Garmin GPS 120 User Manual

#GflRNIN

GPS 120

OWNER’S MANUAL

Software Version 2.00 or above

GARMIN/Europe LTD Roben House, Station Approach Romsey, Hampshire UK S051 8DU

in any form or by any means, electronic or manual, and recording, for any purpose without the express GARMIN.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. GARMIN reserves the right to change or improve their products and to make changes in the content without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or improvements.

May 1995

Part #190-00100AK) Rev. A

Printed in Taiwan.

reproduced or transmitted including photocopying written permission of

CAUTION

The GPS system is operated by the government of the United States, which is solely responsi ble for its accuracy and maintenance. The system is subjea to changes which could affea the accuracy and performance of all GPS equipment. Although the GPS 120 is a precision elearonic

NAVigation AID (NAVAID), any NAVAID can be misused or misinterpreted, and therefore

become unsafe.

Use the GPS 120 at your own risk. To reduce the risk of unsafe operation, carefully revieiv and understand all aspects of this Owner’s Manual and thorou^ly praaice operation using the simu

lator mode prior to xiuai use. When in actual use, carefully compare mdicattons from the GPS 120 to all available navigation sources including the information from other NAVAlDs, visual

sightings, chans, etc. For safety, always resolve any discrepancies before continuing nav^ation.

NOTE: This device complies with Pan 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. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interletence to other equipment, which can be determined by turning the 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 auihotiaed dealer or other qualified service technician tor additional help if these remedies do not correct the problem. Operation is subject to the follovring conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interfer ence received, including interference that may cause undtslred operation. The GPS 120 does not contain any user-serviceable (>ans. Repairs should only be made by an authorieed GARMIN ser vice center. Unauthorized repairs or modifications could void your wananty and your authority to operate this device under Part 15 regulations.

Preface

Welcome to the easiest-to-use fixed-mount GPS navigator on the water! The GPS 120 represents GARMIN’s continuing commitment to provide mariners with quality navigation information in a versatile, accurate and userfriendly design you’ll enjoy for years to come.

To get the most of your new GPS unit, it is important that you take the time to read through this oYmerk manual to understand the operating features of the GPS 120. The manual is organized into two sections for your convenience:

Section One introduces you to the basic features of the unit and provides a

quick-start orientation to the GPS 120. It has been designed to acquaint you with the unit and provide a basic working knowledge necessary to use the unit in typical conditions.

Section Two provides a detailed reference to the advanced features and

operations of the GPS 120 in a topical format. This allows you to concentrate on a specific topic quickly, without reading through entire sections of text that you may not need.

Thanks for choosing the GARMIN GPS 120. If you have any questions or comments regarding the use of the GPS 120, our Product Support staff is available to serve you at 1-800-800-1020 or 913-599-1515. You can also reach our Product Suppon staff by FAX at 913-599-2377.

GPS 120 Capabilities

Designed for easy operation, the GARMIN GPS 120 offers powerful features

that make marine navigation as simple and accurate as possible:

Precision Performance

• MultiTracS™ receiver tracks and uses up to 8 satellites simultaneously for fast, accurate positioning

• Differential-Ready— just add the optional GBR 21 beacon receiver for 5-10 meter accuracy

• Fully gasketed, dry nitrogen-filled case for all-weather use

Advanced Navigating and Plotting

• 250 alphanumeric waypoints

• List of 9 neatest waypoints

• 20 reversible routes of 30 waypoints each

• MOB mode with bearing and distance to mark

• Moving Map Plotting with scales from ,2 to 320 miles (0.5 to 600 km)

• Graphic pages for Satellite Status, Position, Plotting and GDI Navigation

• Active graphic display of cardinal heading

• Alarms for anchor drag, crossttack error and arrival

Before getting started with your new GPS receiver, check to see that your GARMIN GPS 120 package includes the following items. If you are missing any parts, please see your dealer immediately

Standard Package;

• GPS 120 Receiver with Remote GPS Antenna

• GPS 120 Owner’s Manual

• Quick Reference Card

• Warranty Registration Card

• Mounting Bracket

• Power/Data Cable

Optional Accessories:

• PC Kit

• Swivel Mount Bracket

See your local GARMIN dealer for optional accessories.

