Eagle Electronics PN-25982-03-02 User Manual

AccuNav SporAccuNav Spor

AccuNav Spor

AccuNav SporAccuNav Spor

OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING!WARNING!

WARNING!

WARNING!WARNING!

DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT WHILE OPERATING ANY VEHICLE!

WARNING!WARNING!

WARNING!

WARNING!WARNING!

USE THIS GPS RECEIVER ONLY AS AN AID TO NAVIGATION. A CAREFUL NAVIGATOR NEVER RELIES ON ONLY ONE METHOD TO OBTAIN POSITION INFORMATION.

CAUTIONCAUTION

CAUTION

CAUTIONCAUTION

This GPS receiver, (like all GPS navigation equipment) will show the shortest, most direct path to a waypoint. It provides navigation data to the waypoint regardless of obstructions. Therefore, the prudent navigator will not only take advantage of all available navigation tools when travelling to a waypoint, but will also visually check to make certain a clear, safe path to the waypoint is always available. Remember that the AccuNav Sport™, or any GPS receiver is only as accurate as the system it’s using.

All features and specifications subject to change without notice. All screens in this manual are simulated.

INTRODUCTION ................................................................ 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

.....SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................1

GPS - HOW IT WORKS..................................................... 2

ACCURACY........................................................................ 3

THE EAGLE™ GPS RECEIVER ....................................... 4

ANTI-SKID ..........................................................................5

POWER .............................................................................. 6

.....EXTERNAL POWER ................................................... 6

BATTERIES........................................................................ 7

.....VARI-POWER™ .......................................................... 9

.....LOW BATTERY INDICATOR ..................................... 11

ANTENNA.......................................................................... 12

.....ANTENNA ANGLE...................................................... 14

KEYBOARD....................................................................... 15

OPERATION ..................................................................... 17

TURNING POWER ON ..................................................... 17

MENUS .............................................................................. 18

INITIALIZATION ................................................................ 19

..... CHANGE POSITION .................................................. 20

.....CHANGE ALTITUDE .................................................. 21

.....CHANGE TIME ........................................................... 21

.....CHANGE DATE .......................................................... 22

.....COLD START ............................................................. 23

POSITION/NAVIGATION DISPLAYS ............................... 24

.....SATELLITE INFORMATION SCREEN ...................... 25

..... POSITION SCREEN ...................................................26

.....STEERING SCREEN ................................................. 27

CUSTOMIZE SCREENS................................................... 28

PLOTTER .......................................................................... 30

.....PLOTTER CURSOR ................................................... 31

.....PLOTTING WITH A WAYPOINT................................ 32

.....PLOTTER MENU - PAGE 1 ....................................... 33

.....SET RANGE ............................................................... 33

.....CLEAR PLOT.............................................................. 34

.....SAVE PLOT TRAIL..................................................... 34

.....RECALL PLOT TRAIL ................................................ 35

.....ICON ON/OFF ............................................................ 35

.....PLOTTER MENUS - PAGE 2..................................... 36

.....FULL PLOT .................................................................36

.....CHANGE DISPLAY .................................................... 36

.....PLOTTER UPDATE RATE ......................................... 38

.....GO TO CURSOR........................................................ 39

.....GRID LINES................................................................ 39

ICONS ............................................................................... 40

.....USING ICONS WITH CURSOR .................................41

..... ERASING ICONS ....................................................... 42

WINDOWS......................................................................... 42

..... VIEWING WINDOWS OPTIONS................................ 44

WAYPOINT NAVIGATION ................................................ 45

.....HOW TO SAVE A WAYPOINT .................................. 45

.....QUICK SAVE METHOD ............................................. 45

.....VIEW AND SAVE METHOD....................................... 45

.....ENTER NEW WAYPOINT ..........................................47

.....NAME A WAYPOINT.................................................. 48

..... ERASE A WAYPOINT ................................................ 48

.....RECALL A WAYPOINT .............................................. 49

