Garmin GPSMAP 3205 - Marine GPS Receiver User manual

GPSMAP® 3205
color chartplotter
owner’s manual

© Copyright 2006 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Garmin International, Inc.
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Tel. [phone] or 800/800.1020
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Garmin Corporation
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provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited.
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Garmin®, GPSMAP®, AutoLocate®, TracBack®, BlueChart®, BlueChart® g2™, MapSource®, See-Thru®, DynaColor™, and Ultrascroll™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd.
or its subsidiaries and may not be used without the express permission of Garmin. XM WX Weather and XM Radio are trademarks of XM Satellite Radio, Inc.
February 2006 190-00566-00 Rev. A Printed in Taiwan

GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual i
INTRODUCTION > ABOUT THIS MANUAL AND MANUAL CONVENTIONS
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the Garmin GPSMAP® 3205. The GPSMAP 3205 uses
the proven performance of Garmin® GPS and full-featured mapping to create
an unsurpassed marine Multi-Function Display (MFD). 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, contact your Garmin dealer immediately.
Installing Your GPSMAP 3205
To install the GPSMAP 3205 refer to the GPSMAP 3205 & GPS 17 Installation
Instructions. To complete the installation, you need the appropriate fasteners,
tools, and mounts listed in each section. Installation items not provided by
Garmin should be available at most marine dealers. If you experience difficulty
installing the unit, contact Garmin Product Support or an installation professional
in your area.
About This Manual
To get the most out of your new navigation system, read this manual and learn
the operating procedures for your unit in detail. This manual is organized into the
following sections:
The Introduction contains the Table of Contents, Product Registration, and the
Software License Agreement.
The Getting Started section provides a unit overview and information
that teaches you a basic working knowledge necessary to use the GPSMAP 3205.
The Basic Operation section provides you with details and step-by-step
instructions for features such as creating and using waypoints, navigating a route,
and using the FIND key.
The Main Pages section provides detailed explanations about each page in the
GPSMAP 3205 and step-by-step directions on using the pages.
The Main Menu section provides detailed explanations about the Main Menu
and how to use it to configure your unit.
If you have either a Garmin GSD 20, GSD 21 (Serial) or a GSD 22 (Ethernet)
sounder connected to your GPSMAP 3205, see the Using Sonar section.
If you have a GDL30/GDL30A Marine Weather Satellite Receiver connected to
your GPSMAP 3205, see the XM WX Weather section.
The Appendix contains specifications, regulatory information, unit care
information, 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.
Manual Conventions
This manual uses the term Warning to indicate a potentially hazardous situation,
which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
This manual uses the term Caution to indicate a potentially hazardous situation,
which, if not avoided, may result in minor injury or property damage. It may also
be used without the symbol to alert you to avoid unsafe practices.

ii GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
INTRODUCTION > TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................................................................... i
Installing Your GPSMAP 3205 ........................................................................ i
About This Manual .......................................................................................... i
Manual Conventions ....................................................................................... i
Product Registration ...................................................................................... v
Software License Agreement ........................................................................ v
Warning .......................................................................................................... iv
Caution ........................................................................................................... iv
Getting Started ......................................................................................... 1
Unit Overview ................................................................................................. 1
Using the GPSMAP 3205 Keypad ................................................................. 2
Using Soft Keys ........................................................................................................3
Status Bar ..................................................................................................................3
Turning on the GPSMAP 3205 ....................................................................... 3
Adjusting the Backlight ............................................................................................4
Initializing the GPS Receiver ......................................................................... 4
Receiver Status and Accuracy ..................................................................................5
GPS Setup .................................................................................................................5
Using Simulator Mode ................................................................................... 6
Basic Operation ....................................................................................... 8
Using the GPSMAP 3205 ............................................................................... 8
Understanding the Features ......................................................................................8
Selecting Options and Entering Data ........................................................................9
Using Additional Map Data ......................................................................................9
Using the Map Pointer ............................................................................................10
Finding an Item ............................................................................................. 11
Creating and Using Waypoints ................................................................... 12
Creating Waypoints Using the ENTER/MARK Key .............................................12
Creating Waypoints Graphically .............................................................................13
Creating Waypoints Manually ................................................................................14
Reviewing and Editing Waypoints .............................................................. 15
Projecting a Waypoint .............................................................................................16
Referencing a Waypoint ..........................................................................................17
Using Waypoint Lists .............................................................................................17
User Waypoints .......................................................................................................17
Proximity Waypoints ..............................................................................................18
Navigating to a Destination ......................................................................... 19
Selecting a Go To Destination Graphically ............................................................20
Follow Track and TracBack Navigation .................................................................20
TracBack Tips .........................................................................................................23
Man OverBoard (MOB) ................................................................................. 23
Creating and Using Routes ......................................................................... 24
Creating a New Route .............................................................................................24
Navigating a Saved Route ......................................................................................25
Creating a Quick NAV Route .................................................................................26
Copying a Route .....................................................................................................26
Deleting a Route .....................................................................................................26
Editing a Route .......................................................................................................26
Planning Routes ......................................................................................................29
Main Pages ............................................................................................. 30
Configuring Main Pages .............................................................................. 31
Using Function Windows ............................................................................ 33
Function Window Adjustments ..............................................................................33
Viewing a Main Page in Full-Screen Mode ............................................................34

GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual iii
INTRODUCTION > TABLE OF CONTENTS
Map Page ....................................................................................................... 34
Using the Map Pointer ............................................................................................35
Selecting Map Ranges ............................................................................................36
Cartography ............................................................................................................36
Map Page Options ..................................................................................................37
Map Split Page .............................................................................................. 39
Compass Page .............................................................................................. 39
Highway Page ............................................................................................... 40
Changing the Highway Perspective Range ............................................................41
Highway Page Options ...........................................................................................41
Main Menu .............................................................................................. 42
GPS Tab ......................................................................................................... 42
Tide Tab ......................................................................................................... 43
Tide Sub Tab ...........................................................................................................43
Current Sub Tab ......................................................................................................45
Celestial Tab ................................................................................................. 46
Trip Tab .......................................................................................................... 47
Weather Tab .................................................................................................. 48
Points Tab ..................................................................................................... 48
Routes Tab .................................................................................................... 49
Tracks Tab ..................................................................................................... 50
DSC (Digital Selective Calling) Tab ............................................................. 51
Understanding DSC Distress Calls .........................................................................52
Understanding Position Reports .............................................................................52
Review DSC Waypoint ...........................................................................................52
Setting Up DSC ......................................................................................................53
Using the NAV Key ................................................................................................53
Card Tab ........................................................................................................ 54
Messages Tab ............................................................................................... 55
Viewing Detailed Message Information .................................................................55
Alarms Tab .................................................................................................... 56
System Alarms ........................................................................................................56
Nav (Navigation) Alarms ........................................................................................57
Sonar Alarms* ........................................................................................................57
System Tab ................................................................................................... 58
Update Sub Tab .......................................................................................................63
Network Tab .................................................................................................. 63
Pages Tab ...................................................................................................... 64
Map Tab ......................................................................................................... 65
AIS Sub Tab ............................................................................................................68
Temp (Temperature) Tab .............................................................................. 70
Sonar Tab ...................................................................................................... 70
Highway Tab ................................................................................................. 71
XM Tab ........................................................................................................... 71
Using Favorites .......................................................................................................72
Using Sonar ........................................................................................... 73
Understanding Sonar ................................................................................... 73
Using Dual Frequency ............................................................................................73
Using Dual Beam ....................................................................................................73
Understanding the Sonar Display ...........................................................................74
Sonar Page ..............................................................................................................75
Configuring the Sonar Page ....................................................................................76
Using the Sonar Adjustment Menu .........................................................................76
Using the Pointer on the Sonar Page ......................................................................78
Marking an Underwater Waypoint .........................................................................78
Sonar Tab ...................................................................................................... 78
General Sub Tab .....................................................................................................79
Graph Sub Tab ........................................................................................................80
Water Temp Sub Tab ...............................................................................................81

iv GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
INTRODUCTION > TABLE OF CONTENTS
XM WX Weather ..................................................................................... 82
Customizing Preset Weather Displays ....................................................... 82
Weather Tab .................................................................................................. 84
Marine Bulletins Sub Tab .......................................................................................84
Appendix ................................................................................................ 85
Specifications ............................................................................................... 85
Installing and Removing the Data Card ..................................................... 86
Satellite Information ..................................................................................... 87
What is WAAS/EGNOS? ............................................................................... 87
WAAS Capability .......................................................................................... 88
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) .................................................................... 88
LORAN TD System ....................................................................................... 90
Caring for the GPSMAP 3205 ...................................................................... 91
Navigation Terms ......................................................................................... 92
Messages and Alarms .................................................................................. 94
Optional Accessories ................................................................................... 96
Limited Warranty .......................................................................................... 97
FCC Compliance ........................................................................................... 98
XM Satellite Radio Service Agreement ....................................................... 98
Weather Data Warranty ................................................................................ 99
Index ..................................................................................................... 100

