Garmin Streetpilot 3 Manual

							quick start
guide
portable GPS with 
auto-routing and voice
StreetPilot
™ 
III
Read 
This
First!
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Before using your StreetPilot III, check to see that your package includes the following items. If you 
are missing any parts, please contact your GARMIN dealer immediately.
Standard Package:
• StreetPilot III with Detachable Antenna
• Owner’s Manual
• Quick Start Guide
• Dash Mount Kit
• External Speaker System with 12-volt Adapter
• MapSource City Navigator CD-ROM
• USB Programmer 
• USB Programmer User’s Manual
• MapSource User’s Manual
• 32MB Blank Data Card
• PC Cable
• Single DCA Unlock Code Certifi cate
Optional accessories for the StreetPilot III are listed in the Owner’s Manual, starting on page 48.
Quick Start
Packing List
Help us better support you by completing your on-line regis-
tration today! Why should you register your StreetPilot III?
• Notifi cation of Product Updates
• Notifi cation of New Products
• Lost or Stolen unit tracking
Visit our website (www.garmin.com) and look for the 
Product Registration link on the home page. If you have any 
questions or comments regarding the use of the StreetPilot III 
you can visit our web site or contact our Customer Service 
Department M-F, 8:00-5:00 Central Time (except holidays) 
at 1-800-800-1020.
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Thank you for purchasing the GARMIN StreetPilot III—the result of our continuing effort to 
provide quality, user-friendly automotive navigation systems to suit all your needs. This Quick Start 
Guide is designed to introduce the basic functions of the unit. Please take a few moments now to 
review the features of your StreetPilot III, as illustrated below. After reading through this guide, if 
you have additional questions regarding a particular feature, more information can be found in the 
Owner’s Manual.
Quick StartUnit Features
Power/Data Connector(Back Side) Connections for 
Power, Ground, Serial Data 
In and Serial Data Out.
16-Color LCD DisplayOn-screen information is 
referred to as a “page”. 
Press PAGE key to select 
a different screen.
Detachable AntennaRotate upright for best 
satellite reception.
Power/Backlight KeyPress and hold to turn 
on/off. Press momentarily 
to adjust screen backlight 
and contrast.
Battery Door
(Back Side) To open, turn metal D-ring 
counterclockwise 1/4 turn and pull 
battery door away from unit.
Cartridge Door
(Bottom) Insert programmed card 
for increased map detail and infor-
mation lookup capability.
Rocker Keypad
Moves the cursor, pans 
the Map Page and 
enters data.
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The StreetPilot III uses six (6) AA batteries, which are installed at the back of the unit. Alkaline, 
rechargeable, Lithium, or Ni-Cad batteries can be used. Battery life will vary due to a variety of factors, 
including surrounding temperature and the use of backlighting. You may fi nd that Lithium batteries 
provide longer life in colder conditions. Saved information will not be lost when you replace the 
batteries. 
WARNING: It is very important to install ALL batteries with the proper polarity, positive (+) 
or negative (-), orientation as indicated in the unit’s battery compartment. Batteries can 
leak and cause personal injury and property damage if you install them incorrectly. 
A power symbol (electrical plug) appears at the bottom of the Main Menu and in the upper left 
hand corner of the Trip Information Page (see page 13) when the unit is running on external power.  
When the unit is running on AA batteries, instead of the power symbol a green battery strength bar 
indicator appears. The bar shortens as the unit uses battery power. To conserve battery life you can 
switch to Battery Saver mode (see Owner’s Manual page 41) or you can use the Vehicle Power Cable.
When the battery power falls below a certain level, the bar indicator turns red. You should replace 
the batteries when this occurs. In addition, a ‘battery voltage is low’ message appears at the bottom 
of the page.To install the batteries:1.  Lift up the metal D-ring at the back of the unit and turn it ¼ turn counterclockwise to open the 
compartment door.
2.  Install the batteries (as shown at left and as marked in the battery compartment). 
3.  Turn the D-ring ¼ turn clockwise to lock the door in place. 
Quick Start
Installing The Batteries
I
• Observe correct polarity when installing batteries.
• Replace all batteries at the same time.
