are forward-looking statements. 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 30, 2006 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (Commission file number 000-31983). A copy of Garmin's Form 10-K
can be downloaded at
http://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.
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