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GPS GUIDEfor beginners
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2000 GARMIN Corporation
GARMIN International, Inc.
1200 East 151stStreet, Olathe, Kansas 66062, U.S.A.Tel. 913/397.8200 or 800/800.1020Fax 913/397.8282
GARMIN (Europe) Ltd.Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate, Romsey, SO51 9AQ, U.K.Tel. 44/1794.519944Fax 44/1794.519222
GARMIN CorporationNo. 68, Jangshu 2ndRd., Shijr, Taipei County, TaiwanTel. 886/2.2642.9199Fax 886/2.2642.9099
All rights reserved. Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this guide may bereproduced, copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage
medium, for any purpose without prior written consent of GARMIN Corporation.GARMIN Corporation hereby grants permission to download a single copy of thisguide onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to be viewed forpersonal use, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this guide containsthe complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that any unauthor-ized commercial distribution of this guide is strictly prohibited.
Web site address: www.garmin.com
GARMIN, G-Chart and TracBack are registered trademarks and MapSource is atrademark of GARMIN Corporation and may not be used without the expresspermission of GARMIN Corporation.
December 2000 Part Number 190-00224-00 Rev. A Printed in U.S.A
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Introduction
Have you ever been lost and wished there was an easwhich way you needed to go? Ever find that perfect fishiand not been able to remember how to get back to it easifinding yourself out hiking and not known which directi
go to get back to your camp or car? Ever been flying alon
to locate the nearest airport or identify the type of airspaMaybe youve been faced with the fact that its time to pusomeone for directions?
With a GARMIN GPS unit you could know where yothe planet at all times. From the time our first GPS hand
the Coalition forces in the Gulf War to our current reputname in GPS innovation, GARMIN has helped to take GPby going beyond the ordinary features and performance GPS receivers.
GPS technology is rapidly changing how people find
the Earth. Whether it be for fun, saving lives, getting theever use you can dream up, GPS navigation is becoming every day. We hope that this guide will give you enough
you involved in the fun that awaits you.
What is GPS?
GPS acronym noun
Global Positioning System. A network of satellites thatcontinuously transmit coded information, which makes
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introduction of the personal computer. Its designerday when we would be carrying small portable recea pound, that would not only tell us where we are i(latitude/longitude), but would even display our locmap along with cities, streets and more.
These designers originally had a military applicreceivers would aid navigation, troop deployment aother applications). Fortunately, an executive decreavailable for civilian use also. Now everyone gets toGPS! The capability is almost unlimited. Sometimes
use the system for free-YES! (Well, it was your tax mit.) So just break out that GPS receiver, put the battinto the fun!
Who uses GPS?
GPS has a variety of applications on land at se
?
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to within a centimeter! Recreational uses of GPS are almothe number of recreational sports available. GPS is becompopular among hikers, hunters, snowmobilers, mountaincountry skiers, just to name a few. If you are involved in where you need to keep track of where you are, find you
location, or know what direction and how fast youre goifrom the Global Positioning System.
GPS is rapidly becoming commonplace in automobibasic systems are already in place, providing emergency at the push of a button (by transmitting your current pos
center). More sophisticated systems can show the vehicleelectronic map display, allowing drivers to keep track of and look up street addresses, restaurants, hotels and othSome systems can even automatically create a route and directions to a designated location.
You dont have to be a rocket scientist to learn how Gneed is a little background knowledge plus the desire to and understand the world of GPS. Dont let terms like prandom, anti-spoofingand P Codefrighten you. Leright in and start to become familiar with the best naviga
to come along since the invention of the compass.
The 3 Segments of GPS
The NAVSTAR system (the acronym for Navigation
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The Space Segment
The space segment, which consists of at least 2plus 3 operating spares) is the heart of the system.whats called a high orbitabout 12,000 miles aboOperating at such a high altitude allows the signalThe satellites are arranged in their orbits so a GPS
always receive from at least four of them at any givThe satellites are travelling at speeds of 7,000
allows them to circle the earth once every 12 hoursolar energy and are built to last about 10 years. If
SPACE SEGMENT
CONTROL SEGMENT
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To give you some idea of where the L1 signal is on thfavorite FM radio station broadcasts on a frequency someand 108 MHz (and sounds much better!). The satellite silow power signals, on the order of 20-50 watts. Your locis around 100,000 watts. Imagine trying to listen to a 50
transmitting from 12,000 miles away! Thats why its impclear view of the sky when using your GPS.
