Garmin GPS 12XL User Manual Page 1

Owner’sManual&ReferenceGPS12XLPersonalNavigator®GPS 12XL Manual Rev C 7/10/98 11:18 AM Page 1

Primary PagesBefore we start the tour, let’s briefly look at the fiveprimary information pages used for the GPS 12XL.Switch between pages by pressing

Map PageThe Map Page acts as a window. It allows you toview your position, the “path” you have traveled over,and nearby waypoints.A diamond icon in th

Getting Started TourNow that you’ve seen the primary pages, let’s getstarted by taking a simple tour to show you the basicsabout using your GPS 12XL.

Using the Position PageWalk for 3-4 minutes and watch the Position Page.The direction you are moving (track), your speed, tripdistance, and altitude a

Compass PageWhenever you select a destination waypoint, theGPS 12XL provides graphic steering guidance with theCompass Page (the default navigation pa

Clearing a Cluttered Map DisplayAfter you’ve used the GPS 12XL for a few trips, youmay find that your map display has become a bit messyfrom keeping t

Satellite PageThe GPS 12XL’s Satellite Page displays the status ofvarious receiver functions. The status information willhelp you understand what the

Receiver StatusReceiver status is indicated at the top left of thepage, with the current horizontal accuracy (estimatedposition error, in feet or mete

Battery Level IndicatorThe Satellite Page also features a battery level indi-cator, located to the left of the sky view, which displaysthe strength of

Position PageThe second page in the GPS 12XL’s primary pagesequence is the Position Page. This page shows youwhere you are, what direction you’re head

Software Version 3.0 or above© 1997 GARMIN Corporation1200 E. 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062 USATel: 913-397-8200 or 800-800-1020Fax: 913-397-8282

To reset timer, speed measurement, or odometer:1. Highlight the user-selectable field, and press E.2. Press Eto confirm or Qto exit.The trip odometer,

Marking a PositionThe GPS 12XL allows you to mark and store up to500 position as waypoints. A waypoint can be enteredby taking an instant electronic f

Waypoint PagesThe GPS 12XL has three waypoint pages that letyou quickly manage up to 500 waypoints. Thesepages—nearest waypoints, waypoint list, and w

Waypoint List Page (continued)An options page will appear, asking if you want todelete all user-defined waypoints or if you want todelete waypoints by

Waypoint Definition PageThe waypoint definition page lets you create newwaypoints manually or review and edit an existing way-point’s coordinates, sym

Reference Waypoints (cont.)3. Highlight the ‘REF’ field, and press E.4. Enter a reference waypoint name (or leave the fieldblank to use your present p

Renaming and Deleting WaypointsThe rename and delete function fields are locatedalong the bottom side of the waypoint definition page.To rename a stor

Selecting a GOTO DestinationThe GPS 12XL provides four ways to navigate to adestination: GOTO, MOB, TracBack, and route naviga-tion. The most basic me

TracBack NavigationGARMIN’s patented TracBack feature allows you toquickly retrace your path using the track log automati-cally stored in the receiver

Tips On the TracBack Feature• Always clear your track log at the exact point thatyou want to go back to (trail head, truck, etc.).• The ‘RECORD’ optio

GPS 12XL Operator’s ManualThank you for choosing the GARMIN GPS 12XL —the smallest, easi-est-to-use GPS navigator for outdoor use! The GPS 12XL repres

Route NavigationThe last form of navigating to a destination with theGPS 12XL is by creating a user-defined route. The routenavigation feature lets yo

Route Definition PageThe last form of navigating to a destination withthe GPS 12XL is by creating a user-defined route. TheGPS 12XL lets you create an

Creating and Navigating RoutesTo create a route from the route definition page:1. Highlight the ‘ROUTE:’ field, and press E.2. Enter a route number, a

Active Route PageOnce a route has been activated, the active routepage will display the waypoint sequence of your routewith the estimated time enroute

Editing RoutesA route can be edited any time after its creation.To edit a route from the active route page orthe route definition page:1. Select the w

Selecting a User-Defined Navigation PageOnce you’ve selected a GOTO destination or acti-vated a TracBack, MOB, or route, the GPS 12XL willprovide grap

Selecting a User-Defined Navigation Page (cont.)The ‘ETE’ field, located in the middle-bottom ofboth pages, is a user-selectable field that allows you

Using the Compass PageThe Compass Page provides better steering guid-ance than the Highway Page for travel at slower speeds(ex. walking) and for trave

Using the Highway PageThe GPS 12XL’s Highway Page provides graphicsteering guidance to a destination waypoint, with agreater emphasis on the straight-

Map PageThe Map Page shows your position and surround-ings, and provides you with a target cursor that letsyou pan ahead to nearby waypoints, determin

