Garmin MSC 10 User manual

MSC 10 MARINE SATELLITE COMPASS
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Important Safety Information
CAUTION
To avoid possible personal injury, always wear safety goggles, ear protection, and a dust mask when drilling,
cutting, or sanding.
NOTICE
When drilling or cutting, always check what is on the opposite side of the surface to avoid damaging the vessel.
For the best performance and to avoid damage to your boat, read all installation instructions before
proceeding. Install the device according to these instructions. Use the appropriate fasteners, tools, and mounts
listed, which are available at most marine dealers.
The MSC 10 satellite compass provides heading information to your existing NMEA 2000® network. If your boat
does not have a NMEA 2000 network, you must install one. For more information, go to garmin.com/manuals
/nmea_2000.
Tools Needed
• Drill
• 19 mm (3/4 in.) drill bit for a pole-mount cable-hole
• 5 mm (3/16 in.) drill bit for surface-mount screw holes
• 25 mm (1 in. ) hole saw for a surface-mount cable-hole
• #2 Phillips screwdriver
• 35 mm (13/8 in.) wrench
• Marine sealant
• Torque wrench
• 7 mm (9/32) socket for torque wrench
• Additional NMEA 2000 network components as needed
GUID-C15E42C9-BE5D-467E-80CA-4DB7F6A31142 v2April 2021

Compass Mounting Considerations
This compass requires a clear, unobstructed view of the sky and horizon in all directions, and installing it near
any structure on the boat will negatively affect performance. You should test the selected location before
permanently installing the compass.
NOTE: The compass may lose heading information when operating below a bridge, under a slip, or near tall
structures. To retain heading information in these situations, the MSC 10 can be configured to use an internal
magnetic compass as a backup to the GPS compass (recommended). To enable this backup, you can calibrate
the device (Heading Calibration, page 7) prior to use.
You can mount the compass on a flat surface or attach it to a standard stainless steel, 1 in. OD, 14 threads per
inch, pipe-threaded pole (not included). You can route the cable outside of the pole or through the pole. For best
performance, consider these guidelines when selecting the mounting location:
• The compass must be mounted in a location that has a clear, unobstructed view of the sky in all directions
. Select a location that has no objects higher than five degrees above the device.
• The compass must not be mounted where it is shaded by the superstructure of the boat , a radome
antenna, or the mast.
• The compass must not be mounted inside or adjacent to the cabins.
• The compass should not be mounted near the engine or other sources of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
.
•If a radar is present, the compass should be mounted above the path of the radar . If necessary, the
compass may be mounted below the path of the radar .
• The compass should not be mounted directly in the path of the radar .
•The compass should not be mounted within 1 m (3 ft.) of a VHF radio antenna .
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If you plan to use the internal magnetic compass as a backup (recommended), consider these guidelines when
selecting the mounting location:
• The compass should not be mounted near known ferrous metal objects such as a toolbox or another
compass.
• A handheld compass should be used to test for magnetic interference in the area where the compass is to
be mounted. Your boat, motors, and devices must be turned on during the test.
If the needle on the handheld compass moves when you hold it where you intend to mount the compass,
magnetic interference is present. You must choose another location and test again.
• Mounting screws are provided with the compass. If you use mounting hardware other than the provided
screws, the hardware must be made of quality stainless steel or brass material to avoid magnetic
interference with the compass.
NOTE: Test all mounting hardware with a handheld compass to make sure no magnetic fields are present in
the hardware.
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Surface Mounting the Compass
Before you mount the compass, you must review the mounting location considerations and select a mounting
location.
NOTE: The supplied M4 x .07 x 45 threaded rods can be used on mounting thicknesses of 5 to 30 mm (3/16 to
1 3/16 in.) (recommended). For surfaces over 30 mm (1 3/16 in.), you must use longer threaded rods (not
included).
1Secure the included mounting template to the selected mounting location.
2Drill the three 5 mm (3/16 in.) screw holes.
3Drill the 25 mm (1 in.) cable hole in the center.
4Install the included gasket on the bottom of the compass.
5Route the cable through the center hole, and connect it to the compass.
6Insert the three threaded rods into the mounting holes on the bottom of the compass.
Up to 35 mm (13/8 in.) of the threaded rods may extend below the compass.