Product Registration
Help us better support you by completing our online registration today! Have the
serial number of your GPSMAP 3205 handy and connect to our Web site (http://
www.garmin.com). Look for the Product Registration link on our Home page.
Use this area to record the serial number (8-digit number located on the back of
the box) in case your GPSMAP 3205 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.
Serial Number: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Contact Garmin
If you should encounter any difficulty while using your GPSMAP 3205, or if you
have any questions, in the U.S.A. contact Garmin Product Support by phone:
913/397.8200 or 800/800.1020, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM Central Time; or by
e-mail at garmin.com/support/ click Product Support.
In Europe, contact Garmin (Europe) Ltd. at 44/0870.8501241.
Software License Agreement
BY USING THE GPSMAP 3205, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING SOFTWARE LICENSE
AGREEMENT. PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY.
Garmin grants you a limited license to use the software embedded in this device
(the “Software”) in binary executable form in the normal operation of the product.
Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the Software
remain in Garmin.
You acknowledge that the Software is the property of Garmin and is protected
under the United States of America copyright laws and international copyright
treaties. You further acknowledge that the structure, organization, and code of
the Software are valuable trade secrets of Garmin and that the Software in source
code form remains a valuable trade secret of Garmin. You agree not to decompile,
disassemble, modify, reverse assemble, reverse engineer, or reduce to human
readable form the Software or any part thereof or create any derivative works
based on the Software. You agree not to export or re-export the Software to any
country in violation of the export control laws of the United States of America.
GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual v
INTRODUCTION > PRODUCT REGISTRATION AND SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

iv GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
INTRODUCTION > WARNING AND CAUTION
Failure to avoid the following potentially hazardous situations could result in an
accident or collision resulting in death or serious injury.
When navigating, carefully compare information displayed on the GPSMAP 3205 to all
available navigation sources, including information from visual sightings, and maps. For
safety, always resolve any discrepancies or questions before continuing navigation.
Use the electronic chart in the GPSMAP 3205 only to facilitate, not to replace, the use of
authorized government charts. Official government charts and notices to mariners contain
all information needed to navigate safely.
Use terrain and obstacle data only as an aid to situational awareness.
Warning
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.
Failure to avoid the following potentially hazardous situations may result in injury or
property damage.
Use the GPSMAP 3205 only as a navigational aid. Do not attempt to use the GPSMAP
3205 for any purpose requiring precise measurement of direction, distance, location, or
topography.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is operated by the United States government,
which is solely responsible for its accuracy and maintenance. The government’s system is
subject to changes which could affect the accuracy and performance of all GPS equipment,
including the GPSMAP 3205. Although the GPSMAP 3205 is a precision navigation
device, any navigation device can be misused or misinterpreted and, therefore, become
unsafe.
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 in product literature and copyright messages displayed to the consumer. Virtually all data sources contain inaccurate or incomplete data
to some extent. This is particularly true outside the United States, where complete and accurate digital data is either not available or prohibitively expensive.
Caution

GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual 1
GETTING STARTED > UNIT OVERVIEW
GETTING STARTED
Unit Overview
Connection ports
Serial number tag
Interface keys
Soft keys
PAGE
QUIT
ENTER
MARK
ADJ
MENU
DATA
FCTN
FIND
CNFG
NAV
MOB
Data card slot
Slide the data card door in
the direction of the arrow
(to the left) and pull to open it.