CautionINTRODUCTIONiiThe GPS system is operated by the government of the United States,which is solely responsible for its accuracy and maintenance. T

Zooming, Panning, and ConfiguringThere are four main functions you can perform fromthe Map Page— zooming, pointing, panning, and con-figuring (changin

Zooming, Panning, and Configuring (cont.)From the waypoint definition page, you can alsodefine how each individual waypoint is displayed onthe map. Th

Using the Cursor to Mark and Go to (cont.)You can also use the target crosshair as an instantGOTO destination. This feature is similar to the MOBmode,

Map Setup Page and Orientation (cont.)• ’Nearest’— shows the nine nearest waypoints to yourposition (black diamond) on the map.• ’Names’— displays the

Managing and Clearing the Track LogThe rest of the track setup window displays the per-centage of available memory currently used to storetrack log da

System SetupThe system setup page is used to select the operat-ing mode, time offset, and screen preferences. The GPS12XL has two operating modes:• No

Screen ContrastThe GPS 12XL has adjustable screen contrast con-trolled by an on-screen bar scale.To set the screen contrast:1. Highlight the ‘CONTRAST

Navigation SetupThe navigation setup submenu page is used toselect units of measurement for position formats, mapdatums, CDI scale, units, and heading

Map Datums (continued)To define a user datum:1. Highlight the ‘MAP DATUM’ field, and press E.2. Scroll through the map datum options until ‘User’appea

Interface SetupThe GPS 12XL’s interface page lets you specify theformats for connecting external devices. There are sixoptions: GRMN/GRMN, None/None,

1INTRODUCTIONTable ofContentsSECTION ONE IntroductionGlossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DGPS Interface (continued)To enter a DGPS beacon frequency:1. Highlight the ‘FREQ’ field, and press E.2. Enter the desired frequency, and press E.3. H

Navigation SimulatorThe GPS 12XL’s simulator mode lets you practice allaspects of its operation without active satellite acquisi-tion. You can plan an

Initializing Your GPS 12XL for First-Time UseThe GPS 12XL typically acquires a position so fastthat initialization is completed automatically. However

To initialize the receiver:1. If the ‘COUNTRY’ option is not highlighted, press theDkey repeatedly to move the field highlight to the‘COUNTRY’ option.

Specifications &WiringAPPENDIX B50Never attempt any repairs yourself. To protect your GPS 12XL,keep it in its carrying case when not in use, and n

APPENDIX BSpecifications &WiringDATA IN(WHITE)POWER(RED)GROUND(BLACK)DATA OUT(BROWN)Three optional cables are available to connect the GPS 12XL to

Messages &Time OffsetsAPPENDIX CThe GPS 12XL uses a flashing on-screen message indi-cator to alert you to important information. Whenever themessa

APPENDIX CMessages &Time OffsetsRTCM Input has Failed—DGPS data being received has been lost. You are no longer receiv-ing the beacon signal.Searc

Map DatumsAPPENDIX D54The following list shows the map datums available forthe GPS 12XL. Menu abbreviations are listed first, fol-lowed by the corresp

Mahe 1971 Mahe 1971- Mahe IslandMarco Astro Marco Astro- Salvage IslandMassawa Massawa- Eritrea (Ethiopia)Merchich Merchich- MoroccoMidway Ast ‘61 Mid

GlossaryINTRODUCTION2The GPS 12XL is a powerful navigation tool that can guide you anywherein the world. To better understand its operation and capabi

AAcquisition Time . . . . . . .50Activating a Route . . . . . .28Active Route Page . . . . . .29Acquiring a position . . . . .48Alkaline batteries

MMag. Heading Reference . .44Man Overboard Function .23Map Cursor . . . . . . . . . . .37Map Datums . . . . . . .43, 54Map Orientation . . . . . .

TTime Format . . . . . . . . . .41Time Offset . . . . . . . . . . .53TracBack Navigation . . . . .24TracBack Tips . . . . . . . . .25Track Log Disp

LIMITED WARRANTYGARMIN Corporation warrants this product to be free fromdefects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date ofpurchase. GA

© 1997 GARMIN Corporation1200 E. 151st Street, Olathe, KS USA 66062GARMIN (Europe) Ltd. - Unit 5, The Quadrangle,Abbey Park, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9

3INTRODUCTIONGlossaryGridCoordinate system that projects the earth on a flat surface, using squarezones for position measurements. UTM/UPS and Maidenh

Battery InstallationThe GPS 12XL operates on 4 AA batteries (includ-ed), which are installed at the base of the unit. Thesebatteries provide up to 12

5DATA ENTRYThe arrow keypad isused for all data entry.Use theU and Dkeys to select letters,numbers, and menuoptions; use theL andR keys to move the cu