"Those familiar with our aviation handheld product line will see the GPSMAP 495 as a cross between the GPSMAP 296 and GPSMAP 496 because it provides some of the advanced features found on the GPSMAP 496, but is closer to the GPSMAP 296's price point," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing.

The GPSMAP 495 incorporates the same, higher resolution terrain database found on the GPSMAP 496. The land graphics have over ten times as much data as other Garmin handhelds and vividly display proximity hazards. In aviation mode, pilots have the benefit of terrain and obstacle alerting, pop-up alerts, and customizable minimum clearance limits that give audible terrain alerts at specified altitudes.

Pilots will also appreciate Garmin's Smart Airspace feature that automatically highlights airspace close to the pilot's current altitude and de-emphasizes airspace away from the current altitude.

Like the GPSMAP 496, the GPSMAP 495 has an increased GPS update rate that is five times faster than other handheld GPS devices. This impressive speed gives fluid updates of GPS derived data including the aircraft's flight indicators, such as the HSI and turn rate indicator.

The GPSMAP 495's SafeTaxi diagrams and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Airport Directory data help reduce the headaches associated with navigating unfamiliar taxiways and airports. With over 850 US airport diagrams preloaded, SafeTaxi lets pilots see the aircraft's exact location on the field in relation to charts that identify runways, taxiways and hangars.

The preloaded AOPA Airport Directory data includes information for over 5,300 public-use airports and more than 7,000 FBOs, such as pilot services, ground transportation, lodging, restaurants, and local attractions. In addition, Garmin's version of the AOPA's Airport Directory highlights airports where pilots can save on fuel by using self-service fueling locations.

Those who want to use the GPSMAP 495 on the road or water can do so by adding optional MapSource City Navigator street maps or BlueChart marine cartography. City Navigator helps drivers navigate unfamiliar streets with turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions to specific addresses and points of interests.

When MapSource BlueChart marine cartography is installed, the waterproof GPSMAP 495 displays information like depth contours, inter-tidal zones, spot soundings, wrecks, navaids, port plans, restricted areas, cable areas and anchorages.

The GPSMAP 495 is expected to be available April 8-13, 2008, at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida. The expected street price is $1,595.00. Those who purchase a GPSMAP 495 at the 2008 Sun 'n Fun Fly-In are also eligible to receive a $100 rebate.

The GPSMAP 495 package includes a yoke mount, cigarette-lighter adapter, AC adapter cable, USB-to-PC interface cable, low-profile remote GPS antenna, carrying case, free Jeppesen update certificate, owner's manual and quick-reference guide. The GPSMAP 495 does not include the GXM 30A smart antenna with XM WX Satellite Weather and it is not compatible with the GXM(TM) 30A smart antenna.

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