Table of Contents

SEC T IO N O N E G e tt in g S t a rt ed

GPS Overview................................................................................................................. 2

Basic Definitions

Keypad Usage..................................................................................................................... 4

Operation Flowchart........................................................................................................... 5

Power On/Status and Position......................................................................................... 6-7

Page Sequence................................................................................................................... 8

Harking a Position........................................................................................................... 9

Entering a Waypoint

GOTO & Steering Guidance...................................................................................... 11-12

Power Off..................................................................................................................... .....13

SEC T IO N T W O R e fe r en c e

Satellite Status Page.......................................................................................................15-16

Position Page Options

Creating and Using Waypoints.................................................................................. 18-24

GOTOs and MOB Mode........................................................................................... 25-26

Creating and Using Routes......................................................................................... 27-32

Moving Map Plotting.................................................................................................... 33-36

Menu Page and Auxiliary Functions.............................................................................37-47

Simulator Mode............................................................................................................... 48

Appendix A—Installation.............................................................................................49-51

Appendix B—Wiring & Interfaces.....................................................................................52

Appendix C—Glossary..................................................................................................53-54

Appendix D—Messages.................................................................................................. 55

Appendix E—Time Offset..................................................................................................56

Appendix F—Map Datums Appendix G—Maintenance & Specifications

Appendix H—Index.................................................................................................... 61-62

................................................................................................................

.........................................

...

....................................................................................................

....

........................................................................... 58-59

........

.........................................................

.................................................................

...60

What is GPS?

GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite-based navigation system developed by the U. S. Department of Defense to provide a consistent, accurate method of simplifying navigation. Originally designed for military applications, it also provides commercial and recreational users with 24-hour, worldwide navigation coverage with accuracy to 15 meters (49 feet).

How Docs GPS Work?

GPS navigation uses satellite ran^g to determine your position in relation to a set of satellites orbiting the earth. The GPS constellation is made up of a set of satellites, which continuously send radio signals containing precise position and time information for each satellite back to earth.

By knowing the position of any 3 or 4 of these satellites and calculating various time differences between the transmitted signals, your GPS receiver can determine its present position anywhere on earth. And once you're under way, your GPS continuously updates your position and provides speed and track information.

What are the Advantages of GPS Navigation?

For centuries, mariners have been searching for an accurate method of travelling the world’s waterways. From celestial navigating to loran and SaiNav, each system has had its problems with weather, range and reliability,

GPS takes navigation to a higher level by providing accurate position and course information, anywhere in the world, regardless of the weather or your proximity to land. The accuracy and coverage of GPS navigation can help make your boating safer, smarter and more efficient wherever you may travel

The GPS 120 is a powerful navigation tool that can guide you anywhere in

the world. To better understand its operation and capabilities, it may be help ful to review the basic terms and concepts briefly explained below,

Navigatian is the process of traveling from one place to another and knowing

where you are in relation to your desired course.

Position is an exact, unique location based on a geographic coordinate system.

Marine navigation is based on the latitude/lon^iude coordinate system.

Meridians of longitude are a set of imaginary circles around the earth that pass

through the north and south poles. Longitude describes position in terms of how

many degrees it is east or west of the Prime Meridian fO" longitude).

Parallcb oflatitude are anotherset of imaginary circles that ate perpendicular

to the earth’s polar axis. Latitude describes position in terms of how many

degrees it is north or south of the equator (0” latitude).

Basic

A waypoint marks an exact position fix so it can be recalled for future use. The

GPS 120 lets you mark waypoints electronically, without physical landmarks.

Bearing is a compass direction to a particular destination (waypoint) from your

present position.

Track is a compass direction representing your course over ground.

The GPS 120’s two*speed thumbkey allows convenient, one-handed entry of information. Press on a particular arrow key once to scroll through data optiotrs slowly, press and hold an arrow key for faster scrolling.

