The GPSMAP 230s advanced keypad system is designed to allow for fast, convenient selection of navigation options and data entry. The Getting-Started Tour will introduce you to most of the keypad and provide a hands-on lesson in using the GPSMAP 230. We strongly encourage you to take the Getting-Started tour before using your unit for actual navigation. The GPSMAP 230 Quick Reference Card contains helpful tips on using the unit and performing various navigation tasks. Its a good idea to keep the Quick Reference Card nearby whenever youre navigating with your new GPS chartplotter.

O T Q I H

Initializing the Receiver The first time you power up your new GPSMAP 230 is an important step in getting the best possible GPS performance. The receiver must be given an opportunity to collect satellite data and establish its present position. To ensure proper initialization, the GPSMAP 230 is shipped from the factory in AutoLocateTM mode, which will allow the receiver to find itself anywhere in the world. To speed up the initialization process, we recommend using the graphic initialization process described below, which will usually provide a position fix in about a minute. Before you initialize, make sure the GPSMAP unit and antenna have been correctly installed on your vessel according to the instructions in Appendix A.
To turn the GPSMAP 230 on:
1. Press and hold the P key until the power tone sounds.

Initialization

The welcome page will appear while the unit conducts a self test. Once the internal test is complete, the mariners warning will appear, asking you to read and acknowledge important information regarding the proper use of electronic charts.
A To acknowledge the mariners warning:

1. Press the T key.

B A. The welcome page will be displayed while the unit performs a self-test. B. Confirm the mariners warning before starting navigation. Remember that the electronic chart is designed as a supplement to local government charts, not as a replacement.
A message alert and prompt will also appear to ask you to select an initialization method.

To view a message:

1. Press the J key. 2. Press the J key again to return to the previous page.
The select initialization window will appear, with the select from map option highlighted.
1. Press T to initialize the receiver from the built-in worldwide map.
The Map Page will appear, prompting you to select your approximate present position with the map cursor.
1. Use the R keypad to move the map cursor to a location close to your present position. If you have difficulty identifying your exact position, press the I key to zoom in to a lower map scale. 2. Press T to confirm your selection.

Page 8

Using the Map Cursor
Working from the Map Page is a simple process that centers around the use of the cursor. Controlled by the R keypad, the cursor is an important tool that can be used to pan to other map locations, mark and edit waypoints and routes, and review position data of on-screen navaids and waypoints. To get a feel for using the Map Page and using the cursor, try the following exercise:
1. Use the I key to set the map scale to the 64 nm setting. Your boat should be near the center of the map, at the receivers last known position (if your boat isnt where it should be, make sure that you have initialized the receiver and acquired a position as described on pages 1-2). 2. Use the DOWN arrow of the R keypad to move the cursor down to the first lat/lon grid south of your boats position. 3. Using the R keypad to move the cursor, try following the outline of the lat/lon grid closest to your boat. Notice how another data field appears at the top of the page, showing the bearing and distance from your boat to the cursor, along with the lat/lon of the cursor. 4. Press the Q key to remove the cursor and recenter your boat on the map display.
B A. Whenever the cursor is active, the bearing and distance of the cursor from your present position will appear in a pop-up data window. B. To remove the cursor and recenter your vessel on the map, press the QUIT key.
As you become more familiar with the cursor, youll see that the map display actively scrolls or pans, letting you explore areas around the world (even outside of your current G-chartTM coverage) and create waypoints and routes. Wherever you move the cursor, pressing Q once will return the map to your present position. Now that you have a feel for how the cursor works, lets move on and see how the GPSMAP 230 works on the water. To help you practice using the Map Page and other features, weve stored a practice route in the receivers permanent memory, so you can see exactly what youll experience when youre navigating with your new GPS chartplotter.

