Garmin Creates Thermal-Imaging and Low-Light Marine Cameras

Garmin has officially introduced a bunch of additions to its collection of marine cameras, photo and video capture devices meant to be used at sea.

The three newcomers carry the names of GCT 30, GCT 20 and GCL 20 and are fully controllable from compatible Garmin chartplotters (GPSMAP 4000/5000/6000/7000).

The cameras are equipped with thermal imaging and can serve even during low-light conditions.

More importantly, though, they come with a new target tracking technology that lets them lock onto a point and follow it.

Not only that, but the GCT 30 and GCT 20 can even detect a hot spot, overlay a box around it and then pan and tilt to follow it.

Furthermore, a heading sensor allows all three to track MARPA and AIS targets, in addition to providing man overboard (MOB) synergy.

“Whether it’s navigating at night, through fog and rain, or for search and rescue efforts, visual information is invaluable for the captain at the helm,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales.

“We’re excited to offer our customers these new low light and thermal imaging solutions that – when integrated into a Garmin system – offer capabilities and performance never before found on marine cameras.”

As an extra asset of Garmin's latest inventions, the GCT 30, GCT 20 and GCL 20, aided by an additional heading sensor, can let mariners use more than one camera to track a single target from the plotter.

Finally, the GCT 30, GCT 20 will be marketed in 9Hz or 30Hz configurations, while the GCL 20 has PAL and NTSC configurations.

The cameras are going to be available by the time the second quarter of the year comes around (Q2, 2012). The GCT 30 has an estimated MRP (minimum resale price) of $13,995.99 / 10,627.17 Euro, the GCT 20 is valued at $8,995.99 / 6,830.66 Euro and the GCL 20 will cost $3,499.99 / 2,657.54 Euro.