Garmin GPSMAP 296 - Aviation GPS Receiver Manual

GPSMAP®296
portable aviation receiver
pilot’s guide

© Copyright 2004 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Garmin International, Inc.
1200 East 151
st
Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, U.S.A.
Tel. [phone] or 800/800.1020
Fax [phone]
Garmin (Europe) Ltd.
Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate, Romsey, SO51 9DL, U.K.
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
Garmin Corporation
No. 68, Jangshu 2
nd
Road, Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
All rights reserved. Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage
medium, for any purpose without the express prior written consent of Garmin. Garmin hereby grants permission to download a single copy of this manual onto a hard drive
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must contain the complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual or any revision hereto is strictly
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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 or improvements. Visit the Garmin Web site (www.garmin.com) for current updates and supplemental infor-
mation concerning the use and operation of this and other Garmin products.
Garmin
®
, GPSMAP
®
, AutoLocate
®
, TracBack
®
, BlueChart
®
, and MapSource
®
are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries and may not be used without
the express permission of Garmin.
May 2004 Part Number 190-00337-00 Rev. B Printed in Taiwan

i
Welcome
Product Registration and Support
Help us better support you by completing
your online registration today! Have the serial
number of your GPSMAP 296 handy and con-
nect to the Garmin Web site (www.garmin.com).
Look for the Product Registration link on the
home page. Also, be sure to record your serial
number in the space provided below.
If you have any questions, Garmin’s Product
Support department may be reached Monday
through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central
Standard Time, by phone at 1-800-800-1020,
or by e-mail at [email protected].
Serial Number
Use this area to record the serial number in case it is lost, stolen,
or needs service. Be sure to keep your original sales receipt in a
safe place or attach a photocopy inside the manual. The 8-digit
number is located on the back of the unit.
NOTE: If you have previously registered a Garmin product
purchase, we invite you to re-register using our NEW on-line
system. Many services provided by our new product registration
system are now being automated and re-registering your
purchase ensures you the best possible support from Garmin.
Preface
Thank you for choosing the Garmin GPSMAP 296. The GPSMAP 296 utilizes the proven performance
of Garmin GPS and full-featured mapping to create an unsurpassed portable aviation receiver. Please take
a moment now to compare the contents of this package with the packing list on the outside of the box. If
any pieces are missing, please contact your Garmin dealer immediately.
About This Manual
To get the most out of your new navigation system, take time to read this manual and learn the
operating procedures for your unit in detail. This manual is organized into the following chapters. The
Introduction chapter contains the Table of Contents and registration and safety information.
The Getting Started chapter provides information such as an overview of unit features and how to
turn the unit on and adjust the backlight. It also contains a simulation to help you get acquainted with
your new GPSMAP 296.
The Basic Operation chapter provides you with information about basic features such as using the
Find Menu, navigating a route, and using waypoints. There are also step-by-step directions to assist you
in these operations.
The Main Pages chapter provides detailed explanations about each page in the GPSMAP 296 and
step-by-step directions on using the pages. The Main Menu chapter provides detailed explanations about
the Main Menu and how to use it to configure your unit.
The Appendix contains information such as specifications, optional accessories, and maintenance
information. You can also find warranty and FCC information in the Appendix. An Index is provided at
the end of the manual for reference. Simply look up the topic you wish to learn about and read the page
or pages listed.
Introduction

