Garmin is aiming to ease the level of stress that many boaters experience during docking, with two new marine cameras that are purpose-built to enhance proximity awareness at the marina.
The GC 24 and GC 255 marine cameras have on-screen distance markers and guidance lines, making them tools that boaters can use during low-speed maneuvers such as docking in close quarters. That’s a situation many boaters find nerve-wracking, especially if there is also wind, current and a lot of marine traffic to contend with while pulling into a slip.
Both cameras have 1080p displays and provide multiple views—including standard, wide-angle FishEye and overhead Bird’s Eye—directly to compatible Garmin chartplotters. The idea is that boaters can use the technology to have an easier time seeing all around the boat, making docking an easier process.
“Garmin’s new GC 245 and GC 255 cameras bring many of the innovative video guidance capabilities found in our Surround View Camera System to smaller vessels so even more boaters can benefit from increased visibility at the helm,” Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of global consumer sales, stated in a press release. “Much like a backup camera in your car or truck, onscreen prompts can give you confidence while docking or navigating your boat through narrow marina waterways to help protect your passengers and property.”
These cameras work in normal and low-light conditions, according to Garmin, meaning they should be a useful tool for boats that head out early or come in close to sunset. In addition, boaters can use multiple cameras to see as many as four video feeds simultaneously. Digital zoom and pan are among the features.
For mounting purposes, the GC 255 has a stainless steel through-hull design that can be flush-mounted. The GC 245 has a surface-mount design with black or white options. It can be mounted with the dome up or down, and does not require cutting into the vessel’s hull for simple installation.
Both camera models are also available with setup and full integration on the Garmin Marine Network or the Garmin BlueNet network. They are IPX7 rated for withstanding water and dust.
What’s the pricing on these Garmin cameras? The GC 245 surface-mount camera has a suggested retail price of $699, while the flush-mount GC 255 camera has a suggested retail price of $999. They are compatible with Garmin displays including various GPSMap series.
Take the next step: click over to garmin.com/marine
