Garmin GPS 12 Owner's Manual

The Garmin GPS 12 is a rugged, waterproof 12-channel GPS receiver designed for outdoor navigation. It features a high-contrast LCD display, intuitive interface, and long battery life. This manual covers essential information for setup, operation, navigation, and maintenance of your GPS 12 unit. Below are key sections for features, installation, basic operation, advanced functions, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation & Setup 3. Basic Operation 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Display 6. Navigation Functions 7. Waypoints & Routes 8. System Configuration 9. Care & Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: 12-parallel channel GPS receiver, waterproof case (IPX7), backlit LCD display, external antenna port, serial data interface, and rugged design.

Feature	Description
12-Channel Receiver	Fast acquisition and tracking of GPS satellites
Waterproof Design	IPX7 standard (submersible to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
High-Contrast Display	4-level gray scale LCD with backlight for low-light conditions
External Antenna Port	For connection to external GPS antenna (optional)
Serial Interface	NMEA 0183 output for connection to computers or chart plotters
Waypoint Storage	Up to 500 user-defined waypoints with names and symbols
Route Capability	20 reversible routes with up to 30 waypoints each
Track Log	Automatic track recording with 10 saved tracks
Battery Life	Approximately 24 hours on 4 AA batteries (alkaline)
Navigation Screens	Position, Map, Highway, Compass, and Menu pages

Installation & Setup

Unpack and inspect contents. Install batteries and perform initial setup.

Install batteries: Open battery compartment, insert 4 AA batteries observing polarity.
Power on: Press and hold POWER button until unit beeps and display activates.
Initial satellite acquisition: Place unit outdoors with clear view of sky. Allow 5-15 minutes for first fix.
Set preferences: Use MENU system to configure units, time format, and display options.

WARNING! For first-time use, ensure clear view of sky for proper satellite acquisition. Do not obstruct antenna.

Basic Operation

Power on GPS 12; observe satellite acquisition status.

Acquire satellites: Wait for "Ready to Navigate" message with 3D position fix.
View position: Press PAGE button to cycle through navigation screens.
Mark waypoint: Press and hold ENTER/MARK button to save current position.
Navigate to waypoint: Use GOTO function to select destination waypoint.
Adjust backlight: Press and release POWER button to toggle backlight on/off.

CAUTION! GPS accuracy can be affected by atmospheric conditions, obstructions, and satellite geometry.

Specifications

Receiver: 12 parallel channel, all-in-view tracking
Update Rate: 1 second continuous
Acquisition Time: Warm: ~15 seconds; Cold: ~45 seconds
Accuracy: Position: <15 meters RMS; Velocity: 0.1 knot RMS
Dynamics: Up to 999 knots velocity; 6g acceleration
Interfaces: NMEA 0183 v2.0, RTCM 104 DGPS corrections
Display: 5.6 x 3.8 cm (2.2" x 1.5") 4-level gray LCD
Power: 4 AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH), 10-32 VDC external
Waterproof: IPX7 standard (1 meter for 30 minutes)
Operating Temp: -15°C to 70°C (5°F to 158°F)
Dimensions: 14.2 x 5.1 x 3.3 cm (5.6" x 2.0" x 1.3")
Weight: 255 g (9 oz) with batteries

Controls and Display

Front Panel: POWER (on/off/backlight), PAGE (screen cycle), ENTER/MARK (confirm/mark), ROCKER (up/down/left/right navigation).

Display Pages: Position (lat/lon, altitude, accuracy), Map (moving map display), Highway (steering guidance), Compass (bearing/distance), Menu (system functions).

Status Indicators: Satellite reception (bar graph), battery level, position fix type (2D/3D), data recording icon.

Navigation Functions

GOTO Navigation: Select waypoint, view bearing/distance, follow steering guidance.

Initiate GOTO: From any page, press GOTO button, select waypoint from list.
Follow navigation: Observe Highway or Compass page for steering guidance.
Arrival alarm: Unit beeps when within arrival radius of destination.
Cancel GOTO: Press GOTO button twice to cancel active navigation.

Tip: For best accuracy, ensure you have 3D position fix (4+ satellites) before navigating.

Waypoints & Routes

Create, edit, and navigate using waypoints and routes.

Mark waypoint: Press ENTER/MARK, edit name/symbol if desired, press ENTER to save.
Edit waypoint: Menu > Waypoints > Select > Edit to modify position, name, or symbol.
Create route: Menu > Routes > New > Add waypoints in sequence.
Navigate route: Menu > Routes > Select > Navigate to follow route waypoints.
Track log: Menu > Tracks to view, save, or clear track history.

WARNING! Always verify waypoint coordinates before navigating. Do not rely solely on GPS for critical navigation.

System Configuration

Menu > Setup for system preferences: Units (statute/nautical/metric), Time (12/24 hour, time zone), Display (contrast, backlight timeout), Interface (NMEA output settings), System (battery type, alarms).

Care & Maintenance

Clean with damp cloth only. Do not use chemicals or abrasives. Store in cool, dry place. Replace batteries when low battery indicator appears.

CAUTION! Do not open unit casing. No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer to authorized service center for repairs.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits. This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the condition that this device does not cause harmful interference. Copyright © Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Garmin and the Garmin logo are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. For support, visit www.garmin.com or contact Garmin Product Support.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No power	Dead batteries	Replace all 4 AA batteries with fresh ones.
Poor satellite reception	Obstructions	Move to open area with clear view of sky.
Inaccurate position	Poor satellite geometry	Wait for better satellite alignment; ensure 3D fix.
Display difficult to read	Contrast setting	Adjust contrast via Menu > Setup > Display.
Waypoint not saved	Memory full	Delete unused waypoints to free memory.
No NMEA output	Interface settings	Verify Menu > Setup > Interface settings match connected device.
Unit freezes	Software issue	Remove batteries for 30 seconds, then reinstall.

Reset: Remove batteries for 30 seconds to perform soft reset.

Service: Contact Garmin Product Support or authorized service center.