2 GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
GETTING STARTED > USING THE GPSMAP 3205 KEYPAD
Using the GPSMAP 3205 Keypad
DATA/CNFG Key
• Toggle the display of a main page with or without
function windows and data fields.
• Press and hold to display the Configuration window.
POWER Key
• Press and hold to turn the unit on or off.
• Press and release to adjust backlighting.
QUIT Key
• Press to cancel data entry or exit a page.
ENTER/MARK Key
• Press and release to enter highlighted items and data
or confirm on-screen messages.
• Press and hold to mark your current location as a
waypoint.
ADJ/MENU Key
• Press and release to view options for a page.
• Press and hold to open the Main Menu.
RANGE Keys
• Press to zoom in or out on the map.
ROCKER Key
• Press up, down, right, or left to move through lists,
highlight fields, on-screen buttons and icons, enter
data, or move the map pointer.
NAV/MOB Key
• Press to open the Navigation menu.
• Press and hold to mark and create a track back to
the marked location.
FIND Key
• Press to search for points such as user waypoints,
cities, and services.
FCTN Key
• Press to cycle through function windows.
PAGE Key
• Press to cycle through the main pages in sequence.
• Press to end an operation in progress and return to the
main page.

GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual 3
GETTING STARTED > TURNING ON THE GPSMAP 3205
Using Soft Keys
Soft keys are located along the bottom of the display and are used as shortcuts to
select the most commonly used options for the selected page, window, or tab. To
select a soft key, press the key directly below it.
Soft key options
Status Bar
At the top of each page, the status bar provides current status information for
connected devices and several of the MFD functions. As additional devices are
added to the MFD or Garmin Marine Network, an icon for each device appears
on the status bar.
Status bar
Alarm alerts also appear on the status bar. To acknowledge an alarm, press QUIT.
If an alarm condition persists, it appears on the status bar until the alarm condition
no longer exists.
Turning on the GPSMAP 3205
The first time you turn on the GPSMAP 3205 MFD and GPS 17 receiver,
the receiver must collect satellite data and establish its current location. To
ensure proper initialization, the GPSMAP 3205 is shipped from the factory in
AutoLocate mode.
Before you turn on the GPSMAP 3205, make sure the unit and GPS 17 antenna
are correctly installed on your vessel according to the instructions in the
GPSMAP 3205 & GPS 17 Installation Instructions.
To turn on the GPSMAP 3205:
1. Press and hold the POWER key until the unit turns on.
2. When I Agree is highlighted on the Warning Page, press ENTER to open
the Map Page.

4 GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
GETTING STARTED > INITIALIZING THE GPS RECEIVER
To turn off the GPSMAP 3205:
Press and hold the POWER key until the unit turns off.
Adjusting the Backlight
You can adjust the screen backlighting on the GPSMAP 3205 from any page by
using the POWER/BACKLIGHT key.
To adjust the backlight level:
1. Press and release the POWER/BACKLIGHT key.
2. Press up on the ROCKER to increase the brightness, or press down to
decrease.
TIP: After you open the Backlight adjustment window, press the
POWER/BACKLIGHT key repeatedly to cycle through the three
backlight settings: Highest, Selectable, and Lowest.
Highest Selectable Lowest
3. Press ENTER or QUIT to close the Backlight adjustment window.
Initializing the GPS Receiver
When you turn on the GPSMAP 3205, a Warning Page appears, showing unit
information, network connections (attached devices), and important information
regarding the proper use of the unit. It takes a few seconds for the MFD to
search for attached devices. When the search is complete, the I Agree button is
highlighted. After reading the warning, press ENTER.
Next, you see the first of the main pages, the Map Page. The GPSMAP 3205
begins searching for the GPS satellites. The first time the unit acquires satellites
takes several minutes. Afterward, acquisition times are quicker during normal
use. The GPS status icon on the left side of the status bar shows the progress of
the satellite acquisition process.
GPS icon status colors are:
• Red—acquiring satellites/lost satellite reception.
• Orange—ready for navigation/ready for navigation with WAAS.
• Gray—lost GPS connection. (Check GPS antenna wiring connections.)
A detailed visual reference of the satellite acquisition, GPS receiver status, and
accuracy is available on the GPS tab on the Main Menu.
To view the GPS tab information:
1. Press and hold ADJ/MENU to open the Main Menu.
2. Use the ROCKER to highlight the GPS tab.
When viewing the GPS Info sub tab, a signal strength bar for each satellite in
view appears on the right of the page, with the appropriate satellite number
underneath each bar. The numbers below each bar represent the particular satellite
that is being received. Numbers above 33 indicate WAAS satellites. For more
information about WAAS, see the “Appendix”.

GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual 5
GETTING STARTED > INITIALIZING THE GPS RECEIVER
The sky view shows a birds-eye view of the location of each satellite relative to
the receiver’s last known location. The outer circle represents the horizon (north
up), the inner circle 45º above the horizon, and the center point a location directly
overhead. You can also set the sky view to a Track Up configuration, causing the
top of the sky view to align along your current track heading.
GPS Tab
Status field
GPS status
icon
Status 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
satellite(s) and is collecting data.
• Solid green signal strength bars—the receiver has collected the necessary
data and the satellite(s) are ready for use.
Receiver Status and Accuracy
The receiver status is shown in the Status field on the Info sub tab. Current
accuracy is shown in the EPE (Estimated Position Error) field. Accuracy uses
many factors, such as the number of received GPS satellites, signal strength, and
satellite orientation, to calculate location accuracy in feet or meters. The Status
field shows one of the following conditions:
• Searching for Satellites—the receiver is looking for any satellites and
collecting data from satellites visible at its last known or initialized
location, but has not collected enough data to calculate a fix. This process
can take up to five minutes.
• Ready For Navigation—at least three satellites with good geometry have
been acquired and your location is now being calculated in latitude and
longitude, or at least four satellites have been acquired and your location
is being calculated in latitude, longitude, and elevation. “Ready For
Navigation with WAAS” appears when you are receiving WAAS satellite
corrections in 2D or 3D and a D appears on the strength bar of satellites
being corrected.
After the receiver has collected information from at least three satellites, the
Status field shows either “Ready for Navigation” or “Ready for Navigation with
WAAS.” The GPSMAP 3205 is now ready for use. Press QUIT to return to the
Map Page.
GPS Setup
The Setup sub tab provides access to functions and features relating to initializing
the GPS receiver.
To access the GPS Setup sub tab:
1. Press and hold ADJ/MENU to open the Main Menu.
2. Highlight the GPS tab, and then highlight the Setup sub tab.

6 GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
GETTING STARTED > USING SIMULATOR MODE
Setup Sub Tab
The GPS Setup Tab contains the following options:
Skyview Orientation—allows you to select a sky view display, either North Up
or Track Up, for the GPS Info sub tab only.
Source—set to Garmin when using a Garmin sensor (GPS 17); set to NMEA
when using any other GPS NMEA source.
WAAS—toggles the WAAS capability of the Garmin receiver on or off.
The following soft keys are active only when the unit is not receiving satellites
and the Source is not set to Garmin:
• AutoLocate—allows the receiver to find your location automatically. This
process can take up to five minutes.
• Set Position—allows you to initialize the receiver graphically or manually
from the Map Page to initially help the receiver acquire satellites more
quickly.
Using Simulator Mode
Simulator Mode is great for practicing with the unit while inside and satellite
signals are not available. When the GPSMAP 3205 is in Simulator Mode, the
GPS receiver is turned off. The unit cannot be used for actual navigation.
NOTE: Do not try to navigate in Simulator Mode. While in Simulator Mode,
the GPS receiver is turned off. Any satellite signal strength indicators shown
are only simulations and do not indicate the strength of actual satellite signals.
To turn on Simulator Mode:
1. Press and hold ADJ/MENU to open the Main Menu.
2. Press up or down on the ROCKER to highlight the System tab.
3. Press right on the ROCKER to highlight the General sub tab, highlight the
System Mode field, and press ENTER.
4. Highlight Simulator, and press ENTER.
When Simulator Mode is active, the message “Simulating Operation” appears in
the status bar at the top of each page.

GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual 7
GETTING STARTED > USING SIMULATOR MODE
To set up Simulator Mode:
Highlight the Setup button, and press ENTER. The Simulator Setup
window appears. The following options are available:
• Current Time/Date—enter a simulated date and time.
• Speed—enter a simulated speed.
• Track Control—select track control. Auto Track steers to the current
navigation point; User Track allows you to enter a heading in the
Track field.
• Track—enter a simulated heading.
Use the Set Position soft key to set your location while in Simulator Mode.
You can also control the speed and track from the Compass or Highway Page.
Press up or down on the ROCKER to increase or decrease the speed; press left or
right to change the heading.
To turn off Simulator Mode:
1. Press and hold ADJ/MENU to open the Main Menu.
2. Press up or down on the ROCKER to highlight the System tab.
3. Press right on the ROCKER to highlight the General sub tab, highlight the
System Mode field, and press ENTER.
4. Highlight Normal, and press ENTER.
When Normal Mode is active, the message “Normal” appears in the status bar at
the top of each page.

