Garmin GPS III User Manual

Owner’sManual &Reference®GPS III A 7/21/98 8:50 AM Page 1

2GETTING STARTEDKeypad Usage / Display(POWER)— Red key turns the unit on and off, andcontrols three levels of screen backlighting intensity.(PAGE)— S

© 1997 GARMIN Corporation1200 E. 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062 USWeb Site Address: www.garmin.comGARMIN (Europe) Ltd., Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey

GETTING STARTEDBattery Installation3The GPS III operates on 4 AA batteries (not included), which are installed at thebase of the unit. These batteries

What is GPS?GETTING STARTEDThe Global Positioning System (GPS) is a system of 24 satellites which circle theearth twice a day in a very precise orbit

Once the GPS III has calculated a position fix, you’ll usually have anywhere fromfive to twelve satellites in view. The receiver will then continuousl

This usually provides a position fix in 1 minute. You’ll know you have a fix whenthe unit automatically transitions from the Satellite Page to the Map

To turn the GPS III back on, press and hold the red power key.The GPS III features six main pages which are linked together in a chain. You canquickly

Let’s start with the Satellite Status Page, which is the page you’ll view while yourunit is getting a position fix. If you’re not already on this page

The Position Page shows you where you are, what direction you’re heading, andhow fast you’re going—and it’s the page you’ll want to use when you don’t

The Map Page shows your movement using a real-time track log (an electronicbreadcrumb trail that appears directly on the map as you’re traveling), and

The GPS III features two different navigation pages: Compass and Highway. TheCompass Page is first. This page provides graphic steering guidance to a

Software Version 2.0 or above© 1997 GARMIN Corporation, 1200 E. 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062 USATel: 913-397-8200 Fax: 913-397-8282GARMIN (Europ

The GPS III’s Highway Page also provides graphic steering guidance to a destina-tion waypoint. As you head toward your destination, the middle of the

The GPS III’s Main Menu provides access to additional pages (submenus) that areused to create or edit waypoints, create routes, list nearby waypoints,

GPS is really about marking and going to places called ‘waypoints’. Before we canuse the GPS III to guide us somewhere, we have to mark a position as

Once you’ve stored a waypoint in memory, you can use the GPS III to guide youto it by using the GOTO feature. A GOTO is really nothing more than a str

To cancel the current GOTO destination, simply select another destination. Ifno destination is currently desired, or you want to resume a previously

The GPS III is a powerful navigation system providing detailed mapping informa-tion in a convenient, compact package. This simulator tour is designed

To select the simulator mode:1. Press MENU to list the options for the Satellite Status Page.2. Highlight ‘Start Simulator’ with the rocker keypad, an

The GPS III’s Map Page combines digital charting with a number of user-selectablefeatures. Before we select our destination and begin navigating towa

Select a five mile scale by pressing zoom IN or OUT repeatedly.Working from the Map Page is a simple process that centers around the use of areference

4. Now let’s use a special symbol to identify this location. Highlight the waypoint symbolfield, using the rocker keypad, and press ENTER. Use UP/DOWN

Thank You!Thank you for choosing the GARMIN GPS III —the smallest, easiest-to-use GPS navigator for marine, auto-motive and outdoor use! The GPS III r

To mark your present position:1. Press and hold the ENTER/MARK key. The Mark Waypoint Page will appear, with adefault three-digit name for the new way

Notice the information on the map display is slowly moving? That’s how it wouldlook in actual use as well. The background map information and nearby w

To view the Highway Page, press PAGE.The Highway Page provides a graphic highway display that shows your move-ment relative to the desired course. The

The GPS III’s Satellite Status Page provides a visual reference of various receiverfunctions, including current satellite coverage, receiver operating

You can use the sky view to help determine if any satellites are being blocked,and whether you have a current position fix (indicated by a ‘2D Navigat

Poor GPS Coverage— the receiver isn’t tracking enough satellites for a 2D or 3Dfix due to bad satellite geometry.Not Usable— the receiver is unusable,

EPE and DOPThe Satellite Status Page also indicates the accuracy of the position fix, usingEstimated Position Error (EPE) and Dilution of Precision (D

The following Satellite Status Page options are available:Start Simulator— allows you to activate the GPS III’s built-in simulator mode. If ‘Start Sim

With 2D coverage, you willneed to enter your approxi-mate altitude. Without anapproximate altitude, yourposition error can be substan-tial.The Positio