7Place the compass on the surface, feeding the threaded rods through the holes you drilled previously.
8Apply a bead of marine sealant on the mounting surface around each mounting hole.
9Fasten the compass to the mounting surface using the threaded rods , flat washers , spring
washers , and hex nuts .
10 Using a torque wrench, tighten the nuts to 13.7 to 18.6 N-m (10 to 14 lbf-ft.).
11 Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.
Mounting the Compass on a Pole
Using the included pole-mount adapter, this device can be installed on a standard 1 in. OD, 14 threads per inch,
pipe-threaded stainless steel pole (not included). The cable can be routed inside or outside of the pole.
NOTE: This device is designed for use with a stainless steel pole. Mounting the device on a plastic pole can
result in unintentional rotation that may affect the heading information.
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Mounting the Compass with the Cable Routed Outside the Pole
1If necessary, position the stainless steel pole in the selected location.
2Route the cable through the pole-mount adapter, and place the cable in the vertical slot along the base of
the pole-mount adapter.
3Connect the cable to the compass .
4Place the compass on the pole-mount adapter and fasten the included M4 screws to secure it.
5Screw the included metal nut onto the threaded pole as close to the base as possible.
6Screw the pole-mount adapter onto the pole, but do not fully tighten it.
7Apply the included adhesive around the threads of the pole.
8Align the compass so it is pointed toward the bow of the boat.
NOTE: You can use the sights on top of the compass to help align it.
9While keeping the compass steady, finger tighten the nut.
10 Using a 35 mm (1 3/8 in.) wrench, turn the jam nut 1/4 turn to secure it.
11 After the compass is secured on the pole mount, fill the remaining gap in the vertical cable slot with a
marine sealant (optional).
12 Wipe off any excess adhesive or marine sealant.
13 Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.
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Mounting the Compass with the Cable Routed Through the Pole
1If necessary, attach the stainless steel pole to the boat:
1.1Position the pole in the selected location, and mark the approximate center of the pole.
1.2Drill a hole using a 19 mm (3/4 in.) drill bit for the cable to pass through.
1.3Fasten the pole to the boat.
2Screw the included metal nut onto the threaded pole as close to the base as possible.
3Route the cable through the pole, through the pole-mount adapter, and connect it to the compass .
4Place the compass on the pole-mount adapter, and fasten the included M4 screws to secure it.
5Screw the pole-mount adapter onto the pole, but do not fully tighten it.
6Apply the included adhesive around the threads of the pole.
7Align the compass so it is pointed in the same direction as the boat.
NOTE: You can use the sights on the top of the compass to help align it.
8While holding the compass steady, finger tighten the nut.
9Using a 35 mm (13/8 in.) wrench, turn the nut 1/4 turn to secure it.
10 After the compass is secured on the pole mount, fill the vertical cable slot with a marine sealant (optional).
11 Wipe off any excess adhesive or marine sealant.
12 Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.
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Connecting the Compass
NMEA 2000 Network Connection
If you do not have an existing NMEA 2000 network, you must install a NMEA 2000 network on your boat. For
more information on NMEA 2000, go to garmin.com/manuals/nmea_2000.
The compass is packaged with a NMEA 2000 T-connector and a NMEA 2000 drop cable. You will use these two
components to connect the compass to your existing NMEA 2000 network.
A 6 m (20 ft.) drop cable is included. If more cable is needed, add an extension to your NMEA 2000 backbone,
based on the NMEA 2000 guidelines. A shorter drop cable can be installed if desired.
MSC 10
NMEA 2000 drop cable
NMEA 2000 T-connector
NMEA 2000 backbone
Heading Calibration
This device uses GPS signals to calculate the heading, so calibration is not required.
This device also contains an internal magnetic compass that can be used as a backup to avoid a possible loss
of heading information in areas where GPS signals are blocked or weak, such as under bridges, near tall
structures, and in covered slips. Calibration of the backup magnetic compass is highly recommended. If you
plan to use the backup magnetic compass, verify that the device is installed in a location free from magnetic
interference (Compass Mounting Considerations, page 2) and perform the appropriate calibration process
(optional).
There are two options you can use to calibrate the backup magnetic compass:
• If the device is connected to the same NMEA 2000 network as a Garmin® chartplotter, you should perform
the menu-based calibration procedure (Performing Menu-Based Calibration, page 8).