ROUTES ............................................................................ 51

.....CREATING A ROUTE ................................................ 52

.....NAME A ROUTE......................................................... 52

..... WAYPOINT SELECTION ........................................... 53

.....FOLLOWING A ROUTE ............................................. 54

.....MODIFYING A ROUTE .............................................. 56

.....ERASING A ROUTE................................................... 56

CANCEL NAVIGATION..................................................... 57

GPS ALARMS ................................................................... 57

.....ARRIVAL ALARM ....................................................... 59

.....XTE (CROSS TRACK ERROR) ALARM.................... 59

CHANGING GPS SETTINGS ........................................... 60

GPS MODULE SELF TEST ..............................................60

GPS SIMULATOR ............................................................. 61

NMEA/DGPS WIRING ...................................................... 62

SELECT NMEA/DGPS...................................................... 64

NMEA/DGPS SETUP........................................................ 65

SELECT UNITS OF MEASURE .......................................67

.....TRUE AND MAGNETIC POSITION ........................... 68

LIGHT ................................................................................ 68

.....LIGHT ADJUST .......................................................... 69

PRESET ............................................................................ 69

PCF OFFSET .................................................................... 70

SYSTEM INFORMATION ................................................. 72

WAYPOINT UPLOAD/DOWNLOAD .................................73

INTRODUCTION

The AccuNav Sport™ is a high quality, big screen handheld GPS receiver with performance that is second to none in its class. Using menu features and raised softkey operation, the AccuNav Sport™ is also one of the easiest to use products that Eagle has ever built. The wide screen shows the navigation and plotter screens with high resolution and detail. The display and keyboard are also lighted for night operation.

The electronics are sealed inside the welded, dry nitrogen filled case. This both waterproofs the unit and helps prevent fogging on the display. The battery compartment has "O" ring seals to keep water penetration to a minimum.

Please read this manual carefully before using your AccuNav Sport™.

AccuNav Sport™ SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions ........ 7.8"H x 3.6"W x 1.7" D

(Antenna Folded)

Channels............ Five Parallel

Four continuous for position

All satellites in view tracked

Update rate ........ One to five seconds - user adjustable

Accuracy ............ Maximum accuracy achievable with

Standard Positioning Service

Position: ............. 25 meters CEP

Velocity: .............0.25 meters/sec RMS

Without SA PDOP<6.0

Batteries:............ 6 AA

Input voltage: ..... 6 - 35 vdc

DGPS compatible using RTCM SC-104 messages.

GPS - HOW IT WORKS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is perhaps the best approach to navigation that has ever been devised. Conceived by the Department of Defense (DOD) and the United States military, the GPS system is an answer to their needs of 24 hour global positioning, 365 days a year.

Basically, the system works by using a constellation of satellites orbiting Earth 11,000 miles in space. There will be 24 satellites in orbit when the system is fully operational. When all satellites are in place, at least four of them will be in view nearly anywhere on Earth twentyfour hours a day. The GPS receiver requires at least three satellites to give a “2D” fix. (A 2D fix is your position in latitude/longitude. A 3D fix is your latitude/longitude plus altitude.) When it locks on to at least four satellites, it displays a 3D fix.

It takes three satellites to determine position.

As the receiver locks on to each satellite, it calculates the distance from the satellite by measuring the length of time it takes the radio signal to reach it. Each satellite has an extremely accurate clock that tells the receiver when the radio transmission started. The receiver compares that time against its own clock, thus it knows how long it took the radio signal (travelling at the speed of light!) to reach it. If you know time and speed, then you can calculate distance. Once you have this from three satellites, then the receiver can determine your position.

ACCURACY

You may have heard tales of extraordinary accuracy from GPS receivers. The DOD requires accuracy of 10 to 15 meters from the satellite system. However, only the military gets this precision. The way the military keeps us and other unauthorized people from using the

more precise system is coding. In other words, the data coming from the satellites is encrypted. Civilian GPS receivers use “C/A Code.” Its accuracy is intentionally worse than the military’s “P Code.” In this manner, civilian users worldwide can benefit from excellent position fixes. Meanwhile, the military keeps the most accurate system away from potential enemies. Theoretically, C/A code can give accurate position fixes up to 15 meters. This is more than adequate for most people.

