personal navigator

owners manual

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2000 -2003 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries Garmin International, Inc. 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062 U.S.A. Tel. 913/397.8200 Fax 913/397.8282 Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate, Romsey, SO51 9DL, U.K. Tel. 44/1794.519944 Fax 44/1794.519222 Garmin (Asia) Corporation No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road., Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan Tel. 886/2.2642.9199 Fax 886/2.2642.9099 All rights reserved. Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage medium, for any purpose without prior written consent of Garmin Ltd. Garmin Ltd. hereby grants permission to download a single copy of this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to be viewed for personal use, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this manual contains the complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual is strictly prohibited. Information in this manual is subject to change without notice. Garmin Ltd. reserves the right to change or improve its products and to make changes in the content without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes. Visit the Garmin web site for current updates and supplemental information concerning the use and operation of this and other Garmin products. Web site address: www.garmin.com Garmin and eTrex are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. and may not be used without the express permission of Garmin Ltd.

February 2003

Part Number 190-00205-00 Rev. C

Printed in Taiwan

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Introduction On Your Mark.

Welcome

To get the most out of your new eTrex, take the time to read through this Owners Manual to understand the operating features of the unit. This manual has been designed to provide all that you need to know to operate your eTrex.

eTrex Registration

Help us to better support you by completing your on-line registration today! Why should you register your eTrex purchase? Notication of Product Updates Notication of New Products Connect to our web site (www.garmin.com) and look for the Product Registration link on the home page. If your eTrex contains an 8-digit serial number, it can be found inside the battery compartment.
Thanks for choosing the Garmin eTrex. If you have any questions or comments regarding the use of the eTrex you can visit our web site (www.garmin.com) or contact our Customer Service Department: M-F, 8:00-5:00 CST (except holidays) at 1-800-800-1020.
Introduction Table of Contents
Introduction.. 1-8 Welcome.. 1 Warnings and Cautions.. 3 FCC Compliance Statement.. 4 Features... 5 Buttons... 6 Description... 7 Accessories... 8 Installing the Batteries.. 8 Getting Started.. 9-17 Satellite Page Basics.. 10 Map Page Basics... 11 Navigation Page Basics.. 12 Main Menu Page Basics.. 13 Creating a Waypoint... 14 Heading in the Right Direction.. 16 Cancelling a GOTO.. 17 Reference... 18-39 Map Page Options... 18 Navigation Page Options... 19 Main Menu... 20 Mark Waypoint Page.. 20 Waypoints Page.. 22 Review Waypoint Page.. 23 Routes... 25 Tracks... 28 Setup Menu... 31 Appendices.. 40-51 Appendix A: Specications.. 40 Appendix B: What is GPS?.. 41 Appendix C: Satellite Reception Tips.. 42 Appendix D: Time Offset Chart. 44 Appendix E: Wiring Diagram.. 45 Appendix F: Troubleshooting.. 46 Appendix G: FAQs.. 47 Appendix H: Index.. 49 Warranty... 52 2

Introduction

WARNING: If you choose to use the eTrex in a vehicle, it is the sole responsibility of the owner/operator of the eTrex to secure the GPS unit so that it will not cause damage or personal injury in the event of an accident. Do not mount the eTrex over airbag panels or in a place where the driver or passengers are likely to have an impact with it in an accident or collision. WARNING: If you choose to use the eTrex in a vehicle, it is the sole responsibility of the operator of the vehicle to operate the vehicle in a safe manner, maintain full surveillance of all driving conditions at all times, and never become distracted by the eTrex to the exclusion of safe operating practices. It is unsafe to operate the eTrex while you are driving. Failure by the operator of a vehicle equipped with an eTrex to pay full attention to operating the vehicle and road conditions while the vehicle is in motion could result in an accident or collision with property damage and personal injury. CAUTION: IT IS THE USERS RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT PRUDENTLY. THIS PRODUCT IS INTENDED TO BE USED ONLY AS A TRAVEL AID AND MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE REQUIRING PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF DIRECTION, DISTANCE, LOCATION, OR TOPOGRAPHY. CAUTION: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is operated by the government of the United States, which is solely responsible for its accuracy and maintenance. The system is subject to changes which could affect the accuracy and performance of all GPS equipment. Although the eTrex is a precision electronic NAVigation AID (NAVAID), any NAVAID can be misused or misinterpreted and, therefore, become unsafe. CAUTION: Electronics are protected if immersed, but the battery compartment may get wet. Make sure the batteries and compartment are dry before using. 3

