Garmin Astro 320 User manual

Astro® 320
owner’s manual
GPS-enabled dog tracking system

© 2011 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
All rights reserved. Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the
written consent of Garmin. Garmin reserves the right to change or improve its products and to make changes
in the content of this manual without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or
improvements. Go to www.garmin.com for current updates and supplemental information concerning the use
of this product.
Garmin
®
, the Garmin logo, Astro
®
, City Navigator
®
, BlueChart
®
, and TracBack
®
, registered in the USA and
other countries. DC
™
40, ANT
™
, ANT+
™
, BaseCamp
™
, chirp
™
, HomePort
™
, and myGarmin
™
are trademarks
of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. These trademarks may not be used without the express permission of
Garmin.
Windows
®
is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Mac
®
is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. microSD
™
is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC. Other
trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual 3


Getting Started ............................. 5
Installing Batteries in the Astro ..... 5
Charging the DC 40 ...................... 6
Turning On the Devices ................ 6
Attaching the DC 40 to Your
Dog ............................................ 7
Device Overviews ......................... 8
Manual Conventions ................... 10

Communication with the
DC 40 ....................................... 13
Navigating to Your Dog ............... 13
Editing Dog Information .............. 15
Tracking Your Dog on the Map ... 16
Adding Dogs ............................... 16
Collar Lock.................................. 18
Astro and DC 40 Tips ................. 18


Waypoints ................................... 21
Routes ........................................ 24
Tracks ......................................... 25
Sharing Data Wirelessly ............. 29

Map............................................. 30
Find Menu................................... 31
Detailed Maps............................. 33

Compass .................................... 34
Navigating with Sight ‘N Go ........ 36
Trip Computer ............................. 37
Elevation Plot.............................. 38
Proximity Alarms ......................... 39
Calculating the Area ................... 39
Satellite ....................................... 40

Viewing the Calendar and
Almanacs ................................. 41

4 Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual
Calculator ................................... 41
Alarm Clock ................................ 42
Stopwatch ................................... 42
Geocaches ................................. 42

Customizing the Main Menu ....... 45
Customizing Data Fields............. 45
Proles........................................ 45
Customizing Dashboards ........... 46
System Settings.......................... 47
Dog Settings ............................... 47
Display Settings .......................... 48
Setting the Device Tones ............ 48
Map Settings............................... 49
Tracks Settings ........................... 50
Changing the Units of
Measure ................................... 50
Time Settings .............................. 50
Position Format .......................... 51
Heading Settings ........................ 51
Altimeter Settings ....................... 52
Geocache Settings ..................... 53
Routing Settings ......................... 53
Marine Settings........................... 54
Fitness Settings .......................... 55

Viewing Device Information ........ 56
Caring for the Devices ................ 56
Specications ............................. 57
Battery Information ..................... 58
Data Management ...................... 60

Contacting Garmin Product
Support .................................... 65
Registering Your Device ............. 65
Buying Accessories .................... 65
Replacement Parts ..................... 67
Data Field Options ...................... 69
Troubleshooting .......................... 73


Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual 5
Introduction

 
See the Important Safety and Product
Information guide in the product
box for product warnings and other
important information.

notice
Do not attempt to track your dog using
the Astro® and the DC™ 40 until you
have completed these tasks.
1. Install batteries in the Astro
(page 5).
2. Charge the DC 40 (page 6).
3. Register your device (page 65).
4. Turn on the devices (page 6).
5. Acquire satellites (page 7).
6. Calibrate the compass (page 36).
7. Attach the DC 40 to your dog
(page 7).
8. Start a new hunt (page 21).


The Astro operates on two AA batteries
(not included). Use NiMH or lithium
batteries for best results.
1. Remove the battery cover by
turning the D-ring 1/4 turn
counterclockwise and pulling up.
2. Insert the batteries, observing
polarity.
3. Replace the battery cover.

6 Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual
Introduction

Charge the DC 40 completely before
using it on a hunt. Charging a depleted
DC 40 battery takes 4½ hours.
1. Connect the power cable ➊ to an
appropriate electrical source.
➊
➋
2. Slide the charging clip ➋ onto the
DC 40.
3. Charge the DC 40 completely.
The blue LED ashes when the
DC 40 is charging. The blue LED
is solid when the DC 40 is fully
charged.

1. On the Astro, press and hold ➊ .
➊
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.
3. On the DC 40, press and hold
➋ .

Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual 7
Introduction
➋
➌
The red LED ➌ ashes (single
blink) when the DC 40 is on and
searching for satellite signals.
TIP: Turn on the DC 40, and let it
acquire satellites before you put it
on your dog.

