GPS Basics

A. Getting a Satellite Signal

The GPS can be turned on indoors to gain temporary access to the GPS functions to begin to become familiar with the features of a GPS device.

Signals from 3 satellites are needed to determine latitude and longitude (2D tracking) so that the Map Screen can display a map of your area.  Signals from 4 satellites are needed to determine elevation (3D tracking).

When you are not getting a strong satellite signal you will be asked to go outside or move to a clear area.  Turn off the GPS and start up again.

B. The Buttons Include:

Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons (for the Map Screen)

The Joystick (also used to Enter a command by pressing down)

The NAV button (to switch screens)

The Mark button (to begin the process of marking a Point of Interest)

The GOTO button (to begin the process of navigation to a Point of Interest)

The ESC button (to go back to last viewed function or screen)

The Menu provides options include

• Customize Page
• Map Set-Up
• Points of Interest
• Routes
• Track Log
• Preferences
• Help

C. Navigation Screens

The Satellite Status Screen Appears when you start the GPS unit. 

The Navigation Screens Loop

Map > < Compass > < Location > < Satellite Status > < Map

Use NAV to go >

Use ESC to go <

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D. Preferences

Preferences include map units, power management, personalize, language, etc.

• Press Menu

• Use the Joystick to navigate to  Preferences
• Use the Joystick to Highlight Map Units
• Press Enter

Map Units Include:

Navigation Units

• Miles/Ft/MPH
• Nautical Miles/Ft/Knots
• Kilometers/KPH

North Reference

• TRUE
• Magnetic North

Coordinate System

• Latitude and Longitude

                        DEG/MIN.MMM

                        DEG/MIN/SEC         

                        DEG.DDDD

• UTM
• 10 other options

Map Datum Include

• WGS64,
• 10 other options

E. Points of Interest

Your first task when you go is to "MARK" and name a Point of Interest. 

• Go outside and wait to get at least 3 strong signals
• Press MARK
• Use the Joystick to move to the Name field
• Use the Joystick to select and enter letters for a name for the location
• Highlight OK and ENTER
• Highlight Save and ENTER

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F. Follow a Stored Multi-Leg Route 

Sometimes you may want students to follow a route that you have designed for them.

Each team has one GPS that already has a stored Multi-Leg Route with three stored POIs. It will lead you to a pine tree and a big rock on the campus and then back to the front of Hasbrouck Lab. Each team has a different stored route to follow (LOOPQ through LOOPZ).

• Press MENU
• Use the joystick to navigate to ROUTES
• Use the joystick to navigate to a ROUTE (e.g., LOOPY)
• Use ENTER to select the ROUTE
• Use ENTER to activate the ROUTE
• The Compass Screen will appear [See Section G to Customize]
• You can switch to the MAP Screen and zoom in to see the route.
• Go back to the Compass Screen
• Your first DESTINATION will appear in the upper left hand corner.
• The ICON on the perimeter of the compass will guide you to your first destination.
• A WARNING notice will appear as you get close to the first destination.
• Press ESC to turn off the warning.
• If you go past the first destination, the compass needle will guide you back.
• Then navigate to the second and third destinations.

G. Customize the Compass Screen

.

The default settings of the 2 data fields on the Compass Screen are distance and speed.  You can change data fields to bearing, ETA, ETE, Elevation, Time, or Date.

• To customize the Compass Screen you need to:
• Press MENU.
• Use the joystick to select the field you want to customize.
• Press Enter.
• Highlight the change you want to make.
• Press Enter.
• Press Esc.

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H.  Create a Multi-Leg Route

Sometimes you want students to locate their own Points of Interest and to keep a record of their route.  Each team has one GPS unit that does not have a Multi-Leg Route stored in it. It can be used to mark POIs to create a Multi-Leg Route.

• Press MENU
• Use joystick to highlight Routes.
• Press ENTER.
• Use joystick to highlight <New>.
• Press ENTER.
• <Add POI> is highlighted.  Press ENTER.
• The POI database is shown.
• Select the starting POI for the route (the starting point you named and saved).
• Press ENTER.
• Go with your team to the first destination...
• When you get there, "MARK" and "Name" that feature.
• Mark and Name the second destination.
• Use joystick to highlight Save Route when done adding POIs.
• Press ENTER.
• Use joystick to NAME the route and press ENTER.
• Highlight OK.
• Press ENTER.

I.  Navigate back to Lederle

Notice that your Multi-Leg Route ended in front of Hasbrouck. You can use the GOTO button to navigate your way back to Lederle.

• Press GOTO.
• Select the Lederle POI.
• Press Enter.
• Navigate to Lederle.

J.  The Paper Map/GPS Connection.

You can use a paper map to determine the coordinates of several locations before going there. 

See page 27 of the eXplorist Manual.