ii
Introduction
Table of Contents
Introduction..................................... i
Preface ................................................................. i
About This Manual............................................... i
Table of Contents ..................................................ii
Safety Information ................................................ v
Getting Started .............................. 1
Unit Overview........................................................ 1
Learning about the Keypad ................................. 2
Charging the GPSMAP 296 ................................. 3
Information about the Charge Mode.................... 3
Turning On the GPSMAP 296 ............................. 4
Initializing the GPSMAP 296 ............................... 4
Adjusting the Backlight and Volume.................... 5
Using the GPSMAP 296 ......................................... 6
Understanding the Features................................. 6
Selecting Options and Entering Data ................... 7
Using Additional Map Data ................................. 8
Activating the Simulator Mode ............................ 9
Simulated Basic Navigation .................................. 9
Entering a New Location and Altitude................. 9
Simulating Navigation ....................................... 10
Basic Operation ............................ 12
Main Pages Overview.......................................... 12
Main Pages: Aviation Mode, Marine Mode, and
Automotive Mode........................................ 12
Aviation Mode Page Sequence ..................... 12
Marine Mode Page Sequence ....................... 13
Automotive Mode Page Sequence................ 13
Navigating in Aviation Mode .............................. 14
Using the Direct To Key to Generate a Go To..... 14
Go To Page Options Menu................................. 16
Show Details ............................................... 17
Select Approach .......................................... 19
Understanding Vectors ...................................... 20
Navigating in Marine Mode ................................21
Going to a Destination in Marine Mode............. 21
Go To Point................................................. 21
Navigate Route ............................................ 22
Navigate Track (TracBack Navigation) ......... 23
Man OverBoard (MOB) ............................... 24
Navigating in Automotive Mode.........................25
Going to a Destination in Automotive Mode...... 25
New Route .................................................. 26
Navigate Route ............................................ 26
Navigate Track (TracBack Navigation) ......... 26
Edit Vias...................................................... 27
Using the Nearest Pages in Aviation Mode ......... 28
Nearest Pages Overview .................................... 28
Setting Airport Criteria...................................... 30
Viewing Communication Frequencies ............... 31
Viewing Airspace Information ........................... 31
Finding an Item in Marine or Automotive Mode. 33
Using the Find Menu ........................................ 33
Viewing the Information Page ........................... 34
Using the Find From Feature............................. 34
Recently Found Items........................................ 35
Find Menu Options Menu................................. 35
Using Routes ....................................................... 36
Creating a Route................................................ 36
Route Tab Options Menu .................................. 37
Active Route Page.............................................. 38
Route Review Page ............................................ 38
Route Review Options Menu ...................... 39
Following a Route ............................................. 41
Active Route Page in Aviation and Marine Modes41
Current Route Page in Automotive Mode .......... 41
Saving the Current Route in Automotive Mode . 41
Using Waypoints ..................................................42
Creating and Using Waypoints .......................... 42
Marking Your Present Position .................... 42
Creating Waypoints Graphically.................. 43
Additional Options for Creating Waypoints. 44
Waypoint Menu Options............................. 46

iii
Introduction
Reviewing and Editing Waypoints ..................... 47
Points Tab ......................................................... 49
‘User’ tab ..................................................... 49
‘Proximity’ tab ............................................. 52
Main Pages ................................... 54
Map Page............................................................. 54
Using the Map Page........................................... 54
Panning the Map with the Cursor...................... 55
Airspace Information................................... 57
Selecting Map Scales and Additional Maps ........ 58
Map Page Options Menu ................................... 59
Map Page Setup Menu....................................... 63
‘General’ tab ................................................ 64
‘Map’ tab ..................................................... 64
‘Line’ tab ..................................................... 65
‘Waypoint’ tab ............................................. 65
‘Airport’ tab ................................................. 66
‘Avtn Nav’ (Aviation Navaids) tab ................ 66
‘Ctrl’ Tab ..................................................... 66
‘SUA’ Tab ..................................................... 66
‘Marine’ tab ................................................. 67
‘Mrn Nav’ (Marine Navaids) tab................... 67
‘City’ tab...................................................... 67
‘Road’ tab .................................................... 68
‘Point’ tab .................................................... 68
‘Area’ tab ..................................................... 68
‘Topo’ tab .................................................... 68
Terrain Page......................................................... 69
Using the Terrain Page....................................... 69
Terrain Page Options Menu ............................... 69
Panel Page ...........................................................70
Panel Page Overview ......................................... 70
Panel Page Options Menu.................................. 71
Compass Page in Marine and Automotive Modes74
Using the Compass Page ................................... 74
Compass Page Options Menu............................ 75
Highway Page in Marine and Automotive Modes76
Highway Page Overview.................................... 76
Using the Highway Page.................................... 76
Highway Page Options Menu ............................ 77
Active Route Page ...............................................78
Active Route Page.............................................. 78
Active Route Page Options Menu ...................... 78
Current Route Page ........................................... 79
Saving the Current Route .................................. 79
Position Data Page ..............................................80
Understanding the Position Data Page............... 80
Position Data Page Options Menu ..................... 80
Trip Computer Page: Automotive Mode .............. 81
Understanding the Trip Computer Page ............ 81
Trip Computer Page Options Menu................... 81
Main Menu ................................... 82
Overview .............................................................82
Using the Main Menu........................................ 82
Using the GPS Tab............................................. 83
GPS Tab................................................................ 83
Receiver Status ............................................ 84
Differential Field ......................................... 85
GPS Tab Options Menu..................................... 85
Flights Tab ........................................................... 86
Using the Flights Tab......................................... 86
Flights Tab Options Menu................................. 86
Route Tab.............................................................87
Using the Route Tab .......................................... 87
Route Tab Options Menu .................................. 87
Points Tab ............................................................ 88
Points Tab Overview ......................................... 88
‘User’ tab ..................................................... 88
‘Proximity’ tab ............................................. 88
Track Tab.............................................................. 89
Track Tab Overview........................................... 89
‘Active’ tab................................................... 90
‘Saved’ tab ................................................... 92
Aircraft Tab .......................................................... 93
Aircraft Tab Overview........................................ 93
‘Aircraft Profile’ tab...................................... 93
‘Weight & Balance’ tab ................................ 94
‘Weight & Balance’ tab Options Menu ......... 95