Page 9

Page 13

Whenever the GPSMAP 230 is in simulator mode, you can adjust your speed and course from the Navigation Page using the R keypad. As you head toward each waypoint in the tour route, try adjusting your boat speed and course to get a feel for how the highway works.
To adjust the simulated boat speed:
1. Press the UP arrow of the R keypad to increase the speed in 5 knot/kph/mph increments. Press the DOWN arrow to decrease the speed in the same increments.
Using the Navigation Page

To steer the boat:

1. Press the LEFT and RIGHT arrows of the R keypad.
Notice that as you get off course, the highway and waypoint pointer move to give you graphic guidance to get back on course. The base of the highway display also serves as a graphic course deviation indicator (CDI), relative to the scale setting shown at the bottom right of the page. The scale setting represents the total distance (or the width) of the base of the highway display. The default graphic highway setting is 1/4 nm, but can be set for a 1/2-, 1-, 2- or 4-nm range.
To change the highway scale display:
1. Press the Ior H key (OUT to increase, IN to decrease the scale).
B A. To reset the simulator to steer the desired course automatically, select the Auto COG setting from the options page. B. The highway scale can be set to a 1/4-, 1/2-, 1-, 2-, or 4-nm/mi/km range with the ZOOM keys.
The Navigation Page data fields may also be configured to display any of ten different navigation values. Lets change the VMG field to crosstrack error to provide a digital readout of the distance were off course.

To change a data field:

1. Press the O key to display the Navigation Page options. 2. Highlight the Change Data Fields? option and press T. The field highlight will now appear in the top-left data field (the BRG field). 3. Use the R keypad to move the field highlight to the VMG field and press T. 4. Highlight the XTE option and press T, and press Q to finish.

Page 14

Active Route & Main Menu Page
Now that youve seen the four main pages, lets review the active route page, which appears in the main page sequence whenever you are navigating a route:
The active route page shows each waypoint of the active route in sequence, with the waypoint name, distance and estimated time enroute to each waypoint displayed. As you navigate the route, the active route list will be automatically updated, indicating the next destination waypoint. The active route page also provides quick access to many route activation, editing and copying functions youll use most often, like inverting and deactivating the active route. Lets go ahead and deactivate the active route.

1. Highlight the Measure BRG/DIS? option and press T. An onscreen pointer will appear on the map display at your present position. 2. Move the cursor to the desired reference point (the point that you want to measure from) and press T. 3. Move the cursor to the point that you want to measure to. The bearing and distance from the reference point will be displayed at the bottom left of the data window.
4. Press the Q key to finish.

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Configure the Map? allows you to determine what chart features are displayed on a particular map scale to prevent excessive clutter. The map configuration page features an on/off grid with a list of chart features down the left side. The zoom scales are displayed across the top of the grid with the chart scale currently in use also indicated. The far-left scale setting represents all map scales 64 nm and above. A check mark in a grid box indicates that the chart feature listed will be displayed at the corresponding scale. Individual grid boxes may be turned on and off through a popup scale window, while entire rows may be controlled by using the map configuration options page (accessible through the O key). To use the map configuration grid:
1. Use the R keypad to select the desired map item and press T. A popup window will appear with the current settings displayed. 2. Use the R keypad to highlight the scale you want to change. 3. Press T to change the on/off setting. 4. Press Q to finish.

Map Configuration

B A. The map configuration grid allows you to define what items appear on the display at each map scale. B. To turn an entire row on for the selected map item, highlight the Enable Row? option and press EDIT/ENTER.
To turn an entire row on or off:
1. Use the R keypad to select the desired map item. 2. Press the O key. 3. Select the Enable Row? or Disable Row? option and press T.
The map configuration page also allows you to set the moving map display to a North Up, Track Up, or Desired Track Up orientation. To change the map orientation:
1. Use the R keypad to highlight the Orientation field and press T. 2. Select the desired setting and press T.

Page 28

Map Configuration & Map Colors
The map configuration options page also features a map calibration function that allows you to calibrate the map display your exact physical surroundings or to correct data from older charts. Before using the map calibration function, check to make sure that your map datum selected on the GPS matches the datum on the chart you are using (see page 61). To calibrate the map display, you must know exactly where you are, and understand that the correction is generally valid only in a limited range from the point of correction. Map calibration should only be performed while the vessel is not moving, and should never be used to attempt SA corrections, which can degrade accuracy up to 330 (100 meters). The maximum correction is 16,400 feet (5000m). To calibrate the map:

1. Select the Calibrate the Map? option and press T. 2. Use the R keypad to move the arrow cursor from the satellite position (indicated by the satellite icon) to your exact position. The bearing, distance, and position will be indicated in the data window. 3. Press T to confirm the calibration offset.
B A. To calibrate the map, highlight the Calibrate the Map? option and press EDIT/ENTER. B. A satellite icon will remain on the map to indicate the GPS position, while the boat marker will move to reflect the calibration changes. CAUTION! The map calibration function should never be used to attempt corrections to Selective Availability errors.
The next option available from the map configuration page is the set map colors option, which allows you to define the fill color (grayscale) of the land and water used on the map display. Three options are available: no color (no fills for land or water), gray land/white water (the default setting), and white land/gray water. To select a map colors option:
1. Select the Set Map Colors? option and press T. 2. Highlight the desired map color option and press T.
The map configuration options page also features a restore defaults function that can be used to quickly restore all map configuration options to the factory settings. To restore the map configuration options to the factory defaults:
1. Highlight the Restore Defaults? settings and press T.

Page 29

Setup Page Display? allows you to specify the number of fields displayed in the data window section of the map page. A graphic compass tape or CDI scale may also be displayed. The following options are available: 2 Fields 2 Fields & CDI 4 Fields & Compass 6 Fields 6 Fields & CDI To select a page display option:
1. Highlight the Setup Page Display? option and press T. 2. Select the desired option and press T.
Page Display & Data Fields
2 Fields & Compass 4 Fields 4 Fields & CDI 6 Fields & Compass 8 Fields
Change Data Fields? allows you to specify the data displayed in each data field used on the map display. The following options are available: BRG- bearing to active wpt SOG- speed over ground ETE- estimated time enroute XTK- crosstrack error TRN- turn angle to wpt To change a data field:
1. Highlight the Change Data Fields? option and press T. 2. Move the field highlight to the desired field and press T. 3. Select a data field option and press T. Restore Defaults? resets all map page options (except map configuration

To delete the entire waypoint list:
1. Press the O key to select the options window. 2. Highlight the Delete All User Wpts? option and press T. 3. Use the R keypad to highlight the YES prompt and press T to confirm.

Page 43

Going to a Destination The GPSMAP 230 provides four ways to navigate to a destination: GOTO, MOB, TracBack and route navigation. The most basic method of selecting a destination is the GOTO function, which lets you select a waypoint as your destination and quickly sets a direct course from your present position. The G key can be used in three ways: from a list of waypoints, directly from the map display and from a list of GOTO options. Pressing the G key once displays a list of all waypoints in memory, from which you can select a single destination waypoint.
To activate a GOTO from the waypoint list:
1. Press the G key. 2. Select a waypoint and press T.

GOTO/MOB

Selecting a GOTO Destination
Selecting a GOTO On Map Pressing the G key twice allows you to graphically select an on-screen waypoint, navaid, or cursor position as a destination. A graphical GOTO may be used to select one of three options from the map display: an existing waypoint, an onscreen navaid, or a cursor position. If you are selecting a navaid or a new position as the GOTO destination, the GPSMAP 230 will automatically create or move the waypoint named MAP at the navaid or map position.
To activate a GOTO from the map display:
1. Press the G key twice. 2. To select an existing user waypoint, highlight the waypoint on screen and press T. 3. To select a navaid, highlight the navaid on screen and press T. The GOTO NEW WAYPOINT page will appear, displaying the navaid position as a MAP waypoint, with the navaid symbol and text as the default icon and waypoint comment. Press T to save the waypoint and begin navigation. 4. To select a cursor position as your destination, move the arrow cursor to the desired position and press T. The GOTO NEW WAYPOINT page will appear and display the position as the MAP waypoint. Press T to save the waypoint and begin navigation.
B A. Press GOTO once to select a destination from a list of waypoints. B. Press GOTO twice to select a destination waypoint with the map cursor. If you are not selecting an existing waypoint as your destination, a new waypoint named MAP will be created. Keep in mind that the MAP waypoint will be overwritten for each MAP GOTO. This allows you to navigate to onscreen navaids without permanently storing the navaid as a waypoint. If you want to save the MAP waypoint, rename it following the steps on page 39. 43