However (as of this writing), the military isn’t satisfied with C/A’s potential accuracy in the hands of the world. So, it’s degrading it further with “Selective Availability” or SA. This is small, random errors intentionally added to the system so your accuracy will typically be within 100 meters. Of course, accuracy also depends on the angle of the satellite above the horizon, signal-to-noise ratio, the number of satellites tracked at one time (the more

the better), and other factors. The smallest ranges on the plotter may not be usable if the SA is high. The present position symbol can move off the screen even while you’re sitting still.

Don’t let this discourage you. GPS by nature has much faster updates than other systems (such as Loran), and typically is much easier to use. Accuracy, even with SA on is still better than most other navigation systems. You’ve purchased one of the finest navigation instruments on the market today. We hope you’ll enjoy it for many years to come.

The EAGLE™ GPS Receiver

The Rockwell GPS engine is currently used in all Eagle™ GPS receivers. It’s small, rugged, and fast. The five channel design lets it track all satellites in view. It sends position information to the AccuNav Sport™ from once every second to once every five seconds (user selectable.) By incorporating Rockwell’s GPS receiver technology with Eagle’s state-of-the-art design and manufacturing capabilities, Eagle brings to the consumer one of the most advanced GPS navigation systems available in the world.

ANTI-SKID

The AccuNav Sport™ has a recess molded into the back of the case and one-half of a plastic fastener attached to the recess. When used with the other half of the fastener, it keeps the unit from sliding on a level surface such as a dashboard.

To use the anti-skid material, first remove the fastener from the literature pack supplied with the AccuNav Sport™. Select the location for this fastener and peel the plastic backing from this half and press it onto the mounting surface. Align this patch with the one on the AccuNav Sport™, then press them together. It will hold the unit under mild vibration, keeping it from sliding.

NOTE: The adhesive anti-skid patch is not designed to hold the AccuNav Sport™ on a vertical or overhead surface. It is only to be used to keep the unit from sliding on a flat, horizontal surface.

ANTI-SKID

EXTERNAL POWER

The AccuNav Sport™ uses six AA batteries or (using the optional CA-1 adapter cable) 6 to 35 volts DC from an external power source. To use external power (such as a car's cigarette lighter), simply push the CA-1's plug into the small connector on the side of the AccuNav Sport™. Plug the other end of the CA-1 into the vehicle's cigarette lighter, and the AccuNav Sport is ready for use. (Note: A rubber plug comes with the AccuNav Sport to cover the external power jack on the side of the unit

POWER

when it's not in use.)

EXTERNAL

BATTERY INSTALLATION

The AccuNav Sport™ requires six AA batteries. We recommend DuraCell™ alkaline batteries, but other brands will work. You can use lithium batteries which will last longer than alkaline batteries. Rechargeable ni-cad batteries will also work in the AccuNav Sport™, however they won't last as long as alkalines. Do Not use heavy-duty batteries or any battery other than the ones listed above. Do not mix different types of batteries. (e.g. ni-cads and alkalines) To install the batteries, first turn the AccuNav Sport™ so that it is facing you. Now grasp the bottom part of the case and push it to the right until it comes completely off the unit as shown at right. The bottom part of the AccuNav Sport™ houses the battery pack.

INSTALLATION

BATTERY

Now push the battery pack out the bottom of the battery cover as shown at right. Install the batteries with the negative end (-) toward the springs. The positive end (+) should be firmly against the metal plate. When all six batteries are installed in the battery pack, slide it into the battery cover.

Notice!

There is a tab on the top of the battery holder that aligns with a slot on the top of the battery cover. Make certain the tab is aligned properly! Otherwise the battery holder won't slide all the way into the cover

BATTERY

and the battery cover won't slide onto the unit.

INSTALLATION

If the battery holder sticks when sliding it into the battery cover, apply a thin film of petroleum jelly to the "O" rings on the battery holder.

Slide the battery pack onto the unit and the AccuNav Sport is now ready for use.