iv
Introduction
E6B Tab ................................................................96
E6B Tab Overview............................................. 96
Alarms Tab........................................................... 98
Using the Alarms Tab ........................................ 98
‘Airspace’ Alarms ......................................... 99
‘Nav’ (Navigation) Alarms............................ 99
‘System’ Alarms ......................................... 100
‘Sonar’ Alarms ........................................... 100
Celestial Tab ......................................................101
Using the Celestial Tab .................................... 101
‘Sun & Moon’ tab...................................... 101
‘Tide’ tab ................................................... 102
‘Hunt & Fish’ tab ...................................... 104
Message Tab ......................................................105
Viewing the Message Tab................................. 105
Display Tab ........................................................ 106
Adjusting the Display using the Display Tab.... 106
Sound Tab ..........................................................107
Adjusting the Unit’s Sound .............................. 107
Setup Tab........................................................... 108
Setup Tab Overview ........................................ 108
‘System’ tab ............................................... 108
‘VNAV’ (Vertical Navigation) tab................ 109
‘Road Routing’ tab ..................................... 110
‘Guidance’ tab ........................................... 111
‘Timers’ tab................................................ 111
‘Time’ tab .................................................. 112
‘Units’ tab.................................................. 112
‘Location’ tab............................................. 113
‘Welcome’ tab............................................ 114
‘COM 1’ and ‘COM 2’ tabs ........................ 115
Appendix .................................... 119
Specifications ....................................................119
Performance .................................................... 119
Power.............................................................. 119
Physical Specifications..................................... 119
Care Information ..............................................120
Cleaning the Unit ............................................ 120
Storing the GPSMAP 296 ................................ 120
Immersing the Unit in Water........................... 120
Accessories........................................................121
Standard Accessories ....................................... 121
Optional Accessories ....................................... 121
Wiring and Interfacing ......................................123
Connecting the Power/Data Cable ................... 123
Interfacing....................................................... 123
Time Offsets .....................................................124
Map Datums and Location Formats .................. 125
What are Map Datums and which should I use?125
What is a Location Format and which should I use?
125
LORAN TD Setup ................................................ 126
LORAN TD System ......................................... 126
LORAN TD Feature......................................... 126
Using the LORAN TD Format ......................... 126
Map Datum List ................................................. 128
Garmin Data Cards ............................................ 130
Installing and Removing Data Cards................ 130
Using Data Cards............................................. 130
Cable Connections............................................. 131
Connecting your GPSMAP 296 to a Computer 131
Information about USB Drivers ................. 131
Messages........................................................... 132
Data Field Options............................................. 134
What is WAAS? ............................................... 137
What is Differential GPS (DGPS)?.................... 137
Compliance, License, and Warranty Information138
FCC Compliance............................................. 138
Software License Agreement............................ 139
Limited Warranty ............................................ 140
Index........................................... 141