Page 55

Track Log Submenu The Main Menu Pages track submenu lets you specify whether or not to record a track plot (an electronic recording of your path) and define how it is recorded. It also provides an indicator of the track memory used and selects functions to clear the track memory and start a TracBack route. The following functions are available:
Record Mode lets you select one of three track recording options: Off No track log will be recorded. Note that selecting the Off setting will prevent you from using the TracBack feature. Fill a track log will be recorded until the track memory is full. Wrap A track log will be continuously recorded, wrapping through the available memory (replacing the oldest track data with new data). Interval defines the frequency with which the track plot is recorded. Three interval settings are available: Time records track plot based on a user-defined time interval. Resolution records track plot based upon a user-defined variance from your course over ground. The resolution option is the default setting and is recommended for the most efficient use of memory and TracBack performance. The distance value (entered in the interval field) is the maximum error allowed from the true course before recording a track point. Distance records track based on a user-defined distance between points. Interval Value defines the distance or time used to record the track log. Delete Track? allows you to clear the track log currently stored in memory. Start TracBack? converts the current track log into an inverted route and begins route navigation along the track log. To reset all track options to the default settings:
1. Press O, followed by T.

SETUP MENUS

Track Log Setup
B A. The Wrap option will continuously record a track log, and replace the oldest track log point with new data. The Fill option will record a track log until the memory is full. B. The track submenus default settings may be quickly restored from the track options page.

Page 56

Trip and Fuel Planning

Trip & Fuel Planning

Route & Trip Planning
The bottom of the page will now display the planning information for the route leg selected or the cumulative values for the entire route. The route planning mode will also let you plan cumulative totals for multiple route legs by using the Hold First Waypoint? selection from the options window.
To plan multiple route legs:
1. Follow steps 1 through 6 above to select the last route leg you want to plan. For example, select leg 03 if you want to plan cumulative totals for the first three legs of the route (without including the rest of the route). 2. Enter the speed, fuel and date/time values as described in steps 7-9 above. 3. Press the O key to display the options page. 4. Select the Hold First Waypoint? option and press T. The cumulative totals from the first route waypoint to the end of the selective leg will appear at the bottom of the page.
B A. To plan cumulative totals for an entire route, select the All option from the leg field. B. To plan cumulative totals through a particular leg, select the Hold First Waypoint? option from the Trip and Fuel Planning options page. Then enter the last leg you want to plan in the leg field.

Page 58

Sunrise/Sunset Planning & System Setup
The fuel and trip planning submenu also allows you to calculate the sunrise and sunset times for your present position or any waypoint for a selected date.
To use the sunrise/sunset planner:
1. Highlight Trip & Fuel Planning option from the main menu and press T. 2. Highlight the first waypoint field and press T. Press the left arrow key to clear the field, and use the R keypad to enter the name of the desired waypoint. You may leave the waypoint field blank to use your present position, or press the O key to select the waypoint from the nearest list, the waypoint list, or the map display. To calculate the sunrise/sunset for your present position, leave both waypoint fields blank. 3. Press T to confirm. 4. Highlight the date field and press T. 5. Enter the date you want sunrise/sunset information for (the current date and year will be used as the default setting) and press T. The sunrise and sunset times for the arrival date will be displayed at the bottom right of the planning page.

Clock Alarm provides an alarm for the system clock. To use the clock alarm, select the On option and enter the desired time of day in the time field. Arrival Alarm lets you specify an alarm to sound when youre a specified distance away from a destination waypoint. Three options are available: Off- No arrival alarm will sound. Auto- An arrival alarm will sound one minute before the destination, based upon your current speed and course over ground. On- An arrival alarm will sound at the alarm distance specified in the distance field for the destination waypoint (the On setting will only provide an arrival alarm for the final destination waypoint of the active route). Crosstrack Alarm provides an alarm for crosstrack error (XTK) when your vessel is off course by more than a specified distance, up to 99.99 (units). Anchor Drag Alarm lets you specify an alarm to sound when youve exceeded a specified drift distance, up to 9999 (units). Whenever the anchor alarm is triggered, an anchor icon will appear in the status bar.
B A. The timer field can be set to count down from a specified interval or provide a running count of elapsed time. B. The On setting of the arrival alarm will cause the alarm to sound only for the final destination waypoint of a route at the distance specified.