Vari-Power™ Battery Saver Feature

The AccuNav Sport™ has a five-level power saving feature that can extend the life of the batteries considerably. It does this by changing the update rate of the GPS receiver inside the unit. When you first turn the AccuNav Sport on, the update rate is once per second. In other words, the GPS receiver calculates and sends your position to the display once per second. You can lengthen this time to as little as once every five seconds. The longer the update rate, the less power is drawn from the batteries. For example, less power is drawn from the batteries when the unit is in the five second update rate than the one second rate. There can be exceptions to this rule, however. Whenever the AccuNav Sport is trying to lock onto the satellites, it automatically goes into the one second update mode. If you are walking in a wooded area with the unit set on the five second update mode, the unit may lose its lock on the satellites

BATTERY

SAVER

due to the trees overhead. When this happens, the unit automatically goes into the one second update mode until it locks onto the satellites. Then it returns to the five second mode. If you are walking through heavy tree coverage with only occasional gaps in the trees, the unit may remain in the one second update mode continuously. Typically, however, the AccuNav Sport™ will consume less power with higher update rates under normal conditions.

SAVER

Although there is no indicator on the navigation or

BATTERY

plotter displays to show which update mode you are in, watching the clock can show you the current mode. All displays, including the clock are updated at the same time. If you have it set for a three second update, then the clock will "freeze" for three seconds, then show the correct time, then "freeze" for three seconds and so on.

Also note that the AccuNav Sport™ automatically goes into the one second update rate whenever external power is applied to the unit. For example, if the CA-1 cigarette lighter adapter cable is plugged into the AccuNav Sport and the other end is plugged into your car's cigarette lighter, then the update rate will automatically switch to the one second update.

To adjust the update rate, turn the unit on by pressing the ON key. Next, press the MENU key, then the F5 key which corresponds to the "CHANGE GPS SETTINGS" label.

Now press the right arrow key to see the second menu screen. The screen shown on the previous page appears. Press the F1 key which corresponds to the "POWER SAVING SETUP" label. A screen similar to the one below appears.

The update rate currently in use shows at the bottom of the screen. This one is currently using the one second update. To change it, simply press the key corresponding to the desired update rate. For example, to change to a four sec-

ond rate, press the F4 key. The update rate changes to once every four seconds and the display at the bottom of the screen will show "CURRENTLY USING: 4 SEC." To exit this screen, press the CLR key.

LOW BATTERY INDICATOR

When the battery voltage reaches six volts, a low battery message appears in the lower left corner of the display. If you are using alkaline batteries, and the unit is in the one second update mode, then you will have approximately 15 minutes or less until the unit automatically shuts off. If you have the unit in the five second update mode, you will have approximately 45 minutes or less until the unit shuts off.

Note:

In cold weather, keep a spare set of batteries in a warm place, such as a shirt pocket. Warm batteries last considerably longer than cold ones.

LOW BATTERY

INDICATOR

ANTENNA

The AccuNav Sport™ has a removable antenna that folds over the display when the unit is not in use. To open the antenna, simply lift on an edge of the antenna and raise it to the desired angle.

Two thumbscrews on the antenna's hinge let you adjust the tension on the antenna. This helps keep the antenna in the desired position. The thumbscrews work in opposite directions. To tighten the right thumbscrew, rotate it

away

from the display. To tighten the left thumbscrew,

rotate it

toward

the display.

Caution - Always make certain the left thumbwheel is tight when using the AccuNav Sport™. The connector for the antenna is inside the left thumbwheel. If it isn't tight, a poor connection may occur. This can prevent the AccuNav Sport™ from operating properly, if at all.

To remove the antenna, simply loosen the thumbwheels until they won't turn. Carefully remove the antenna from the unit by pulling it straight out. If you feel any resistance, make certain the thumbwheels are at the end of their travel. Don't force any parts.

Once you remove the antenna, you can see it's connector inside the left-hand thumbwheel. When reinstalling the antenna, align the left side of the antenna first, then thread left thumbwheel until it engages the connector. This will require two full turns of the thumbwheel. After you've accomplished this, thread the right side of the antenna by rotating the right thumbwheel. Remember to rotate the right thumbwheel in the opposite direction from the left.

