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Top FAQs:

1. I have connected my USB GPS unit to the PC but the USB GPS device does not show up in the ?Save To? or ?Send To? dialog boxes within MapSource. What is wrong?
2. I am trying to connect my USB Data Card Programmer to the PC. I am getting a message in MapSource that says ?NO COMPATIBLE DEVICES FOUND? or the USB Card Programmer does not show up in the Save To or Send To dialog boxes. What?s wrong?
3. How do I load a map from MapSource to my GPS?
4. My PC is unable to recognize my GPS unit when I connect it to the serial port on my PC. What could be wrong?
5. I cannot establish communication through my PC serial port to my GPS but my PDA connects fine, what can be the problem?
6. Are MapSource and the USB Datacard Programmer compatible with Windows XP?
7. How do I connect my GPS to a PC using a serial interface cable?
8. How do you update the operating software on a GPS unit?
9. I am using a USB to Serial Converter Cable to connect my unit to my PC and still cannot connect. What might be the problem?
10. What interface setting do I use for my GPS when I connect it to a computer, chartplotter, autopilot, differential beacon receiver, or another Garmin GPS?
11. Can I order directly from Garmin?
12. How do I arrange to get my Garmin unit repaired in the U.S.?

USB Interface:

1. I have connected my USB GPS unit to the PC but the USB GPS device does not show up in the ?Save To? or ?Send To? dialog boxes within MapSource. What is wrong?
2. I am trying to connect my USB Data Card Programmer to the PC. I am getting a message in MapSource that says ?NO COMPATIBLE DEVICES FOUND? or the USB Card Programmer does not show up in the Save To or Send To dialog boxes. What?s wrong?
3. I am using a USB to Serial Converter Cable to connect my unit to my PC and still cannot connect. What might be the problem?

PC Connections/Interfacing/NMEA:

1. I am trying to connect my USB Data Card Programmer to the PC. I am getting a message in MapSource that says ?NO COMPATIBLE DEVICES FOUND? or the USB Card Programmer does not show up in the Save To or Send To dialog boxes. What?s wrong?
2. I have connected my USB GPS unit to the PC but the USB GPS device does not show up in the ?Save To? or ?Send To? dialog boxes within MapSource. What is wrong?
3. My PC is unable to recognize my GPS unit when I connect it to the serial port on my PC. What could be wrong?
4. How do you update the operating software on a GPS unit?
5. How do I connect my GPS to a PC using a serial interface cable?
6. I cannot establish communication through my PC serial port to my GPS but my PDA connects fine, what can be the problem?
7. I am using a USB to Serial Converter Cable to connect my unit to my PC and still cannot connect. What might be the problem?
8. I have a laptop with a serial port connection but I am unable to communicate with my GPS.
9. I am receiving "Character Buffer Overruns" and/or "Framing Errors" when transferring data to or from my GPS unit. What can I do?
10. My GPS will not communicate with the third-party software program I would like to use. What could be causing this?
11. Does the GPS 72, 76, MAP 76, or MAP 76S come with a PC interface cable?
12. How is the checksum calculated in NMEA 0183?

iQue:

1. How do I find the internal Unit ID number for my iQue?
2. What is the proper way to place the iQue into?or remove it from?its cradle?
3. Can I use my stylus to enter a Waypoint with my iQue?
4. How do I delete a "recently found place" in my iQue?
5. Is the iQue waterproof?
6. Is the Secure Digital (SD) card a proprietary card? And what does MMC stand for?
7. Am I able to load MP3s directly into the iQue 3600?s internal memory?
8. How do I replace my iQue's stylus?
9. Can I perform real-time tracking with my iQue and a laptop computer?
10. How do I activate the GPS on the iQue?
11. What is the best way to clean the display on my iQue?
12. What type of battery does the iQue have?
13. How long can I expect the iQue to run on a fully charged battery?
14. Where do I connect the external antenna to the iQue?
15. Can my old Palm PDA sync with my new Palm Desktop?
16. Where are the games on the iQue? My Menu page is blank.
17. How do I get the SD/MMC card out of the slot?
18. Why is my updated address list within Palm Desktop not visible after I have performed a HotSync operation?
19. How do I change my routing preferences for my iQue?
20. Does the iQue support a NMEA protocol interface?
21. Can I download more than one basemap at a time onto the iQue from the setup disk?
22. Why am I unable to load detailed maps to my iQue from the MapSource software as I do with my other Garmin GPS unit?
23. How do I input coordinates for a waypoint I wish to create?
24. How do I create a new route?
25. How can I find a point of interest that is near a location other than my current location?
26. How do I delete programs from my iQue?
27. My iQue displays a message that says, ?The connection between your handheld computer and the desktop could not be established. Please check your setup and try again.? Why can?t I HotSync?
28. How do I change the voice/language for autorouting on my iQue?
29. Can I install other MapSource products, such as U.S. Topo, on my iQue. If so, how do I do that?
30. Is the iQue with Apple Macintosh computers?
31. How do I find what maps have been loaded onto the iQue?
32. Can I load a European basemap onto my iQue without purchasing additional software?
33. Will all my current Palm applications work with the iQue?
34. Why does a different program launch when I press the Address button at the bottom of the iQue 3600?
35. How many waypoints can the iQue hold?
36. At what point will I need to purchase an external SD card to store maps onto?
37. Can I perform a TracBack on an iQue?
38. Can I calculate an area in an iQue?
39. How do I turn up the volume of the speaker on my iQue? Is there an external speaker available?
40. What kind of software applications can I download to my iQue?
41. My iQue has 32 MB of internal memory. When I attempt to load 20 MB of map detail, I receive an error log after synchronization indicating that I exceeded the memory limit of the internal storage. Why is this happening?
42. Do I have to use the Map Install application within Palm Desktop to install maps onto my iQue?
43. Is my iQue Bluetooth compatible?
44. Can you use the Secured Digital (SD) slot to store mapping detail from the iQue?
45. Will the iQue work like my other Garmin GPS units?
46. Does the iQue antenna have to be flipped all the way up to receive satellites?
47. How can I find out the amount of internal memory I have available for storage and how much room I have left on my SD card?
48. Is it possible to make the iQue accessible to the Internet?
49. Does the iQue have the ability to present a list of points of interest near a location that is not currently near me?
50. Is there a way to adjust the brightness of the screen on the iQue?
51. I currently own previous MapSource products and have installed my iQue and the MapSource North American City Select Software. Now, each time that I run MapSource and select North American City Select v5, I get a TDB_FirstBootRecord error. How can I resolve this?
52. When loading maps to a SD card in my iQue, why do I keep getting a message stating the memory is full? I know I have enough space.
53. My iQue no longer produces any voice directions even though the volume is set to high. Why?
54. My iQue no longer responds to the application that I choose (tap) on the screen. Why?

Accessories/Ordering Information:

1. Can I order the connector plug separately without the cable attached for my Garmin GPS?
2. Can I upgrade my older Garmin unit to a newer Garmin unit?
3. Does Garmin take trade-ins?
4. Can I purchase accessories for my GPS 12 online?
5. Do you have a retail store at your factory in the U.S. where I can buy accessories or see your products demonstrated?
6. Can I order directly from Garmin?
7. Does Garmin make an instructional video for my GPS unit?
8. What is Garmin European VAT number?

GPS Operations/Features:

1. Do I need to remove the batteries from my Garmin handheld GPS unit when I connect the unit to the 12 Vdc battery on my boat or car?
2. How do I get local time displayed? What about daylight-saving time?
3. What is a map datum? Which map datum do I use?
4. What is the MOB function?
5. What is a Waypoint?
6. What is a Route?
7. What is a Track Log?
8. What is TracBack?
9. How do I scroll through my waypoints when entering waypoints into a route?
10. How do I set the correct time on my unit?
11. What Garmin units feature Military Grid Reference System (MGRS)?
12. Why are there waypoints in my waypoint list beginning with the letter "T"?
13. Where can I find a complete list of Garmin's WAAS-enabled GPS units?
14. What interface setting do I use for my GPS when I connect it to a computer, chartplotter, autopilot, differential beacon receiver, or another Garmin GPS?
15. How do you update the operating software on a GPS unit?