L1 contains two pseudorandom(a complex patternsignals, the Protected (P) code and the Coarse/Acquisitiosatellite transmits a unique code, allowing the GPS receiv
signals. Anti-spoofingrefers to the scrambling of the P prevent its unauthorized access. The P code is also calledYcode.
The main purpose of these coded signals is to allow travel time from the satellite to the GPS receiver on the E
time is also called the Time of Arrival. The travel time muthe speed of light equals the satellite range (distance fromthe GPS receiver). The Navigation Message (the informattransmit to a receiver) contains the satellite orbital and cland general system status messages and an ionospheric d
satellite signals are timed using highly accurate atomic clThe Control Segment
The controlsegment does what its name implies GPS satellites by tracking them and then providing them
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GPS-How Does it Work?
Location is Everything
Now for the fun part of how it works.The GPS receiver has to know two things if itsgoing to do its job. It has to know WHERE the
satellites are (location) and how FAR AWAYthey are (distance).
Lets first look at how the GPS receiver knowslocated in space. The GPS receiver picks up two kfrom the satellites. One type of information, called
the approximate positions (locations) of the satelliously transmitted and stored in the memory of thethe orbits of the satellites and where each satellite almanac data is periodically updated with new infmove around.
Any satellite can travel slightly out of orbit, sostations keep track of the satellite orbits, altitude, ground stations send the orbital data to the masterturn sends corrected data up to the satellites. Thistion data is called the ephemeris(pronounced: i
valid for about four to six hours, and is transmitteto the GPS receiver.
So, having received the almanac and ephemerknows the position (location) of the satellites at al
?
?
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Using the same basic formula to determine distance, already knows the velocity. Its the speed of a radio wave per second (the speed of light), less any delay as the signathe Earths atmosphere.
Now the GPS receiver needs to determine the time pa
The answer lies in the coded signals the satellites transmicode is called pseudo-random codebecause it looks likWhen a satellite is generating the pseudo-random code, tgenerating the same code and tries to match it up to the sreceiver then compares the two codes to determine how m
delay (or shift) its code to match the satellite code. This dmultiplied by the speed of light to get the distance.
Your GPS receiver clock does not keep the time as prsatellite clocks. Putting an atomic clock in your GPS receit much larger and far too expensive! So each distance me
to be corrected to account for the GPS receivers internal cthis reason, the range measurement is referred to as a psdetermine position using pseudo-range data, a minimummust be tracked and the four fixes must be recomputed uerror disappears.
Coming Full CircleNow that we have both satellite location and distance
determine a position. Lets say we are 11,000 miles from olocation would be somewhere on an imaginary sphere th
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a two-dimelongitude).fourth satelmine your t(latitude, lo
our distancis 10,000 mfourth sphethree spher
Almanac Data
The unit stores data about where the satellitestime. This data is called the almanac. Sometimes wturned on for a length of time, the almanac can ge
When the GPS receiver is cold, it could takelonger to acquire satellites. A receiver is considerewarmwhen the data has been collected from thesatellites within the last four to six hours. When ylooking for a GPS unit to buy, you may see coldand warmacquisition time specifications. If the it takes the GPS unit to lock on to the signals and
important to you, be sure to check the acquisition
Once the GPS has locked onto enough satellityou are ready to begin navigating! Most units will
Position at one of twopossible points.
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Sources of ErrorsCivilian GPS receivers have potential position errors
the accumulated errors due primarily to some of the follo
Ionosphere and troposphere delays The satelit passes through the atmosphere. The system uses
that calculates an average, but not an exact, amounSignal multi-path Occurs when the GPS signal
objects such as tall buildings or large rock surfaces the receiver. This increases the travel time of the sigerrors.
Receiver clock errors Since it is not practical toclock in your GPS receiver, the built-in clock can htiming errors.
Orbital errors Also known as ephemeris errorcuracies of the satellites reported location.
Number of satellites visible The more satellitesee, the better the accuracy. Buildings, terrain, eleor sometimes even dense foliage can block signal reposition errors or possibly no position reading at al
the view, the better the reception. GPS units will no(typically), underwater, or underground.
