Garmin 3 Plus Manual

							Owner’s 
Manual 
& 
Reference 
						

							GARMIN International, 1200 E. 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062 USA
Tel: 913/397.8200      Fax: 913/397.8282
  GARMIN (Europe) Ltd., Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 9AQ UK
Tel: 44/1794.519944      Fax: 44/1794.519222
GARMIN Corporation, No. 68, Jangshu 2nd
 Road, Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan
Tel: 886/2/2642.9199      Fax: 886/2.2642.9099
Web Site Address: www.garmin.com
© 1999-2001 GARMIN Corporation. 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 Corporation. GARMIN Corporation 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.
GARMIN
®, Autolocate®, TracBack®, and Phasetrac 12® are registered trademarks and MapSource™ is a trademark of 
GARMIN Corporation and may not be used without the express permission of GARMIN Corporation.
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice. GARMIN Corporation 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 (www.garmin.com) for current updates and supplemental information concerning 
the use and operation of this and other GARMIN products.
January 2001      Part # 190-00162-00 Rev. B    Printed in Taiwan. 
						

							Thank You!
Thank  you  for  choosing  the  GARMIN  GPS  III+  —  an  easy-to-use  GPS  navigator  for  marine,  automotive 
and  outdoor  use!  The  GPS  III+  represents  GARMIN’s  continuing  commitment  to  provide  quality  navigation 
information  in  a  versatile  and  user-friendly  flexible  design  you’ll  enjoy  for  years.  To  get  the  most  from  your 
new  GPS,  take  the  time  to  read  through  the  owner’s  manual  in  order  to  understand  the  operating  features  of 
the GPS III+. This manual is organized into three sections for your convenience:
  Section  One  (Getting  Started)  introduces  you  to  the  basic  features  of  the  unit  and  provides  a  quick-start 
orientation to the GPS III+.
  Section Two (Simulator Tour) provides a step-by-step lesson in how your new GPS III+ would operate in 
the real world by utilizing the built-in simulator mode.
  Section  Three  (Reference)  provides  details  about  the  advanced  features  and  operations  of  the  GPS 
III+ by topic.
Before  getting  started  with  your  GPS,  check  to  see  that  your  GARMIN  GPS  III+  package  includes  the 
following items. If you are missing any parts, please contact your dealer immediately.
  Standard Package:
               • GPS III+ Unit with Detachable Antenna
               • Wrist Strap
               • GPS III+ Owner’s Manual
               • Quick Reference Card
               • Velcro Mount
               • PC Interface Cable
i
INTRODUCTION 
About This Manual 
						

							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  GPS  III+ 
is  a  precision  electronic 
NAVigation AID (NAVAID), any NAVAID can be misused or misinterpreted and, therefore, become unsafe.
WARNING:  For  vehicular  applications,  it’s  the  sole  responsibility  of  the  owner/operator  of  the  GPS  III+ 
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  GPS  III+  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.  The  mounting  hardware  provided  by  GARMIN  is  not  warranted 
against collision damage or the consequences thereof.
WARNING: For vehicular operations, it is the sole responsibility of the operator of the vehicle to operate 
his  or  her  vehicle  in  a  safe  manner,  maintain  full  surveillance  of  all  driving  conditions  at  all  times,  and  never 
become distracted by the GPS III+ to the exclusion of safe operating practices. It is unsafe to operate the GPS 
III+  while  you  are  driving.  Failure  by  the  operator  of  a  vehicle  equipped  with  a  GPS  III+  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.
 
