Garmin GPS 3 Manual

							OwnerÕs
Manual 
&
Reference
®
GPS III A  7/21/98 8:50 AM  Page 1 
						

							Software Version 2.0 or above
© 1997 GARMIN Corporation, 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: 011-44-1794-519944 Fax: 011-44-1794-519222
GARMIN (Asia) Corp., 4th Fl., No.1, Lane 45, Pao-Hsing Road, Hsin Tien, Taiwan R.O.C.
Tel: 011-886-02-917-3773 Fax: 011-886-02-917-1758
Web Site Address: www.garmin.com
All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including
photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of GARMIN.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. GARMIN 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.
GARMIN, GPS III, Personal Navigator, AutoLocate, TracBack, and PhaseTrac12 are all trademarks of GARMIN
Corporation and may not be used without the expressed permission of GARMIN.
August 1997 Part # 190-00128-00 Rev. A Printed in Taiwan.
GPS III A  7/21/98 8:50 AM  Page 2 
						

							Thank You!
Thank you for choosing the GARMIN GPS III —the smallest, easiest-to-use GPS navigator for marine, auto-
motive and outdoor use! The GPS III represents GARMIN’s continuing commitment to provide quality naviga-
tion 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
i
INTRODUCTION
About This Manual
GPS III A  7/21/98 8:50 AM  Page i 
						

							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 oper-
ating the vehicle and road conditions while the vehicle is in motion could result in an accident or collision with
property damage and personal injury.
INTRODUCTION
Cautions
ii
#!
#!
#!
GPS III A  7/21/98 8:50 AM  Page ii 
						

							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.
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 is subject to the following conditions: (1) This device cannot cause harm-
ful 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 your authority to
operate this device under Part 15 regulations.
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							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 cus-
tomer is, however, responsible for any transportation costs. This warranty does not cover failures due to abuse,
misuse, accident or unauthorized alteration or repairs. GARMIN assumes no responsibility for special, inciden-
tal, punitive or consequential damages, or loss of use.
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.
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 at its sole discretion.
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							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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Marking Waypoint Positions  . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Going to a Waypoint  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Active Route Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
SIMULATOR TOUR  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
REFERENCE
Satellite Status Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Satellite Status Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Position Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Position Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Map Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Map Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Compass Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Compass Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Highway Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Highway Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Waypoints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Waypoint Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Nearest Waypoints  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
v
INTRODUCTION
Table of Contents
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							vi
INTRODUCTION
Table of Contents
GOTO  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
GOTO Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
MOB  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
TracBack  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Routes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Route Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Active Route Page  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Active Route Page Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Setup Menu  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
APPENDIX A:Dashboard Mounting  . . . . . . . . .76
APPENDIX B:Specifications  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
APPENDIX C:Wiring/Interfacing  . . . . . . . . . . .78
APPENDIX D:Antenna/Remote Mounting . . . . .79
APPENDIX E:Messages  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
APPENDIX F:Map Datums  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
APPENDIX G:Navigation Terms  . . . . . . . . . . . .85
APPENDIX H:Index  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
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							1
GETTING STARTED
Unit Features
Antenna
(detachable)
Function Keys
LCD Display
Battery Door
Rocker Keypad
Power/Backlight 
Key (red)
To change the screen 
orientation, press and
hold the PAGE key.
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							2
GETTING STARTED
Keypad Usage /  Display
(POWER)— Red key turns the unit on and off, and
controls three levels of screen backlighting intensity.
(PAGE)— Scrolls main pages in sequence and returns
display from a menu/options page to a main page.
Press and hold this key to change screen orientation.
(MENU)— Displays a menu of available options for
the current page. Press twice to display the Main Menu.
(GOTO)— Displays the GOTO waypoint window,
allowing you to select the destination waypoint. Press
and hold this key to activate MOB feature.
(ENTER/
MARK)— Activates highlighted fields and
confirms menu options and data entry. Press and hold
this key to mark present position as a waypoint.
(QUIT)— Returns the display to a previous page or
restores a data field’s previous value. 
(IN and OUT)— Allows you to zoom in/out through
24 scales on the Map Page. Also adjusts scale on the
Highway Page.
(ROCKER KEYPAD)— Controls the movement of
the cursor, is used to select options and positions, and
to enter data.CURSOR— A solid black bar which can be moved
up, down, left, and right with the keypad to select indi-
vidual fields on the display (see above).
DEFAULT— A system-selected format, built into the
operating software or the unit’s memory, that will be
followed unless the user chooses a different setting.
FIELD— The location on a page (see above) where a
group of characters or option is entered and displayed.
HIGHLIGHT— The act of using the cursor to select a
field for the purpose of entering data.
SCROLL— The act of moving through characters or
options from a selected field.
DATA ENTRY— Entering data, such as waypoint
names, typically begins and ends with the ENTER/
MARK key. Use the rocker keypad to enter the actual
data: UP/DOWN to change the highlighted character,
RIGHT to move on to the next character..
Example of
Cursor on the
‘Mode’ Field
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