Warranty/Repairs:

1. What is the warranty on Garmin units?
2. Should I have received a Warranty Registration card with my Garmin unit?
3. How do I arrange to get my Garmin unit repaired in Europe?
4. Garmin has a Sales and Service Center in Taiwan:
5. Will my GPS unit float?
6. Do you have a retail store at your factory in the U.S. where I can buy accessories or see your products demonstrated?
7. How may I obtain warranty service in Canada?
8. How do I arrange to get my Garmin unit repaired in the U.S.?
9. What factors should I be aware of if I purchase a GPS unit from another individual?

Common Troubleshooting Questions:

1. What do I do when my unit displays a "Low Memory Battery" message?
2. Why can't I enter some of my Airport identifiers in my aviation GPS unit?
3. I can't get my Jeppesen Aviation database update to work with my GPS unit. What can I try?
4. What does the message "NO RTCM INPUT" mean?
5. Why am I not receiving fish information from my sounder around obscured places like rises and ravines which are on the bottom of the lake?
6. I just updated my Jeppesen database in my GPS III Pilot/GPSMAP 195 and now it locks up when I try to search for intersections or VOR's with the letters X, Y, and Z. How do I fix it?
7. When I attempt to look up an address, the StreetPilot III/BMW Motorcycles Navigator cannot locate it. What can I do?

Unit-Specific Questions:

1. My GPS 76/GPSMAP76 displays the wrong date. How can I change it?
2. My eTrex Venture/Legend/Vista displays the wrong date. How can I change it?
3. Why doesn't my StreetPilot III/BMW Motorcycles Navigator/GPS V take me on the same route that I know to be the quickest to my favorite local spots?
4. I cannot find an address in my StreetPilot III/BMW Motorcycles Navigator, and I have both City Navigator and MetroGuide (Americas versions) data loaded.
5. Which eTrex units have mapping memory?
6. How is the Thumb Stick (five-position cursor switch) used on the eTrex Venture, Legend, or Vista?
7. Do I have the ability to connect an external antenna to my eTrex?
8. Can I hard-wire my eTrex unit directly to a 12 V power source?
9. Can I mount my eTrex unit to my dash/handlebar/windshield?
10. Is my eTrex unit waterproof?
11. What do the electronic compass and barometric altimeter provide to the user?
12. Is my Garmin unit waterproof?
13. Can I use MapSource US Topo or MapSource BlueChart with the GPS V or STP III?
14. What sort of detail does the basemap for the StreetPilot III or the GPS V include?
15. What are the differences between the eTrex units?
16. What are the differences between the GPS V and the StreetPilot III?
17. How are adjustments made to darken/lighten the display of the GPS 12 series units?
18. How can I enter the coordinates for a known location into a GPS 12 series unit and save the location as a waypoint?
19. What NMEA version does my GPS unit output?
20. Why are there waypoints in my waypoint list beginning with the letter "T"?
21. Can I purchase accessories for my GPS 12 online?
22. What are the differences between the GPS 72 and the GPS 76?
23. Will my GPS unit float?
24. Do units of the 72/76 series have audible alarms?
25. Can I real-time track using any MapSource product and my GPS 72/76 series unit?
26. Do the GPS 72/76 series units have mapping memory?
27. Does the GPS 72, 76, MAP 76, or MAP 76S come with a PC interface cable?
28. Do I need to purchase a datacard for my GPS 72/76 series or eTrex unit?
29. Is my GPS 72/76 series unit WAAS enabled?
30. Can I real-time track on a PC using a GPS 12 series unit?
31. When I attempt to look up an address, the StreetPilot III/BMW Motorcycles Navigator cannot locate it. What can I do?
32. How do you update the operating software on a GPS unit?
33. Can I load maps for my StreetPilot 2610/2650 to a microdrive card? If so, which brand should I use and do I need a card reader?
34. What is the largest CF card or microdrive the StreetPilot 2610 will accept? Will I be able to download the entire volume of North American City Navigator v5 onto this data card?
35. I would like to use my StreetPilot 2610/2650 as a handheld. Is there a battery compartment in the unit or can I purchase a battery pack?
36. Is the StreetPilot 2610/2650 a USB 1.1 or 2.0 device? Can I use a Card Reader to download maps to this unit? Will a USB 1.1 or 2.0 Card Reader speed up the transfer of maps to the data card? What method will provide the fastest transfer of data to a data card?
37. Is the StreetPilot 2610/2650 capable of sending or receiving NMEA data?
38. Am I able to connect an external antenna to my StreetPilot 2610/2650?
39. Can I use the "external speaker with 12/24V adapter" power cable and PC interface cable from my StreetPilot III as a backup to those included with the StreetPilot 2610/2650?
40. Can I upload and download waypoints, routes, and tracks between my computer and the StreetPilot 2610/2650?
41. Is the StreetPilot 2620 just a StreetPilot 2610 with a GS MagicStor CF hard drive?
42. Is there currently extra space on the StreetPilot 2620's hard drive for additional maps?
43. Will updates be available for the map detail that's preloaded on the StreetPilot 2620?
44. Is it possible to change the basemap of a Garmin mapping GPS unit?

