Garmin 3 Plus Manual
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Alarms Settings
Clock Alarm uses the internal clock to provide an ‘Alarm Clock’ message at the time
you set.
To enable/disable the alarm clock:
1. Highlight the ‘Clock Alarm’ field and press ENTER.
2. Select ‘On’ or ‘Off’ (as desired) and press ENTER.
3. If enabling the alarm, highlight the time field (to the immediate right) and press ENTER. Enter the
alarm time using the rocker keypad and press ENTER.
NOTE: The GPS III+ must be turned on when the alarm time is reached. Otherwise, the
message will not occur.
Arrival Alarm provides an alarm message once you’re within a set distance from your
destination waypoint. As you approach the destination waypoint, an ‘Arrival at ____’
message occurs when you are within the alarm distance you entered.
Off Course Alarm provides an alarm message (‘Off Course Alarm’) when you deviate off
course beyond the specified limits.
To set the arrival and/or off course alarms:
1. Highlight the ‘Arrival Alarm’ or ‘Off Course Alarm’ field and press ENTER.
2. Select ‘On’ or ‘Off’ (as desired) and press ENTER.
3. If enabling the alarm, highlight the alarm distance field (to the immediate right) and press ENTER.
Enter the alarm distance using the rocker keypad and press ENTER.
An ‘Approaching’ message
automatically appears one
minute before reaching the
destination waypoint. The
arrival alarm allows you to set
a distance-defined message.
The ‘Off Course Alarm’ pro-
vides an alert if you drift off
course beyond the limits you
have set.
81
REFERENCE
Setup Menu: Alarms
H
Position Settings
Position Format is used to change the coordinate system in which a given position
reading is displayed. The default format is latitude and longitude in degrees and minutes
(hddd°mm.mmm’). The following additional formats are available:
• hddd.ddddd° — latitude/longitude in decimal degrees only
• hddd°mm’ss.s” — latitude/longitude in degrees, minutes, seconds
• UTM/UPS — Universal Transverse Mercator / Universal Polar Stereographic grids
• MGRS — Military Grid Reference System
• British Grid • German Grid • Irish Grid
• Maidenhead • New Zealand • Swedish Grid
• Swiss Grid • Taiwan Grid • User UTM Grid
• Loran TD (See following page.)
Map Datum allows you to select the datum reference used to determine where a given
position is. The default setting is ‘WGS 84’. Although over 100 datums are available (as
listed on page 92-94), you should only change the datum if you are using a map or
chart that specifies a different datum.
Make sure the settings under the ‘Position’ tab
of the III+ match that of the map or chart. This information should be displayed
somewhere on the map or chart. If the information is not present, contact the map
or chart maker to determine what position format, datum, heading and units of
measure are being used for the map or chart.
WARNING: Selecting the wrong map datum can result in substantial position errors.
When in doubt, seek assistance or use the default WGS 84 datum for best overall
performance.
To change the position format and/or map datum:
1. Highlight the ‘Position Format’ or ‘Map Datum’ field and press ENTER.
2. Select the desired setting (using the rocker keypad) and press ENTER.
Only the latitude/longitude,
UTM/UPS and Maidenhead
settings apply worldwide. The
additional grid settings are
only valid for a specific region.
Datums are used to describe
geographic positions for survey-
ing, mapping, and navigation
and are not actual maps built
in the unit. Use WGS 84 unless
your chart specifies otherwise.
82
REFERENCE
Setup Menu: Position
83 REFERENCE Setup Menu: Loran TD Loran TD Setup Page Selecting the Loran Chain Number LORAN TD Feature The LORAN TD (Time Delay) feature eases the transition from using LORAN to using GPS. The III+ unit automatically converts GPS coordinates to LORAN TDs for those who have a collection of LORAN fixes for favorite fishing spots and other waypoints recorded as TDs. You can display your position as a TD or enter waypoints as TDs. The accuracy to be expected from this conversion is approximately thirty meters. When the unit is placed in the LORAN TD format mode, it simulates the operation of a LORAN receiver. Position coordinates may be displayed as TDs, and all navigation functions may be used as if the unit was actually receiving LORAN signals. Using the LORAN TD 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, change the secondary stations or offsets in the Setup TD field, the active waypoint information will reflect those changes. Since the III+ 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. The LORAN Position Format field is located under the Position tab in the Main Menu. The ‘LORAN TD Setup’ window contains the fields where the Loran GRI-Chain Number, Primary & Secondary Stations and TD Offsets are selected. To setup Loran TD from the Main Menu: 1. With the Position Format set to 'Loran TD', press MENU 2. Highlight ‘Setup Loran TD’, press ENTER/MARK 3. To change the settings of any of the five fields, highlight the field, press ENTER/MARK, select/enter the desired setting and press ENTER/MARK. 4. When done, highlight 'Save' and press ENTER/MARK.