Before you can track your dog using
the Astro and the DC 40, both devices
must acquire GPS satellite signals.
Acquiring satellite signals can take a
few minutes.
1. Go outdoors to an open area, away
from tall buildings and trees.
2. Press and quickly release .
The status page appears. The
bars indicate satellite strength.
3. Wait for the DC 40 to acquire
satellite signals.


DC 40 is searching for
satellite signals.


DC 40 has acquired
satellite signals.


DC 40 is tracking
seven or more
satellites (best GPS
performance).


Attach the DC 40 to your dog’s
neck with the VHF antenna
pointing up (page 9) and the LED
facing forward.

8 Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual
Introduction


notice
Avoid using a high-powered radio
(greater than 5 watts) in close
proximity to the Astro. It may cause
irreversible damage to the Astro.
➍
➌
➋
➊
➎
➏
➑
➒
➐
➊
GPS antenna
➋
VHF antenna
➌
Power key
➍
Display
➎
Keypad
➏
USB port (under weather cap)
➐
microSD
™
card slot (under battery
door) (page 60)
➑
Mounting spine
➒
Battery cover D-ring

Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual 9
Introduction

➊
➋
➌
➍
➊
VHF antenna
➋
Collar
➌
GPS antenna
➍
Power key

 Press to view the Dog
Tracker page.
 Press to mark your
current location.
 Press to cancel data
entry or return to the
previous menu or page.
 Press to view the map.

10 Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual
Introduction
 Press to open the menu
for the active page.
Press twice to open the
main menu.
 Press to select options
and acknowledge
messages.
 Press to view or scroll
through options and to
move the map pointer.
 Press to zoom in on the
map.
 Press to zoom out on
the map.

1. Press and quickly release .
2. Press OUT.

1. Press and quickly release .
2. Use the Rocker to adjust the
brightness levels.
TIP: You can also press and
quickly release to cycle through
the brightness levels.
3. Press ENTER to select a brightness
level and close the menu.

 Use the keys on the
device.
 Use the  to select
an option or an item in a
list, and press .
 The location on a page
where data is entered
or an option appears. A
highlighted eld appears
blue.

Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual 11
Introduction


A bar that appears on
the right side of a list that
is too long to t on the
screen. Use the 
to scroll through a list.
Press  or  to scroll
a set of items.
 The original factory
settings. You can
customize the settings,
but you can always
revert back to the factory
settings by selecting
.
The small arrows indicate
that you should select a
series of items in order,
for example, “Select
 > .”

Status information is provided on the
main menu and when you press and
quickly release .
Indicates the satellite signal
strength.
Blinks when the device
detects a signal (for example,
a DC 40) on the channel it is
receiving.
Indicates the remaining
battery power.

When an on-screen message appears,
you can press ENTER to acknowledge
the message and close the window.
Messages also indicate temporary
conditions, such as “Calculating
Route.” The message window closes as
soon as the process is complete.

12 Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual
Introduction

A keyboard appears when you enter
text.
• Use the Rocker to select a
character, and press ENTER.
• Select to backspace.
• Select to shift.
• Press IN or OUT to change the
character mode of the keyboard.
• Select Done to save the text and
close the keyboard.

Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual 13
Tracking Your Dog

NOTE: The DC 40 does not transmit
its location to the Astro, and the
Astro does not indicate the location
of the DC 40, until both devices have
acquired satellite signals.


The DC 40 that was packaged with
your Astro was linked with the Astro
at the factory. If you are using a
DC 40 that you purchased separately,
follow the instructions for adding
a new dog on page 16 to establish
communications with the Astro.

1. From the main menu, press DOG >
ENTER.
The dog information appears.
2. Select Go.
3. Follow the magenta line on the
map.

1. From the main menu, press DOG to
view the Dog Tracker page.
The direction to the dog and
distance of the dog from the Astro
appears.

14 Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual
Tracking Your Dog
➋
➌ ➍
➊
➊
Dog pointer (direction to
the dog)
➋
Dog name
➌
Dog status icon (page 14)
➍
Distance to the dog
2. If you have additional dogs, use the
Rocker to scroll through the list of
dogs.
The Astro can keep track of 10
dogs.
3. Press ENTER to view the dog
information.

The dog you are tracking is identied
and the dog pointer indicates its
direction from you. The dog pointer is
most accurate when the dog is farther
than 30 feet (9.1 meters) away. At less
than that distance, “NEAR” appears
instead of a distance and the dog
pointer is shortened.
NOTE: When you are close to the dog,
the dog pointer may be inaccurate.