v
Introduction
Safety Information
WARNING: The GPSMAP 296 contains a lithium ion
rechargeable battery. The battery used in this device may
present a risk of fire or chemical burn if mistreated. Do not
recharge out of the unit, disassemble, heat above 140°F (60°C),
or incinerate.
WARNING: If original battery must be removed for
replacement, dispose of used battery properly. Contact your
local waste disposal department for information on proper
disposal of lithium-ion batteries. Keep used battery away from
children. Do not disassemble and do not dispose of in fire.
WARNING: Only replace with Garmin Lithium-Ion Battery
Pack (Garmin Part Number 010-10517-00). Use of another
battery may present a risk of fire or explosion.
CAUTION: Use the GPSMAP 296 at your own risk. To reduce the risk of unsafe operation, carefully
review and understand all aspects of this Owner’s Manual – and thoroughly practice operation using
Simulator Mode prior to actual use. When in actual use, carefully compare indications from the GPSMAP
296 to all available navigation sources, including information from other NAVAIDs, visual sightings,
charts, etc. For safety, always resolve any discrepancies before continuing navigation.
CAUTION: IT IS THE USER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT PRUDENTLY. THIS
PRODUCT IS INTENDED TO BE USED ONLY AS A NAVIGATIONAL AID AND MUST NOT BE USED
FOR ANY PURPOSE REQUIRING PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF DIRECTION, DISTANCE, LOCATION
OR TOPOGRAPHY. THIS PRODUCT SHOULD NOT BE USED TO DETERMINE GROUND PROXIMITY
FOR AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION.
CAUTION: The electronic chart is an aid to navigation and is designed to facilitate the use of au-
thorized government charts, not replace them. Only official government charts and notices to mariners
contain all information needed for save navigation – and, as always, the user is responsible for their
prudent use.
MAP DATA INFORMATION: One of the goals of Garmin is to provide customers with the most
complete and accurate cartography that is available to us at a reasonable cost. We use a combination of
governmental and private data sources, which we identify as required in product literature and copyright
messages displayed to the consumer. Virtually all data sources contain inaccurate or incomplete data to
some degree. This is particularly true outside the United States, where complete and accurate digital data
is either not available or prohibitively expensive.
WARNING: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is operated by the United States government,
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 Garmin GPSMAP 296 is
a precision electronic NAVigation AID (NAVAID), any NAVAID can be misused or misinterpreted, and
therefore become unsafe.

vi
Introduction
Safety Information
WARNING: This product, its packaging, and its components
contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. This Notice is being
provided in accordance with California’s Proposition 65.
If you have any questions or would like additional information,
please refer to our Web site at http://www.garmin.com/prop65.
Because the Garmin GPSMAP 296 can be used for vehicular navigation, important safety consider-
ations must be followed. Please read and observe the following instructions.
WARNING: For use in vehicles, it is the sole responsibility of the owner/operator of a vehicle with
the GPSMAP 296 installed to place and secure the device so it will not interfere with the vehicle operat-
ing controls and safety devices, obstruct the driver’s view of driving conditions, or cause or personal
injury in the event of an accident.
Do not mount the unit over airbag panels or in the field of airbag deployment. Airbags expand with a
rapid 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 mount the unit in a place where the driver or passengers are likely to impact it in a collision.
The mounting hardware provided by Garmin is not warranted against collision damage or the conse-
quences thereof.
Do Not Mount Where Driver’s
Field of Vision is Blocked
Do Not Place Unsecured
on the Vehicle Dash
Do Not Mount in Front of an
Airbag Field of Deployment
Do Not Mount in Front of
Airbag Panels
WARNING: When used in vehicles, it is the sole responsibility of the driver of the vehicle to oper-
ate the vehicle in a safe manner, maintain full surveillance of all driving conditions at all times, and
not become distracted by the unit to the exclusion of safe driving practices. It is unsafe to operate the
controls of the unit while you are driving. Failure by the driver of a vehicle equipped with a GPSMAP
296 installed to pay full attention to operation of the vehicle and road conditions while the vehicle is in
motion could result in an accident with property damage and personal injury.

1
Unit Overview
Designed for detailed electronic mapping capability, the Garmin GPSMAP 296 is a powerful
navigation device suitable for use in aircraft, motor vehicles, and marine vessels. The unit comes with
a built-in Jeppesen database that includes worldwide airports and VORs, plus regional NDBs, intersec-
tions, airspace boundaries, runway data, and communication frequencies. Additionally, the GPSMAP 296
provides a built-in basemap with detailed ocean, river and lake coastlines, tide stations, cities, interstates,
state highways, and local thoroughfares. Whether you are planning a flight or creating an automatic turn-
by-turn route, the GPSMAP 296 meets all your navigation needs.
Backlit keypad for easy nighttime operation
Antenna
External power
connector under
weather cap
USB connector
under weather cap Port for optional data card
Battery pack. Press tab down to remove
battery pack for replacement, if necessary.
See the “Safety Information” section in the
“Appendix” for more information about the
Lithium-ion battery pack.
256-Color TFT display
with backlighting
Getting Started
Antenna collapses
for storage. Be sure
the antenna is up (as
shown here) to receive
satellite signals.
Serial number