• Do NOT mix new and used batteries.
•  Do NOT mix Alkaline batteries with Lithium or Ni-Cad 
rechargeable batteries.Immediately after you install new batteries, turn the unit on 
to ensure that the unit’s battery strength indicator displays a 
fully-charged battery condition.
If the unit does not turn on or the battery level indicator 
displays a partially charged battery condition, recheck for 
proper battery installation. If, after checking installation, 
the battery level indicator continues to indicate a partially 
charged condition, the newly installed batteries may be 
depleted from long-term storage. Replace with fresh batteries.
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Quick Start
Vehicle Installation
Do Not Mount Where Driver’s 
Field of Vision is Blocked
Do Not Mount Over 
Airbag PanelsDo Not Place Unsecured 
on the Vehicle Dash
Do Not Mount in Front 
of an Airbag Field of 
DeploymentThe StreetPilot III is portable, allowing you to easily carry the unit from vehicle to vehicle or take 
it with you once you reach your destination. A Dash Mount kit consisting of a mounting bracket, 
mounting base, required hardware and adhesive pads is included with the StreetPilot III. Installation 
of the mounting bracket should be performed with consideration for the following safety diagram 
and warnings:Installing the Mounting Base
1.  Select a suitable location for installation that allows routing of an external power cord and/or 
antenna cable (if needed) to the GPS unit. If you are NOT using a remote antenna, be certain to 
select a location where the GPS unit’s antenna has a relatively unobstructed view of the sky.
2.  To secure the mounting base to the dash of the vehicle you may choose either the permanent (hole 
in disk) or repositionable adhesive options (no hole in disk). Carefully clean the area where the base 
is to be placed using an alcohol dampened cloth. Wipe the area dry with a clean, dry cloth. Remove 
one side of the protective backing from the adhesive, and place on the bottom of the base. Remove 
the remaining backing from adhesive and position the base on the cleaned area. Be certain the 
locking lever on the base faces forward for easy access.
Secure Mounting Base with Disk Adhesive
Mounting Base
Adhesive Disk 
(permanent shown)Mounting Surface
NOTE: Allow the permanent adhesive to set 24 hours 
before using the dash mount. If permanent adhesive is later 
removed, use rubbing alcohol to clean any adhesive residue. 
Repositionable adhesive should only be used on clean, dust-
free surfaces. WARNING: For use in vehicles, it is the sole responsibility 
of the owner/operator to place and secure the GPS unit so 
that is will not interfere with the vehicle operating controls 
and safety devices, obstruct the driver’s view of driving 
conditions, or cause damage or personal injury in the event 
of an accident. Do not place this mounting bracket over 
airbag panels or in the fi eld of airbag deployment. Airbags 
expand with a rapid fi re force that can propel objects in 
their path towards the vehicle driver or passengers causing 
possible injury. Refer to airbag safety precautions contained 
in the vehicle owner’s manual. Do not place this mounting 
bracket where the driver or passengers are likely to impact 
it in an accident or collision. The mounting hardware 
provided by GARMIN is not warranted against collision 
damage or the consequences thereof.
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Quick Start
Vehicle Installation
Installing the GPS Unit into the Mounting Bracket
1.  Locate the tabs on the base/top of the mounting bracket (see fi gure to the left) and the correspond-
ing notches on the bottom/top of the GPS unit’s case.
2.  Align the bottom notches on the GPS unit with the corresponding two tabs on the mounting 
bracket base and push the top of the GPS unit back into the bracket until the top notch and tab 
snap in place.
3.  Secure the GPS unit in the bracket by tightening the locking knob on the top of the mounting 
bracket.
Attaching the External Speaker System with 12VDC Adapter to the GPS
1. Locate the power connector on the rear of the StreetPilot III (behind the rubber weather cap). The 
connector is “keyed” with a notch located between two of the four pins.
2. Mate the round, 4-pin power plug on the External Speaker System with 12VDC Adapter to this 
connector by aligning the notches and pushing the plug into the connector until fully seated. Insert 
the 2.5mm speaker plug into the speaker jack located below the antenna (see fi gure to the left). 