REFERENCE
Setup Menu: Interface
84
Interface Settings
Format lets you control the input/output format used when connecting your GPS III+ to
external NMEA devices, a DGPS beacon receiver, a personal computer, etc. Five format
settings are available:
• GARMIN — the proprietary format used to upload/download MapSource data,
exchange waypoint, route, track log data with a PC or with another GPS III+.
• GRMN DGPS — used to connect the III+ with a GARMIN DGPS beacon receiver
• NMEA — supports the input/output of standard NMEA 0183 version 2.0 data.
• None — provides no interfacing capabilities.
• RTCM/NMEA — allows Differential GPS (DGPS) input using a standard RTCM
format and also provides NMEA 0183 version 2.0 output.
• RTCM/Text — allows DGPS input using a standard RTCM format and also
provides simple text (ASCII) output which contains time, position and velocity data.
• Text Out — outputs simple text (ASCII) which contains time, position and velocity.
To select an input/output format:
1. Highlight the 'Format’ field and press ENTER.
2. Select the desired setting and press ENTER.
3. If the ‘GARMIN’ format is selected, highlight the ‘Transfer Mode’ field and press ENTER. Select
the desired setting and press ENTER. The ‘Transfer Mode’ field allows you to specify what informa-
tion to request or send to a second GARMIN GPS III+. The ‘Host’ setting lets you control all data
transfer functions from the second GPS III or from a PC. Set to 'Host' when using the III+ with
MapSource.
4. If an ‘RTCM’ format is selected, additional fields are provided to control a GARMIN differential
beacon receiver (e.g. GBR 21/23) directly from your GPS III+. The unit will automatically scan for a
frequency, or you can manually enter the beacon frequency and bit rate. For more information, refer
to the owner’s manual for your GARMIN differential beacon receiver.
The ‘GARMIN’ option allows
the GPS III+ to exchange data
with a PC or another GPS
III+. Use this setting with the
optional PC Software Kit.
Select the ‘Text Out’ option
to output simple text (ASCII).
For additional details on
this format, please visit the
GARMIN web site.
REFERENCE Press MENU to restart the scan. 'View Beacon Log' allows you to view the last 5 valid frequencies. To use a fre- quency from the list, highlight it and press ENTER/MARK. Setup Menu: DGPS The III+ can automatically tune the GARMIN GBR 21 or GBR 23. To have the unit automatically scan for a frequency: 1. With the unit set to ‘Garmin DGPS’ or ‘RTCM/NMEA’, use the ARROW KEYPAD to highlight the 'Tuning Mode' field and press ENTER/MARK. 2. Highlight ‘Scan’ and press ENTER/MARK. The numbers in the 'Beacon' field will change as the unit scans from 284 kHz to 325 kHz, 200 bit rate, then 100, at 6-second intervals. To restart the scan: 1. Press MENU, highlight ‘Restart Scan’ and press ENTER/MARK. To manually enter a frequency and bit rate: 1. With the unit set to ‘Garmin DGPS’ or ‘RTCM/NMEA’, use the ARROW KEYPAD to highlight the 'Beacon' field and press ENTER/MARK. 2. Highlight ‘User’ and press ENTER/MARK. 3. Highlight the 'Beacon' or 'Bit Rate' field, press ENTER/MARK, then enter a frequency or bit rate and press ENTER/MARK when done. The “Status” field will show one of the following: • Tuning— unit is attempting to tune to the specified frequency and bit rate. • Scanning— unit is automatically scanning through the frequencies and bit rates. • Receiving— unit is receiving DGPS signal and ready for operation. • Check Wiring— unit is not making connection with DGPS receiver. When the unit is receiving a DGPS signal, the “SNR” (Signal to Noise Ratio) and “Distance” fields will show data. The SNR range is 0dB to 30dB, with 30 being the best. The Distance may or may not show data, depending upon the signal being broadcast from the DGPS site. The DGPS beacon transmitters are operated by the U.S. Coast Guard (or similar government agency in other countries), which is responsible for their accuracy and maintenance. For DGPS transmitter problems or to find the most updated list of frequencies & coverage areas, contact your local USCG, or see their web site at http://www.navcen.uscg.mil/. 85
The GPS III+ can be mounted on the dashboard of an automobile or to another
convenient surface using the two Velcro™ strips provided with the unit. Be sure to
read the warnings on page ii before mounting the GPS in a vehicle!