Warnings and Cautions

Remove the batteries from your eTrex if you dont expect to use it for several months. Be sure to observe the proper polarity when re-installing batteries. Follow the battery manufacturers instructions on the proper care and handling of the batteries.
Introduction FCC Compliance Statement
The eTrex complies with Part 15 of the FCC limits for Class B digital devices. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed or used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. There is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular instance. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to other equipment, try to correct the problem by relocating the equipment. Consult an authorized Garmin dealer or other qualied service technician if the problem cannot be corrected. Operation is subject to the following conditions: (1) This device cannot cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. The eTrex does not contain any user-serviceable parts. Repairs should be made only by an authorized Garmin service center. Unauthorized repairs can void the warranty.
Californias Proposition 65
WARNING: This product, its packaging, and its components contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. This Notice is being provided in accordance with Californias Proposition 65. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please refer to our web site at www.garmin.com/prop65.
The eTrex is a six ounce, 12 channel, hand held GPS receiver. It has a built-in GPS antenna and ve user-buttons. All buttons are located on the sides of the unit, allowing for simple, one-handed operation that wont obstruct your view of the display. It runs for 22 hours on two AA alkaline batteries in battery save mode. In addition to determining your location, the eTrex creates, names and saves a location (as an electronic waypoint) in its memory, allowing you to navigate back to this point any time you want. And once you start moving, your GPS provides other data, like speed, direction of movement, time and distance to destination, and more. From these basic features, your Garmin GPS can provide one more critical benet; peace of mind, because, with GPS you know where you are, where youve been and where youre going. And since you always know the way back home, you can concentrate on what you set out to do and enjoy the great outdoors. Other features include: Waypoints: Tracks: 500 with name and graphic symbol. Automatic track log; 10 saved tracks let you retrace your path in both directions. Allows you to navigate a course of up to 50 waypoints in sequence. Current speed, average speed, maximum speed, direction of movement, bearing, elevation, time of sunrise/sunset, trip timer and trip odometer.

eTrex Features

NOTE: You should always be prepared for and capable of navigating without the eTrex. It is designed to augment other forms of basic navigation, not entirely replace them.

Route: Trip Computer:

Introduction eTrex Buttons
Operating the eTrex is as simple as pressing a button! The UP/DOWN Buttons: Select options on pages and menus Adjust display contrast on Satellite Page Zoom in and out on Map Page Cycle through trip data on NavigationPage The ENTER Button: Conrms data entry or menu selections Displays options on main pages Pressing and holding the ENTER button activates the Mark Waypoint Page
The PAGE Button: Switches between pages and moves you out of pages. If you start to do something and you dont want to continue, you can stop by pressing the PAGE Button. The POWER Button: Turns the unit on and off Turns the display backlight on and off

Internal GPS Antenna

eTrex Description

PAGE Button

UP Button DOWN Button
POWER Button ENTER Button
LCD Display (with backlight)
External Power and Data Connector Waterproof Case

Battery Compartment

Introduction Accessories

Standard Accessories

Lanyard
Attaches to a slot on the bottom of the unit for convenient carrying.

Owners Manual

Auto Power Adapter - Converts 12VDC output from the lighter to 3VDC input to the eTrex. Not interchangeable with power adapters for Garmin VHF 720, 725, and 725e, or GPS 170, 175, 190, and 195.

Quick Start Guide

Optional Accessories

Carrying Case

Protects the eTrex when not in use.

Belt Clip

Allow easy access to the eTrex when clipped to a belt.

Auto Power Adapter

Provides eTrex operation from an automobile cigarette lighter.

PC Data Cable

Allows for transfer of data from a PC to an eTrex.

Data Cable

Bicycle Mounting Kit
Wiring harness. Connections for data input/output.
Allows the eTrex to be mounted on a bicycle handle bar.
PC Interface Cable with Auto Power Adapter
PC Cable/Auto Power Adapter
Allows transfer of waypoints and routes from a PC to the eTrex and provides unit operation from an automobile cigarette lighter.

