Garmin has announced its latest product, the Garmin Surround View Camera System, which the manufacturer claims will be a breakthrough in video guidance for recreational boating and yachting.
The system utilises six through-hull mounted cameras that act like multiple sets of eyes. Surround View provides a live 360-degree bird’s-eye view around the vessel to help captains quickly view their vessel’s perimeter during low-speed manoeuvres, such as docking, from the helm.
“Our innovative Surround View brings the comforts and conveniences our customers rely on in their vehicles to the helm of their yacht to help captains see as much of their environment as possible for easier maneuvering on the water,” says Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales.
“Until now, no other marine camera technology has offered a true 360-degree bird’s-eye view, a vantage point that can help reduce the stress of docking and navigating marinas, narrow causeways and busy channels by giving captains a live look at their surroundings.”
The technology uses six 1080p cameras located around the vessel: a forward-looking camera at the bow, a rear-looking camera on the aft, and two side-looking cameras on both the port and starboard sides. When the system is engaged, it displays a full overhead stitched image with 360-degree real-time video views from around the vessel to compatible Garmin chartplotters or multi-function (MFD) helm displays. Designed to maximise visibility and minimise blind spots, captains can view one or two cameras simultaneously with the bird’s-eye image, and zoom in and pan around on an area of interest from any of the individual camera views.
The Surround View Camera System also provides a number of augmented reality features for increased situational awareness and collision avoidance, including a Visual Bumper and Distance Markers.
Designed for a broad range of boats, the Surround View cameras have a low-profile for OEM factory-installed through-hull mounting. A compatible Garmin chartplotter or MFD, including the GPSMAP 8400/8600, the GPSMAP 7×3/9×3/12×3 series or the Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit System, is required.
The Garmin Surround View Camera System is being demonstrated at the Cannes Yachting Festival at the Garmin stand, PAN 341, and again at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. It’s available now on new builds from Garmin’s boat building partners.