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Satellite geometry/shading This refers tthe satellites at any given time. Ideal satellite the satellites are located at wide angles relativgeometry results when the satellites are locatgrouping.
Intentional degradation of the satellite starys intentional degradation of the signal is ability(SA) and is intended to prevent militthe highly accurate GPS signals. SA accountserror in the range. SA was turned off May 2,
active. This means you can expect typical GPof 6-12 meters (about 20-40 feet).
However, accuracy can be improved by cowith a Differential GPS (or DGPS) receiver, wseveral possible sources to help reduce some
described above. The next section explains D
DGPS-How Does it Work?
Differential GPS works by placing a GPS receireference station) at a known location. Since the r
exact location, it can determine the errors in the sthis by measuring the ranges to each satellite usingcomparing these measured ranges to the actual ranknown position. The difference between the meas
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for each satellite in view becomes a differential correctiocorrections for each tracked satellite are formatted into a and transmitted to DGPS receivers. These differential corapplied to the GPS receivers calculations, removing manerrors and improving accuracy. The level of accuracy obt
of the GPS receiver and the similarity of its environmentthe reference station, especially its proximity to the statiostation receiver determines the error components and prto the GPS receiver in real time. Corrections can be transradio frequencies, by satellite, or by beacon transmitters U.S. Coast Guard. Typical DGPS accuracy is 1-5 meters (
WAAS
When we fly, there is one thing we all desire: SAFETlegroom!) Exceptional positioning information is the keydeteriorating weather conditions, when visual navigation
possible, we need the best position accuracy possible. EnAugmentation System(now thats a mouthful!) or simplArearefers to a network of 25 ground reference stationsentire U.S. and some of Canada and Mexico. Implemente(Federal Aviation Administration) for aviation users, thes
stations are located at precisely surveyed spots and compmeasurements to known values. Each reference station isstation, which puts together a correction message and brsatellite. WAAS capable receivers typically have accuracie
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Mapping: Where Am I?
Have you ever looked at a map and wished yoexact location? Are you or is someone you know
Ever find a great hunting or fishing spot and wantA GPS unit may be just what you need to know wyou are going. GARMIN units are available with dModels vary from having no map, to a basemap, t
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Mapping UnitsBy stepping up to a unit with the ability to download
data from CD-ROMs, on-screen information really takes Map data may include business and residential streets, regas stations, tourist attractions, marine navigational data
graphic detail, off-road trails and much, much more. Imalook up and navigate to any street address contained in ausing an electronic map that shows street-level detail! Maincorporated into the unit either by using a data cartridging the information directly from a CD to the GPS unit. S
utilize GARMINs pre-programmed G-chartcartridges or regions. Others use a blank cartridge, combined with MapSourceCD, allowing you to select an area of detaithe data cartridge. Yet other units can have the data loadinternal memory without the need for data cartridges.
Navigation: Where Am I Going?
Waypoints
The main purpose of navigation is to be able to get f
point B as easily as possible. GARMIN units can store sevpoints, or locations, called waypoints. Your house, doccar, a great fishing/hunting spot or even some scenic spoto revisit are just a few examples of the locations you cou
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where you are, where you are going, how fast youyou are from your destination, and how long it wiBut what if there is a mountain, island or canyon bdestination and you cant navigate in a straight lincan tell the unit to go to a series of waypoints in a
a route.Routes
Remember the connect-the-dots pictures? Youdot to #2, to #3 and so on. Imagine that the waypare the dots and the route is the line connecting th
put your own numbers on the dots, you are basicafrom here, to here, to here, and so on, in this orde
pretty picture when you look at it, but it will definneed to go! With all GARMIN units, you can also displayed in the form of a track log
4
5
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True and Magnetic NorthWith direction in mind, youll need to determine if y
use true north or magnetic north references. True north uNorth Pole as a 0reference, whereas magnetic north useMagnetic North Pole, which is actually in northern Cana
you are using your GPS along with a standard compass, will normally set the GPS to magnetic north. The differentrue and magnetic north at your current location is knowvariation(or magnetic declination). GARMIN receivers model of the earths magnetic variation and can automati
tion for your location anywhere on the planet. You may athe variation manually using a user-defined north setting
Position Formats and Grids
Your current location can be viewed in the GPS in thdinates. Since different maps and charts use different pos
formats, GARMIN GPSunits allow you to choosethe correct coordinatesystem for your particularuse. The most common
format is latitude and lon-gitude, which is utilizedby all GARMIN units.On most models, you
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need to adapt GPS receivers to use with those oldeGPS receivers include over 100 available map datuswitch to a setting that matches your map. Using anot match the chart you are using can result in sigposition information. Most good navigational charthe datum listed, normally somewhere in the smal
legend. The most common US map datums are W1984 (WGS 84), North American Datum 1983 (NAmerican Datum 1927 (NAD 27). When looking datums, be sure to remember that they are all matthe Earths shape used to determine a position, no
the unit.