MapSource Map Data CD-ROMs
An excellent tool for creating waypoints and routes on your PC using a background map and downloading them to your eTrex. See your Garmin dealer for MapSource details.

Installing the Batteries

The eTrex operates on two AA batteries (not included), which are installed at the back of the unit. To install the batteries, remove the battery cover by turning the D-ring on the back of the unit 1/4 turn counter-clockwise. Insert the batteries observing proper polarity. Attach the battery cover by turning the D-ring 1/4 turn clockwise. Two AA alkaline batteries should last about 22 hours in Battery Save mode. 8

Getting Started

The Getting Started Section introduces you to the basic operation of the eTrex. The Reference Section shows you how to use all of the eTrexs remaining features.

The First Step

Here We Go.
The eTrex operates on information gathered from satellites. To gather this information, take your eTrex outside and nd a large, open area that has a clear view of the sky (a nearby park would work ne). Press and hold the POWER Button to turn the unit on. Youll see the Welcome Page for a few seconds while the eTrex performs a self-test, followed by the Satellite Page. The eTrex needs to receive at least three strong satellite signals to nd your location. The Satellite Page displays graphic tracking of satellites, the strength of the satellite signals, and the satellite tracking status.

The Welcome Page

NOTE: When you use the eTrex for the rst time, it will take up to ve minutes to nd your location. After the rst use, the eTrex needs only about 15 to 45 seconds to nd your location.
When you see the READY TO NAVIGATE message on the Satellite Page, the eTrex has found your location and you are ready to go!
Backlighting and Contrast
If the lighting conditions make it hard for you to see the screen, you can adjust the contrast or turn on the backlight. Press and release the POWER Button from any screen to turn on the backlight. The backlight is timed to stay on for 30 seconds to save battery power. To adjust the screen contrast, press the PAGE Button until you see the Satellite Page. Press the UP Button to make the screen darker, press the DOWN Button to make the screen lighter.

The Satellite Page

Selecting a Page

Page Basics

All of the information needed to operate the eTrex is found on four main pages (or display screens). These pages are the Satellite, Map, Pointer, and Menu. Simply press the PAGE Button to switch between pages.
Satellite The READY TO NAVIGATE message must appear before you can begin using your eTrex to navigate.

Navigation

Satellite Page Basics
The Satellite Page shows the eTrex gathering all the necessary satellite information in order to work. There are two display options on the Satellite Page, Normal Skyview and Advanced Skyview. Normal Skyview shows you (in animation), the satellites, satellite signal strength, and the eTrexs estimated location accuracy. To activate the Advanced Skyview page, simply press ENTER when on the Satellite Page, select Advanced Skyview and press ENTER again. This page displays the numbered satellites the eTrex is using, their proximity to your current position, and their individual signal strengths. To determine the location of the satellites being used around you, the outer circle of the display represents the horizon and the center represents the sky directly overhead.

Status Message

Pressing ENTER on the Advanced Skyview Page also offers the options of Orienting the Sky Ahead or Northward, Setup Display (backlighting/ contrast), and returning to Normal Skyview.
Location Accuracy (estimated) Satellites Satellite Signal Strength Bars Normal Skyview Advanced Skyview

Map Page Basics

North Pointer
Destination Waypoint You; Your Location Path to Destination Trail (track log) Map Scale The Map Page
On the Map Page, the UP and DOWN Buttons are used to adjust the map scale from 200 feet to 800 miles.
The Map Page shows where you are (the animated gure) and provides a real picture of where you are going. As you travel (the animated gure walks) and leaves a trail (track log). Waypoint names and symbols are also shown on the map. We will show you how to record your location by marking a waypoint in the Discovering GPS Navigation section. To help you better visualize the real world, the eTrex automatically rotates the map as you move, so that waypoints that are ahead of you are always displayed in front of the animated gure. The North Pointer always shows you where north is. To make sure you can see your entire trip, you can change the map scale (from 200 feet to 800 miles!) by pressing and holding the UP Button to view a larger area, and the DOWN Button for viewing a smaller area. 11
The Map Page showing different symbols and waypoints.

