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Are you a big fan of all things Garmin? This is a one-of-a-kind collection of very early Garmin history! Nowhere will you ever again see a collection like this.
In 1989 a company was founded in Lenexa, Kansas to build and sell GPS devices, initially for aviators and mariners. The very first product was called a GPS100. The name of the company and the name on those products was ProNav. In 1991 the name of that company changed to Garmin (the short story was a competitor was selling a product called a \"NavPro 1000\"), and the existing product and accessories saw a running change of the name. While Garmin has since sold over 100 million devices, the original ProNav GPS100 was only produced and sold in the hundreds, so remaining examples are now very rare. (This ProNav GPS 100 includes the slide in cradle, but not the gimble bracket.)
This listing includes many more rarities from that time, which is why the complete collection of these items is so unique and valuable. In addition to the original ProNav GPS100 (circa 1991), there is also a Garmin GPS100 POP (point of purchase, or \'dummy\') display model (circa 1992, #158). These too were produced on only the low hundreds, with few examples remaining. This one still has the protective tape on the mock-up display.
To go with these two GPS100 models, there is one each of the Pronav and Garmin GPS 100 owner\'s manuals. They are each the same part number, same business address, but with the two different company names. The Pronav manual has some highlighted text on various pages, but is otherwise completely as original. The Garmin manual has a set of coordinates (appears to be somewhere near Lawrence, KS) written on one of the early pages, but otherwise unmarked.
The GPS100 was sold to aviators and mariners, with later aviation versions adding an airport and navaid database (courtesy of Jeppesen). Aviators could mount the GPS 100 in an in-panel tray to drive a VOR instrument and even an autopilot. To improve GPS reception, a fin-type GPS antenna was produced that was mounted along the top of the aircraft fuselage. There are two examples of this included in this collection: one with the Pronav logo and a second identical design with the Garmin logo. I don\'t know if these antennas were ever in service on an aircraft and did not test them to see if they\'re still working.
Garmin\'s second GPS model was the GPS 50. It too was only produced in small numbers (low thousands). What is included in this listing is a one-of-a-kind display model (circa 1992-1993) that was built from the production molds, but using clear plastics. This created a see-thru design that allowed for viewing of the various stacked circuit boards. It is still functional, it does power on from batteries, as originally designed. It sequences through the screens using the various keys. And, the backlighting still works. I did not leave it on long enough to see if it would acquire satellites and don\'t recall if these early Garmin units required updates for GPS \"leap year\" issues. The clear plastic has some minor scuffing. The display has the usual micro scratches from age, but nothing major. The battery compartment shows some signs of previous leaky batteries, but would clean up nicely with some TLC.
To go with this exceptionally unique GPS50 is a second POP display model for the GPS50. These too were produced in extremely small numbers, so few remain today. It also still has the protective screen wrap in place. This POP has a minor flaw: the little plastic tab that locks the battery pack in place (once you slide it on) is missing. It appears to have broken off at some point over the many years since it was produced. It doesn\'t affect the quality of this display item. I wouldn\'t be surprised if the sleeve that includes that tab wasn\'t swapped out from a functional GPS50, to use as a replacement part.
So, there you have it. If there was a Garmin Museum, this would be a museum-quality collection of early Garmin history!
This collection is available for local pickup in the Kansas City area. Or, it can be carefully packed, insured and shipped to your location for $50. All items are being sold \"as is\" and the GPS units and antenna are clearly used items. I have attempted to carefully describe all items, but please ask any questions if you are unsure before offerding. Thank you.