2
Getting Started
Learning about the Keypad
Press the IN key to adjust the map scale to show a smaller area with more detail (zoom in).
Press the OUT key to adjust the map scale to show a larger area with less detail (zoom out).
Press the PAGE key to cycle through the main pages in sequence and return the display from a
submenu page. Press and hold to switch between Aviation, Marine, and Automotive Modes.
Press the QUIT key to cycle the unit through the main pages in reverse sequence, revert to the
previous value in a data entry field, or cancel an unintended function.
Press the ENTER/MARK key to select a highlighted option. When entering data, it allows you
to initiate entry and then to accept the selected value(s). Press and hold for more than one
second to mark your current location as a waypoint.
Press the MENU key to display a menu of available options for the current page. Press the
MENU key twice to display the Main Menu.
Press the NRST/FIND key to display the nearest airports, navaids, points of communication,
and airspace boundaries in Aviation Mode. In other modes (or when pressed multiple times in
Aviation Mode), press to display the Find Menu.
Press the D (Direct To) key allows you activate a ‘Go To’ to airports, navaids, recently used
waypoints, or user-created waypoints. Press and hold to display additional information for the
current destination. While in Automotive Mode, press and hold to display the Next Turn Page
and announce the next turn when using the external speaker.
Press and hold the POWER key for more than one second to turn the unit on and off. Briefly
press and release to adjust the backlighting and external speaker volume.
Use the ARROW KEYPAD to select (highlight) menu options and to enter data. Also use
the ARROW KEYPAD to pan the cursor on the Map Page.
Unit Overview
The GPSMAP 296 Keypad

3
Getting Started
Charging the GPSMAP 296
Before using the unit, you may need to charge the unit. Simply plug the unit into an external power
source to charge. You can use the unit while it is charging.
To charge the unit:
1. Lift the rubber weather cap to expose the power connector on the back of the unit. Refer to the
image on page 1 for connector location.
2. Align the notches and push the plug into the connector until fully seated.
3. Plug the 12 Volt adapter into an available AC outlet, or cigarette lighter receptacle if you have a
Cigarette Lighter Adapter. Use care when routing the adapter cable, being certain that it does not
interfere with vehicle operation.
4. The unit begins charging as soon as external power is applied. You can use the unit while it is
charging. Placing the unit in Charge Mode, as discussed below, charges the unit more quickly than
when the unit is turned on and reduces draw on the vehicle/boat battery.
Information about the Charge Mode
Applying external power to the GPSMAP 296 automatically starts the unit for full operation. If the
battery is present and needs to be charged, the external power source charges the unit while it is in use.
If you do not want to use the unit, but you would like to charge the battery, you can put the unit into
the Charge Mode. Connect the unit to an external power supply. Press and hold the red POWER key:
Instead of completely turning off, the unit now goes into the “Charge Mode” as shown to the right.
NOTE: While in Charge Mode, the unit does draw a small amount of current from the vehicle/
boat battery. To avoid discharging the vehicle’s battery, disconnect the external power cable
from the GPSMAP 296 unit when not in use for several days.
After much use, the lithium-ion battery in the unit may seem like it is not holding a charge any
longer. This is common for lithium-ion batteries. Please contact Garmin or your Garmin Dealer to order a
Battery Pack replacement if you are experiencing charging issues.
Unit Overview
Welcome Page
Charge Mode

4
Getting Started
Unit Overview
Warning Page
Signal Strength Bars
Turning On the GPSMAP 296
The first time you power up your new GPSMAP 296, the receiver must collect satellite data and es-
tablish its present position. To ensure proper initialization, the GPSMAP 296 is shipped from the factory
in AutoLocate mode, which allows the receiver to “find itself” anywhere in the world. Before you turn on
the unit to start initialization, be sure the antenna is rotated up as shown on page 1, and that it has a clear
and unobstructed view of the sky to receive satellite signals.
To turn On and Off the GPSMAP 296:
1. Press and hold the red POWER key. When the unit powers on, a tone sounds and a Warning/
Information Page displays.
2. To acknowledge that you have read and understand the warning, press the ENTER/MARK key to
continue.
3. To turn off the GPSMAP 296, press and hold the red POWER key again.
Initializing the GPSMAP 296
As soon as you turn the GPSMAP 296 on, it begins searching for satellites in your area and should
acquire a fix within a few minutes. At the top of the screen, the unit displays the status as “Acquiring
Satellites.” While viewing the GPS Tab of the Main Menu, a signal strength bar for each satellite the unit
is trying to acquire appears at the top of the screen with the satellite numbers displayed below each bar.
The progress of satellite acquisition is shown in three stages:
• No signal strength bars: The receiver is looking for the satellites indicated.
• Hollow signal strength bars: The receiver has found the indicated satellites and is collecting data.
• Solid signal strength bars: The receiver has collected the necessary data and the satellites are
ready for use.
Once the receiver has collected information from and is fixed on at least three satellites, the unit is
“Ready to Navigate” and the display automatically switches to the Map Page.