Many features of the GPS III are menu driven. Each of the main pages has anoptions menu, allowing you to custom tailor the corresponding page to your

CAUTION: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is operated by the government of the United States,which is solely responsible for its accuracy and maint

Change Fields— allows you to choose the data displayed on the six user-selec-table data fields. Available data types are: Altitude, Average (Avg) Spee

The GPS III features a powerful real-time moving map that can do much morethan just plot your course and route. The Map Page also displays background

Another function on the Map Page is the pan function, which allows you to movethe map with the keypad in order to view areas beyond the current map.To

Many features of the GPS III are menu driven. Each of the main pages has anoptions menu, allowing you to custom tailor the corresponding page to your

To measure bearing and distance between two points:1. Highlight ‘Measure Dist’ and press ENTER. An on-screen pointer will appear on the map display at

To change a map setup feature:1. Highlight ‘Map Setup’ and press ENTER.2. To change map orientation, select the ‘Map’ tab (if not already selected) an

Whenever a destination waypoint(s) has been selected, the GPS III’s CompassPage will guide you to your destination with digital readouts and a graphic

Many features of the GPS III are menu driven. Each of the main pages has anoptions menu, allowing you to custom tailor the corresponding page to your

The GPS III’s Highway Page also provides graphic steering guidance to your des-tination, by using a graphic highway display. Along the right side of t

Many features of the GPS III are menu driven. Each of the main pages has anoptions menu, allowing you to custom tailor the corresponding page to your

INTRODUCTIONFCC ComplianceiiiThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC limits for Class B digital devices. This equipment generates,uses, and can r

The ENTER/MARK keyallows you to mark your cur-rent position as a waypoint.You can give this waypointany name you choose—up tosix characters long.You c

Waypoints can be createddirectly from the Map Page,by placing the panning arrowon the desired position andpressing ENTER.User waypoints can also becre

4. Highlight ‘New Waypoint’ and press ENTER. The New Waypoint Page appears.5. To enter a name for the new waypoint, highlight the waypoint name field

Show Map— allows you to view the map area around the highlighted waypointon the Waypoint List. While viewing the map display, you can also use the IN

To rename the waypoint:1. Highlight the waypoint name field and press ENTER.2. Use the rocker keypad to enter the new waypoint name and press ENTER.3.

The Waypoint Edit Page also features an options page that allows you to delete thewaypoint, view the map area around the waypoint position, define how

Another waypoint feature of the GPS III is the Nearest Waypoint List, whichshows up to nine nearest waypoints within 200 miles of your present positio

The GPS III can navigate to a destination using any of four different methods:GOTO— lets you select a waypoint as your destination and quickly plot a

To designate a GOTO waypoint from a list of waypoints:1. Highlight the desired waypoint on the list and press GOTO. A confirmation page showsthe selec

Cancel GOTO— cancels the current GOTO destination and resumes navigation of any previously selected route. If no route is currently in use; bearing, d

INTRODUCTIONLimited WarrantyivGARMIN Corporation warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for oneyear from the date

The TracBack navigation feature allows you to retrace your path using the tracklog automatically stored in the receiver’s memory. This eliminates the

Once a TracBack has been activated, the GPS III will take one of the track logs cur-rently stored in memory and divide it into route segments, called

Route navigation allows you to manually create a sequence of intermediate way-points which lead you to your final destination. The GPS III will store

To create a route from the map display:1. Press MENU twice to display the Main Menu.2. Highlight ‘Routes’ and press ENTER. The Route List is displayed

The GPS III’s Route List displays all the routes currently stored in memory, along with a descriptive name for each route. Once a route has been creat

3. Highlight the desired route and press ENTER to display the Route Plan Page.4. Highlight the name field and press ENTER to begin editing.5. Use the

6. To edit the route from the map display, press MENU from the Route Plan Page. Highlight ‘Show Map’ and press ENTER. Use the rocker keypad to place t

When a route is highlighted on the Route List, additional functions are availablefrom the Route Options.To display the Route Options, press MENU (with

Delete All— allows you to remove all routes from memory. The waypoints con-tained in all stored routes will remain in memory, but not as part of any r

Many features of the GPS III are menu driven. Each of the main pages has anoptions menu, allowing you to custom tailor the corresponding page to your

INTRODUCTIONAbout This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iCautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iiFCC Compliance

Deactivate— cancels navigation of the route you are currently using.Invert— reactivates the current route in reverse order and navigates from the endw

