How to Set Breadcrumbs Garmin GPSMAP 765 Manual

The Garmin GPSMAP 765 is a marine chartplotter with advanced navigation features, including the ability to set and follow breadcrumb trails. Breadcrumbs are visual markers left on the map as you travel, allowing you to retrace your path. Below are key sections for understanding, enabling, customizing, and using the breadcrumb feature on your GPSMAP 765.

1. Understanding Breadcrumbs 2. Enabling/Disabling Breadcrumbs 3. Customizing Breadcrumb Display 4. Following a Breadcrumb Trail 5. Clearing Breadcrumbs 6. Breadcrumb Settings Menu 7. Tips for Effective Use 8. Troubleshooting Breadcrumb Issues 9. Related Navigation Features

Understanding Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs (also called Track Log or Trail) are a series of points automatically recorded by your GPSMAP 765 at set intervals (time or distance). They create a visual track line on the chart, showing exactly where you have been.

Term	Description
Breadcrumb Point	An individual recorded GPS position.
Breadcrumb Trail	The continuous line connecting all recorded points.
Recording Interval	How often a point is recorded (e.g., every 10 seconds or 0.01 nm).
Track Log	The saved collection of breadcrumb points for a specific trip.

Primary Use: To safely retrace your route in low visibility, through complex waterways, or when returning to a starting point without a pre-planned route.

Enabling/Disabling Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumb recording can be turned on or off. It is often enabled by default.

From the Home screen, press MENU twice to open the main menu.
Select Navigation > Tracks.
Ensure Record Track is set to On.
To disable, set Record Track to Off. Recording will stop, and existing trail will remain visible until cleared.

Note: The unit must have a valid GPS fix to record breadcrumbs.

Customizing Breadcrumb Display

You can change how the breadcrumb trail appears on your chart.

Go to MENU > Navigation > Tracks.
Select Track Log Setup or Appearance.
Adjust the following settings:
- Color: Choose a high-visibility color (e.g., bright red, white).
- Width: Set the line thickness.
- Recording Method: Choose Auto (varies interval based on speed/course change), Time, or Distance.
- Interval: If using Time or Distance method, set the value (e.g., 10 sec, 0.01 nm).
Press BACK or ENTER to save.

Tip: A shorter interval creates a more detailed but larger track log.

Following a Breadcrumb Trail

To navigate back along your recorded trail.

Ensure your breadcrumb trail is visible on the chart.
Press MENU > Navigation > Tracks.
Select Follow Track or Navigate Track.
Choose the direction: Forward (start to end) or Reverse (end to start, for retracing).
The unit will create a temporary route along the breadcrumb trail and begin navigation guidance.
Steer to keep the boat icon on or near the breadcrumb line.

CAUTION! Breadcrumbs show where you *were*, not necessarily a safe route for return if conditions (tide, obstacles) have changed. Use with caution.

Clearing Breadcrumbs

Clear the current trail or saved track logs.

To Clear the Active Trail (not saved):

Go to MENU > Navigation > Tracks.
Select Clear Track or Reset Current Track.
Confirm Yes.

To Delete a Saved Track Log:

Go to MENU > Navigation > Tracks > Saved Tracks.
Select the track log to delete.
Press MENU and choose Delete.
Confirm.

Breadcrumb Settings Menu

Overview of key settings in the Tracks menu.

Menu Path	Setting	Typical Options	Description
Nav > Tracks	Record Track	On, Off	Master switch for recording.
Nav > Tracks	Record Method	Auto, Time, Distance	How points are recorded.
Nav > Tracks	Interval	1 sec - 60 min / 0.001 - 1.0 nm	Frequency of recording.
Nav > Tracks	Color	Palette of colors	Sets trail line color.
Nav > Tracks	Width	Thin, Normal, Thick	Sets trail line thickness.
Nav > Tracks	Clear Track	Yes/No	Erases current unsaved trail.

Tips for Effective Use

Start Fresh: Clear old tracks before a new, important journey to avoid clutter.
High Visibility: Set the breadcrumb color to contrast sharply with your chart (e.g., white on dark maps, red on light maps).
Auto Mode: Use the Auto record method for an optimal balance of detail and file size.
Save Important Tracks: After a trip, go to Saved Tracks and save the current track with a descriptive name (e.g., "Inlet Entry Jul-15").
Memory Management: Long trips with short intervals create large logs. Periodically clear or save tracks to free memory.

Troubleshooting Breadcrumb Issues

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No breadcrumb trail appearing	Recording turned off; No GPS fix	Enable 'Record Track' in Tracks menu. Ensure you have GPS satellite reception.
Trail is dotted or has gaps	Recording interval too long; GPS signal loss	Shorten the recording interval (Time/Distance). Check antenna connection.
Trail color is hard to see	Low contrast with chart	Change trail color in Track Log Setup.
Cannot select "Follow Track"	No track recorded or cleared	Ensure you have a visible, unsaved track on screen. Record a short trail first.
Unit says "Track Log Full"	Memory allocated for tracks is full	Clear current track or delete old saved tracks from the Saved Tracks list.

Related Navigation Features

Breadcrumbs work alongside other GPSMAP 765 features:

Tracks vs. Routes: A Route is a pre-planned path of waypoints. A Track is a recorded history of movement.
Man Overboard (MOB): Pressing the MOB button immediately marks a point and can create a route back to it, similar to an emergency breadcrumb.
Chartplotter Overlay: The breadcrumb trail is drawn over your active marine chart (BlueChart g2/g3).
Data Recording: The unit can also record sonar, temp, and other data along the track if connected sensors are present.

For full details, refer to the GPSMAP 700 Series Owner's Manual.