Oregon Scientific GP123 User manual

GPS Scout Backtrack Altimeter
Model: GP123
USER MANUAL

EN
1
GPS Scout
Backtrack Altimeter
Model: GP123
USER MANUAL
INDEX
Introduction ...................................................................2
Overview ........................................................................2
Front view ................................................................2
LCD screen ..............................................................3
Battery replacement ......................................................3
Displays .........................................................................4
Operation modes .....................................................4
Time / date / alarm ...................................................4
To set clock and alarm ..................................................5
Altimeter and barometer modes ..................................5
About the altimeter - barometer ...............................5
To set and reset altimeter .........................................5
To set sea level pressure .........................................6
Compass mode .............................................................6
About the compass ..................................................6
Compass sensor calibration .....................................7
Declination angle .....................................................7
True North calibration ...............................................8
GPS mode ......................................................................8
LED light .....................................................................10
Backlight / keypad lock ..............................................10
Water resistance ..........................................................10
Specifications ..............................................................10
Precautions ..................................................................10
About Oregon Scientific .............................................11
EU declaration of conformity .....................................11

EN
2
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting the Oregon ScientificTM GPS Scout
Backtrack Altimeter (GP123). Useful for any outdoor activity,
the GP123 comes equipped with GPS, altimeter, barometer,
compass and alarm.
With easy-to-view display and sturdy yet comfortable palm-
grip design, the GP123 is useful when venturing outdoors.
View at a glance temperature, time and weather forecast
information as well as data relating to altitude, barometer,
compass and GPS depending on your selection.
Store up to 3 locations and use the backtrack function to
easily navigate your way back.
IMPORTANT
• The measurement functions built into the GP123 are
not meant to substitute professional measurement
or industrial precision devices. Values produced
by this device should be considered as reasonable
representations only.
• Oregon ScientificTM assumes no responsibility for any
loss, or any claims by third parties that may arise
through the use of this device.
OVERVIEW
FRONT VIEW
1
2
3
5
6
4
1. LED light
2. : select location ( / / ); store location
into memory; increase value of the setting; toggle
setting options

EN
3
3. DISP/-: toggle between modes; enter time setting mode;
decrease value of the setting; toggle setting options
4. SET: confirm setting; toggle bottom line display (time
/ date / alarm); enter settings for altitude/ barometer /
compass
5. : turn on LED light
6. : turn on backlight; lock / unlock keypad
LCD SCREEN
1. Indicates which mode (ALTI / BARO / COMPASS / GPS)
is displayed: altitude / barometer / compass / GPS
2. Temperature
3. Weather forecast
4. Key press prompt: - press SET; - press and
hold SET
5. : keypad is locked
6. : sea level is displayed
7. : altitude memory is being deleted
8. AM/PM: 12 hour format
9. : alarm time is displayed
10. : daily alarm is on
11. : GPS signal quality indicator
12. / / : stored location (parking space / home /
favourite spot)
13. : maximum altitude reached / exceeded
14. Measurement units (hPa, m, km / ft, inHg, mi)
15. : low battery indicator
16. : direction indicator
BATTERY REPLACEMENT
The GP123 uses 2 x AAA batteries which have already been
installed.
If the battery power of the unit is low, and ‘need new
batt’ are displayed. Promptly replace the battery to ensure
continuous operation of GPS and other functions.

EN
4
To replace battery:
1. Lift up the ring lever part of the screw and rotate counter
clockwise to open battery compartment.
2. Remove battery compartment cover.
3. Insert the batteries, matching the polarities.
4. Close the battery compartment and rotate screw
clockwise to secure.
DISPLAYS
OPERATION MODES
Press DISP/- to toggle between modes:
PM
MAX
PM
PM
PM
SEA
DISP/-
DISP/- DISP/-
DISP/-
TIME / DATE / ALARM
Press SET to toggle between time / date / alarm in any
mode.

EN
5
TO SET CLOCK AND ALARM
1. Press and hold DISP/- to enter time setting mode.
2. Set clock and alarm by pressing the following buttons:
• to increase value or toggle options
• DISP/- to decrease value or toggle options
• SET to confirm
The setting options are: hour format, hour, minute, year,
calendar format, month, date, alarm time (hour / minute),
alarm on/off, measurement unit.
NOTE For your convenience, measurement units have
been programmed to automatically follow the same format
(imperial / metric).
will appear when alarm has been enabled.
To disable alarm:
Press any key.
ALTIMETER AND BAROMETER MODES
ABOUT THE ALTIMETER - BAROMETER
The altimeter measures altitude in either meters or feet.
The device is equipped with an intelligent barometer that
determines altitude by the built-in sensor and advanced
Baro-compensation technology. It also distinguishes the
differences between pressure caused by the changes
in physical altitudes and pressure caused by weather
conditions. This eliminates discrepancies and makes the
altimeter more accurate than most of the average devices
available on the market. Maximum altitude and instant sea
level pressure readings are also provided.
TO SET AND RESET ALTIMETER
The altitude is automatically measured from the moment you
switch on the device. It will provide both barometer readings
and maximum sea level pressure readings.
To set and reset altimeter:
1. Press DISP/- repeatedly to navigate to altimeter mode.
2. Press and hold SET to enter settings.
3. Press or DISP/- to change current altitude, then
SET to confirm.
4. Press or DISP/- to select whether to clear