Page 63

Input/Output Submenu The Input/Output submenu lets you control interface settings for connecting external NMEA devices, a DGPS receiver, or a personal computer. The Input/Output Format field, at the top of the page, lets you specify one of seven interface formats:
Data Transfer is a proprietary interface that allows you to exchange data such as waypoints, routes, and track logs between GPSMAP units or a GARMIN PC kit. No In/NMEA Out provides navigation information to a compatible NMEA device such as an autopilot or radar. NMEA 0180, 0182, 0183 v.1.5 and 0183 v.2.0 output options are available. See Appendix B for additional NMEA sentence information. No In/No Out provides no interfacing capabilities. RTCM In/NMEA Out allows DGPS beacon receiver input and also provides selectable NMEA output. RTCM In/No Out allows DGPS beacon receiver input, with no output capabilities. NMEA In/No Out allows input from a NMEA compatible external device, such as a Yeoman Plotter, with no output capabilities. NMEA In/NMEA Out provides the same input capabilities as NMEA IN, with selectable NMEA output. A B

To install a G-chart cartridge:
1. Open the cartridge door on the GPSMAP 230 unit. 2. Insert the card (label facing front and G-chart logo at top) into the slot. 3. Use your thumb to firmly push the cartridge into place. If your GPSMAP 230 is on, a confirmation tone will sound when the cartridge has been properly installed and accepted. 4. Close the door (Note: The door will not close unless the G-chart is fully inserted.).

G-CHARTS

Installing & Removing G-charts
If you insert a G-chart cartridge and get a card format not recognized message, try removing the card and reinserting it. If the card is still not recognized, contact the dealer you purchased it from for assistance. G-chart cartridges are not waterproof, should not be exposed to moisture or excessive static charges, and should be stored in the anti-static bag supplied with the cartridge.
To remove a G-chart cartridge:
1. Open the cartridge door. 2. Grasp the card at the bottom groove and pull firmly. 3. If your GPSMAP is on, a confirmation tone will sound when the G-chart cartridge has been removed.

Page 66

Using G-chart Cartography
Using G-chart Cartography Once a G-chart cartridge has been inserted, the map coverage outlines for the cartridge will automatically appear on-screen. Keep in mind that the display will not automatically scroll to the map area or zoom to a level where you can see the coverage outlines. If you do not immediately see the outlines, scroll the cursor to the broad geographic area covered by the chart and zoom out to another map scale. The large outlined box shown is the main chart, which serves as the boundary area for the entire cartridge. The small outlined box inside the main box are subcharts, which provide more detailed coverage of the area indicated. To view the detailed cartography of any subchart, scroll the cursor to the subchart outline and use the I key to zoom in to smaller range scales. If the map outlines still do not appear, check the Map Outlines setting on the map options page to make sure they are set to appear (see page 26).
A B A. Map outlines for G-chart offshore cartography. B. Map outlines for G-chart inland cartography. Note: The smaller boxes located within larger boxes indicate areas of greater detail.
Whenever you zoom past the usable range of the current electronic chart, the range field will display Ovr Zm or No Map. These warnings indicate that although you may still have cartography, you should exercise extreme caution using the data. See page 25 for more information on Overzoom and No Map modes.
When a G-chart cartridge is installed, the GPSMAP 230s system will automatically use the best available chart for display. As you enter and exit various subcharts, the system will automatically display the appropriate chart for the area you are in. When you leave the area covered by the main map of a cartridge, the GPSMAP 230 will default back to using the built-in 64 nm database if it is available at the current scale. If you are not seeing certain map items (navaids, depth contours, etc. on offshore cartridges; highways, boat ramps, etc. on inland cartridges), check the map configuration settings available from the map options page.

Glossary

Page 78
Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) The time of day at the prime meridian (0 longitude) in Greenwich, England. Universal Transverse Mercator- (UTM) A grid coordinate system that projects global sections onto a flat surface to measure position in specific zones. Velocity Made Good (VMG)The speed you are traveling in the direction of the destination. WaypointA specific location saved in the receivers memory.