Unit-Specific Comparison Questions:

1. What is the difference between a GPS III and GPS III+?
2. What is the difference between the GPS 12 and GPS 12XL?
3. Are the data cards for the StreetPilot III compatible with other Garmin units?
4. What are the differences between the eTrex units?
5. What are the differences between the GPS V and the StreetPilot III?
6. What are the differences between the GPS 72 and the GPS 76?
7. What are the differences between the GPSMAP 76C/CS series and the GPSMAP 60 series?

Software Updates:

1. Where do I go to unsubscribe from the software updates mailing list, get a password reminder, or change my subscription options?
2. Why would I need?or want to?be made aware of future software updates to my registered GPS unit?
3. Why would I need or want to be made aware of future software updates to my registered GPS unit?

Fishfinders, Chartplotters and Sounders:

1. Do you have a flush mount for your fixed-mount marine units? Can they be mounted overhead?
2. Why is placement of transducers so important?
3. Where is the best place to place my thru-hull depth transducer?
4. My boat has a large displacement-hull. Where should I place the transducer?
5. I have a fish symbols turned off on my Fishfinder/Sounder. Why don't I get any arches?
6. I have two fishfinder or sounder units. Can I run them both from the same transducer?
7. I've noticed two versions of several Fishfinder units, such as the Fishfinder 100 and Fishfinder 100 Blue. What is the difference between the standard version and the Blue version?
8. Why can't I get a bottom reading when I am running in shallow water?
9. My fishfinder is stuck in Simulator mode. What can I do?
10. I have a canvas Bimini top on my boat. Can I install my GPS antenna underneath it?
11. What does the loop around the data wires on the wiring diagram for my unit mean?
12. Will the radar beacon antenna installed on my boat interfere with my Garmin GPS antenna?
13. Can I interface my GPS unit with both a VHF radio and an autopilot at the same time?
14. Why can't I get a speed reading from the speed sensor attached to my fishfinder or sounder?
15. Will the transducer of my third-party fishfinder?which is already installed?interfere with the transducer of my new Garmin fishfinder or sounder?
16. Can I lengthen my transducer cable with an extension?
17. Can I use my transom mount transducer as a "shoot-through" transducer?
18. Can I use Loran TD coordinates on my Garmin GPS?

Aviation Databases/Aviation Units:

1. How often are Jeppesen aviation database updates available?
2. How do I update the database in my Garmin aviation panel-mount GPS unit?
3. What areas do the Jeppesen databases for Garmin handheld GPS units cover?
4. How many times can I use my Jeppesen database diskette?
5. Can I load one of the International Jeppesen databases into my Garmin GPS unit if I currently have an Americas database?
6. I have a GPS 55AVD/95AVD/GPS100AVD. How do I update the Jeppesen aviation database?
7. What kind of detail cartridges are available for the GPSMAP 195?
8. I just updated my Jeppesen database in my GPS III Pilot/GPSMAP 195/GPS 92. Now it locks up when I try to search for intersections or VOR's with the letters X, Y, and Z. How do I fix it?
9. What kind of mapping is available for the GPSMAP 196?
10. How do I display the "Panel Page" on the GPSMAP 196?
11. How can I change the mode of the GPSMAP 196 between land, aviation, and marine?
12. How do I connect my GPS to a PC using a serial interface cable?
13. Can any aviation GPS navigator use WAAS corrections?
14. When WAAS is fully certified, what will I be able to do with the CNX80 that I can?t do with my conventional GPS?
15. What are the goals of WAAS GPS?
16. What are the growth capabilities for the CNX80 and what will those capabilities do for me?
17. Does the CNX80 database include SIDS and STARs?
18. Is it difficult to enter a flight plan in the CNX80?
19. Do the VHF navigation and communication components of the CNX80 provide equal performance to Garmin AT stand-alone VHF units?
20. Does the color display of the CNX80 provide the same capability as the MX20?
21. Do data updates for the CNX80 cost more than I?m currently paying?
22. I notice the knobs and buttons on the CNX80 look different than your other GPS and VHF navigation units. Will I have to learn a new user interface?
23. How difficult will it be to integrate the CNX80 into my aircraft?
24. If I buy the CNX80 now, how do I know that it will meet future airspace requirements?
25. Is the CNX80 capable of providing the 8.33 MHz communication frequency spacing required for flight in Europe?
26. I understand that the CNX80 has the ability to remotely tune a transponder. What does that mean?
27. Is equipment cooling an issue with the CNX80?
28. With all these features, how will I be able to afford the CNX80?

MapSource/G-Charts:

1. How do I get my G-chart upgraded/updated?
2. How can I use the PCX5 program in Windows 95/98?
3. How do I care for my G-chart?
4. Which eTrex units have mapping memory?
5. Can I real-time track using any MapSource product and my GPS 72/76 series unit?
6. Do the GPS 72/76 series units have mapping memory?
7. Do I need to purchase a datacard for my GPS 72/76 series or eTrex unit?
8. Can I real-time track on a PC using a GPS 12 series unit?
9. How do you update the operating software on a GPS unit?
10. How do I load a map from MapSource to my GPS?
11. Are MapSource and the USB Datacard Programmer compatible with Windows XP?
12. I need to re-install MapSource City Select software to my computer. The Unlock Wizard asks me for a ?coupon code?. Where is this code?

WAAS:

1. What is WAAS?
2. I'm trying to use WAAS on my eTrex Venture/Legend/Vista but I'm not able to obtain a differential position. What could be wrong?
3. Is my GPS 72/76 series unit WAAS enabled?
4. Where can I find a complete list of Garmin's WAAS-enabled GPS units?
5. Are there benefits to having a unit that uses WAAS for my car or truck?

General GPS Information:

1. What is Differential GPS (DGPS)? What is the GBR 21/GBR 23 Differential Beacon Receiver?
2. Can I post-process the data collected with my Garmin GPS unit to obtain greater accuracy?
3. Do I have to subscribe to a service to use my GPS?
4. Can I use Loran TD coordinates on my Garmin GPS?
5. Where can I find a complete list of Garmin's WAAS-enabled GPS units?

Sensors - barometric altimeter and compass:

1. How do you calibrate the barometer in my GPS?
2. Why don't I see an elevation profile?
3. Why don't I see a pressure plot?
4. Can my GPS unit take a pressure reading while the unit is off?
5. Is the altimeter or barometer temperature compensated?
6. What is "normalized pressure"?
7. What is the difference between ambient and normalized/barometer pressure?
8. Why did my unit note a minimal pressure change when I know that I climbed 1,000 feet?
9. Why does the elevation on my unit read 65,000 feet?
10. What is the minimum/maximum elevation the barometric altimeter will read?
11. How do I use the barometer to track weather patterns?
12. Will the calibrated altitude remain accurate if I move to a new location?
13. What happens to the pressure plot as my elevation changes?
14. Which pressure plot should I use to track the weather?
15. Why is the "total ascent" and the "total descent" different when I do a round trip?
16. Why is my "glide ratio to target" blank when I am navigating?
17. Why does the barometer/normalized pressure change when I calibrate the altimeter with a known elevation?
18. Why does my elevation plot show a sharp change in elevation even though my elevation has not changed?