Garmin GPS 50 User manual

GARMIN International, Inc.
GPS 50
PERSONALNAVIGATORTM
OWNER'S MANUAL

GPS 50
Personal NavigatorTM
OWNER'S MANUAL
(for Software Version 2.0 or above)

© 1991-1992 GARMIN, 9875 Widmer Road, Lenexa, KS 66215
Printed in Taiwan.
Allrightsreserved. Nopartofthismanualmaybereproducedortransmitted
inanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying
and recording, for any purpose without the express written permission of
GARMIN.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. GARMIN
reservestherighttochangeorimprovetheirproductsandtomakechanges
inthecontentwithoutobligationtonotifyanypersonororganizationofsuch
changesorimprovements.
October, 1992 190-00015-01 Rev. B

PREFACE
GARMIN thanks you for selecting our high performance, full featured
PersonalNavigatorTM.TheGPS50representsourcontinuedcommitmentto
provide you with a portable navigation unit that is versatile, extremely
accurate, and easy to use. We are confident you will enjoy using your unit
for many years to come.
TheGPS50'sruggedconstructionandqualitycomponentsofferthereliability
demandedbytheharshestoperatingenvironments.Itmaybeusedinmarine
andlandvehicles,aswellasbyhunters,hikers,andmilitaryforces. Theunit
maybeoperatedportablyusingitsownbatterypack,oritmayusea5-40volt
DCexternalpowersourceforfixedmountedapplications. Youcanevenuse
a 115- or 230-volt battery charger for planning trips at home.
This manual and accompanying quick reference card provide complete
informationonsafelyoperatingtheGPS50toitsfullpotential. Twoexciting
practicevoyageshavebeenplannedforyoutopracticeyournavigationskills
using the built-in simulator. Afterwards, try a trip of your own to realize the
valueoftheGPS50asyourPersonalNavigatorTM. Ifyouhaveanyquestions
or comments, our Customer Support Department is eager to serve you.
GARMIN is fully committed to your satisfaction as a customer.
GARMINInternational,Inc.
9875WidmerRoad
Lenexa, KS 66215
i

ii
CAUTION
TheGPSsystemisoperatedbythegovernmentoftheUnited States which
issolelyresponsibleforitsaccuracyandmaintenance. Thesystemisunder
developmentandissubjecttochangeswhichcouldaffecttheaccuracyand
performance of all GPS equipment. Although the GPS 50 is a precision
electronic NAVigation AID (NAVAID), any NAVAID can be misused or
misinterpreted,andthereforebecomeunsafe. UsetheGPS50atyourown
risk. To reduce the risk, carefully review and understand all aspects of this
Owner'sManualandthoroughlypracticeoperationusingthesimulatormode
priortoactual use. When inactualuse,carefully compare indicationsfrom
theGPS50toallavailablenavigationsourcesincludingtheinformationfrom
otherNAVAIDs,visualsightings,charts,etc. Forsafety,alwaysresolveany
discrepanciesbeforecontinuingnavigation.
NOTE: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
BASICFEATURES
1INTRODUCING THE GARMIN GPS 50 1-1
1.1 Capabilities 1-1
1.2 Operations 1-2
2GETTINGSTARTED 2-1
2.1 Front Panel 2-1
2.2 Banners 2-1
2.3 Cursor and Fields 2-3
2.4 Keypad Operation 2-3
2.5 Entering Data 2-5
2.6 Viewing Messages 2-5
2.7 Operating Modes 2-6
3BASIC OPERATION 3-1
3.1 Power On 3-1
3.2 SatelliteStatus 3-1
3.3 Present Position 3-2
3.4 AutoStoreTM 3-4
3.5 CDIand Navigation Summary 3-4
3.6 Waypoints 3-5
3.7 NearestWaypoints 3-7
3.8 Navigateto a Waypoint 3-8
3.9 ManOverboard 3-9
3.10 SampleTrip 3-9
4UNITCUSTOMIZATION 4-1
4.1 Setup Menu 4-1
4.2 OperatingMode 4-2
4.3 User Selectable Alarms 4-2
4.4 BacklightingTimeout 4-3
4.5 Audio Settings 4-4
4.6 NavigationUnits 4-4
4.7 CDI Scale 4-5
4.8 MagneticVariation 4-5
iii

iv
4.9 FilterSettings 4-6
4.10 Output 4-7
4.11 Map Datum 4-7
ADVANCEDFEATURES
5NAVIGATION PLANNING 5-1
5.1 NavigationMenu 5-1
5.2 Date and Time 5-1
5.3 EventTimer 5-2
5.4 TripPlanning 5-4
5.5 Sunrise/Sunset 5-4
5.6 AlarmClock 5-5
6ROUTES 6-1
6.1 Navigating Using Routes 6-1
6.2 Route Catalog 6-2
6.3 Editing Routes 6-3
6.4 ActivatingRoutes 6-5
6.5 Building Routes Using AutoStoreTM 6-7
7SAMPLE SIMULATED TRIP 7-1
APPENDICES
AMESSAGES A-1
BNAVIGATIONTERMS B-1
B.1 Definitions B-1
B.2 Course To Steer (CTS) B-3
CINSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE C-1
C.1 Specifications C-1
C.2 ElectricalWiring C-3
C.3 UniversalMountInstallation C-4
C.4 UniversalMountOperation C-7
C.5 Battery Pack Operation C-9
C.6 Maintenance C-10
C.7 Customer Support C-11
DMAP DATUMS D-1
EINDEX E-1