• Use the up and down arrow keys to select alphanumerical characters and menu choices and to move the field highlight from field to field.

> W 'Use the left and right arrow keys to move the selected character field and

' ^ to move the field highlight from field to field.

The GOTO key changes the display to the Navigation Page with the waypoint field highlighted.

The POWER key turns the unit on and off and adjusts screen backlighting. To turn the unit off, press and hold the POWER key for 3 seconds.

I The QUIT key returns you to a previous page, or clears data entry, restoring

a data field’s previous value. The PAGE key scrolls through main data pages in sequence and returns the

display from a submenu page to the previous page viewed. It also displays the message screen when a message alert appears.

The MARK key captures a position and displays the Mark Position Page.

The ENTER key confirms data entry and on-screen responses. The ENTER key also activates highlighted fields to allow data entry.

The MOB key performs the man overboard function. This marks the current position, and always displays your current range and bearing from this posi tion. The MOB function is listed in detail on page 25.

POWER ON

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Press (lie РЛСЕ key ю scroll ill rough poges и sequence.

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HESSMES

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Sky

The Gelling Slaned Tour assumes you have cor rectly installed the GPS 120 in your vessel accord ing to the instructions in Appendix A, and have not changed any of the factory settings (units of mea sure, selectable fields, etc ). If you have changed any of the default settings, ther pictures and descrip tions used may not match your unit’s configuration.

The first time you power up your new GPS 120 is an important step in getting the best possible GPS performance. The receiver must be given an oppor tunity to collect satellite almanac data and establish its present position. This process can take 7.5-15 minutes, and is only necessary for first time opera tion or after memory loss.

You’re now ready to power up and discover the world of GARMIN GPS navigation.

1. Pressfite^gkevlirmlvto turn the uniton.

The Welcome Page will be displayed while the unit conducts a self test. Once testing is complete, the Welcome Page will be replaced by the Status Page and the unit will begin acquiring satellite data.

Whenever the GPS 120 has something it needs to tell you, a message indicator box will flash on screen. To view a GPS 120 message:

1. Press to view the message.

FRESS RAGE

During^rsi iime use,

tfie GPS

120

wtil 'seureft

ihe sfey’ to eslof)lisii

present position. You

may

speed up the int-

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tmrtuaUy

entering jour

position coordinutes

described on page ] 7,

your

in this case, you will see a ‘Stored Data was Lost, Searching the Sky’ message. This informs you that the unit is beginning to acquire satellite information to calculate your present position.

2. Press to return to the previous screen.

If you’re new to GPS navigation, be sure to review the GPS Overview and Basic Navigation Terms on pages 2 and 3 while the unit collects data.

The GPS 120’s Status Page provides a visual refer ence of satellite acquisition and position. As the receiver locks onto satellites, a signal strength bar will appear for each satellite in view, with the appro priate satellite number (1-32) underneath each bar.

The satellite sky view shows a bird’s eye view of the position of each satellite relative to the unit’s last known position. The outer circle represents the horizon (north up); the inner circle 45” above the horizon; and the center point directly overhead.

Once sufficient information is received, the Status Page will be replaced with the Position Page,

The Position Page shows you where you are, what direction you’re heading and how fast you are going. The heading display at the top of the page indicates your cardinal heading (only while you’re moving) with the track and speed indicated below.

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ALTITUDE

Ahitude

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The rest of the page shows your current position in three dimensions: latitude, longitude and alti tude. The GPS 120 uses this basic information to mark exact positions as waypoints, which help guide you from one place to another

The numbers to the right of the altitude field give a relative range for the accuracy of the altitude dis played. GPS altitude without differential correction is not as accurate as horizontal position, and fluctuations in this value are normal.

