Garmin’s new Quatix ‘sailing watch’ offers the tactical horsepower that race strategists of just a few years ago could only have dreamt about

For some years Garmin’s marine division has been a leading provider of navigation and communication equipment to virtually every type of boat from the smallest fishing craft to Vendée Globe Imoca 60s and Volvo racers. The company’s portfolio includes a sophisticated array of chartplotter and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar, high-definition radars, autopilot and race instruments. Looking ahead, Garmin equipment will be onboard all the new Tony Castro-designed Clipper 72-footers and we are working closely with competitors in the next Global Ocean Race and the 2013 America’s Cup… among many others.

A major new development in Garmin’s portfolio is the recent acquisition of Nexus. Nexus is already well known for its dynamic series of racing instruments – a sector in which Garmin intends to diversify and expand. Nexus instruments presently range from the entry-level NX series for day sailors up to the highly developed racing products in the NXR range.

Top: Garmin’s latest GPSMAP 557 chartplotter comes preloaded for a choice of navigational regions and now offers position and heading-based information that is updated up to 10 times per second to deliver a much smoother display.
Above: to call the Quatix a ‘sailing watch’ is surely an understatement…

NEW IN 2013
In terms of individual products, among Garmin’s most exciting recent additions to its racing coverage is the new Quatix sailing watch – introduced at the Dusseldorf Boat Show. In a single, easily operated package Quatix provides comprehensive navigation and performance capabilities through the integration of Garmin’s industry-leading GPS technology. In one small ‘watch’ Quatix includes tactical sailing features never before combined in such a useable, simple package. Features include:

A comprehensive racing toolkit
The Quatix watch combines advanced racing tools to help contribute to your competitive edge. Quatix can create a virtual startline between two GPS waypoints, the line then being integrated with the built-in countdown timer to calculate distance to the line as well as desired speed and burn time available – features more commonly found only in expensive tablet installations requiring a dedicated operator. Once the race begins the watch automatically switches to ‘tackassist’ mode for a quick indicator of lifts and headers.
Information at your wrist
Quatix is the only watch currently available to encompass so many desirable racing features in one integrated device. Mariners can also rely on Quatix to deliver multiple data sets such as tidal information, COG, SOG and VMG, along with a choice of alerts for speed and even anchor drag… In addition, Quatix is equipped with a barometer and compass, providing a plethora of real-time information in one tiny, affordable unit. Meanwhile, a three-axis electronic compass allows bearings to be taken in the same way as with a conventional handheld compass.
Integrated system
By adding a Garmin GNT 10 unit, information can also be fed to the Quatix wirelessly from the boat’s permanent performance and navigation system. Helmsmen, beware… alert crew wearing one of these watches on the rail will quickly spot if you are signing your name across the ocean.

Other news
In late 2012 Garmin brought to the market their new EchoMAP and GPSMAP series of standalone 5in and 7in chartplotters with pinch zoom technology. These units also feature Bluetooth and wireless connectivity with many permanently installed sounders and mapping units.

For those in search of an up-to-date standalone chartplotter, the GPSMAP 500 and 700 series also come with the benefit of preloaded charts and data for the waters of the UK and Ireland. With the integration of the high-sensitivity 10Hz GPS/GLONASS receiver, both the new 500 and 700 series are able to update position and heading 10 times per second, providing significantly smoother screen navigation. Never has it been so easy – nor so reliable – to mark and navigate to any one of up to 5,000 user-created waypoints while enjoying the advantages of unusually crisp and fluid screen operation.

Click here for more information on the Garmin range »