Garmin GPSMAP 396 - Aviation GPS Receiver User manual

Owner’s Manual
portable aviation receiver
GPSMAP®396

© 2006–2007 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Garmin International, Inc.
1200 East 151st Street,
Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA
Tel. [phone] or [phone]
Fax [phone]
Garmin (Europe) Ltd.
Liberty House
Hounsdown Business Park,
Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9RB UK
Tel. [phone] (outside the UK)
0808 2380000 (within the UK)
Fax [phone]
Garmin Corporation
No. 68, Jangshu 2nd 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 or
other electronic storage medium to be viewed and to print one copy of this manual or of any revision hereto, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this manual 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 prohibited.
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
information concerning the use and operation of this and other Garmin products.
Garmin
®
, GPSMAP
®
, AutoLocate
®
, TracBack
®
, BlueChart
®
, MapSource
®
, and See-Thru
®
are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered in the USA and other
countries. These trademarks may not be used without the express permission of Garmin.
XM WX Weather and XM Radio are trademarks of XM Satellite Radio Inc.
November 2007 Part Number 190-00462-00 Rev. E Printed in Taiwan

GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual i
IntroductIon > About thIs MAnuAl
IntroductIon
Thank you for choosing the Garmin GPSMAP
®
396, an unsurpassed
portable aviation receiver that utilizes the proven performance of
Garmin GPS, XM Radio, and XM WX Weather. 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.
About This Manual
To get the most out of your new navigation system, read this manual
and learn the operating procedures for your unit.
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 396 Owner’s Manual
IntroductIon > tAble of contents
Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................i
About This Manual ................................................................... i
Warnings .................................................................................. v
Battery Warnings.................................................................... vi
Important Information ............................................................ vi
Getting Started.....................................................................1
Unit Overview .......................................................................... 1
Charging the GPSMAP 396..................................................... 2
Turning On the GPSMAP 396 ................................................. 3
Getting Satellite Signals ......................................................... 4
Learning About the Keypad.................................................... 7
Using the GPSMAP 396........................................................... 8
Simulator Mode ..................................................................... 11
Basic Operation In Aviation Mode ...................................13
Aviation Mode Page Sequence ............................................ 13
Creating a Direct To............................................................... 14
Finding a Nearby Point ......................................................... 17
Selecting an Approach.......................................................... 22
Finding Points on Land ........................................................ 24
Marking a Waypoint............................................................... 25
Creating a Flight Plan (Route).............................................. 26
Following your Flight Plan ................................................... 27
Aviation Mode Pages ........................................................28
Map Page................................................................................ 28
Terrain Page ........................................................................... 36
Panel Page ............................................................................. 39
Active Route Page................................................................. 43
Position Data Page................................................................ 44
Flight Log ............................................................................... 45
Aircraft Information............................................................... 46
E6B Tab .................................................................................. 48
XM Audio Page ...................................................................... 50
Basic Operation In Automotive Mode..............................54
Automotive Mode Page Sequence....................................... 54
Navigating in Automotive Mode........................................... 55
Finding an Item...................................................................... 57
Creating Routes..................................................................... 60
Creating Waypoints............................................................... 62
Following an Automotive Route........................................... 65
Editing Your Route ................................................................ 66
Automotive Mode Pages and Features ...........................68
Map Page................................................................................ 68
Highway Page ........................................................................ 69
Current Route Page............................................................... 71
Trip Computer........................................................................ 72
Editing and Managing Routes.............................................. 73
Editing and Managing Waypoints ........................................ 77
Managing Your Tracks .......................................................... 86

GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual iii
IntroductIon > tAble of contents
Basic Operation in Marine Mode......................................90
Marine Mode Page Sequence............................................... 90
Navigating in Marine Mode................................................... 91
Marine Mode Pages and Features....................................92
Map Page................................................................................ 92
Compass Page....................................................................... 93
DSC......................................................................................... 95
Main Menu........................................................................100
GPS Tab................................................................................ 100
Weather Tab ......................................................................... 101
XM Tab.................................................................................. 101
Flights Tab............................................................................ 102
Route Tab ............................................................................. 102
Points Tab ............................................................................ 103
Track Tab.............................................................................. 103
Sonar Tab ............................................................................. 104
Aircraft Tab........................................................................... 104
Alarms Tab ........................................................................... 105
Celestial Tab......................................................................... 108
Message Tab ........................................................................ 112
Display Tab........................................................................... 113
Sound Tab ............................................................................ 114
Setup Tab ............................................................................. 115
Location Sub Tab................................................................. 119
Using XM WX Weather ....................................................125
Viewing XM WX Weather..................................................... 125
Setting XM WX Weather Options ....................................... 126
Using the Weather Tab........................................................ 129
Finding Weather Information.............................................. 132
Setting up and Using Sonar ...........................................134
Showing Sonar on the Map Page....................................... 134
Using the Sonar Page ......................................................... 135
Setting Up the Sonar Page ................................................. 139
Understanding Sonar.......................................................... 142
Viewing the Sonar Temperature Tab.................................. 145
TIS(Trafc Information Service) .....................................146
TIS Limitations..................................................................... 147
TIS Symbology .................................................................... 149
Trafc Ground Track .......................................................... 150
Trafc Warning Window...................................................... 150
Map Page.............................................................................. 151
TIS Operational Procedures ............................................... 152
VHF Comm .......................................................................153
Appendix ..........................................................................154
Specications ...................................................................... 154
Care Information ................................................................. 155
Optional Accessories.......................................................... 156

iv GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual
IntroductIon > tAble of contents
Installation Information....................................................... 157
Learning About GPS ........................................................... 162
LORAN TD Setup................................................................. 164
Map Datums and Location Formats .................................. 166
Digital Selective Calling (DSC)........................................... 167
Jeppesen Database Information ........................................ 169
Messages ............................................................................. 170
Data Field Options............................................................... 173
License Agreement and Warranty...................................... 175
Index .................................................................................179

GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual v
IntroductIon > WArnIng
Warnings
Failure to avoid the following potentially hazardous situations could
result in an accident or collision resulting in death or serious injury.
When installing the unit in a vehicle, place the unit securely so it
does not obstruct the driver’s view of the road or interfere with
vehicle operating controls, such as the steering wheel, foot pedals, or
transmission levers. Do not place in front of or above any airbag. (See
diagram.)
Do not mount
where driver’s
eld of vision is
blocked.
Do not place
unsecured on
the vehicle
dashboard.
Do not mount in front of an airbag eld of deployment.
When navigating, carefully compare information displayed on the
unit to all available navigation sources, including information from
street signs, visual sightings, and maps. For safety, always resolve any
discrepancies or questions before continuing navigation and defer to
posted road signs.
Always operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Do not become distracted
by the unit while driving, and always be fully aware of all driving
conditions. Minimize the amount of time spent viewing the unit’s
screen while driving and use voice prompts when possible. Do not
•
•
•
input destinations, change settings, or access any functions requiring
prolonged use of the unit’s controls while driving. Pull over in a safe
and legal manner before attempting such operations.
The unit is designed to provide route suggestions. It is not designed to
replace the need for driver attentiveness regarding road closures or road
conditions, trafc congestion, weather conditions, or other factors that
may affect safety while driving.
Use the electronic chart in the unit only to facilitate, not to replace,
the use of authorized government charts. Ofcial government charts
and notices to mariners and pilots (NOTAMs) contain all information
needed to navigate safely.
When navigating in an aircraft, use the GPSMAP 396 only as an aid
for VFR navigation. Use terrain and obstacle data only as an aid to
situational awareness.
Use this unit only as a navigational aid. Do not attempt to use the unit
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.
This TFR Overlay Display System (TDOS) is updated Monday -Friday,
1200-2000 UTC. COMFIRM DATA ACCURACY THROUGH
ALTERNATE SOURCES AT OTHER TIMES. For interpretation of this
TFR contact your local FSS.
•
•
•
•
•