Sitting

Running
On Point

Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual 15
Tracking Your Dog

Treed

Unknown*
*The unknown status icon indicates
that the DC 40 has not acquired a
satellite signal and that the Astro
cannot determine the location of the
dog.

The Astro assigns a default name,
“Dog,” to the DC 40 packaged with the
Astro.

1. From the main menu, press DOG >
ENTER.
The dog information appears.
2. Select the name eld.
The on-screen keyboard appears.
3. Enter the name of the dog.

This requires wireless communication
with the DC 40. You must turn on the
DC 40 and bring it within range of the
Astro.
You can identify the dog type so that
the appropriate dog status symbols
appear.
1. From the main menu, press DOG >
ENTER.
2. Press MENU.
3. Select Change Dog Type.
4. Select a type.

16 Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual
Tracking Your Dog


Press MAP to follow your dog on
the map.
➌
➊
➋
➍
• The dog location icon appears
with the dog name ➊ .
• The track of the dog’s
movements appears as a red
(color is customizable) line ➋ .
• Your location is indicated by the
map pointer ➌ .
• The track of your movements
appears as a blue line
➍ .

When the map orientation is Track Up,
objects on the map appear to rotate
around your position. As you move,
the entire map reorients in the direction
you are facing. To stabilize the objects,
set the orientation to North Up
(page 49).

The Astro can track up to 10 dogs
with DC 40 collars. If you purchase
additional DC 40 devices, you can link
them to the Astro. To link, the Astro
must be close enough to the DC 40 to
touch it, or you must know the DC 40
ID number.
1. From the main menu, press DOG
twice.
2. Select Add Dog.

Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual 17
Tracking Your Dog
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Each dog you track has its own ID
number. If two dogs within range of
the Astro have the same ID, the Astro
warns you of a conicting ID signal.
Follow the on-screen instructions to
resolve the conict.
When possible, you should allow the
Astro to automatically assign IDs. If
necessary, you can manually assign a
new ID number to a dog.

This requires wireless communication
with the DC 40. You must turn on the
DC 40 and bring it within range of the
Astro.
1. From the main menu, press DOG
twice.
2. Select a dog.
3. Select Show Info.
4. Press MENU.
5. Select Comm. Settings.
6. Select an unassigned and
nonconicting ID.
7. Change the update rate (optional).
Both 30-second and two-minute
rates reduce battery drain, but they
create a less-detailed dog track and
collected statistics.
8. Bring the Astro within a few feet of
the DC 40.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions.

1. From the main menu, press DOG
twice.
2. Select a dog in the list.
3. Select Remove.

18 Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual
Tracking Your Dog

You can use the Collar Lock feature to
PIN protect your dog’s ID signal. Other
Astro users must enter the PIN in order
to track your dog. Other Astro users
can still add your dog by physically
touching the Astro to the DC 40.

This requires wireless communication
with the DC 40. You must turn on the
DC 40 and bring it within range of the
Astro.
1. From the main menu, press DOG >
ENTER > MENU.
2. Select Change PIN.
3. Enter a unique PIN.
NOTE: If you forget the PIN, the
Collar Lock feature can be overridden
by physically touching the Astro to the
DC 40.
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• Turn on the DC 40 and allow it to
acquire satellites before you put the
DC 40 on your dog. This allows the
DC 40 to acquire satellite signals
much faster.
• Bring extra AA batteries for your
Astro (page 58).
• Use a fully charged DC 40. A
fully charged DC 40 operates for
approximately 17 hours when using
ve-second interval reporting.
• Use line-of-sight radio
communication (page 20).
• The Astro can track up to 10 dogs
with DC 40 collars. Only three dogs
can be viewed at one time on the
Dog Tracker page. To reduce the
text size, press MENU, and select
Small Numbers.

Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual 19
Tracking Your Dog
• Go to www.garmin.com/products
/astro for more information and
www.garmin.com/astro for a
tutorial.
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
If you are moving the dogs during a
hunt and you do not want to record
the transportation of the dogs, you can
pause the tracking of all dogs.
1. From the main menu, press DOG >
MENU.
2. Select Pause All Tracking.
You can select Resume when you
are ready to continue the hunt.
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1. From the main menu, press DOG >
ENTER.
2. Select Reset.

20 Astro 320 and DC40 Owner’s Manual
Tracking Your Dog
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The Astro and DC 40 use radio signals to communicate. Objects in the path of
radio signals degrade the quality of the signals. Keeping an unobstructed line of
sight between your Astro and your dog’s DC 40 produces the best communication
signal. Obstructed radio waves result in a poor signal. To achieve the best line-of-
sight conditions, move to the highest elevation point in your area (for example, on
the top of a hill).
Best
Good
Poor