1-1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCING THE GARMIN GPS 50
1.1 CAPABILITIES
TheGPS 50providesa host ofpowerful capabilities whichwerepreviously
found only in much larger systems:
·Performance: State-of-the-artMultiTracTM receivertracksuptoeight
satellites while providing high receiver sensitivity, fast first fix, and
continuousnavigationupdates.
·Portability: Goeswhereyougo-onseaorland. Thebuilt-insimulator
allowsyoutoplanyournexttriporhoneyournavigationskillsathome
or in your office.
·Navigation: Illuminated keypad and display provide the navigation
information you need at a glance. Store up to 250 alphanumeric
waypoints and 10 reversible routes. The GOTO function sets an
instantaneouscoursetothewaypointofyourchoice. TheAutoStoreTM
function helps you build routes as you go. A flashing Message
Annunciatorandanaudiblemessagetonekeepyoufullyinformedof
your navigation status.
·Personalized: Configure your unit the way you like by selecting
nautical units, Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) sensitivity, keypad
and display features, map datums, and interface options.
·Low Power Consumption: Battery Saver operation, which draws
less than 1.1 watts, provides up to ten hours of continuous operation
with four AA size alkaline batteries.
·ManOverboard: TheManOverboardfunctionsetsaninstantaneous
course to the captured position, providing rapid response to an
emergencysituation.
·TripPlanning: Analyzedistanceandtimerequirementsforyourtrip.
Compute the time of sunrise and sunset at your destination.
·Alarms: AnalarmclockandtimerallowtheGPS50towatchtheclock
foryou. Arrival,anchordrag,andCDIalertshelpyousafelynavigate
your craft.
·Interfaces: Interface with marine autopilots and graphical plotters.

1-2
We encourage you to read through this manual and experiment using the
built-insimulator. ThiswillhelpyouquicklymasterthepoweroftheGPS50.
1.2 OPERATIONS
You may use your GPS 50 for both portable and fixed operations. The unit
may be operated from external AC power using a battery charger, external
5-40 volt DC power using the power/data cable or cigarette lighter adapter,
or using a battery pack.
HandheldOperation:
Forhandheldoperation,theGPS50is poweredbyaAAbatterypackwhich
should be filled with four high quality alkaline batteries commonly found at
retailstores. Arechargeablenicadbatterypackisalsoavailableforhandheld
operation.
In order to track GPS satellites, the unit must be situated with the antenna
pointed straight up and should not be blocked by objects or people (signal
receptionthroughthinfabricsuchascanvasmaybeadequatebutdegraded).
A lanyard is provided to prevent accidental dropping of your GPS 50.
(Connect the lanyard to the eyelet on the back of the unit.)
FixedMountOperation:
A universal mount is supplied for swivel or surface mount installation in a
boat. Theunitmaybeoperatedusingvehiclepowerthroughthepower/data
cable or it may be operated using the battery pack. While using vehicle
power, you may wish to leave the battery pack in the unit. In the event of
vehiclepowerfailure,theGPS50willautomaticallyswitchtobatterypower.
Inadditiontosupplyingpowertotheunit,thepower/datacableallowsyouto
interfaceyourGPS50withothermarineelectronicdevicessuchasplotters
orautopilots.
AMarine/RVRemoteAntennaisavailableforinstallationswhichrequirean
external antenna for an unobstructed view of the sky. This weather-proof
antennaincludes30feetoflow-lossantennacable. Theremoteantennahas
been constructed to thread onto a standard 1" antenna mount. Antenna
mounts,commonlyusedtoattachVHFradioantennasandLoran-Ccouplers,
are readily available from your local marine accessories dealer.
AMagneticMountAntennaisalsoavailableforattachingaremoteantenna
toametallicsurface. Thisweather-proofantennaincludes10feetoflow-loss
antenna cable. A cigarette lighter adapter cable may be used to power the
unitinvehicleapplications.

2-1
CHAPTER 2
GETTING STARTED
2.1 FRONT PANEL
The front panel consists of a 20-key keypad and a LCD display which
includesthreelinesofinformationandvariousbanners. Boththedisplayand
keypad are illuminated for operating in darkness.
2.2 BANNERS
Information displayed on the LCD is commonly referred to as a “page”. A
pageconsistsofalphanumericinformationandbanners. Banners,illustrated
below, are used to indicate the type of page, navigation units, and data
displayed(seeAppendixB). Theyalsoindicatenavigationfixtype,satellite
tracking, and provide user prompting.