5
Getting Started
Unit Overview
Backlight
Adjustment Slider
Volume
Adjustment Slider
Battery time remaining and power source indicator
Adjusting the Backlight and Volume
You may want to adjust the backlight to see the display better.
To adjust the backlight level:
1. Press and quickly release the POWER key.
2. Press the
ARROW KEYPAD UP to increase the brightness or DOWN to decrease the brightness.
3. Press
ENTER/MARK or QUIT to close the Backlight/Volume adjustment window.
If you are using the optional External Speaker with 12/24-Volt Adapter Cable with the GPSMAP 296,
you may want to adjust the volume level of the speaker.
To adjust the speaker volume:
1. Press and quickly release the POWER key.
2. Press the
ARROW KEYPAD RIGHT to increase the volume (louder) or LEFT to decrease the volume
(softer).
3. Press
ENTER/MARK or QUIT to close the Backlight/Volume adjustment window.

6
Getting Started
Using the GPSMAP 296
Cursor highlighting
a Field
FieldOn-screen
buttons
Scroll Bar
Understanding the Features
The GPSMAP 296 unit’s advanced keypad system is designed to allow quick, convenient selection of
navigation options and data entry. As you progress through this Pilot’s Guide, you will often be directed to
press a specific key or highlight a field on the screen. When you are directed to press a key, you should
press and quickly release the key. If the key needs to be held down for a period of time to activate a
secondary function, the instructions will tell you to do so. When a field is selected on the screen, it is
highlighted in yellow. The position of the highlight is controlled by the ARROW KEYPAD.
The following features are referred to throughout this manual.
Cursor – The highlighted area on the screen that can be moved UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT with the
ARROW KEYPAD to select individual fields. Moving the cursor to a given location allows you to make a
selection, begin data entry, or scroll through a list. A yellow highlight indicates the location of the cursor.
Field – The location on a page where data or an option may be entered and displayed. The cursor is
placed on a field using the ARROW KEYPAD to begin data entry or selection of options.
On-Screen Button – Similar to “field.” Use the ARROW KEYPAD to highlight a button and press
ENTER/MARK to select the action that corresponds to the button.
Scroll Bar – When viewing a list of items too long to display on the screen, a scroll bar appears along
the right side of the list. The position of the scroll bar indicates which portion of the list is currently
displayed. The height of the scroll bar indicates the number of items in the list. To scroll through a list,
press UP or DOWN on the ARROW KEYPAD.
Default – A system selection format built into the unit’s memory that is followed unless you change
a setting. For example, the default setting for speed readings in Marine Mode is nautical miles per hour
(knots), but may be changed to kilometers or miles per hour. Once a setting is changed, the new setting
is retained until another change is made or a ‘Restore Default’ menu option is selected.

7
Getting Started
Selecting Options and Entering Data
You may select and activate options and enter data to customize your GPSMAP 296 to fit your
personal needs. This requires movement of the cursor, which is identified in this manual as highlighting,
selecting, or choosing an item in a list or a field on the screen. Use the ENTER/MARK key and ARROW
KEYPAD to select options, enter names and numbers in data fields, and activate your selections.
To select and activate an option:
1. With any page displayed, press the MENU key.An Options Menu appears with a list of optional
features for that page.
2. Use the
ARROW KEYPAD to move the cursor UP, DOWN, RIGHT, or LEFT on the menu to highlight
your desired selection.
3. Press
ENTER/MARK to activate the feature. Another window may then appear with more options. If
so, select the desired option and press ENTER/MARK again.
To exit a menu or return to the previous setting, press the QUIT key.
The QUIT key moves backwards through your steps. When pressed repeatedly, the QUIT key returns
to the main page you started from.
To select and activate an on-screen button:
1. On a page with on-screen buttons, use the ARROW KEYPAD to highlight the desired on-screen
button.
2. Press
ENTER/MARK.
To practice entering data, try marking a waypoint and customizing one of the waypoint properties,
such as the waypoint name.
To mark your current location as a waypoint, press and hold the ENTER/MARK key until the New
Waypoint Page appears.
Using the GPSMAP 296
Selecting an option from an Options Menu
On-Screen Button