Page 79

The chart below gives an approximate UTC time offset for the various longitudinal zones. Check with local charts for more detailed information. If you are in daylight savings time, add one hour to the offset. Longitudinal Zone Offset
W180.0 to W172.5 W172.5 to W157.5 W157.5 to W142.5 W142.5 to W127.5 W127.5 to W112.5 W112.5 to W097.5 W097.5 to W082.5 W082.5 to W067.5 W067.5 to W052.5 W052.5 to W037.5 W037.5 to W022.5 W022.5 to W007.5 W007.5 to E007.5 E007.5 to E022.5 E022.5 to E037.5 E037.5 to E052.5 E052.5 to E067.5 E067.5 to E082.5 E082.5 to E097.5 E097.5 to E112.5 E112.5 to E127.5 E127.5 to E142.5 E142.5 to E157.5 E157.5 to E172.5 E172.5 to E180.0 -12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -11 12

Time Offsets

Page 80

Loran TD Position Format

When creating new waypoints using Loran TD coordinates you must set the correct loran chain number and secondary stations in the Setup TD field before storing the waypoint. After the waypoint is stored in unit memory, it will always reference the loran chain number and secondary stations currently selected in the Setup TD field. If you enter a different loran chain number or change the secondary stations in the Setup TD field, the active waypoint information will reflect those changes. Since the GPSMAP 230 does not rely on the loran signal for navigation, it can reference a different GRI chain and/or secondary stations and still navigate to the location stored in memory.
To change the Setup TD settings::
1. Highlight the Setup TD field and press T. 2. Select the field to change and press T. 3. Highlight the new setting and press T.

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A Alarm Setup Anchor Drag Alarm Antenna Installation Arrival Alarm AutoLocate B Backlight Level Beacon Receiver Setup Bearing Bearing/Distance Calculation Built-in Map Coverage C Calibrations, Map Cancelling Active GOTOs Capabilities Cautions Clock Alarm Configurations, Map Contrast Setting Countdown Timer Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) Crosstrack Error Cursor Mode Cursor Movement D Data Field Entry Data Window Date/Time Formats Datums Definitions

1-2,18

Desired Track (DTK) Depth Contours Depth Units Dilution of Precision (DOP) DGPS Setup DGPS Status E Entering Initial Position Estimated Position Error (EPE) Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) Estimated Time Enroute (ETE) F Full Page Mapping

63-64 18

3 63-26 2,74

2,29,77 29,77

iii ii 62 27-77 23-24 8,24
G G-chart Cartridges GOTO Key Ground Speed H Heading Selection I Initialization Installation Interface Options Interface Setup Interval, Track Storage

65-66 9,43-44 77

59 74-76 77-78

1-2 67-63-64 55

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K Keypad Tone Keypad Usage L Language Setup Local Time Offset Loran TD Positon Format M Magnetic Variation Main Menu Man Overboard Function Map Calibration Map Configuration Map Datum List Map Datum Selection Map Page Map Scales Marking a Position Measuring Bearing & Distance Submenu Selection Message Descriptions Messages, Viewing N Navigation Page Navigation Setup Navigation Units NMEA Formats NMEA Setup No Map Mode

59 viii

O Offset, local time Operation Mode Setup Overzoom Mode P Packing List Page Sequence Physical Specifications Point-to-Point Planning Position Mode Position Page Position Format Velocity Filters Power Off Power On Proximity Alarm R Removing G-chart Cartridges Routes Activating A Route Active Route Page Clearing Copying Creating Deactivating Editing By Text Editing On Map Modifying Route Waypoints Modifying Routes Moving Route Waypoints Removing Route Waypoints
27-28 74-26-6,34-15 72-73 1

vi 20-1 41

12-13,31-32 60-70 63-64 25
65 47-14,53-50,52,54 49-48-50 48-50

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Reviewing Routes Route Comments Route Planning Mode Stopping Route Navigation S Satellite Acquisition Satellite Sky View Signal Strength Bars Simulator Mode Simulator Tour Status Bar Status Page Steering Guidance Sunrise/Sunset Calculation System Setup T Table of Contents Time Offsets Timer/Alarm Setup Tone Selection TracBack Function Track Log Track Memory Track Plot Resolution Track Recording Trip Odometer Turn (TRN) U Units of Measure UTC time UTM/UPS Coordinates
V Velocity Filter Velocity Made Good (VMG)

61 32,78

2,17-2,4-17-19 13,30-58-59
vii 58-59,59 45-55 20-21 32,77
W Waypoints Active Waypoints Creating Deleting Editing By Text Editing On Map Modifying Moving Route Waypoints Nearest Waypoints Proximity Waypoints Reference Waypoints Removing Route Waypoints Renaming Reviewing Submenus Waypoint List Wiring Installation