Press the speaker cable into the two cable holders on the back of the mounting bracket. 
   The 2.5mm mini-jack may be used with the External Speaker System or with your own speaker/
headphone (unpowered and rated at 8 ohms). The speaker which is built into the External Speaker 
System with 12VDC Adapter will work without the cable being plugged into the vehicle’s power 
source. 
3. Plug the cigarette lighter portion of the External Speaker System with 12VDC Adapter into an 
available cigarette lighter receptacle in your vehicle. Use care when routing the adapter cable being 
certain that it does not interfere with vehicle operation in any way.
Speaker Plug
Speaker Cable 
HoldersPower
Connector Bottom Tabs Top Tab
Mounting Bracket
Locking 
Knob
Locking 
Knob
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Quick Start
Vehicle Installation
Attaching Mounting Bracket to Base
1.  Slide the locking lever, on the mounting base, to the left (unlocked position).
2.  Attach the bracket assembly to the mounting base by sliding the disk on the bottom of the bracket 
into the base until it clicks into place.
3.  Rotate the bracket assembly left or right until the desired angle is achieved. Slide the locking lever to 
the right (lock) to secure the bracket assembly to the base.
Adjusting the Mounting Bracket’s Viewing Angl
e
1.  Tilt the GPS unit forwards or backwards by pressing and holding down on the adjustment button on 
the back side of the bracket assembly. Adjust the unit as desired and release the button. 
2.  Rotate the entire bracket assembly by sliding the locking lever to the left (unlocked position). Adjust 
the angle as desired and move the lever back (right) to the locked position.
Removing the Bracket Assembly from the Bas
e
1.  Slide the locking lever, on the mounting base, to the left (unlocked position).
2.  Press the release tab downward and slide the bracket assembly to the right (see fi gure below).
Press Down to 
Adjust Tilt
(Unlocked) Press 
Down to Release
Unlock to Adjust 
Left/Right
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MapSource City Navigator CD-ROM Overview 
A CD-ROM containing all U.S. and Canadian detailed coverage area (DCAs) is included 
with your StreetPilot III. The MapSource City Navigator CD is designed specifi cally for the 
StreetPilot III and contains detailed street maps for major cities. This mapping software allows for 
automatic routing and the map data also contains turn restrictions and other routing information.  By 
simply entering an address, intersection or pointing at the map, the StreetPilot III will automatically 
plan a route and provide turn-by-turn directions to that location.  You can also look up services or 
points of interest and view the address, phone number and map location. Be aware that not all areas are 
covered in detail by the City Navigator CD. But to get detailed, street-level routing for major cities, you 
need to download maps from the City Navigator CD.
The StreetPilot III will also work with MapSource Roads & Recreation, WorldMap, Topo, and 
MetroGuide CDs but, with these products, will not provide detailed automatic routing. If you’re using 
StreetPilot III without downloaded maps from the City Navigator CD, you’ll still have automatic routing 
capabilities along major streets and highways contained in the built-in “basemap”. 
Unlock Codes
The data on the City Navigator CD is protected by unlock codes. Before you can download 
maps from a detailed coverage area, you’ll need to “unlock” that region. Additional instructions for 
completing these steps are printed on the MapSource Unlock Certifi cate (provided with the City 
Navigator CD). The Certifi cate directs you to the GARMIN Web site, where you’ll enter your personal 
information, the Unit ID number from your StreetPilot III (see Owner’s Manual page 39), and the 
code contained on the certifi cate. From the web site, you’ll also select a coverage area and see what 
cities are included. After you’ve completed the information, the website will provide your offi cial 25 
digit unlock code. Now you’re ready to install the City Navigator CD-ROM and start downloading 
maps from your PC. 
Quick Start
Datacard Installation & Using 
MapSource
You’ll need an uplock code (provided on GARMIN web site 
or by phone) to download a detailed coverage area from the 
City Navigator CD. Unlock codes are a cost effective way to 
distribute all available areas on a single CD. The MapSource City Navigator CD is designed specifi cally 
for the StreetPilot III and contains detailed street maps for 
major North American cities.
Record your 25-digit Unlock Code here.
