Calgary, AB – November 21, 2011 — (TSX:HEM) Today, Hemisphere GPS expanded its multi-year OEM agreement with Navico Inc., the world’s largest marine electronics company. Hemisphere GPS is supplying Navico with the industry’s smallest (42 cm) GPS compass, which will be privately branded Simrad HS70. Simrad HS70 GPS compass will be sold with Navico’s AP70, AP35 and AP50 autopilots for pleasure boats, yachts and commercial vessels.
Based on Hemisphere GPS’ patented Crescent® Vector™II technology, HS70 calculates reliable GPS heading accuracy of 0.75 degree and 50 centimeter GPS positioning accuracy with SBAS corrections while providing heave, pitch, and roll output messages through an integrated tilt sensor and gyro system. HS70 supports both NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 interface standards making it compatible with all connectivity standards found on today’s vessels.
“Hemisphere GPS’ new line of Vector GPS compass technology enhances the accuracy and performance of our autopilot systems,” says Tom Edvardsen, Product Line Director and EVP Global R&D at Navico. “The sleek design of Simrad HS70 makes it a great fit for our recreational customers.”
Navico integrated Simrad HS70 GPS compass into its autopilot solutions and is also selling it separately, as a standalone GPS compass, through its worldwide dealer network.
“We are proud of expanding our OEM relationship with Navico,” says Phil Gabriel, Vice President of Precision Products for Hemisphere GPS. “Through Navico’s leading position in marine electronics, we have further expanded our addressable marine market for GPS compass products.”
About Navico
Navico is currently the world’s largest marine electronics company, and is the parent company to leading marine electronics brands: Lowrance, Simrad and B&G. Navico has approximately 1,500 employees globally and distribution in more than 100 countries worldwide.
About Hemisphere GPS
Hemisphere GPS designs and manufactures innovative, cost-effective GPS (GNSS) products for positioning, guidance, and machine control applications in agriculture, marine, construction, and other markets. The Company holds numerous patents and other intellectual property and owns several leading brand names, including Outback Guidance®, a leading brand in precision GPS for agriculture. The Company is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, with major product development, sales, and marketing facilities in Arizona, Kansas, and Australia. Hemisphere GPS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) trading under the symbol "HEM" and is one of the TSX Cleantech designated companies. For more information about Hemisphere GPS, please go to www.hemispheregps.com.
The above disclosure contains certain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Hemisphere GPS’ control, including: the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and market valuations of companies with respect to the announced transactions and the final valuations thereof, and obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities. Hemisphere GPS’ actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceed, that Hemisphere GPS will derive there from.