• If there is not a Garmin chartplotter connected to the NMEA 2000 network, or if you are connected to a third-
party display device, you must use the basic calibration procedure (Performing Basic Calibration, page 9).
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Performing Menu-Based Calibration
1Select Settings > Communications > NMEA 2000 Setup > Device List.
2Select the MSC 10 from the device list.
3Select Review > Compass Cal. > Begin.
4Follow the on-screen instructions until the compass calibration is complete.
5Select Auto Heading Alignment > Begin.
6Follow the on-screen instructions until the heading alignment is complete.
Disabling the Magnetic Heading Data
If you cannot mount the device in an ideal location for magnetic heading and GPS performance, you can disable
the magnetic heading data.
Perform a factory reset (Compass Settings, page 10).
After a factory reset, the device no longer outputs magnetic heading data, but it continues to output GPS
Course over Ground and GNSS-based heading.
Adjusting the Fine Heading Alignment
You can adjust the Fine Heading Alignment in conjunction with Auto Heading Alignment to fine-tune the
heading output (optional).
NOTE: Fine heading alignment must be completed under open skies to ensure proper calibration.
1Select Settings > Communications > NMEA 2000 Setup > Device List.
2Select the MSC 10 device.
3Select Review > Compass Cal. > Fine Heading Alignment.
4Using a landmark or a known good compass, determine the heading of your boat.
5Adjust the heading until it matches your measurement.
6Select Done.
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Performing Basic Calibration
If you connect the compass to a NMEA 2000 network without a compatible Garmin chartplotter or with a third-
party display device, you must perform basic calibration instead of menu-based calibration.
Before you can perform basic calibration, you must be able to view heading data from the NMEA 2000 network
on a connected device. To perform basic calibration, you must remove from the network all sources of heading
data other than the compass.
When performing basic calibration, you first calibrate the compass and then align the heading in one
continuous procedure.
NOTE: The boat must be able to reach a cruising speed of at least 6.4 km/h (4 mph) to perform the heading
alignment.
1Drive the boat to a location with calm, open water.
2Set the display to view heading data from the connected compass.
NOTE: You must not use GPS Course Over Ground (COG) to perform basic calibration.
3Disconnect the compass from the NMEA 2000 network or turn off the power to the NMEA 2000 network.
4Wait while the boat becomes level and stationary.
5Turn on power to the compass, and wait until the heading data appears on the display .
NOTE: If you are performing the first basic calibration after a factory reset, the heading is blank.
6Within three minutes, complete two full, slow, tight circles , taking care to keep the boat as steady and
level as possible.
The boat should not list during calibration.
When the compass is prepared to calibrate the compass, the heading data disappears from the display
You may receive an error message that the heading was lost. You can ignore this message.
7Continue turning in the same direction at the same speed for approximately 1 1/2 rotations until the
heading data appears .
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When the heading data appears, the compass has been calibrated successfully, and you can align the
heading (optional).
8Select an option.
• If you want to align the heading to match the front of the boat, proceed to the next step.
• If you do not want to align the heading, stop turning and wait, keeping the boat stationary. Over the next
two minutes the heading data should disappear and then reappear. When the heading data reappears, the
compass should be calibrated and no heading offset should be applied.
NOTE: If an unwanted heading offset is applied, repeat the calibration procedure.
9Continue turning in the same direction at the same speed for approximately ten seconds, until the heading
data disappears from the display .
10 When it is safe, straighten the boat and drive in a straight line at cruising speed (must be at least
6.4 km/h (4 mph)) until the heading data appears .
When the heading appears, the compass has been calibrated, and the heading has been aligned.
11 Test the results of the calibration, and repeat this procedure if necessary.
Compass Settings
From the NMEA 2000 device list, select the MSC 10, and select Review.
Auto Locate: Allows you to clear existing satellite data and force the device to acquire new data.
Factory Defaults: Allows you to reset the antenna settings to the factory default value. You will lose all custom
configuration settings.
Cleaning the Outer Casing
NOTICE
Avoid chemical cleaners and solvents that can damage plastic components.
1Clean the outer casing of the device using a cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution.
2Wipe the device dry.
Appendix
Software Update
You must update the Garmin chartplotter software when you install this device. For instructions on updating
the software, see your chartplotter owner's manual at support.garmin.com.
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