8
Getting Started
Using the GPSMAP 296
On the New Waypoint Page, you may also enter
data to customize the Comment, Altitude, Depth,
Temperature, or Location.
To enter data in a data field:
1. Use the ARROW KEYPAD to highlight the desired data field and press ENTER/MARK to activate the
field.
2. Press UP or DOWN on the ARROW KEYPAD to select characters. Press RIGHT to move to the next
character field or press LEFT to move back to the previous character field. If there are two lines of
data, keep pressing RIGHT to drop down to the next line.
TIP: To clear the entire data field, move the cursor to the left-most character field and press
LEFT once more on the ARROW KEYPAD.
3. After entering the desired data, press ENTER/MARK to confirm the change.
4. To save the waypoint and exit the New Waypoint Page, highlight ‘OK’ and press ENTER/MARK. Or, to
cancel the waypoint and exit the New Waypoint Page, highlight ‘Delete’ and press ENTER/MARK.
Not all fields are programmable, such as the date and time. When you are on a page with fields that
are not selectable, the cursor skips over them.
Using Additional Map Data
Optional Garmin Data Cards and MapSource CD-ROMs enhance the versatility of your GPSMAP
296. With optional MapSource City Select data, you can view listings of nearby restaurants, lodging,
shopping centers, attractions and entertainment, and even retrieve addresses and phone numbers for any
listed location. With optional BlueChart data, you can access marine navaids, wrecks, obstructions, and
anchorage locations.
The included USB Interface Cable or an optional PC Interface Cable (with a serial connector) is used
to transfer MapSource CD-ROM data to the optional Data Card.

9
Getting Started
Simulated Basic Navigation
Setup Tab of Main Menu ‘System’ tab
When the GPSMAP 296 is in Simulator Mode, the
GPS Tab of the Main Menu displays the satellite
status as “Simulating GPS.”
To help you get to know your GPSMAP 296, please use the Simulator Mode. Simulator Mode is also
helpful for practicing with the unit indoors or when no satellite signals are available. All waypoints and
routes created in Simulator Mode are retained in memory for future use. The following section describes
how to use simulator mode and walks you through some basic navigation using the simulator.
Activating the Simulator Mode
NOTE: Do not attempt to navigate using Simulator Mode. When the unit is set to Simulator
Mode, the GPS receiver is turned off. Any Satellite Signal Strength Bars displayed are only
simulations and do not represent the strength of actual satellite signals.
To put the unit into Simulator Mode using the Main Menu:
1. Press the MENU key twice to display the Main Menu.
2. Highlight ‘Setup’ from the vertical list of tabs.
3. On the ‘System’ tab of the Setup Tab, highlight the ‘System Mode’ field and press ENTER/MARK.
4. Highlight ‘Simulator’ and press ENTER/MARK. Press QUIT to return to your previous display.
To put the unit into Simulator Mode using the GPS Tab:
1. Press the MENU key twice to display the Main Menu and highlight the ‘GPS’ from the vertical menu.
2. Press the
MENU key to open the GPS Tab Options Menu.
3. Highlight ‘Start Simulator’ and press ENTER/MARK.
Entering a New Location and Altitude
From the GPS Options Menu you can enter a ‘New Location’ and ‘New Altitude’ to simulate from.
For example, if you are interested in using the GPSMAP 296 in your plane and your hangar is near San
Diego, but you live in Los Angeles, you can select San Diego as your New Location. Simply select ‘New
Location’ from the GPS Tab Options Menu and press ENTER/MARK. Select ‘Use Map’ and press ENTER/
MARK. Then, using the map cursor, pan to the new location and press ENTER/MARK.