8 GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
BASIC OPERATION > USING THE GPSMAP 3205
BASIC OPERATION
Using the GPSMAP 3205
This section explains how to enter and select information with the
GPSMAP 3205.
Understanding the Features
The advanced keypad system on the GPSMAP 3205 is designed to allow quick,
convenient selection of navigation options and data entry. As you progress
through this owner’s manual, you are 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 you need to hold down the key for a period of time
to activate a secondary function, the instructions tell you to do so. The location
of the highlight is controlled by the ROCKER. When a field is selected on the
screen, it is highlighted in yellow.
The following terms are used throughout this manual:
• Highlight—move the highlighted area on the screen up, down, left, or right
with the ROCKER to select individual fields. Moving the highlight to a
given location allows you to make a selection, begin data entry, or scroll
through a list.
• Field—the location on a page where data or an option can be entered and
displayed. The pointer is placed on a field using the ROCKER to begin
entering data or selecting options.
• Soft keys—located along the bottom of the display, soft keys are used as
shortcuts to select the most commonly used options for the selected page,
window, or tab. To select a soft key, press the key directly below it.
• On-Screen button—use the ROCKER to highlight an on-screen button,
and press ENTER to select the button.
Field
On-screen
button
Highlighted field
Soft keys
• Scroll bar—When viewing a list of items too long to show on the screen,
a scroll bar appears along the right side of the list. To scroll through a list,
press up or down on the ROCKER. Press right or left on the ROCKER to
scroll one page at a time.
• Default—the factory setting saved in the unit’s memory. You can change
the settings, but you can also revert to the factory (default) settings when
you press the Factory Dflts soft key on the System–General sub tab.

GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual 9
BASIC OPERATION > USING THE GPSMAP 3205
Selecting Options and Entering Data
To select options and enter data, use the ROCKER to highlight, or select an
item in a list or a field on the screen. Use the ENTER key, soft keys, and the
ROCKER to select options, enter names and numbers in data fields, and activate
your selections.
To select an optional feature:
1. From any page, press ADJ. The adjustment menu shows a list of optional
features specific to that page.
2. Use the ROCKER to move the highlight up, down, left, or right to the
selection you want, and press ENTER to initiate the option.
OR
Press the soft key below the option you want to select.
To select an on-screen button:
On a page with on-screen buttons, use the ROCKER to highlight an
on-screen button, and press ENTER.
To select an option using soft keys:
Press the button below the soft key you want to select.
To exit a menu or return to the previous setting:
Press QUIT. The QUIT key moves backward through your steps. Press
QUIT repeatedly to return to the starting page.
To enter data in a data field:
1. Use the ROCKER to highlight the data field, and press ENTER to edit it.
2. Press up or down on the ROCKER to select characters. Press and release
the ROCKER to move character by character through the list; press and
hold the ROCKER to move rapidly through the list.
3. Press right on the ROCKER to move to the next character on the line
or press left to move back to the previous character. Press left on the
ROCKER from the first character position to clear the field. If there are
more than two lines of data, keep pressing right on the ROCKER to go to
the next line.
4. Press ENTER to accept data and move to the next programmable field.
Not all data fields are programmable. When moving about a page with these
fields, the highlight skips them.
Using Additional Map Data
The GPSMAP 3205 comes preloaded with the latest Marine Detail Charts of the
United States coastline (including Alaska and Hawaii) using the new
BlueChart® g2™ technology. This cartography features integrated mapping,
2-D or 3-D map perspective, tide and current data, improved IALA symbols,
navaids, marinas, boat ramps, roads, and more.
Optional preprogrammed Garmin data cards and MapSource™ CD-ROMs
enhance the versatility of your GPSMAP 3205. With optional preprogrammed
BlueChart g2 Garmin data cards, you can access additional data including highly
detailed coastal roads and points of interest such as restaurants, lodging, local
attractions and more. Full-color aerial photographs of ports, marinas, bridges, and
navigational landmarks are also included on many preprogrammed BlueChart g2
data cards.