MAP  DATA  INFORMATION:  One  of  the  goals  of  GARMIN  is  to  provide  customers  with  the  most 
complete  and  accurate  cartography  that  is  available  to  us  at  a  reasonable  cost.  We  use  a  combination  of 
governmental  and  private  data  sources,  which  we  identify  as  required  in  product  literature  and  copyright 
messages  displayed  to  the  consumer.  Virtually  all  data  sources  contain  inaccurate  or  incomplete  data  to  some 
degree.  This  is  particularly  true  outside  the  United  States,  where  complete  and  accurate  digital  data  is  either 
not available or prohibitively expensive.
INTRODUCTION
Cautions
ii
I 
						

							INTRODUCTION
FCC Compliance
iii
This device 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 and used in accordance with the instructions, 
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that interference 
will not occur in a particular installation.
If  this  equipment  does  cause  harmful  interference  to  other  equipment,  which  can  be  determined  by 
turning  the  affected  equipment  off  and  on,  the  user  is  encouraged  to  try  and  correct  the  interference  by 
relocating  the  equipment  or  connecting  the  equipment  to  a  different  circuit  than  the  affected  equipment. 
Consult  an  authorized  dealer  or  other  qualified  service  technician  for  additional  help  if  these  remedies 
do not correct the problem. 
Operation  of  this  device  is  subject  to  the  following  conditions:  (1)  This  device  may  not  cause  harmful 
interference,  and  (2)  this  device  must  accept  any  interference  received,  including  interference  that  may 
cause undesired operation.
The  GPS  III+  does  not  contain  any  user-serviceable  parts.  Repairs  should  only  be  made  by  an  authorized 
GARMIN  service  center.  Unauthorized  repairs  or  modifications  could  void  your  warranty  and  authority  to 
operate this device under Part 15 regulations. 
						

							INTRODUCTION 
Limited Warranty
iv
  GARMIN  Corporation  warrants  this  product  to  be  free  from  defects  in  materials  and  workmanship  for 
one year from the date of purchase. GARMIN will, at its sole option, repair or replace any components which 
fail  in  normal  use.  Such  repairs  or  replacement  will  be  made  at  no  charge  to  the  customer  for  parts  or  labor. 
The  customer  is,  however,  responsible  for  any  transportation  costs.  This  warranty  does  not  cover  failures  due 
to abuse, misuse, accident or unauthorized alteration or repairs.
THE  WARRANTIES  AND  REMEDIES  CONTAINED  HEREIN  ARE  EXCLUSIVE  AND  IN  LIEU  OF  ALL 
OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY LIABILITY ARISING UNDER WARRANTY 
OF  MERCHANTABILITY  OR  FITNESS  FOR  A  PARTICULAR  PURPOSE,  STATUTORY  OR  OTHERWISE.  THIS 
WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
IN  NO  EVENT  SHALL  GARMIN  BE  LIABLE  FOR  ANY  INCIDENTAL,  SPECIAL,  INDIRECT  OR 
CONSEQUENTIAL  DAMAGES,  WHETHER  RESULTING  FROM  THE  USE,  MISUSE  OR  INABILITY  TO 
USE  THIS  PRODUCT  OR  FROM  DEFECTS  IN  THE  PRODUCT.  SOME  STATES  DO  NOT  ALLOW  THE 
EXCLUSIONS  OF  INCIDENTAL  OR  CONSEQUENTIAL  DAMAGES,  SO  THE  ABOVE  LIMITATIONS  MAY 
NOT APPLY TO YOU.
To  obtain  warranty  service,  call  the  GARMIN  Customer  Service  department  (913-397-8200)  for  a  returned 
merchandise  tracking  number.  The  unit  should  be  securely  packaged  with  the  tracking  number  clearly  marked 
on  the  outside  of  the  package,  and  sent  freight  prepaid  and  insured  to  a  GARMIN  warranty  service  station. 
A  copy  of  the  original  sales  receipt  is  required  as  the  proof  of  purchase  for  warranty  repairs.  GARMIN 
retains  the  exclusive  right  to  repair  or  replace  the  unit  or  software  or  offer  a  full  refund  of  the  purchase 
price  at  its  sole  discretion.  SUCH  REMEDY  SHALL  BE  YOUR  SOLE  AND  EXCLUSIVE  REMEDY  FOR  ANY 
BREACH OF WARRANTY. 
						