The GPS III’s Main Menu provides access to the waypoint, route, track log, timerand setup features of the receiver. The Main Menu can be accessed at a

Track Log SettingsTo view the Track Log Options, highlight ‘Active Log’ or any of the ‘Saved Logs’(on the Track Logs Page) and press MENU.The followin

Track Log Settings (cont.)Delete All allows you to clear all track logs, active and saved, from memory.To delete all track logs from memory:1. Select

Trip Computer— provides readouts for average speed, maximum speed, odome-ter, trip odometer and trip timer. These readouts can be reset from the Trip

The file tab headings and setup functions for these pages are: Simulator Enable/Disable; Settings for simulated Track, Speed and AltitudeSystem Backli

Simulator SettingsMode lets you turn the built-in simulator on or off.To enable/disable the built-in simulator:1. Highlight the ‘Mode’ field and press

System SettingsBacklight lets you keep the screen/keypad backlighting on continuously (‘always on’)when selected, or enable the automatic shutoff to p

Units SettingsDistance & Speed lets you select the desired units of measure for distance and speedreadouts in ‘Nautical’, ‘Statute’ or ‘Metric’ te

Timers SettingsUser Timer lets you select a count up or count down timer. For a count down timer youmay also specify the count down duration.To select

viINTRODUCTIONTable of ContentsGOTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49GOTO Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Time SettingsTime Format allows current time to be displayed using a 12- or 24- hour clock. Thisfield is also used to select between local and UTC tim

Alarms SettingsClock Alarm uses the internal clock to provide an ‘Alarm Clock’ message at the time you set.To enable/disable the alarm clock:1. Highli

Position SettingsPosition Format is used to change the coordinate system in which a given positionreading is displayed. The default format is latitude

Interface SettingsFormat lets you control the input/output format used when connecting your GPS III toexternal NMEA devices, a DGPS beacon receiver, a

The GPS III can be mounted on the dashboard of an automobile or to anotherconvenient surface using the two Velcro™ strips provided with the unit. To m

The GPS III is constructed of high-quality materials and should not requireuser maintenance. If your unit ever needs repair, please take it to an auth

Interfacing formats are selected from the Setup Menu, described on page 67. Theinput/output lines on your GPS III are RS-232 compatible allowing easyi

The GPS III’s antenna may be removed to allow attachment of an optionalremote-mounted antenna. In some applications, using a remote-mounted antennawil

Alarm Clock—The alarm clock time that was set fromthe Alarms submenu has been reached.Approaching—You are one minute away from reachinga destination w

RAM Failed—The GPS III has detected a failure in itsinternal memory. If the message persists, the GPS III isunusable and should be taken to an authori

1GETTING STARTEDUnit FeaturesAntenna(detachable)Function KeysLCD DisplayBattery DoorRocker KeypadPower/Backlight Key (red)To change the screen orienta

Adindan Adindan- Ethiopia, Mali, Senegal, SudanAfgooye Afgooye- SomaliaAIN EL ABD ‘70 AIN EL ANBD 1970- Bahrain Island, SaudiArabiaAnna 1 Ast ‘65 Anna

Hong Kong ‘63 Hong Kong ‘63- Hong KongHu-Tzu-Shan Hu-Tzu-Shan- TaiwanIndian Bngldsh Indian- Bangladesh, India, NepalIndian Thailand Indian- Thailand,

Old Hawaiian Old Hawaiian- Mean ValueOman Oman- OmanOrd Srvy GB Old Survey Grt Britn- England, Isle of Man,Scotland, Shetland Isl., WalesPico De Las N

Altitude—Height above mean sea level (MSL).Avg Speed—The average of all second-by-second speed readings sincelast reset.Bearing (BRG)—The compass dire

To Course—The recommended direction to steer in order to reducecourse error or stay on course. Provides the most efficient heading to getback to the d

AActive Route Options . . . . . .37,62-63Active Route Page . . . . . . . . . . .16,61Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67,73Almanac . .

IInitialization . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6,27,29Installation, antenna . . . . . . . . . . . .79Installation, wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . .78IN Zo

RRailroads, on Map . . . . . . . . . . .36-37Receiver Status . . . . . . . . . . . .8,26-27Reference Waypoints . . . . . . . . . . .44Rivers, on Map

VVelocity Made Good (VMG) . . . . . .86WWarranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ivWaypoints . . . . . . . . . . . .14,42-47,63Comments . .

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