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Quick Start
You received one Metro Area DCA unlock code through web (or phone) registration with the 
purchase of your StreetPilot III. So what if you plan to use your StreetPilot III when you’re traveling in 
a major city that’s outside the detailed coverage area that you have access to? Just purchase an unlock 
code for another DCA, or for the entire U.S. and Canada. You can purchase additional unlock codes 
from the GARMIN Web site. Then, using the same City Navigator CD that came with your unit, you’ll 
have access to more coverage areas. Keep in mind you will always have good map information from 
your StreetPilot III’s built-in basemap without using the City Navigator detail.
Transferring City Navigator CD Data to a Data Card (USB Programmer)
Included with your purchase of the StreetPilot III is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Data Card 
Programmer, which allows you to quickly download maps from your PC to a 32-megabyte data card 
that is also included with the StreetPilot III. Follow the directions in the USB Data Card Programmer 
User’s Manual to install the software, then connect the programmer to your PC’s USB port. Once you’ve 
inserted the City Navigator CD and started the MapSource program on your PC, move the cursor to the 
pull-down menu at the top of the screen and select “City Navigator.”
Now, select the detailed coverage areas you want to download. You can continue to add map areas 
until the total map size reaches 32-megabytes. Click on the download button at the top of the screen, 
and the information quickly downloads to the data card. As you load different map areas, MapSource 
will overwrite previously stored data.
Installing The Data Card
When you’re fi nished downloading, remove the Data Card from the USB Programmer and insert it 
into the slot-with the label facing toward the front of the StreetPilot III. Make sure the connector end of 
the cartridge is inserted into the slot, NOT the handle end. When properly inserted, the cartridge will 
protrude slightly from the slot (not fl ush). 
CAUTION: Incorrect data card installation can result in internal damage to your GPS unit!
The USB Programmer will allow you to download City 
Navigator Maps very rapidly using your PC. Refer to the 
USB Programmer Owner’s Manual for additional instruc-
tions.
NOTE: Older model PC’s may not have a USB port or 
operating system support for a USB connection. In such 
instances, you can program the Data Card directly through 
the StreetPilot III. Connect the StreetPilot III to your PC 
using the supplied PC Cable. Insert the Data Card into 
the SteetPilot III. Then, run the MapSource program (see 
MapSource Owners Manual) to transfer map data. 
Using this method to program your Data Card is MUCH 
slower than a USB connection. Map data that transfers in 
minutes using a USB programmer can take 1/2 hour or 
longer when programmed through the StreetPilot III.
I
Datacard Installation & Using 
MapSource
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Quick Start
Keypad Usage
POWER (Red Bulb Symbol)- 
Press and hold to turn the StreetPilot III on and off. Press momentarily while 
power is on to display the backlight/contrast adjustment window.
PAGE- 
Switches between main pages and returns display from an option window back to a main page. 
QUIT
- Returns display to a previous page. When entering data, restores the previous value (cancels 
data entry).
ENTER/MARK- 
Confi rms a selected menu option. When entering data, it allows you to initiate entry, and 
then to accept the selected value(s). Press and hold to capture your present position and save it as a 
waypoint. 
ENTER/MARK
 can also capture the location of the panning arrow on the Map Page. 
ROCKER KEYPAD
- Selects menu options and enters data. Also controls movement of the panning cursor 
on the Map Page.
Zoom IN and OUT- 
Adjusts map scale to show a smaller area (more detail) or a larger area (less detail).
FIND- 
Searches the database for Cities, Interstate Exits, Waypoints, and Recently found places. If an 
optional MapSource City Navigator or MetroGuide map data card is installed, it also searches for Points 
of Interest, Addresses, or Intersections. Allows the listed items to be viewed on a map or selected as a 
destination (Note: MetroGuide will not provide turn-by-turn navigation or voice commands).
MENU- 
Displays a menu of options for the current page. Press twice to display System Setup options.
ROUTE- 
Displays a pop-up window of route navigation features.
VOL/SPEAK- 
Press and hold to adjust the external speaker volume. Pressing 
VOL/SPEAK
 will repeat the 
most recent voice instructions when navigating and display the Next Turn pop-up window.
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