Map Datums OnUSGS Topo Map
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Purchasing Decisions
Trying to decide which GPS unit and accessories to goverwhelming, especially with the number of choices onThink about what you mainly want to use the unit for: bdriving, hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, etc. Since all GAcan show your position and basic navigation informationentry-level unit can be a great way to enter the world of All GARMIN units also have a backlight feature which wyour GPS both day and night. Choosing a unit with mormapping detail, can provide an entirely new level of posinavigation capability, while still being easy to operate. GA
menu-driven operation makes learning how to use the GIn designing our GPS products, we utilize customer feedbetter, more user-friendly products.
Consider these issues when selecting a GPS unit:
Battery Life If you are going to be using the unitan auxiliary power source, consider the weight of carryinUnits with color displays tend to have a decreased battergrayscale displays, requiring more frequent battery chang
Size and Weight GARMIN units are available in
ent sizes and shapes: small lightweight handhelds, large ters, and panel mounted aviation models.
Antenna Configuration Are you going to be usiin the open? How about in a car? Whether you need a un
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Selecting AccessoriesAll GARMIN units come with the basics of wh
started. You can fill your accessory needs through dealer or check out and purchase your units availGARMIN Web site: www.garmin.com. Some acces
Remote Antenna will a built-in antennas in a boat cabin, in the cockpit of an airplane or unexternal antenna will allow you to use your GPS inview of the sky may not always be possible.
External Power Source Even with the lon
on most GARMIN products, its always nice to savcigarette lighter adapter or AC power source!
Mounts When you need your hands free, can be useful. Many units come with a mount, andmounts are available for other products in our line
Software Whether your need is to save yoor plan a trip, GARMINs MapSource software cansoftware allows you to view color maps on a persozoom and pan functions for easy map browsing. Umanagement functions to create waypoints, routes
them between your PC and nearly all GARMIN GPfor planning your next outdoor adventure, businerecreational outing without ever leaving your hou
F th it th t t th t f f
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G-Charts If you would like to add more marine your GARMIN chartplotter, GARMIN offers two differencartography data cards: inland and offshore. GARMINs Gin two sizes: standard or micro. Offshore G-charts featurcomplete depth contours, navaids, and port plans that shnames of harbors, towns, marinas, inlets, hazards, and ot
data. Inland G-charts have detailed inland cartography awell as interstates, highways, county roads, boat ramps, aservices.
Web site FeaturesNeed to find out more information on GARMIN pro
technology? Stop by www.garmin.com to find a full-servhelp you with your GPS needs. You will find specificatioline of products, a dealer locator to help you find where
products in your area, GARMINs online store where youaccessories directly, online product registration and prodServices such as FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), fremanuals and unit operating software, links to learn moreeven job opportunities at GARMIN are just a click away!
cartography section to preview MapSource map detail orour listing of available offshore and inland G-charts and
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Our Customer Commitmen
GARMIN International aims customers, suppliers, distributorviding the very best products thasafety, and operational features aour immediate success has resultvative products for a variety of msuccess is based on our commitmtomers after the sale. We are winwith quality products, tremendouand we are working hard to creat
supporters for many years to com
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2000 GARMIN Corporation
GARMIN International, Inc.1200 East 151stStreet, Olathe, Kansas 66062, U.S.A.
GARMIN (Europe) Ltd.Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate, Romsey, SO51 9AQ, U.K.
GARMIN Corporation
No. 68, Jangshu 2ndRd., Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan
www.garmin.com
Part Number 190-00224-00 Rev. A