							INTRODUCTION  
       Registration
v
Customer Service Product Registration
Help us better support you by completing our on-line registration today! Have the serial number of your 
GPS  III+  handy  and  connect  to  our  web  site  (www.garmin.com).  Look  for  the  Product  Registration  link  on 
the Home page. You can also find current user's manuals, updated unit operating software, FAQs and more 
on the Support page. Also, be sure to record your serial number in the area provided below. 
NOTE:  If  you  have  previously  registered  a  GARMIN  product  purchase  using  a  mail-in  registration 
card,  we  invite  you  to  re-register  using  our  on-line  system.  Many  services  provided  by  our  new  product 
registration  system    are  now  being  automated  and  re-registering  your  purchase  ensures  you  the  best 
possible support from GARMIN.
Why should you register your GARMIN GPS unit:
•  Notification of Product Updates
•  Notification of New Products 
•  Lost or Stolen unit tracking
Serial Number
Use  this  area  to  record  the  serial  number  (8-digit  number  located  on  the  back  of  the  unit)  in  case 
it  is  lost,  stolen,  or  needs  service.  Be  sure  to  keep  your  original  sales  receipt  in  a  safe  place  or  attach 
a photocopy inside the manual.
Serial Number: 
						

							INTRODUCTION
       About This Manual  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
       Cautions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
       FCC Compliance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
       Limited Warranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
GETTING STARTED
       Unit Features  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
       Keypad Usage / Display  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
       Battery Installation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
       What is GPS?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
       Initialization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
       Main Page Sequence  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
       Satellite Status Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
       Position Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
       Map Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
       Compass Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       Highway Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
       Main Menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13        Marking Waypoint Positions  . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
        Going to a Waypoint  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
        Active Route Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SIMULATOR TOUR  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
REFERENCE
        Satellite Status Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
        Satellite Status Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
        Position Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
        Position Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
        Map Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
        Highway Exits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
        Map Page Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
        Compass Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
        Compass Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
        Highway Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
        Highway Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
        Waypoints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
        Waypoint Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
INTRODUCTION
Table of Contents 
vi 
						

							INTRODUCTION
       Nearest Waypoints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
       GOTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
       GOTO Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
       MOB  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
       TracBack  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
       Routes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
       Route Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
       Active Route Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
       Active Route Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
       Main Menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
       Setup Menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
APPENDIX A: Dashboard Mounting . . . . . . . . . 86
APPENDIX B: Specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
APPENDIX C: Wiring/Interfacing  . . . . . . . . . . . 88
APPENDIX D: Antenna/Remote Mounting  . . . . 89
APPENDIX E: Messages  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
APPENDIX F: Map Datums  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
APPENDIX G: Navigation Terms  . . . . . . . . . . . 95
APPENDIX H: Time Offsets  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
APPENDIX I : Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Table of Contents
vii 
						

							REFERENCE
Proximity Waypoints 
viii
INTRODUCTION
"How To" Index  
This  list  is  provided  to  help  you  quickly  find  some  of  the  more  important  procedures  you  will  use  on  your 
       new GPS III+.
TO DO THIS:                                                    SEE PAGE(S):
Turn the unit on or off .............................................................. 5
Initialize the GPS receiver (first time use) ................................. 5
Adjust screen contrast or backlighting .................................... 25 
Enter data and select options .................................................... 2
Learn how to operate the unit’s function keys ........................... 2
Mark your present location as a waypoint.......................... 14,22
Goto a destination.............................................................. 15,55
Create and use a route ............................................................ 60
Learn about the map page ................................................. 10,33
Pan using the map arrow ................................................... 20,34
Zoom in or out on the Map page ....................................... 10,33
Reconfigure the Map Page display........................................... 36
Access the Main Menu ............................................................ 69
Change units of measure (statute, nautical, metric) ................ 78
Change the displayed time (zone) ........................................... 80
Set alarms ............................................................................... 81
See current position, date and time...................................... 9,20
View a unit message................................................................ 90