New KVH TracVision M3 Satellite TV System Well Received by Marine Dealers and Customers
February 13 2006 - 6:30AM
Business Wire
Small, Simple, Powerful 14.5-inch System Ideal for Use on Boats
25-40 Feet, a Market Segment with more than 200,000 Registered
Vessels in the U.S. First to the mark again, KVH Industries, Inc.
(Nasdaq: KVHI), brings mobile satellite TV to the largest segment
of the U.S. production powerboat market - those vessels 25'-40' in
length - thanks to its new TracVision(R) M3, the world's smallest
stabilized marine satellite TV system. Until the introduction of
the 14.5" diameter TracVision M3, marine satellite TV antennas had
either been too large to look good on smaller vessels or made
significant compromises in performance in an effort to reduce
antenna size, a tradeoff that limited these systems to at-anchor or
coastal use. With reception comparable to larger, 18" diameter
satellite TV antennas, the TracVision M3, however, makes no
compromises and is ideal for vessels 25'-40' in length, a
significant new market opportunity. According to the National
Marine Manufacturers Association and Power & Motoryacht
Magazine, the number of U.S. registered vessels between 25'-40'
exceeds 200,000 compared to a population of less than 45,000
registered powerboats and yachts longer than 40'. And among those
vessels in the 25'-40' range, more than 60% are equipped with color
TVs but only 2% have satellite TV. Now shipping, the TracVision M3
is already beginning to seize this market. "We've installed several
of the TracVision M3s, and with nearly 40% of my business with
boats less than 40', it's created a terrific opportunity," cheered
Kevin Savord, owner of Long Beach Marine Electronics, in Long
Beach, CA. "Installers like the single cable connecting the dome to
the system below, and the customers keep commenting on the RF
remote - how it controls the receiver from anywhere on the boat."
The TracVision M3 offers everything a small boat owner needs to
enjoy more than 300 channels of DIRECTV(R) programming, including
50+ channels of XM Satellite Radio music, when cruising along the
coast and as far as 200 miles offshore. The system's
high-efficiency 14.5" antenna is contained within an
impact-resistant dome 40% smaller than competing 18" antennas while
offering comparable coverage, and requires only a single cable for
easy installation. "Of all the boats we outfit, boats in the
25'-40' range make up almost 60%," said Mike Yarbro, the president
of Seawide Marine in Temecula, CA. "Before the TracVision M3, we
sold plenty of (18" diameter) TracVision G4s; in fact we've gone to
selling KVH exclusively. That worked great for larger boats. Now,
look out...the smaller boat market is hot. I mean, we sold four
TracVision M3s just yesterday! It's easily the most important thing
on the boat. You know if a guy's radar goes out, he's not that
upset, but if his TV goes out, he's screaming and yelling." The
TracVision M3 also offers additional innovations ideally suited to
smaller vessels. Its powerful motors are extremely quiet, a
critical factor on smaller boats where the antenna is closer to the
passengers, yet are responsive enough to keep the TracVision M3's
antenna locked onto the DIRECTV satellite even aboard small vessels
in rough seas. Also included in the TracVision M3 package is KVH's
exclusive 12-volt satellite TV receiver for DIRECTV service, and an
RF remote control that allows users to change channels even if the
receiver is safely and stylishly tucked away in a cabinet or
stateroom closet. Commenting on KVH's overall strategy, Ian Palmer,
KVH's executive vice president of satellite sales, remarked, "The
TracVision M3 is an ideal example of KVH's successful efforts to
develop smaller, simpler technology that expands our sales
opportunities into broader, untapped markets. Our innovative,
high-efficiency design offers customers and dealers a wide array of
benefits while positioning KVH as the only marine satellite TV
system manufacturer capable of supporting the tremendous untapped
market opportunity represented by smaller vessels. An
all-in-one-box solution that is a snap to install and does not make
any compromises in performance, quality, or reliability, the
TracVision M3 is the small, simple, and powerful solution designed
specifically for the small boat owner's needs." Complete details
regarding the TracVision M3 and the rest of KVH's award-winning
TracVision product line are available at http://www.tracvision.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution, press-ready images of the
TracVision M3 are available for download and editorial use at
http://press.kvh.com. About KVH Industries, Inc. Middletown,
RI-based KVH Industries, Inc., is a leading provider of in-motion
satellite TV and communication systems, having designed,
manufactured, and sold more than 100,000 mobile satellite antennas
for applications on boats, RVs, trucks, buses, and automobiles.
Winner of the prestigious General Motors Innovative Design Award,
CES Innovation Award, 21 National Marine Electronics Association
"Best Product" awards, and a finalist for the Automotive News PACE
Award, KVH's mission is to connect mobile customers with the same
digital television entertainment, communications, and Internet
services that they enjoy in their home and offices. This release
may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, for example,
the functionality, characteristics, quality and performance of
KVH's products and technology; anticipated innovation and product
development; and customer preferences, requirements and
expectations. The actual results could differ. Factors that may
cause such differences include, among others, our dependence on the
availability of third-party satellites, which face significant
operational risks and could fail earlier than their expected useful
lives, for our mobile satellite communication services, as well as
those discussed in KVH's most recent Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.
KVH assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements
to reflect new information or developments. KVH(R) and
TracVision(R) are registered trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
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