vi GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual
IntroductIon > WArnIng
Battery Warnings
If these guidelines are not followed, the internal lithium-ion battery may
experience a shortened life span or may present a risk of damage to the
GPS unit, re, chemical burn, electrolyte leak, and/or injury.
Contact your local waste disposal department to properly dispose of the
unit/battery.
Do not leave the unit exposed to a heat source or in a high temperature
location, such as in the sun in an unattended vehicle on a hot day. To
prevent damage, remove the unit from the vehicle or store it out of direct
sunlight, such as in the glove box.
Do not puncture or incinerate.
When storing the unit for a limited length of time, store within the
following temperature range: -4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C). When storing
the unit for an extended time, store within the following temperature
range: 32° to 77°F (0° to 25°C).
Do not operate the unit outside of the following temperature range: -4°
to 131°F (-20° to 55°C).
Do not recharge the battery out of the unit or disassemble the battery.
Keep the used battery away from children. Do not disassemble,
puncture, or damage the battery.
Only replace with a Garmin lithium-ion battery pack. Using another
battery presents a risk of re or explosion. To purchase a replacement
battery, see your Garmin dealer or the Garmin Web site.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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 provided in accordance with California’s
Proposition 65. See www.garmin.com/prop65 for more information.
Important Information
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 some inaccurate or incomplete data. In some countries, complete
and accurate map information is either not available or is prohibitively
expensive.
TFR Data: Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) data is provided by the
FAA and may not be updated outside of normal business hours. Conrm
data currency though alternate sources and contact your local FSS for
interpretation of TFR data.
The California Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 requires the
recycling of certain electronics. For more information on the applicability
to this product, see www.erecycle.org.

GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual 1
gettIng stArted > unIt overvIeW
GettInG Started
Unit Overview
The GPSMAP 396 is an all-in-one, versatile color aviation, automotive, and marine navigator-perfect for air, land, or water. This portable
GPS navigator features a 256-color TFT screen that is easy to read in bright sun, Jeppesen aviation database, and auto routing to provide
you with automatically generated turn-by-turn directions. With the included GXM 30/30A antenna and a subscription to XM WX Satellite
Weather, pilots have constant access to NEXRAD radar, lightning, METARs, TAFs, TFRs, and more. In addition, the GPSMAP 396 offers
XM Satellite Radio capabilities, featuring more than 150 digital channels of commercial free music; more than 30 channels of news, sports,
talk and entertainment; and more than 20 dedicated channels of XM Instant Trafc & Weather.
Detachable GPS
antenna collapses
for storage. Be sure
the antenna is up
(as shown here) to
receive satellite
signals. Refer to
the Appendix,
page 161, for
instructions on
removing the
antenna.
Battery pack. Press tab down to remove battery
pack for replacement, if necessary. See the
“Battery Warnings”section on page vi for more
information about the lithium-ion battery pack.
External power
connector under
weather cap
USB/GXM 30/30A connector
under weather capweather cap
Slot for optional
data card
Serial
number
Audio (Headphones/Line out)
connector under weather cap
Backlit keypad for easy nighttime operation
GPS antenna
256-Color TFT screen
with backlighting

2 GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual
gettIng stArted > chArgIng the gPsMAP 396
Charging the GPSMAP 396
Before using the unit, you need to charge the battery in the
GPSMAP 396. Plug the unit into a power connector to charge. You
can use the unit while it is charging.
To charge the unit’s battery:
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 power cable into a power outlet (cigarette lighter
receptacle) if you have a vehicle power cable. Use care when
routing the power cable; be certain that it does not interfere
with vehicle operation.
The unit begins charging as soon as external power is applied.
Placing the unit in Charge Mode charges the unit more quickly than
when the unit is turned on and reduces draw on the aircraft/vehicle/
boat battery.
Information about Charge Mode
Applying external power to the GPSMAP 396 automatically turns
on the unit for full operation. If the battery is present and needs to be
charged, the external power source charges the battery while the unit
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 Charge Mode. Connect the unit to
an external power supply. Press and hold the POWER key. Instead
of completely turning off, the unit now goes into Charge Mode, as
shown below.
Charge Mode
NOTE: While in Charge Mode, the unit draws a small amount
of current from the aircraft/vehicle/boat battery. To avoid
discharging the vehicle’s battery, disconnect the external power
cable from the GPSMAP 396 when not in use for several days.
After using the unit a lot, you may notice that the lithium-ion battery
in the unit is not holding a charge any more. This is common for
lithium-ion batteries. Contact Garmin or your Garmin Dealer to
order a Battery Pack replacement if you are experiencing charging
issues with your battery.

GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual 3
gettIng stArted > turnIng onthe gPsMAP 396
Turning On the GPSMAP 396
The rst time you turn on your new GPSMAP 396, the receiver
must collect satellite data and establish its present location. To
ensure proper initialization, the GPSMAP 396 is shipped from the
factory in AutoLocate mode, which allows the receiver to “nd
itself” anywhere in the world. Before you turn on the unit to start
initialization, be sure that the antenna is rotated up as shown on
page 1, and it has a clear and unobstructed view of the sky to receive
satellite signals.
To turn the GPSMAP 396 on and off:
1. Press and hold the
red POWER key.
When the unit turns
on, a tone sounds
and the Warning
Page appears.
2. Read and be sure
you understand
the warning. Press
ENTER to continue.
3. To turn off the GPSMAP 396, press and hold the POWER key
again.
Adjusting the Backlight and Volume
The POWER key controls the 10 level backlight and volume of the
optional audio jack or external speaker with vehicle power cable.
To adjust the backlight level or volume:
1. Press and quickly release the POWER key.
2. Press the ROCKER up to increase the brightness or down to
decrease. Press right to raise the volume or left to lower.
3. Press ENTER or QUIT to close the Backlight/Volume
adjustment window. Press MENU to view the options menu.
Backlight
adjustment slider
Volume
adjustment slider
Battery time remaining
and power source
indicator
Warning PageWarning Page

4 GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual
gettIng stArted > gettIng sAtellIte sIgnAls
Getting Satellite Signals
After you turn on the GPSMAP 396, the unit automatically begins
searching for satellites. The GPS Page appears while the unit is
gathering satellite signals and acquiring a x. This process should
take only a few minutes. While the GPSMAP 396 is getting satellite
signals, the GPS Page shows the status as “Acquiring Satellites.”
It can take a few minutes to acquire satellites and show your current
location on the map. Be patient as the unit acquires satellite data.
To get signals more quickly, be sure the antenna is raised to the up
position shown in the image on page 1.
GPS Page
NOTE: While acquiring satellites, the Map Page can show the
wrong location, such as China. This does not mean your unit
has the wrong data loaded. The GPS receiver needs a few more
minutes to acquire satellites and nd your current location.
Viewing GPS Status With the GPS Tab
The GPS tab provides a visual reference of satellite acquisition,
receiver status, and accuracy. The sky view and signal strength bars
give an indication of what satellites are visible to the receiver and
whether they are being tracked.
As the receiver locks onto satellites, a signal strength bar appears
for each satellite in view, with the appropriate satellite number
underneath each bar. The numbers shown below each bar represent
the particular satellite that is being received. Numbers above 33
indicate WAAS satellites.
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 represents 45º
above the horizon, and the center point represents a location directly
overhead. You can also set the sky view to a Track Up conguration,
causing the top of the sky view to align along your current track
heading.
A power source indicator shows the unit is operating off battery
power ( ), that the unit is charging ( ), or that an
external power source is in use ( ).

GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual 5
gettIng stArted > gettIng sAtellIte sIgnAls
GPS Page
Receiver
status eld
Sky view
Signal
strength
bars
Power
source
indicator
The progress of satellite acquisition is shown in three stages:
No signal strength bars—the receiver is looking for the
satellites indicated.
White signal strength bars—the receiver has found the
satellite and is collecting data.
Green signal strength bars—the receiver has collected the
necessary data from this satellite.
As soon as the GPSMAP 396 has collected the necessary data from
the best satellites in view to calculate a x, the status eld indicates
the status of the receiver. The unit then updates the location, date,
and time.
Receiver Status
The Receiver Status eld shows one of the following conditions:
•
•
•
Searching the Sky—the receiver is looking for satellites.
AutoLocate—the receiver is looking for any satellite whose
almanac has been collected, which can take up to 5 minutes.
Acquiring Satellites—the receiver is looking for and
collecting data from satellites visible at its last known or
initialized location, but has not acquired a x.
2D GPS Location—At least three satellites have been
acquired and a two-dimensional location x has been
calculated. “2D Differential” appears when you are receiving
DGPS corrections in 2D mode and a “D” appears on the
strength bar of satellites being corrected.
3D GPS Location—At least four satellites have been
acquired and a three-dimensional x has been calculated.
“3D Differential” appears when you are receiving DGPS
corrections in 3D mode and a “D” appears on the strength bar
of satellites being corrected.
Lost Satellite Reception—the receiver is no longer tracking
enough satellites for a 2D or 3D x.
Receiver Not Usable—the receiver is unusable, possibly due
to interference or abnormal satellite conditions. Turn the unit
off and back on to reset.
Simulating GPS—the receiver is in Simulator Mode.
GPS Off—the GPS receiver is turned off.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