Navigation Page Basics

Waypoint (Location) Name Time to reach the Destination On the Navigation Page, the UP and DOWN Buttons are used to cycle through different trip data. Moving Direction Line Compass Ring Direction Arrow (follow this) Straight Line Distance to the Destination

Speed The Navigation Page

Destination Symbol

The eTrex is not a magnetic compass. You must be moving in order for it to track your movement.
The Navigation Page helps guide you to a destination. When youre moving with no particular destination in mind, the Navigation Page shows you your moving direction and speed. When youre moving towards a specic destination, the Navigation Page shows you the name of the location, the distance and time to go, and displays a direction arrow in the compass ring. To navigate, simply follow the arrow. By pressing the UP or DOWN Buttons, you can cycle through other trip computer information such as average speed, maximum speed, moving direction (heading), bearing, position coordinates, elevation, time of sunrise/sunset, trip timer and trip odometer.
NOTE: The direction arrow, destination symbol and bearing information only appear on the Navigation Page when you have started a GOTO, a Route or a TracBack.

Main Menu Basics

Menu Options

Time and Date

Battery Capacity

The Main Menu Page

Backlight Indicator
From the Main Menu Page, the UP and DOWN Buttons are used to cycle through menu options and access advanced features.
The Main Menu gives you access to the eTrexs more advanced features. With the Main Menu you can create and view waypoints, create a route, save and view track logs or access the system setup features. Information on all these advanced features is included in the reference section of this manual.

Changing the Time Zone

Practice using the Main Menu and change the time zone.

To change the time zone:

1. Press the PAGE Button and switch to the MENU Page. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight SETUP. Press ENTER. The SETUP Menu appears. 2. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight TIME and press ENTER. 3. Press the UP or DOWN Button and select the TIME ZONE eld and press ENTER. 4. Press the UP or DOWN Button, scroll through the selections, and press ENTER when you have found the correct zone. Press PAGE to get back to the page of your choice.
You can choose from 30 time zones, plus other.

Let the Fun Begin!

This completes a basic explanation of the page features of the eTrex.
Discovering GPS Navigation
Discovering how to use your eTrex is as easy as taking a quick walk around an open outdoor area. In this brief exercise, youll mark your current location (your home for example), travel a short distance away, and then have the eTrex guide you back to where you started (to get the most out of this exercise, make sure to walk for at least the time noted for each step).

Creating a Waypoint

Youll nd the MARK option on the MENU Page.

Reference Waypoints Page

Waypoints Page
The Waypoints Page organizes all of your waypoints in alphabetical order for easy selection. It also allows you to select nine of the NEAREST WAYPOINTS for a separate list, and if you want, delete all waypoints.

To select a waypoint:

1. Press the PAGE Button and switch to the MENU Page. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight WAYPOINTS. Press ENTER. The WAYPOINTS Page appears. 2. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight the alphabetical tab containing the desired waypoint. Press ENTER. Press the UP or DOWN Button to select the desired waypoint. Press ENTER. The REVIEW WAYPOINT Page appears.
The nine closest waypoints appear in a list showing their name and the distance from your location (four shown here).
To view the NEAREST waypoints page:
1. On the WAYPOINTS Page, press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight NEAREST. Press the ENTER Button. The NEAREST WAYPOINTS Page appears. The nine closest waypoints within 250 miles appear in a list showing their name and the distance from your location. You can select a waypoint from this list by pressing the UP or DOWN Button and selecting the desired waypoint. Once selected, press ENTER. The REVIEW WAYPOINT appears allowing you to edit the waypoint if you desire.

To delete all waypoints:

1. On the WAYPOINT Page, press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight DELETE ALL. Press the ENTER Button. A conrmation message box appears asking if you really want to delete all waypoints. If you do, press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight YES. Press ENTER. If you change your mind and do not want to delete the waypoint, press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight NO. Press ENTER (or press the PAGE Button). The conrmation message box disappears and all of the waypoints remain in memory.
MAKE SURE you want to delete all of the waypoints before you press ENTER!
Reference Review Waypoint Page

Review Waypoint Page

The Review Waypoint Page allows you to change the waypoint symbol, name, elevation and location (just like on the Mark Waypoint Page). You can also delete the waypoint, display the waypoint on the Map Page, and start a GOTO.