10
Getting Started
Simulated Basic Navigation
To see simulated navigation in Aviation Mode, press UP
on the ARROW KEYPAD on the Position Data Page
to set a simulation speed.
Simulated navigation displayed on the Map Page
(Aviation Mode)
Simulating Navigation
The main purpose of using a GPS receiver is for navigating to a known position. To get a feel for navi-
gating with the GPSMAP 296, it is a good idea to practice navigation in Simulator Mode. The following is
a basic exercise for finding and navigating to a destination in Aviation Mode. For this simulation we have
set our location to San Diego.
To find an aviation destination and simulate navigation in Aviation Mode:
1. Be sure the GPSMAP 296 is set to Simulator Mode and your location is set to San Diego, California
(see “Activating the Simulator Mode” on the previous page).
2. Press the
DIRECT TO Dkey.
3. Highlight the airport code and press ENTER/MARK to enter a new airport code to use as your
destination.
4. Enter “KVGT” for the North Las Vegas airport and press ENTER/MARK. The highlight automatically
jumps to the on-screen ‘Go To’ button.
5. Press
ENTER/MARK to start navigating to North Las Vegas airport. The GPSMAP 296 switches to
the Map Page. A magenta line shows the direct route from your current location to your ‘Go To’
destination. If desired, press IN or OUT to adjust the zoom level.
6. Press the
PAGE key two times to display the Panel Page.
7. Press UP on the ARROW KEYPAD to increase the speed to 120 kt. The aircraft symbol now begins
moving on the magenta route line.
8. Press
QUIT or PAGE to return to the Map Page. Press IN to adjust the zoom level. Observe the
movement of the aircraft symbol as the unit simulates navigation. If desired, press PAGE or QUIT
to view the simulated navigation on the other main pages.
Now we will simulate navigation in the Automotive Mode. To switch between Aviation and Automo-
tive Mode, press and hold the PAGE key. Use the ARROW KEYPAD to select ‘Automotive’ and press
ENTER/MARK.

11
Getting Started
Simulated Basic Navigation
Simulated navigation displayed on the Map Page
(Automotive Mode)
Simulated Current Route Page (Automotive Mode)
To find a land destination and simulate navigation in Automotive Mode:
1. Be sure the GPSMAP 296 is set to Simulator Mode and your location is set to San Diego, California
(see “Activating the Simulator Mode”).
2. Press the
NRST/FIND key.
3. Highlight ‘Cities’ and press ENTER/MARK.
4. Use the
ARROW KEYPAD to select a nearby city and press ENTER/MARK. For our example, we
selected ‘National City, CA.’
5. With ‘Go To’ highlighted on the city information page, press ENTER/MARK. The GPSMAP 296
switches to the Map Page. A magenta line shows the auto-route following roads from your current
location to your ‘Go To’ destination. If desired, press IN or OUT to adjust the zoom level.
6. Press
QUIT to return to the Map Page. Press IN to adjust the zoom level. Observe the movement of
the position marker (triangle) as the unit simulates navigation. If desired, press PAGE or QUIT to view
the simulated navigation on the other main pages.
Continue to use the Simulator to practice navigation as needed. When you are ready to navigate on
your own, don’t forget to turn the Simulator off before you start.
To turn off the Simulator:
1. Turn the unit off by pressing and holding the red POWER key.
2. Turn the unit back on by pressing and holding the red POWER key. The unit powers on in Normal
Mode.
TIP: You can activate and deactivate the Simulator through the Setup Tab of the Main Menu or
by pressing MENU while on the GPS Tab of the Main Menu.

12
Main Pages Overview
Main Pages: Aviation Mode, Marine Mode, and Automotive Mode
The GPSMAP 296 offers three usage modes, Aviation Mode (default), Marine Mode, and Automotive Mode, allowing you to customize settings to use the
unit for each application. The main pages are linked together in a series that you may cycle through by pressing the PAGE key to move forward and the QUIT
key to reverse. Each page also has an Options Menu that allows you to customize each page (in all three modes) to your preferences and/or select features that
specifically relate to that page. To view the Options Menu for any page, press the MENU key.
Aviation Mode features five main pages: Map Page, Terrain Page, Panel Page, Active Route Page, and Position Data Page. An example of each page in Avia-
tion Mode appears below. Each of these pages has a specific use and each page is discussed later in this manual. The Aviation Mode is the default mode for the
GPSMAP 296. This manual first addresses each page, such as the Map Page, as displayed in the Aviation Mode. The manual then describes the page as shown
Marine and Automotive Mode, if major differences exist.
Aviation Mode Page Sequence
Map Page Position Data PageTerrain Page Active Route PagePanel Page
Marine Mode features five main pages: the Map, Compass, Highway, Active Route, and Position Data pages. Automotive Mode features two main pages:
the Map and Trip Computer pages. Optional Highway and Compass Pages may be enabled in Automotive Mode. Two additional pages appear during active
navigation while in Automotive Mode – a Current Route Page appears if you are navigating with turn-by-turn directions and an Active Route Page appears if
you are navigating “Off Road.” See the ‘Navigation” section for more information on navigation options.
Basic Operation