6 GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual
gettIng stArted > gettIng sAtellIte sIgnAls
GPS Tab Options
Press MENU two times to open the Main Menu. Use the ROCKER
to highlight GPS. Press MENU to open the options menu:
GPS Tab Options Menu
Start/Stop Simulator—starts and stops Simulator Mode, which is
helpful when learning how to use your unit.
Enable WAAS—enables WAAS capability. Refer to page 163 of the
“Appendix” for more information about WAAS.
Track/North Up Skyview—orients the sky view page on the GPS
tab to north up or track up.
New Altitude—allows you to manually enter your altitude.
New Location—allows you to enter a new location automatically
or using the map. When in Aviation Mode, you can enter the airport
identier.
GPS Tips
While the receiver is gathering information, your location on the
map can show as different from where you actually are located. Be
patient; as soon as the receiver gathers enough satellite information,
your proper location is shown on the map.
Any time you have traveled more than 600 miles with the GPS
receiver turned off, the receiver can take longer than normal to
initialize and nd your location.
The GPS receiver can lose satellite signals due to interference from
such items as buildings, tunnels, and heavy tree cover. Monitoring
the GPS status is recommended.
To learn about GPS, refer to “Learning about GPS” on page 162.

GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual 7
gettIng stArted > leArnIng About the KeyPAd
Learning About the Keypad
PAGE/MODE Key
• Press to cycle through the main pages in sequence
and return the screen from a submenu page.
• Press and hold to switch between Aviation, Marine,
and Automotive Modes.
QUIT Key
• Press to cycle through the main pages in reverse
sequence, revert to the previous value in a data
entry eld, or cancel a function.
ENTER/MARK Key
• Press to select a highlighted option, initiate entry,
and then conrm.
• Press and hold to mark a waypoint.
MENU/WX Key
• Press to view the Options Menu for the current
page.
• Press twice to show the Main Menu.
• Press and hold to toggle XM WX weather on or off
on the Map Page.
POWER Key
• Press and hold to turn the unit on or off.
• Press and release to adjust the backlighting and
external speaker volume.
IN/OUT Keys
• Press to zoom in or out on the Map Page.
ROCKER Keypad
• Press up, down, right or left to move through
lists, highlight elds, on-screen buttons and
icons, enter data, or move the map pointer.
NRST/FIND Key
• Shows the nearest airports, navaids, points of
communication, and airspace boundaries in
Aviation Mode.
• Press multiple times in Aviation Mode to show
the Find Menu.
DIRECT TO Key
• Press to start a Go To using airports, navaids,
recently used waypoints, or user-created
waypoints.
• Press and hold to show additional information
for the current destination (such as
communication frequency and runway data).
• While in Automotive Mode, press and hold for
more than one second to show the Next Turn
Page and announce the next turn.

8 GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual
gettIng stArted > usIng the gPsMAP 396
Using the GPSMAP 396
This section explains how to enter and select information with the
GPSMAP 396. To switch between Aviation, Marine, and Automotive
Modes, press and hold PAGE. Use the ROCKER to select a mode,
and press ENTER.
Understanding Terms
The GPSMAP 396 unit’s advanced keypad system 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 specic key or highlight a eld 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 start a
secondary function, the instructions tell you to do so. When a eld is
selected on the screen, it is highlighted in yellow. The location of the
highlight is controlled by the ROCKER.
The following features are referred to throughout this manual:
Highlight—move the highlighted area on the screen up, down, left,
or right with the ROCKER to select individual elds. 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 shown. Select (highlight) a eld using the ROCKER to
begin entering data or selecting options.
On-Screen Button—use the ROCKER to highlight a button and
press ENTER to select the button.
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.
The location of the scroll bar indicates which portion of the list is
currently shown. To scroll through a list, press up or down on the
ROCKER.
Default—the factory setting saved in the unit’s memory. You can
change the settings as you like, but you can also revert to the factory
(default) settings when you select Restore Defaults.
Field On-screen
buttons

GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual 9
gettIng stArted > usIng the gPsMAP 396
Selecting Options and Entering Data
To enter data and select options, you must use the ROCKER to
highlight, select, or choose an item in a list or a eld on the screen.
Use the ENTER and ROCKER keys to select options, enter names
and numbers in data elds, and start your selections.
To select and start an option:
1. Press MENU on any page. An options menu appears with a
list of optional features for that page.
2. Use the ROCKER to move the highlight up, down, right, or left
on the menu to your selection.
Selecting an option from an options menu.
To exit a menu or return to the previous setting:
1. Press QUIT to move backward through your steps.
2. To return to the starting page, press QUIT repeatedly.
To select and start an on-screen button:
1. On a page with on-screen buttons, use the ROCKER to
highlight the on-screen button you want.
2. Press ENTER.
On-Screen Button

10 GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual
gettIng stArted > usIng the gPsMAP 396
To enter data in a data eld:
1. Use the ROCKER to highlight the data eld you want, and
press ENTER to activate the eld.
2. Press up or down on the ROCKER to select characters. Press
right to move to the next character or press left to move back
to the previous character. If there are two lines of data, keep
pressing right to drop to the next line.
3. After entering the data, press ENTER.
Entering Data
NOTE: To clear the entire data eld, highlight the left-most
character eld and press left once more on the ROCKER.
Not all elds are programmable. When you are on a page with elds
that are not selectable, the highlight skips over them.
GPSMAP 396 Databases
Your GPSMAP 396 comes with Jeppesen
®
database, Obstacle
database, Terrain database, and Voice Guidance database. You also
should update your Jeppesen database to use the most current data.
Refer to page 169 in the “Appendix” for more information.
MapSource Detailed Maps
Optional Garmin data cards and MapSource CD-ROMs enhance
the versatility of your GPSMAP 396. With optional MapSource
City Navigator
®
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 g2 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.
For compatible MapSource products, refer to the Garmin Web site at
www.garmin.com/cartography.

GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual 11
gettIng stArted > sIMulAted bAsIc nAvIgAtIon
Simulator Mode
The GPSMAP 396 contains a Simulator Mode. Simulator Mode is
helpful for practicing with the unit indoors or when no satellite or
XM signals are available or if either antenna is not connected. 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.
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 shown are only simulations
and do not represent the strength of actual satellite signals.
Starting Simulator Mode
You can start Simulator Mode for the GPS tab or the Setup tab on
the Main Menu.
To start Simulator Mode using the GPS tab:
1. Press MENU twice to show the Main Menu.
2. Highlight GPS from the vertical menu.
3. Press MENU to open the GPS tab options menu.
4. Highlight Start Simulator, and press ENTER.
To start Simulator Mode using the Setup tab:
1. Press MENU twice to show the Main Menu.
2. Highlight Setup from the vertical menu.
3. Highlight the System sub tab.
4. Select Simulator from the System Mode eld.
Setup tab
System sub tab

12 GPSMAP 396 Owner’s Manual
gettIng stArted > sIMulAted bAsIc nAvIgAtIon
Entering a New Location
From the GPS options menu you can enter a New Location and
New Altitude to simulate from.
To enter a New Location using the map:
1. Press MENU twice, and highlight GPS from the vertical menu.
2. Press MENU to open the options menu.
3. Highlight New Location,and press ENTER.
4. Highlight Use Map, and press ENTER.
5. Use the ROCKER to move the panning arrow to the location
on the map you want, and press ENTER.
You can also select a New Location by entering an airport identier
(code). Select Use Identier from the GPS tab options menu. Enter
the airport code using the ROCKER. Refer to page 14 for complete
instructions about entering airport identiers and user waypoints.
To adjust the simulated speed, heading, and altitude
from the Panel, Pointer, or Highway pages:
1. Press up on the ROCKER to increase the speed in
10 knot/kph/mph increments. Press down on the ROCKER to
decrease the speed in the same increments.
2. Press left or right on the ROCKER to change heading.
3. Press the IN and OUT Zoom keys to increase or decrease
altitude (Aviation Mode only).