To clear all route waypoints:
1. Press the PAGE Button and switch to the MENU Page. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight ROUTE. Press ENTER. The ROUTE Page appears. 2. Highlight CLEAR ALL and press ENTER. The conrmation window appears asking you if you really want to clear all of the route waypoints. If you do, select YESand press ENTER.
The message ARRIVING DESTINATION is displayed on every page when you are 15 seconds from reaching the destination.

Reference Track Logs

What is a Track Log?
The eTrex draws an electronic breadcrumb trail or track log on the Map Page as you travel. The track log starts recording as soon as the eTrex gets a location x. If you want to keep a record of a certain track log before the track memory is lled and it begins to overwrite the earliest tracks, you can save it to the Saved Tracks list. You can save a total of ten tracks in the eTrex. Saved tracks can be used for navigation later. After a track log is saved, the saved track will have a beginning (BEGIN) and ending (END) point. This simply shows the when/where of the starting and ending points of the saved track. When you are ready to return to where you started, the eTrex will take you back by following the track log that you left behind. TracBack allows you to return along a traveled path without marking any waypoints. If you want to keep a record of a certain track log or use the TracBack feature, it is recommended that you clear the track log before you start traveling. The percentage of memory used by the current track log is displayed at the top of the page. After the track log is CLEARED, it will show zero percent. When the display shows 99%, the most recent track points will start overwriting the least recent track points. Thus, in order to avoid losing any track points, you should save the track log before it reaches 99% of memory usage.
Clearing the current track log:
1. With the MENU Page displayed, press the UP and DOWN Buttons to highlight TRACKS and press ENTER. The TRACK LOG Page will appear. 2. Highlight the CLEAR Button and press ENTER.
CLEAR the track log before starting a new trip.
You need to save the track log rst before you can use the TracBack feature.
3. You will be asked DO YOU REALLY WANT TO CLEAR THE TRACK LOG?. Use the DOWN Button to highlight YES and press ENTER to clear the current track log.
To save a track for navigation later:
1. Press the PAGE Button and switch to the MENU Page. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight TRACKS. Press ENTER. The TRACK LOG Page appears. 2. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight SAVE and press ENTER. The SAVE BACK THROUGH window appears giving you a time frame for saving a track or ENTIRE LOG. Press the UP or DOWN Button and select the desired option. Press ENTER. The saved track appears graphically on a sub page. Press the UP or DOWN Button and select OK. Press ENTER. 3. The track is now saved and appears in the SAVED TRACKS list on the TRACK LOG Page.

You can save a track from a specic time or save the entire track log.

Track Logs

NOTE: Saving a Track Log does not remove those points from the active memory.
Renaming a saved track log:
1. With the MENU Page displayed, highlight TRACKS and press ENTER. The TRACK LOG Page will appear. 2. Place the highlight on a saved track and press ENTER. The saved track will be displayed on a map. 3. A default name will be displayed at the top of the map. Using the UP or DOWN Button, highlight the name and press ENTER. The EDIT TRACK NAME Page will be displayed. 4. With the EDIT TRACK NAME Page displayed, pressing the DOWN Button will move the highlight to the next place in the name eld. When the desired place is selected, press ENTER to activate the drop-down alphanumeric list. 5. Using the UP or DOWN Button, select the correct character and press ENTER. When the name has been entered correctly, highlight OK and press ENTER.
The EDIT TRACK NAME Page.

To delete all tracks:

1. On the TRACK LOG Page, press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight DELETE ALL. Press ENTER. The verication window appears. 2. If you really want to delete all saved tracks, press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight YES. Press ENTER. If you change your mind, press the UP or DOWN Button and select NO. Press ENTER. The tracks remain in memory (or press PAGE to exit).

To delete a saved track:

1. On the TRACK LOG Page, press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight the saved track that you want to delete from the SAVED TRACKS list. Press ENTER. The saved track appears graphically.
The BEGIN point is the point dening the starting point when saving a track log. END is the last point that was saved. Each saved track will always have a BEGIN and END point for navigation. The BEGIN-END pair imply the direction of the saved track. If you want to retrace the track, navigate to END. If you want to track back to the starting point, navigate to BEGIN.
2. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight DELETE. Press ENTER. A conrmation window appears asking you if you really want to delete the saved track. If you do, press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight YES. Press ENTER. If you change your mind, press the UP or DOWN Button and select NO. Press ENTER (or you can press PAGE to exit). The tracks remain in memory.
To start TracBack Navigation:
1. On the TRACK LOG Page, press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight the saved track from the SAVED TRACKS that you want to travel. Press ENTER. The track graphically appears. 2. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight TRACBACK. Press ENTER. The direction window appears asking you if you want the destination to be at the beginning of the track or the end of the track (see sidebar). Press the UP or DOWN Button and select the desired destination point. The NAVIGATION Page guides you to your destination.