The Status Page's

view will help

<kt ermine ij a

signal is being

by an

abstruciion. As

satellites are

to, the sky

tors will change/rom a

reverse-video

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a standard

(e,g, satellites J86* H).

sfey

you

sorellite

blocked

locked on

view indica

highlight

display

Getting to know your new GPS requires only a few short keystrokes. Try scrolling through the main pages of the GPS 120:

1, Press the key to scroll through the five main

pages in sequence.

2. Press the key to scroll through pages In the opposite direction.

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Ux (he Page and Quii keys io cmtinuoudv scroil through ifee main pages in either direitm.

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The

map page also displays your currenj speed and coune, as well os the bearing and distance to a selected destination at the bot tom of the page.

Map

Page

____

Hit

Since we’ve already gone throught the Status and Position Pages, let’s move on to a brief overview of the Map, Navigation and Menu pages.

The Map Page provides a moving map track plot ter which shows your present position {the diamond in the center), a visual track log of your past move ment and nearby waypoints. The Map Page also allows you to zoom and pn simultaneously to other areas, mark new waypoints and quickly review on screen waypoints. Instructions on zooming, pan ning, and using the map pge begin on page 34.

The Nav Page provides all of the necessary infor mation to navigate to a destination. Bearing, track, speed, distance, estimated time enroute (ETE) and velocity made good are all displayed on the Nav

Page. This information is accompanied by a graphi

cal steering arrow and highway which you may use

to navigate to your destination.

The Menu Page contains prompts to perform many different functions on the GPS 120, including waypoints, routes, alarms, and all setup operations.

Now that you are familiar with the basic pages of the GPS 120, let’s mark your current position as a waypoint for future reference. Before you mark your position, make sure the GPS 120 has acquired satellite information, and is displaying your current position and navigation information.

HARK POSITION

Uct^point:

1. Press the key to capture and hold your present position.

The Mark Position Page will appear, showing the captured position and a default 3-digit waypoint name. Let’s change the default name to something that’s a little more meaningful.

1. Press the key twice lor once) to move the field highlight from the 'save' field to the name field.

2. Press the Ql key to begin entry of your waypoint name (Press i to clear pre-existing name).

3. Press and hold die ^ key to scroll through the alphabet until the letter 'H' appears.

4. Press the ^ key once to move the character high light to the next character space.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the word 'HOME' is displayed.

6. Press to complete entry of the name.

7. Press the key once to return the field highlight to the'save'field.

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N 38*53.5^7'

W084N0.-i|77'

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number:

HARK POSITIOH

Uaypoint:

N 38*53.547' W09‘i*40.‘177'

Add to route

number:

HARK POSITIOH

lifciypoiht:

___

SAUE4

8. Press the m key to confirm that you want to save the position as a waypoint named 'HOME'.

The Mark Position Page will be replaced by the

page displayed prior to pressing the ^B

HOME

N 38*53.547' W094*40.477'

Add to route

number:

___

Wtnpoiiil

Now that you’ve marked your present position, it’s time to enter a new waypoint manually so we may navigate toward it. This will allow you to go directly to this new destination quickly and easily. We can do this one of two ways; either by exaa position coordi nates, or by referencing a known location.

1. Press or BButitil the Menu Page is displayed.

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SETUP

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A new ivoypoini’s

pusilion can i»e

maruiatly

coordinates,

distance

from another waypoint,

entering a distance

and

hearingfrom your

present position.

defined

entering

entering a

and

bearing

For this example, you’ll need to know either a waypoint^ position coordinates, or its distance and bearing from another known position (e g. ‘HOME’),

1. Press the key to highlightthe 'Waypoinf field and press IB.

2. Press the ▼ key to highlightthe name field.

3. Press 0 to begin entry of the waypoint name.

4. Usethe ▲and 'Tkeystoenteryourwaypoint name, using the i and ^ keys to move to the next character position.

5. Press to confirm the waypoint name. The position field will now become highlighted, with the receivers last known position shown.

6. Press B to begin entry of the position, or use the 'w' arrow to highlight the 'reh' field to create the waypoint a certain bearing and distance from your current position.

7. Use the Aand '▼'keys to enter your exact posi tion or die reference waypoint name (leave blank to use your current positionl.

