A GPS User Manual
Working With Garmin Receivers
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Preface
Table of Contents
List of Figures
Chapter 1 Introduction
Getting Started
What you can do with a GPS and why you would want one.
Here is a list for drivers and RV owners.
Marine users can find plenty of uses from the above list plus a few more.
Other uses for a GPS include:
...And, how about hobbies and Games
What about on your job?
Chapter 2 Theory
How Your GPS Works
Geometric View
Mathematical View
The Other Two Elements of the GPS System
More Detail on Calculating a Receiver Position
Getting A Fix With Your Garmin
Cold Start
Warm Starts
EZinit Starts
Autolocate - Search the sky
Completing the Initialization
Losing a lock
Notes and Tips
Detailed Discussion
Chapter 3 The User Interface
Working with the Keypad
Page Key
Quit Key
The Object-Oriented Interface
Enter Key
The menu interface
Menu Key
The Function Key Interface
Power Key
Goto Key
Mark Key
Page Key secondary functions
Zoom keys
Find Key
Basic Etrex interface
Etrex: Legend, Vista, and Venture
The Emap
Entering data
User interface summary
The Display and System Setup
System Setup
Speed (mph)
Alarm Time
Batteries
Chapter 4 Working With Garmin Screens
The Opening Screens
The Status Screen
Screen Contents
Function Keys for the Status Screen
The Position Screen
Screen Contents
Function keys for the Position Screen
The Map Screen
Screen Contents
Function keys for the Map Screen
Data Customization
Other Screens
Trip Computer
Altitude Profiling
Chapter 5 Working with Coordinates and Units
Datums
WGS-84
USA datums
Other Local Datums
Grids
Lat/Lon
UTM
GPS helps UTM
MGRS
Maidenhead
Local Grids
Loran Grids
User-Defined Grid
Other Units of Measure
Time
Linear measure
Angular measure
Chapter 6 Working with Waypoints
Capturing your position as a Waypoint
Man Overboard
Accuracy Considerations
Averaging Techniques
Planning Ahead Waypoint Entry
Entering Known lat/lon Values
Projecting a Waypoint
Using the Map Screen to Enter Waypoints
Updating Waypoint Data
Special techniques on mapping units
Renaming waypoints and changing icons
Viewing Waypoint Data
Deleting Waypoints
Distance to Waypoints
Proximity Waypoints
Tips and Tricks
Chapter 7 Working with Tracklogs
Capabilities of a tracklog
Setting up the tracklog
Using a Tracklog
Working with Saved Logs
Uploading/downloading a Tracklog
Chapter 8 Working with Routes
Creating A Route
Creating a route manually
Creating a route from a paper map
Entering routes from the map screen
Other techniques
Naming the route
Using A Route
Editing A Route
Adding route points from the map screen on the G-III
Unusual Uses For Routes
Chapter 9 Working with Autorouting Receivers
Getting the right Map
Performing an AutoRoute
Saving the route
Creating an automatic route from a different starting point
Using an AutoRoute
Recalculations
Setup Preferences
Map Page Setup
Main Menu Setup
Using Manual Routes and Autoroutes Together
Chapter 10 Working With Navigation
Navigation Basics
Working with the Compass Screen
The HSI display
Working with the Highway Screen
Vertical Navagation
Using CDI
Other Screens and Information
Tips and Tricks
Chapter 11 Working with Simulation Mode
Training Purposes
Waypoint and Route Maintenance
Using your Garmin as a Calculator
Navigation in Simulation Mode
Other Purposes
Chapter 12 Working with Databases
City Databases
Base Maps
Loadable Maps and POI
USA
International
General
Jeppesen
Marine Navaids
Chapter 13 Working with MapSource
Introduction
Installation
Overview
Working with Maps
Download Step
Unlocking maps
Working with Tracks, Waypoints, and Routes.
Waypoints
Routes
Tracklogs
Downloading and uploading data to the gps
Working with Real Time display.
