Garmin GPSMAP 64st How to Manually Enter Coordinates for Waypoint

The Garmin GPSMAP 64st is a rugged handheld GPS device featuring a high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver, a 2.6-inch sunlight-readable color display, preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K maps, and a 3-axis compass with barometric altimeter. A key function is creating custom waypoints by manually entering precise coordinates. Below are detailed sections covering the device overview, preparation, step-by-step entry procedures, coordinate formats, tips, and troubleshooting.

1. Device Overview & Key Buttons 2. Preparation Before Entry 3. Step-by-Step Entry Procedure 4. Understanding Coordinate Formats 5. Saving & Managing Waypoints 6. Tips for Accurate Entry 7. Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Device Overview & Key Buttons

Key components for waypoint entry: Front buttons, Rocker pad, ENTER/MARK button, MENU button, QUIT button, and the touchscreen interface (if applicable).

Control	Function for Waypoint Entry
Rocker Pad	Navigates menus and highlights fields; moves cursor within coordinate entry screen.
ENTER/MARK Button	Press and hold to instantly mark current location; presses to confirm selections or open the waypoint creation menu.
MENU Button	Opens context-sensitive menus; from the map screen, opens main menu to access Waypoint Manager.
QUIT Button	Exits a screen or menu without saving changes.
Zoom In/Out Buttons	Adjust map zoom level to verify waypoint location after entry.

Preparation Before Entry

Ensure the device is powered on and has acquired a GPS signal for context, though not strictly required for manual entry.

Check Battery: Ensure sufficient charge to prevent shutdown during entry.
Set Coordinate Format: Go to Setup > Position Format and select your desired format (e.g., hddd°mm.mmm', UTM UPS). Match this to the coordinates you plan to enter.
Set Map Datum: In Setup > Position Format, ensure the Datum (e.g., WGS 84) matches the source of your coordinates.

IMPORTANT! Mismatched format or datum will result in an inaccurate waypoint location.

Step-by-Step Entry Procedure

Follow these steps to manually create a waypoint from coordinates.

From the Map screen, press the MENU button twice to open the Main Menu.
Use the Rocker to highlight Waypoint Manager and press ENTER.
Press MENU again and select Create New Waypoint.
A new waypoint screen appears with the "Location" field highlighted. Press ENTER to edit.
Use the Rocker to move the cursor between numbers and directional letters (N/S, E/W). Use the Rocker up/down to change values.
Enter the latitude coordinates, then the longitude coordinates precisely.
Press ENTER when finished editing the location field.
Optionally, edit the Name, Symbol, or other details using the Rocker.
Scroll to Done and press ENTER to save the new waypoint.

Understanding Coordinate Formats

The GPSMAP 64st supports multiple formats. Ensure you know which one you are using.

hddd°mm.mmm' (Degrees, Decimal Minutes): Example: N 45°30.123', W 122°45.678'. Most common for recreational use.
hddd.ddddd° (Decimal Degrees): Example: 45.50205°, -122.76130°.
UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator): Example: 10T E 525234 N 5037891. Uses zone, easting, and northing.
MGRS (Military Grid Reference System): Similar to UTM, used in military and topographic maps.

Tip: Double-check if your coordinates use North/South and East/West indicators or positive/negative decimals (West and South are negative in Decimal Degrees).

Saving & Managing Waypoints

After creation, waypoints are stored in the device memory and can be edited, navigated to, or deleted.

To Navigate: From the Waypoint Manager, select the waypoint and choose "Go".
To Edit: Select the waypoint, press ENTER, and choose "Edit".
To Delete: Select the waypoint, press MENU, and choose "Delete".
Waypoint Projection: You can create a new waypoint at a specific distance and bearing from an existing one using the "Project Waypoint" feature in the waypoint's menu.

Tips for Accurate Entry

Precision is critical when entering coordinates manually.

Always verify the coordinate format and datum settings before entry.
Read coordinates carefully from your source map or document. Transpose numbers correctly.
Pay close attention to directional letters (N/S/E/W). Entering 'S' instead of 'N' will place the waypoint in the opposite hemisphere.
After saving, use the "Map" view to see if the waypoint appears in a logical location (e.g., on a trail, near a summit).
Consider entering a descriptive name (e.g., "Camp 12A") immediately to avoid confusion later.

WARNING! A single digit error can place the waypoint hundreds of meters or miles off. Verify twice.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Waypoint appears in wrong location	Incorrect Position Format or Datum setting.	Go to Setup > Position Format and ensure settings match your coordinate source. Re-enter the coordinates.
Cannot change N/S/E/W letter	Cursor not on letter field.	Use the Rocker to move the cursor onto the directional letter, then rock up/down to change it.
Device won't save waypoint	Invalid coordinate value entered.	Ensure numbers are within valid ranges (Lat: 0-90, Long: 0-180). Check for extra decimal points.
Waypoint list is full	Device memory limit reached.	Delete unused waypoints or transfer them to your computer using Garmin BaseCamp software.
Rocker pad not responding well	Dirt/debris or low battery.	Clean around the rocker pad gently; replace batteries if device is sluggish.

Reset: If menus behave unexpectedly, a soft reset (power off and on) may help. For persistent issues, perform a master reset (see manual), which will erase all user data.

Support: For further assistance, visit support.garmin.com or consult your device's full manual.