If you follow my site regularly, you know I usually look for upcoming Garmin smartwatches, fitness trackers, and Edge bike computers. Today, while checking regulatory databases for new hardware filings, I spotted a new unreleased Garmin model number: A04812.
At first, I expected it to be the next big multisport watch or cycling accessory. But as I dug deeper into the official registration documents, it quickly became clear that this new device is something completely different.
First Spotted in Malaysia’s SIRIM Database
My search started when I came across a fresh filing from Garmin Malaysia in the SIRIM database (the agency that approves communications and electronics equipment for the Malaysian market).
The listing showed the model number A04812, registered under Garmin Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. However, instead of the usual classification codes reserved for wearables or short-range fitness sensors, this device was registered under a specific category: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (MARINE APPARATUS).
This single line confirmed that Model A04812 is not a wearable or a bicycle gadget. It belongs directly to Garmin’s marine navigation division.
More Clues Found in Dubai’s TDRA Filing
To get a clearer picture of what this hardware actually does, I searched international radio databases and found another matching registration. The Telecommunications and Digital Regulatory Authority (TDRA) in the United Arab Emirates approved the same model number, registered by Garmin’s local distributor, AMIT Retail.
While the TDRA lists the general product type as “Short Range Devices / Low Power Devices,” the technical radio frequency standards listed in the application tell the real story.
The test reports highlight several specific radio frequencies:
- 76 GHz to 77 GHz Short Range Radar (EN 301 091-2): This standard is specifically used for high-frequency millimeter-wave radar systems.
- Ultra-Wideband / UWB (EN 302 065): Used for precise short-range positioning and distance tracking.
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz): Standard connectivity for syncing with boat displays, smartphones, or marine networks.
What Could Garmin Model A04812 Be?
With a “Marine Apparatus” rating, 77 GHz radar technology, and UWB proximity sensors, it rules out smartwatches and handheld GPS units.
Instead, Garmin appears to be preparing a new high-tech marine system. Based on these filings, the device is likely:
- A Next-Generation Marine Radar Scanner: Modern marine radars (like Garmin’s Fantom series) use short-range radar frequencies for target tracking, bird detection, and collision avoidance on the water.
- An Advanced Docking or Proximity Sensor: The addition of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) suggests this unit might be part of an automated docking system or precise boat positioning setup, helping captains track nearby obstacles down to the inch.
- A Live Sonar or Vessel Monitoring Hub: It could also be an updated black-box sonar unit or an integrated vessel controller designed to manage marine electronics across a boat’s network.
When Will It Launch?
Regulatory approvals in countries like Malaysia and the UAE typically happen shortly before or around the time a product gets its final FCC approval in the United States.
Because these listings are now active, we can expect Garmin to officially announce Model A04812 in an upcoming marine product cycle. I will keep monitoring the databases and post updates as soon as more details or photos surface.
Also Read: Garmin Enduro 4 Officially Launches: Here Is What’s New and Everything You Need to Know