Other Features
Setting the PC clock
Working with the Find command
Working with the autorouter
Measuring Distances
Chapter 14 Secret Startup Commands
Special key startup sequences
Emap Startup modes
Etrex Startup modes
Garmin V
76/Map 76
After a reset
Diagnostic Mode
Other Easter eggs
Internal Diagnostic reports
Chapter 15 Working with the Interface
Introduction
Hardware Connection
NMEA
NMEA input
Garmin mode
User data backup
Unit to Unit transfer
Firmware Upgrade
PVT data
Undocumented modes
Raw Data
Text Mode
Chapter 16 Differential GPS
Frequently Asked Questions
DGPS mode using a beacon receiver
DGPS mode
Cable for DGPS
WAAS
Loading the Almanac
Technical details on how WAAS works
How WAAS gets used by the Garmin receiver
Chapter 17 Miscellaneous Functions
Celestial Data
Sunrise and Sunset
Sun and Moon
Special III family features
A battery monitor
Trip Planning
Alarm Clock
Special 12 family features
Surveying
The etrex family
Electronic Compass
Altimeter features
Other etrex features
Area Calculation
Calendar
Hunt and Fish
Calculator
Jump Master
76 family
GPS V
Chapter 18 Working With Accessories
Cables
External Power
Data Port Accessories
Antennas
Cases/brackets
Memory Cartridge
Chapter 19 Garmin Technical Information
Technical Specifications
Error Recovery
Trouble Shooting Problems
Chapter 20 Selecting a New GPS
Choosing the Right GPS Receiver
The Basics
The Features
The questions
Your applications
Why buy a 12 Channel GPS Receiver?
What is a 12 Channel receiver?
What kind of receivers are there?
What is a parallel receiver?
What is a multiplexing receiver?
What is a sequential receiver?
Is a parallel receiver better than one that time division multiplexes?
If I want a parallel receiver, how many channels do I need?
Why do I want more than 5 parallel channels
Are there any other reasons to track more than 4 at once?
Why aren't all units parallel?
So why 12 channels?
Are 12 channels good for multiplexing receivers too?
How do I know what I have?
Aren't 12 channel parallel units more accurate?
Garmin Choices
Chapter 21 Other Garmin Receiver Models
Mobile
Other Handhelds
Marine Units
Aviation Units
TracPak
Communications plus GPS
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
This manual is a complete user manual for Garmin handheld receivers. It covers theory and practical applications for gps technology and the receivers that use this technology. Representative products for all of the Garmin handheld receivers, past and present, are explained and tips are given on getting the most out of each model. It is designed to augment the user manuals that are supplied with each product but is complete enough to replace them. While this manual is Garmin specific it provides a basic understanding of gps devices that is applicable to any gps receiver. It was written over a period of 4 years and has been reviewed and tested by hundreds of users over that period. It has been used as the reference for training on gps usage. Because of its unique approach that develops the theory behind operation as well as specific details, it provides a basis that will allow a user to be able to use any gps receiver. Skills in the use of a gps will provide assurance and safety for the user.
Topics extend beyond just operating the unit to actually being able to use it for navigation on the land, in the sea, or in the air. Topics are applicable whether you are hiking or driving to your destination. These topics include product operation, waypoints, routes, tracklogs, navigation, maps and databases, product selection, features, theory, accessories, and product unique functions.
About the Author
Dale DePriest first became interested in GPS in 1996. He soon acquired a Garmin 38 and began a love affair with this technology that continues to this day. Early in his thirst for knowledge he found a news group titled sci.geo.satellite-nav where knowledgeable folks discussed this topic and the units that could perform the magic of gps. Since he had a engineering mind a background he felt he really needed to understand how these devices worked. A bit of reading and a lot of experimentation soon started revealing the secrets locked up in these handheld units. He started sharing the data he had found and providing some help to other users. This led to his connection with Joe Mehaffey via his web site and Dale’s contributions became articles on the web site joe.mehaffey.com (now called joe.mehaffey.us). New purchases of a Garmin12, later an emap and a vista, provided connections to the latest 12-channel technology. Receivers such as these really moved the gps into the main stream as a reliable navigation tool once you understood how it worked. As more users adopted this technology, Dale found that many questions were being asked over and over again which led to an idea of developing a manual on how a gps worked and more specifically how to use one. He started by adding articles to his and Joe’s web sites and, through the encouragement and feedback of readers, a manual started to form. Now, 4 years later, the baby has grown up and ready for the world. Dale continues to expand his knowledge and provide reviews on gps related software and hardware. Combining his gps passion with a new passion for handheld devices, he has built web sites for both palm users and pocketpc users, as well and continuing coverage of gps topics. His site can be reached at http://users.cwnet.com/dalede.