Adjust thumbwheels until the desired tension is achieved. Caution - Do not overtighten the thumbwheels.

ANTENNA ANGLE

When using the AccuNav Sport™, try to make certain the antenna is parallel with the ground, or nearly so as shown at right. Since the signals from the satellites are "line of sight", a flat antenna gives you a better chance of being able to receive the signals from all of the available satellites.

Also, trees, buildings, carports (even your body), can block the signals from the satellites. When using this unit in heavy brush or timber, remember that it may lose track on one or all of the satellites until you move into a clearing.

We have successfully used the AccuNav Sport™ in cars and trucks since the satellite's signal passes through glass. However, antenna placement can make a difference in receiving the signals or not.

KEYBOARD

The keyboard has the main group of keys arranged in three horizontal rows, plus four arrow keys at the top. The keys are used to enter numbers, make menu selections and activate the windows feature. The menu key near the bottom left corner of the keyboard activates the first menu page.

WIN - This key gives you access to the windows mode, which has many combination displays.

POS - Press this key to show the Position Screen. STR - Press this key to show the Steering Screen. PLOT - This key gives access to the Plotter. RTE - Pressing this key shows the route planning menu.

WPT - Pressing this key lets you save or recall a waypoint.

ICON - To mark a location on the plotter screen, use this feature.

CNTR - Pressing this key centers your position on the plotter.

ZIN & ZOUT - These keys let you "zoom-in" or "zoomout" the plotter display.

OFF - Press and HOLD the Off key to turn the AccuNav Sport™ off.

MENU - Press this key to show the menus and gain access to most functions.

ENT - (Enter) Press this key to accept keyboard entry. CLR - (Clear) This key clears menus and erases entries

from the screen. ARROW KEYS - These keys are used to make menu

selections and to move objects on the screen. ON - The ON key turns the AccuNav Sport™ on. It also

controls the lights. Pressing the ON key again after turning the unit on turns the lights on. Press it a third time and the lights are turned off.

NOTE:

The keys labeled F1 through F0 are used to select menu items and enter numbers. For example, to enter the number "495", you should press F4, then F9, and finally F5.

OPERATION

TURNING POWER ON

To turn the AccuNav Sport™ on, simply press the "ON" key. (Note: The "ON" key is harder to press than the other keys. This makes it harder to turn the AccuNav Sport™ on accidentally.) A screen similar to the one shown below appears.

To turn the lights on, press the F5 key. To adjust the display contrast, press the left arrow key to lighten the screen, the right arrow key darkens it.

To clear the display, press the CLR key.

MENUS

Most of the AccuNav Sport's™ features are found on pages of "menus". Pressing the MENU key lets you view the menus. This unit has four basic displays. They are: Windows, Position, Steering, and Plotter. When you press the MENU key, different menus appear depending on the display mode the unit is in. (Except the plotter and steering displays share the same menus.) In other words, if you press the MENU key while the position screen is showing, the menu shown at right appears. However, if you

press the menu key while the plotter is displayed, a different menu appears as shown below. This gives you the features specific to each display without having to search through many pages of menus.

Unless otherwise specified, all menu examples used in this manual are accessed while the position or steering screen is showing.

More information on menus are shown in the back of this manual.

Initialization - Power On

In order for the AccuNav Sport™ to lock onto the satellites, it must first find them. If you simply turn the unit on and wait, the unit will find the satellites by itself in 15 minutes or less. This is called “Cold Start.” If you let it find the satellites, the time display will probably be wrong, since it will be showing UTC time which is the time at Greenwich, England. However, all other navigation displays, including the position display will be correct. (You can set the time display to your local time.) To speed up the satellite acquisition process, you can initialize the AccuNav Sport™ or “tell it where it is” the first time it’s turned on. This initialization process is usually done only once and requires the following data:

1. Approximate present position in latitude/longitude

2. Approximate elevation above sea level (altitude)

3. Today’s date and time

The unit usually only takes a few minutes or less to find the satellites once it’s been initialized by the user.

