Garmin GC™ 14 marine camera

The Garmin GC™ 14 marine camera is a compact and rugged monitoring solution designed to integrate seamlessly with Garmin navigation systems. Measuring 54.3 x 50.7 mm and weighing 190 g, it offers optimal discretion on board. This camera delivers PAL resolution with 976 horizontal pixels and 582 vertical pixels, providing a composite image output of 1.0Vp-p at 75 Ω. It stands out for its night vision capability thanks to an infrared (IR) illumination with a 15-meter range, enabling effective monitoring even in darkness. Its versatility is enhanced by the ability to mount it upside down or sideways, with an image inversion function for a rear-view mode, configurable via the compatible chartplotter.

Integration and compatibility

The GC™ 14 is specifically designed to connect to a Garmin GPSMAP® chartplotter equipped with an integrated CVBS video encoder. It is part of the Garmin marine network, allowing its video stream to be broadcast on all chartplotters in the network via a single CVBS IN port. Although the camera is a standalone unit, it is imperative to refer to the list of compatible GPSMAP chartplotters on garmin.com/gc14 to ensure optimal integration. For complex installations or with chartplotters lacking an isolated power ground, adding a composite video ground loop isolator (not included) may be necessary to prevent interference.

Technical performance and robustness

Operating on an input voltage of 9 to 18 Vdc, the Garmin GC™ 14 draws a current of 90 mA at 12 Vdc without IR and 183 mA at 12 Vdc with IR activated, demonstrating energy efficiency. Its design is tailored for the marine environment, with an IPX7 waterproof rating per IEC 60529 standard, allowing it to withstand accidental immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It operates within a temperature range of -20 to 60°C. With a horizontal field of view of 95 degrees and vertical field of view of 52 degrees, it offers extensive coverage. The safe distance from a compass is 254 mm, minimizing magnetic interference risks. Positioned in the market as a reliable option for general monitoring, it complements more advanced cameras such as the GC 200 series or Garmin’s IP cameras, which offer higher resolutions and extended network features but at a higher cost. The GC™ 14 remains a pragmatic solution for essential monitoring needs.