To mount the GPS III+ using the Velcro strips:
1. Select a location for the unit that pro-
vides a clear and unobstructed view of
the sky.
2. Remove the paper strip liners from both
pieces of Velcro.
3. Make sure the surface to which you’re
adhering the Velcro is clean and dry.
Place the adhesive side of the rough
piece of Velcro on the desired mounting
surface, and press into place.
4. Place the adhesive side of the smooth
piece of Velcro on the bottom of the unit (between the rubber anti-skid bumps), and press into place.
5. Mount the unit, placing one piece of Velcro on top of the other.
Optional Dash Mounting Bracket
An optional dash mount bracket is also available for your GPS III+.
This bracket allows you to adjust the GPS III+ for best viewing angle,
while installed on the dash of a vehicle. The dash mount bracket may
be permanently installed or temporarily mounted using supplied Velcro
fasteners.
86
APPENDIX A
Dashboard Mounting
The GPS III+ is constructed of high-quality materials and should not require user
maintenance. Should you ever encounter a problem with your unit, please contact your
GARMIN dealer or GARMIN Customer Service. The GPS III+ has no user-serviceable
parts. Never attempt any repairs yourself, as this may cause injury or void your warranty.
To protect your GPS III+, keep it in its carrying case (optional accessory) when not in
use, and never allow gasoline or other solvents to come into contact with the case. To clean the case and lens, use a soft
cloth and a household window cleaner.
87
APPENDIX B
Specifications
Specifications subject to change without notice.
* With optional GARMIN Differential Beacon Receiver Input (such as GARMIN GBR 21 or GBR 23).
** Subject to accuracy degradation to 100m 2DRMS under the U.S. DoD-imposed Selective Availability Program.
† The temperature rating for the GPS III+ may exceed the usable range of some batteries. Alkaline batteries can rupture at high temperatures.
‡ Alkaline batteries lose a significant amount of their capacity as temperature decreases. Use lithium batteries when operating the GPS III+ in
below freezing conditions. Extensive use of screen backlighting will significantly reduce battery life.
PHYSICAL
Case: Fully-gasketed, high-impact plastic alloy,
waterproof to IPX7 standards
Size: 6.15”H x 2”W x 1.23”D (15.6 x 5.1 x 1.23 cm)
Weight: Approx. 9 ounces (255g) w/ batteries
Temperature Range: 5 to 158ºF (-15º to 70ºC)†
Memory Back Up: Internal Lithium Battery
POWER
Input: Four 1.5-volt AA batteries† or 10-32 VDC external
Power Consumption: 0.5 watts max.
Battery Life: Up to 36 hours in Power Saver mode ‡PERFORMANCE
Receiver: Differential-ready PhaseTrac12™
Acquisition Time: Approx. 15 seconds (warm start)
Approx. 45 seconds (EZinit/cold start)
Approx. 5 minutes (AutoLocate™)
Update Rate: 1/second, continuous
Position Accuracy: 3-5 meters (10-16 ft) with DGPS
corrections, 95% typical*
Interfacing formats are selected from the Setup Menu, described on page 84. The input/output lines on your GPS III+ are RS-232 compatible allowing easy interface to a wide range of external devices, including PCs, differential beacon receivers, marine autopilots and/or a second GPS receiver . The NMEA 0183 version 2.0 interface format is supported by the GPS III+ and enables the unit to drive up to three NMEA devices: NMEA 0183 version 2.0 Approved sentences: GPGGA, GPGLL, GPGSA, GPGSV, GPRMB, GPRMC, GPRTE, GPWPL, GPBOD Proprietary sentences: PGRME (estimated error), PGRMM (map datum), PGRMZ (altitude), PSLIB (beacon receiver control) DGPS (Differential GPS) corrections are accepted in RTCM SC-104 version 2.0 format through the Data In line. A GARMIN Differential Beacon Receiver (such as the GBR 21 or GBR 23) is recommended for use with the GPS III+. Other beacon receivers with the correct RTCM format may be used, but may not correctly display status or allow tuning control from the GPS unit. The GPS III+ may be hard-wired to a vehicle’s electrical system (10-32 VDC) using an optional Power/Data Cable. Consult the diagram to the left for proper connections. (The male connector on the back of the GPS III+ is illustrated.) A cigarette lighter adapter is also available to power your GPS III+ without making permanent connections. Additional cables are available for the GPS III+. Contact your GARMIN dealer or visit the GARMIN web site (www.garmin.com) for additional accessories. 88 APPENDIX C Interfacing / Wiring (+) Power (-) Ground Data In Data Out GPS III+ Connections (from back of unit) Complete information concerning NMEA & RTCM formats and sentences is available for purchase from NMEA at: NMEA PO Box 3435 New Bern, NC 28564-3435 U.S.A. 252-638-2626 252-638-4885 FAX www.nmea.org Radio Technical Commission For Maritime Services (RTCM) 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 600 Alexandria, VA 22314-2480 U.S.A. 703-684-4481 (Info Only) 703-836-4229 FAX www.rtcm.org H