You may not remember the original direction of the saved track, but by using BEGIN or END, you can always select where you want to TracBack to without remembering the directions of the saved track.

Setup Menu

The Setup Menu allows you to customize the eTrex. From the Setup Menu you can change coordinate systems, map datums, and distance units. You can also change the time format, north reference, operating mode, display contrast, and display back light timeout.

Time Page

The Time Page allows you to select a 12 hour or 24 hour time format, enter the proper time zone, and choose Daylight Savings Time. When you select 12 hour time formatting, the clock will read like a standard clock with 12 hour AM and 12 hour PM cycles. The 24 hour option sets the eTrex to display a 24 hour cycle (Military Time).
To change the time format:
1. Press the PAGE Button and switch to the MENU Page. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight SETUP. Press ENTER. The SETUP Page appears. 2. Press the UP or DOWN Button and highlight TIME and press ENTER. 3. Press the UP or DOWN Button and select the TIME FORMAT eld and press ENTER. 4. Press the UP or DOWN Button, select 12 or 24 hours and press ENTER. Press PAGE to get back to the page of your choice.

The SETUP Menu

Choose a 12 hour or 24 hour time setting.

Reference Setup Menu

Time Zone
The time zone can be set to any one of thirty pre-programmed zones or by entering the UTC Time Offset value in the UTC offset eld below the time zone eld. When you select the 24 hour time format, the letters lcl (local) appear next to the time. You can nd time offset values for your longitude by following instructions and the Time Offset Chart (Appendix D). To change the time zone, follow the steps given on page 13.

UTC Offset

UTC stands for Coordinated Universal Time and replaced Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as the World standard for time in 1986. It is based on atomic measurements rather than the earth's rotation.
When you select OTHER for the time zone, you can access the UTC Offset eld and make a change to match the time zone you selected. Other than that, you cant change it. (Refer to the UTC Offset Chart on page 44.)

When you select the DEFAULTS eld and press ENTER, the UNITS page returns to the factory settings. 36

Interface Page

The Interface Page allows you to connect and use devices such as computers and differential GPS (DGPS) beacon receivers with the eTrex.

Input/Output Settings

The Interface Settings Page allows you to use your eTrex with external NMEA devices, DGPS beacon receivers, a personal computer, etc. You can choose from seven different input/output serial data formats, or none at all. Below is a description of each format: Garmin - the proprietary format used to exchange waypoint, route, and track data with a PC. Garmin DGPS - allows DGPS input using a Garmin beacon receiver and a standard RTCM SC-104 format and DGPS tuning. NMEA OUT - supports the output of standard NMEA 0183 version 3.0 data. TEXT OUT - allows simple ASCII text output of location and velocity information, without any input capabilities. RTCM IN - allows DGPS input using a standard RTCM SC-104 format without any output capabilities. RTCM/NMEA- allows DGPS input using a standard RTCM SC-104 format and supports the output of standard NMEA 0183 version 3.0 data. RTCM/TEXT- allows DGPS input using a standard RTCM SC-104 format and simple ASCII text output of location and velocity information. NONE - provides no interfacing capabilities.
NOTE: Use the RTCM IN setting if your beacon receiver is self-tuning.
NMEA stands for National Marine Electronics Association and RTCM stands for Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services. Both are involved in developing technical standards for the marine electronics industry. The interface options will allow you to use a PC to download waypoints, routes, and track logs.

Reference System Page

If Garmin DGPS or RTCM/NMEA format is selected, additional elds are provided to control a Garmin differential beacon receiver (e.g. GBR 21) directly from your eTrex. You can enter the beacon frequency and bit rate when you select User from the Beacon pop-up list to manually tune the receiver (you can also scan if you dont know what the nearby station is, but the unit could continue scanning if reception is temporarily lost).