EN
6
maximum altitude record (yes / no), then SET to
confirm.
TO SET SEA LEVEL PRESSURE
1. Press DISP/- repeatedly to navigate to barometer
mode.
2. Press and hold SET to enter settings.
3. Set the following options (sea level pressure, weather
forecast icons) by pressing the following buttons:
• to increase value or toggle options
• DISP/- to decrease value or toggle options
• SET to confirm
TIP To help device quickly detect weather conditions after
its turned on for the first time or after battery reset, you are
recommended to manually set the weather icon. If weather
icon has not been set, the unit will simply take longer to
detect current weather conditions.
This device forecasts the next 12 to 24 hours of weather.
Sunny Partially
cloudy Cloudy Rainy
COMPASS MODE
IMPORTANT Although the compass has been calibrated
during the manufacturing process, it is highly recommended
to calibrate the compass before first use to take into account
location factors which may affect the compass.
For more accurate readings, it is strongly recommended to
calibrate the compass whenever outdoors.
The compass should be calibrated:
• Before first use.
• After the battery has been replaced.
• Before you leave for an extended outdoor activity.
• Whenever it is exposed to strong magnetic sources,
extreme cold, or you suspect that other environmental
conditions have affected the compass readings.
• If you notice that the compass is not showing the
direction correctly.
ABOUT THE COMPASS
The compass shows the bearing in degrees due North
together with 16 cardinal / ordinal points. The outer
circumference of the display consists of 16 segments that
graphically show the bearing. The last lit segment indicates
North as shown below.

EN
7
NOTE If no key has been pressed in any 5 minute period,
the compass will time out and return to Altimeter mode
(default display).
COMPASS SENSOR CALIBRATION
NOTE
• Always take bearings in the open air, not inside
buildings, tents, caves, or other shelters.
• Compass readings should be performed away from
magnetic materials. Avoid large magnetic objects,
power lines, loudspeakers, electric motors etc.
IMPORTANT Compass calibration should be done on a flat
horizontal surface. If there is no flat stable surface available,
place it on the palm of your hand so that it is perpendicular to
your body. Using the other hand, turn the unit to calibrate.
To calibrate the compass sensor:
1. Press DISP/- repeatedly to navigate to compass mode.
2. Press and hold SET. Display will show CALI and smart
prompt .
3. Press SET to start calibration.
4. Rotate the unit clockwise at a constant speed. The
moving segments around the circumference of the
display act as a guide. The rotation will be finished once
you have performed 2 turns.
NOTE OK indicates calibration has been successfully
completed. Repeat steps 2-4 if FAIL is displayed.
DECLINATION ANGLE
Declination is the angle between where a compass needle
points (magnetic North Pole) and the true North Pole. The
declination angle can vary from 0-30 degrees East (E)
or West (W) and can be found on most maps or on the
Internet.
For declinations in the United States:
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomagmodels/Declination.jsp
1. Enter your zip code in the text box.
2. Click “Get Location”.
3. Scroll down and click “Compute”.
For declinations in Canada:
http://geomag.nrcan.gc.ca/apps/mdcal-eng.php

EN
8
For places elsewhere in the world, visit the website:
http://www.magnetic-declination.com
When you set the declination angle on the compass you
compensate for the difference between true and magnetic
north. This makes the compass reading more accurate.
To set the declination angle:
1. Press DISP/- repeatedly to navigate to compass mode.
2. Press and hold SET. Display will show CALI.
3. Press DISP/- to toggle to declination option. Display will
show DECLI.
4. Press SET to confirm.
5. Set the following options: on / off; West / East (only if
ON is selected); degree of declination angle by pressing
the following buttons:
• to increase value or toggle options
• DISP/- to decrease value or toggle options
• SET to confirm
TRUE NORTH CALIBRATION
When you do not know the declination angle, the true north
calibration function can be used to compensate for the
difference between magnetic and true north. All you need
to know is the direction of true north (this can be found from
landmarks in your immediate vicinity). Setting the true north
calibration makes the compass reading more accurate.
To set True North calibration:
1. Press DISP/- repeatedly to navigate to compass mode.
2. Press and hold SET. Display will show CALI.
3. Press DISP/- to toggle to True North option. Display will
show NORTH.
4. Press SET to enter settings.
5. Press to select on / off, then press SET to
confirm.
If ‘ON’ has been selected, rotate the unit to align direction
indicator to true north when prompted, then press SET to
confirm.
NOTE If the declination angle is turned ON, the True north
function will automatically turn itself OFF and vice-versa.
GPS MODE
TIP Go outdoors and move to an open area for best GPS
signal quality. Stand still when device searches for GPS
signal.
Press DISP/- repeatedly to navigate to GPS mode.
When in GPS mode, the device automatically searches for
GPS.
NOTE Upon exiting GPS mode, GPS signal will remain
locked for 60 seconds to allow navigating to other modes.
will flash during search.

EN
9
The signal quality is as follows:
Excellent
Good
Poor
“No icon” No signal
For GPS function to operate, signal quality needs to be good
or excellent.
Once GPS signal has been found, the device can store up
to 3 locations at any one time. For your convenience, each
location is represented by an icon:
Icon Suggested use
Parking space
Home
Favourite spot
To mark location:
1. Press repeatedly to select desired icon.
2. Press and hold to save location into memory.
To search for stored location (backtrack function):
1. Press DISP/- repeatedly to navigate to GPS mode.
2. Once GPS signal has been successfully found, press
repeatedly to select the symbol which represents
the location you wish to return to.
3. Walk according to the arrow direction as shown on the
LCD display.
The display will also show the remaining distance. When
REACH appears, you have arrived at the desired location.
NOTE REACH will appear when you are close to the saved
location.
NOTE If no key has been pressed in any 15 minute period,
SLEEP will appear on the display indicating GPS has timed
out. Press any key to return to GPS mode.
NOTE Prolonged usage of backtrack function will shorten
battery life.