The GPS III+’s antenna may be removed to allow attachment of an optional
remote-mounted antenna. In some applications, using a remote-mounted antenna
will dramatically increase the number of satellites received. The GPS antenna should
be mounted in a location which provides an unobstructed view of much of the
sky. A minimum of four satellites are needed to determine a three dimensional position. Satellite coverage will vary
throughout the day, but may be checked at any time using the Satellite Status Page (see page 25). If satellite reception is
limited in your particular installation, you may want to consider one of the following options:
Remote Suction Cup Mount – allows you to mount the standard detachable antenna up to 6 feet away from the
GPS III+ unit, using a suction cup mount. This mount should only be used inside a vehicle.
GA 26C Remote Antenna – allows you to mount an amplified antenna outside the vehicle, up to 8 feet away, using
supplied magnetic or suction cup mounts. An optional extension cable allows you to mount the antenna up to 16
feet away. Trunk lip and permanent flange mounts are also available.
GA 29 Remote Marine Antenna - allows you to mount an amplified antenna outside the vehicle, up to 30 feet
away, using a standard 1-inch marine antenna mount (not supplied). An optional extension cable allows you to
mount the antenna up to 60 feet away.
To remove the attached antenna:
1. Rotate the antenna toward the rear of the unit as shown. Note: The
antenna can only be removed or installed in this position.
2. Pull the antenna gently away from the unit.
3. To install an optional external antenna, mate the BNC connector
notches with the mounting posts and turn the knurled knob one-
quarter turn clockwise.
89
APPENDIX D
Antenna / Remote Mounting
Alarm Clock—The alarm clock time that was set from the Alarms submenu has been reached. Approaching—You are one minute away from reaching a destination waypoint. Arrival at—You have reached your destination waypoint. Battery Power Low—The batteries are low and should be replaced. Data Transfer Complete—The unit has finished uploading or downloading information to the connected device. Degraded Accuracy—The unit’s accuracy has been degraded beyond 500 meters due to poor satellite geom- etry or data quality. Check other navigational sources to verify the position indicated. Leg not Smoothed—The upcoming route leg is too short for smooth waypoint transitions. Memory Battery Power Low—The battery that sus- tains user memory is low and should be replaced by an authorized service center as soon as possible. Failure to do so may result in loss of stored data, including all user waypoints and routes.Need Altitude for 2D Nav—The unit needs altitude input in order to start and/or continue 2D navigation. Need to Select Init Method—You must select an ini- tialization method so the unit can locate satellites and obtain a fix. No Differential GPS Position—Not enough data is available to compute a DGPS position. No RTCM Input—Beacon receiver is improperly con- nected or baud rates do not match. Off Course Alarm—You are left or right of course, beyond the limits set on the Alarms submenu. Oscillator Needs Adjustment— The GPS III+ has detected excessive drift in its internal crystal oscillator which may result in longer acquisition time. The unit should be taken to an authorized GARMIN service center. Poor GPS Coverage—The unit cannot acquire the nec- essary number of satellites to compute a position. Try another location with a clearer view of the sky. Power Down and Re-init—The unit cannot calculate a position due to abnormal satellite conditions. Turn power off and use other means to verify the last position shown. Try the unit again later, possibly in a differ ent location. The GPS III+ uses an on-screen message indicator to alert you to important information. Whenever the message appears, press ENTER to acknowledge the mes- sage and return to the previous page you were viewing. Messages are provided for system status, waypoint/route editing, battery condition, etc. For your safety, pay careful attention to all messages.APPENDIX E Messages 90