10 GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
BASIC OPERATION > USING THE GPSMAP 3205
See your Garmin dealer or visit the Garmin Web site (www.garmin.com) for
more information on available pre-programmed Garmin data cards and other
MapSource programs to increase the mapping capability of your new chartplotter.
Using the Map Pointer
Use the map pointer to pan away from your current location and scroll to other
map areas around the world (even outside of your current detail coverage). As
you pan past the edge of the current map display, the screen actively scrolls
forward to provide continuous map coverage. An hourglass symbol appears by
the pointer while the unit is busy drawing new map detail.
Controlled by the ROCKER, the map pointer is an important tool that can be
used to pan to other map locations, mark and edit waypoints and routes, and
review location data of on-screen map items and waypoints.
Map item name, pointer coordinates,
distance, and bearing
Map
pointer
To move the map pointer:
Press the ROCKER to move the map pointer in an up, down, left, right, or
diagonal direction.
As you move the map pointer, the distance and bearing from your current
location to the map pointer are shown in the upper-left corner of the map, with
the map pointer’s location coordinates. Keep in mind that when the map pointer
is stationary, the distance and bearing from your present location changes as your
boat moves. The map pointer can also be used to snap to on-screen waypoints
and map items, allowing you to review a selected location directly from the map
display.
To select an on-screen waypoint or map item with the map pointer:
1. Use the ROCKER to move the pointer to the waypoint or map item. When
a waypoint or map item is selected, it is highlighted on-screen with the
name and location shown.
2. Press ENTER to show details of the map item. When using BlueChart or
MapSource data, or if waypoints are grouped tightly together due to the
Range setting, additional tabs appear on the Review Waypoint Page. Use
the ROCKER to highlight the individual tabs to show the information and
additional options.

GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual 11
BASIC OPERATION > FINDING AN ITEM
Additional
information
tabs
Map
window
To eliminate the pointer and re-center your location on-screen:
Press QUIT.
To view additional BlueChart chart notes:
1. Select an on-screen BlueChart map item, and press ENTER.
2. Use the ROCKER to highlight the Chart <name> tab. A chart summary
appears below the tab.
3. Highlight the Notes soft key, and press ENTER. Notes for the chart
appear.
4. Highlight the notes field, and press ENTER to scroll the text up or down
using the ROCKER.
5. Press QUIT to exit.
Finding an Item
Press FIND to search for items from your current location including waypoints,
anchorages, cities, marine services, navaids, restricted areas, wrecks, celestial
information, tides, and currents. If you pan around on the map window and press
FIND, the unit centers its search from the map pointer location. When using
BlueChart, BlueChart g2, or MapSource data, your location or the map pointer
must be within the map outline area to search for information from that area.
To find an item from your current location:
1. From any page, press FIND to open the Find From Current Position Page.
2. Highlight a category, and press ENTER. For some categories, you might
need to select multiple subcategories.
3. Some items have a By Name tab. For By Name, select the top field to
spell out the name, or scroll through the list.

12 GPSMAP 3205 Owner’s Manual
BASIC OPERATION > CREATING AND USING WAYPOINTS
4. Some items have a Filter List button that allows you to enter letters or
numbers of the item name. The search result shows only items matching
the entered letters or numbers. Highlight the Filter List button, and press
ENTER. Enter data, as needed, to narrow your search.
To find an item from another location on the map:
1. Open the Map Page. Use the ROCKER to pan to the location you want,
and then press FIND. The Find From (Location) Page appears.
2. Using the ROCKER, highlight a category, and press ENTER.
To view details about an item:
Highlight an item in the search results list, and press ENTER. The Review
Page appears showing item information, map location, chart name,
distance/bearing, and options for creating a waypoint or viewing the next
item in the search results list.
Item
information
Distance,
bearing,
chart name
of item
Soft key
Creating and Using Waypoints
The GPSMAP 3205 stores up to 4,000 alphanumeric waypoints with a user-
defined icon, comment, depth, and water temperature available for each waypoint.
NOTE: If you are using an optional Garmin Sonar hardware module, the
Depth and Water Temp fields fill in automatically.
You can create waypoints using three basic methods:
• ENTER/MARK—use the ENTER/MARK key to quickly mark your
current location.
• Graphically—use the map display to define a new waypoint location.
• Manually—enter new waypoint coordinates manually.
Creating Waypoints Using the ENTER/MARK Key
Use the ENTER/MARK key to capture your current location (or pointer or map
item location) to create a new waypoint. You must have a valid position fix to
mark your current location.
To mark your current location:
1. Press and hold ENTER/MARK until the Review Waypoint Page appears.
The GPSMAP 3205 captures its current location and creates a default
name and symbol for the new waypoint.
2. To accept the waypoint with the default name and symbol, press ENTER.
To change any of the available waypoint information, see page 15.