After the batteries are installed and the antenna is opened, press the ON key, then press the MENU key. Now press the key next to the “CHANGE GPS SETTINGS” label. Finally, press the key next to the “SET LAT, LON, ALT, TIME, DATE” label. The screen shown at right appears.

This is the GPS setup screen. The settings now in use are shown at the top of the display. If you’re using the unit for the first time, these settings are probably wrong for your position and time. To change any of the numbers on this display, first press an up or down arrow key to move the black box to the desired label. For example, to change the local time, press the down arrow key until the black box is on the “LOCAL TIME”, press the F6 key, then enter your time using the numbered keys.

CHANGE POSITION

To change the position shown on the AccuNav Sport's display, first determine your approximate position. Use a chart or call your local airport to determine your position if you don’t know it. The latitude/longitude that you enter doesn’t have to be extremely accurate. Typi-

cally, if you enter a position within a few degrees of your present position, the AccuNav Sport™ should quickly find your actual latitude/longitude. To change your present position, first move the black box to the LATITUDE display, then press the F6 key to change it. The screen shown at right appears. Use the down arrow key to change the “N” to “S”, if necessary. Next, simply enter your present latitude using the numbered keys. Notice that the position entered is in degrees, minutes, and hundredths of a minute. (Not seconds!) If you make a mistake, press the left or right arrow keys to move to the number in the latitude that needs changing. After the

latitude has been entered, press the ENT key. Now move the black box to the LONGITUDE display.

Enter your present longitude within a degree. Use the up or down arrow keys to switch to east or west longitude, if necessary. Now enter the longitude using the numbered keys. Be certain to enter a zero “0” as the first number in the longitude if it’s less than 100 degrees! After you’ve entered the last number, press the ENT key.

CHANGE ALTITUDE

To enter your present altitude, move the black box to the ALTITUDE display, then press the F6 key. The AccuNav Sport™ needs to know your elevation above sea level. (Not your height above the ground.) Again, an approximation within a few thousand feet is usually sufficient. Use the numbered keys to enter your altitude data. Press the up arrow key if your altitude is below sea level. For example, suppose you’re in Death Valley and the spot you’re standing in is 35 feet below sea level. You would need to enter the numbers “35”, then press the up arrow key to change it to -35 feet. Press the ENT key when you’re done.

CHANGE TIME

To change the local time (the time at your position), move the black box to the LOCAL TIME display, then press the F6 key. The screen shown at right appears.

Use the number keys to enter the time. Press the up arrow key to change the time from AM to PM or the down arrow key to change from PM to AM. Press the ENT key when you’re finished.

CHANGE DATE

To enter today’s date, move the black box to the LOCAL DATE display, then press the F6 key. The screen shown on the next page appears. Enter the date using the numbered keys. When you’re finished, press the ENT key.

The numbers at the top of the screen should be correct. If they aren’t, press the key next to the label that you need to change. If everything is correct, press the key next to the “EXIT” label. The unit will switch to the position screen and start searching for the satellites currently in view. The AccuNav Sport™ should find the satellites and show a position in a few minutes.

COLD START

When the AccuNav Sport™ is turned on for the first time “out of the box”, it automatically sends a “cold start” message to the GPS receiver. You can also send a cold start message to the receiver at any time.

If the unit can’t lock on to the satellites using the data you’ve given it, or if it has trouble finding the satellites, perhaps it is using the wrong data. This can happen if you’ve entered the wrong data by accident. For example, giving it east longitude instead of west. Or if you’ve moved a long distance with the unit turned off. The unit will automatically issue a cold start to it's internal GPS receiver, however, you can send a cold start at any time.

To send a cold start message to the receiver, press the MENU key. Now press the key next to the “CHANGE

GPS SETTINGS” label. Finally, press the key next to the “GPS “COLD” START” label. The unit will begin a cold start technique to find the available satellites. It should lock on to them in 15 minutes or less. Remember, when it does, your local time and possibly date display will probably be wrong. Use the method shown previously to set the time and date to their proper local settings. Once this is done, an internal clock will keep the correct time, even when the unit is turned off. The GPS system updates this clock when the unit is locked on to the satellites.

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