To select an I/O Format:

1. Press the PAGE Button and switch to the MENU Page. Use the UP and DOWN Button and highlight the SETUP eld. Press ENTER. The SETUP Page appears.
The SYSTEM Page shows you the software version, allowing you to update from Garmins web site.
2. Press the UP or DOWN Button and select the INTERFACE eld. Press ENTER. The INTERFACE Page appears. 3. Press ENTER on the I/O FORMAT eld. Press the UP or DOWN Button to select the desired format. Press ENTER. Press PAGE to return to the page of your choice.

System Page

The System Page shows you the eTrexs current software version and allows you to choose from three modes of operation: Normal Battery Save Demo (Demonstration)

Update Rate: Position Accuracy:
Input: Battery Life: Two 1.5-volt AA batteries3 Up to 22 hours in Battery Save mode (with alkaline batteries)4
Specications subject to change without notice.
With optional Garmin Differential Beacon Receiver Input (such as Garmin GBR 21).
Subject to accuracy degradation to 100m 2DRMS under the U.S. DOD-imposed Selective Availability program. The temperature rating for the eTrex may exceed the usable range of some batteries. Alkaline bat teries can rupture at high temperatures. External power can only be applied using the Garmin Auto Power Adapter or PC Interface Cable with Auto Power Adapter (This cable contains a voltage regula tor). Modications or other applications will void the product warranty. Alkaline batteries lose a signicant amount of their capacity as temperature decreases. Use lithium batteries when operating the eTrex in below-freezing conditions. Extensive use of screen backlighting will signicantly reduce battery life.

Appendices

GPS - the Global Positioning System - is a navigation revolution. Its a technology that pinpoints a users location anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, regardless of the weather. Designed by the United States Department of Defense for use by the military, the GPS System was made available to civilians for use in aviation, marine surveying and general outdoor/recreation markets. Today, millions of people utilize the accuracy and convenience of this amazing technology to hunt, sh, hike, y, cruise and sail. GPS consists of a constellation of 24 satellites orbiting some 12,000 miles above the earth. These satellites transmit signals containing time and orbital data to calculate satellite position and almanac data. Meanwhile, receivers used on the ground, sea and air search the sky for the satellites. The GPS unit needs to acquire good signals from at least three satellites to determine a position on the surface of the earth. A fourth signal is required to get three-dimensional positioning which determines elevation or altitude.

Appendix B What is GPS?

Satellite Reception Tips
Appendix C Reception Tips
The basic steps in getting the eTrex ready to navigate was covered on page 9. If the eTrex has problems with receiving satellite signals, you will be prompted to answer some questions. Please follow the steps that best describes your situation:
A. You are trying to use the eTrex indoors:
Clouds and weather do not affect the operation of the eTrex!
1. The message TROUBLE TRACKING SATELLITES. ARE YOU INDOORS NOW? will appear. Press the UP or DOWN Button to highlight YES. Press ENTER. The message will disappear. OR: 2. Go outside. The eTrex will keep tracking.
B. You are not indoors and you have not moved hundreds of miles/km since you last used your eTrex:
1. The message TROUBLE TRACKING SATELLITES. ARE YOU INDOORS NOW? will appear. Press the UP or DOWN Button to highlight NO. Press ENTER. 2. eTrex then asks: HAVE YOU MOVED HUNDREDS OF MILES/KM SINCE LAST USE? Press the UP or DOWN Button to highlight NO. Press ENTER. 3. eTrex asks: IS TODAY dd-mmm-yy? If you answer YES (the date matches the current date) the eTrex will continue tracking satellites and switch to the Satellite Page. 4. If you answer NO (the date is incorrect), the eTrex will do an AUTOLOCATE and switch to the satellite page. An AUTOLOCATE forces the eTrex to search for any available satellite(s) to determine its (your) location.

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For the latest free software updates throughout the life of your Garmin product, visit the Garmin web site at: www.garmin.com.
2000-2003 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries Garmin International, Inc. 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, U.S.A. Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate, Romsey, SO51 9DL, U.K. Garmin (Asia) Corporation No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road., Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan www.garmin.com Part Number 190-00205-00 Rev. C

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