8. If entering a range and distance feature, use

and to enter the bearing and distance. Press

SI to calculate a newlaVlon position.

9. Press the key to confirm and save your coor

dinates. The default waypoint comment (UTC date and time of creation) will appear and the highlight will move to the 'done field.

10. Press the key to return to the Menu Page.

Now that we’ve seen how to create a new way-

point, lets navigate to it (rementber, we’ll be navi gating a direct course line to your destination, so make sure there isn’t an obstruction in your way):

1.Press the! I key.

2. The Navigation Page will appear with the waypointfield highlighted. Press the -^or '^keys to scroll through the available waypoints until the waypoint you just created is displayed.

3. Press the key to confirm that you want to nawgate to the displayed waypoint

The GPS 120 will now guide you to the waypoint. As you begin moving, the Navigation Page will display nav data and graphic steering guid ance, The bearing and distance to waypoint, with your current track and speed are displayed at the top of the screen, with your estimated time enroute (ETE) and velocity made good (VMG, or the rate you are closing in on your destination) at the bottom.

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ETE

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Bearing (a

Wa)((wint

Preseti!

Track

Course

Deviation

Scale

Estimated

Time

Enrome

As you head towards your destination, the mid dle section of the screen provides visual guidance to your waypoint on a moving graphic ‘highway’. The moving arrow just below the course deviation scale always points to your selected waypoint (REEF) relative to the direction you are moving.

Distance to

Waypoint

Speed

Over

Ground

Grapiiie

Higliway

Vetociiy

Mode Good

The moving highway provides a visual per-

specliveoj the

and

distance

direction to

waypoint. The highway will always

move to ‘point’

in the general direction

destination, with

of your

(he relative

indicated of

the outside lines

the

highway,

distance

by the angle

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Bsr 3.^8».

070^ 19.2^

TRK SPD

REEF

D.Ei 4 a.19

ETE y una

11:30 18.^

In this aatnple,

off

the desired

the

left by 0.19

To get hath on course, steer right to center the position diamond on the

highway.

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TRK SP-P

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16:33

If you get too far off course, a message box

will appear to indicate which

course you

steer

to gel

course most

DST

you are

course to

ti.m.

REEF

should

bach

ejficientig.

13.3

Destination

Waypoint

Desired

Trach

Line

Position

Indicator

Horiiontol Finish Line

Pointer to Wajipoini

The line down the middle of the graphic high way represents your desired track (a straight line between the position you started from to the selected waypoint), with your present position indicated hy the diamond in the center of the course devition scale. The arrow pointer below the highway serves as a relative bearing pointer to your destination waypoint.

As you navigate toward a waypoint, the high way will actually move, indicating the direction you’re off course, relative to the position diamond on the GDI scale. To keep your vessel on the desired course, simply steer toward the center of the hi^way.

If you do get off the desired course by more than l/5th of the selected GDI range, the exact distance you are off course will be displayed where the GDI scale setting normally appears (see the example at left). As you approach a waypoint, a horizontal ‘finish line’ will move toward the bot tom of the highway. When the finish line reaches the GDI scale, you’ve arrived at your destination.

You’ve now gone through the basic operation of your new GPS and probably know a little more than you think about how it works. We encourage you to experiment with the GPS 120 until it becomes an extension of your own marine navigation skills.

The GPS 120 also features a Simulator mode to help you practice navigation, mark and save waypoints, and to create and travel routes.

If you encounter any problems using the unit or want to take advantage of the GPS 120’s advanced features, refer to the reference section of this manual.

To turn the GPS 120 off:

1. Press and hold the key for 3 seconds.

Thank you for choosing the GARMIN GPS 120. We hope that it will be a valuable navigation tool for you, wherever your course may take you.

GPS IZO

SOFTUARC VEke.DD

CARHIH CGRR

The power ojf count-

down

appears right on screen while you hold fhi power button. This counItWn helps pre

vent acddental shutoff

and

toss

of data.

+ 49 hidden pages