Garmin ETrex - Hiking GPS Receiver User guide

Setting up a GPS Unit

and Basic GPS Mapping Techniques

Manual

1 Introduction

This manual is intended to provide users with a basic understanding of a Garmin eTrex GPS receiver

and how it can help to support day to day operations. For detailed information about this receiver, refer

to the owner's manual that is included with the receiver.

1.1 What is a Global Positioning System

The Global Positioning System is a space based global navigation satellite system. It provides reliable

location and time information anywhere on Earth and at all times when there is an unobstructed line of

site to at least four GPS satellites. It was created by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1973.

1.2 How it works

The Global Positioning System consists of three segments:

1. Space Segment

The space segment is composed of orbiting satellites positioned in medium Earth orbit at an altitude of

approximately 20 200 kilometers (12 550 miles). The satellites orbit around the Earth in six circular

planes broadcasting the signal from space. Each satellite makes two complete orbits each day. About

eight satellites are visible at any particular time from any point on the ground.

2. Control Segment

The Control Segment is composed of:

•Control Stations

•Dedicated Antennas

•Dedicated Monitor Stations

The control segment tracks the flight paths of the satellites and regularly contacts each satellite with a

navigational updates.

3. User Segment

The user segment is composed of tens of millions of users on the ground, in the air, water etc.

GPS Segments

2 Setting up a Garmin e-Trex GPS unit

These are the basic steps on how to set up a Garmin eTrex GPS unit. These steps are specifically

addressed for achieving best results when collecting track logs and waypoints for OpenStreetMap.

For a full description of the settings please consult the Owners Manual or check the site:

2.1 Getting Started

2.1.1 Installing batteries and a microSD card

The eTrex operates on two AA batteries which are not included.

To install the batteries:

➢Remove the battery compartment cover from the back of the unit

➢Insert the batteries, observing the proper polarity

The SD card should be included in the Garmin eTrex folder bundle. It should be installed in the slot on

the left side of the batteries.

To install a microSD card:

➢Remove the battery compartment cover from the back of the unit

➢Locate the card slot at the upper left edge of the battery tray, and slide the card into the slot

2.1.2 Transferring data to and from the GPS unit

To transfer data to and from the device:

➢Lift the weather cover from the USB unit on the back of the unit

➢Connect the USB cable to the USB port on your computer and the USB port on the back of the

unit

➢Transfer the data

Installing the batteries and a microSD card

2.1.3 Key Functions

Key Functions

2.1.4 Initializing the GPS Receiver

When the satellite is turned on for the first time, the receiver must collect satellite data and establish its

location. To receive the satellite signals you must:

➢Be outdoors and have a clear view of the sky

➢GPS is now searching for the satellite signals

➢The Locating Satellites is replaced by Acquiring Satellites message

➢Once the connection is established the Location and Coordinates appear in the Acquiring

Satellites Window

Acquiring Satellites Window

2.2 Loading a Map

OpenStreetMap data is free to use however you like. Important! The changes need to be released under

the OSM license. OSM data can be transformed into map files compatible with Garmin GPS devices.

CloudMade (http://cloudmade.com) is one of the companies that produces free Garmin maps for a large

number of countries.

Download a map:

➢To find maps of the area, load http://downloads.cloudmade.com and browse the maps. The

Garmin maps are in .img format.

➢Once the area of interest is found, download the appropriate file to the computer.

➢Unzip the file, this will extract the file called gmapsupp.img

Load the map onto the Garmin device by putting the device into USB Mass Storage mode, and copying

over the file:

➢Press enu twice or Page key until arriving to ain enu

➢Select the Setup icon, press Enter, then select the Interface icon, and press Enter

➢Connect the GPS to the Computer via USB cable, highlight the USB ass Storage button and

press Enter, the device shows up on a system as a drive

➢If it doesn't exist create a folder called Garmin on the device

➢Copy the downloaded gmapsupp.img file to the Garmin folder; if the file already exists you

might want to archive the existing file

➢Disconnect the GPS or press the Power button to restart the unit the map should be available

2.3 Map Setup

ap Setup

Set up a map on the Map Page:

➢Press Quit/Page key until arriving at the Map Page

➢Press Menu/Find key, select Setup Map and press Enter/Rocker key

Use the Rocker key and move it left and right between different Map setups. Setup:

General Setup

➢Use the Rocker key (left and right) to move from icon to icon on the top menu and select the

General Setup

➢Move the Rocker key down to highlight Orientation, press Enter, select North Up and press

Enter again

➢Then highlight Lock On Road, press Enter, select Off and press Enter again.

Turning Lock On Road ON would automatically align the tracklog with the nearest road present on

the map loaded into the GPS unit. By turning the Lock On Road OFF will record new data even in the

presence of existing roads.

Tracks Setup

➢Use the Rocker to move back to the Icon enu on top

➢Select Track Setup

➢Move the Rocker down to highlight Track Points and press Enter

➢Use the Numeric Keypad to enter 10000 and press Enter

10000 is the maximum number of track points that can be recorded in the GPS units internal memory.

The limit of the track points recorded to the microSD card is only limited by the size of the card.

2.4 Track Log Setup

These steps make sure that the Garmin eTrex is recording track logs with a sample rate once per second

and recording the track logs to the data card. Setting the frequency of the track log recording to the

highest possible (one second) will ensure the most complete track recording.

Track Log Setup

First make sure the Track Log is being recorded:

➢Press enu twice or Page key until arriving to ain enu

➢Select Tracks icon and press Enter

➢If Track Log is set to Off, move the Rocker to highlight On, and press Enter

Next, configure the Track Log recording:

➢Highlight the Setup button, and press Enter to open the Tracklog Setup Page

➢Highlight Wrap When Full, and press Enter so that it is Checked

➢Highlight Record ethod, press Enter, select Time, and press Enter

➢Highlight Interval, use the Numeric Keypad to set interval to 00 hrs 00 min 01 sec, and

select OK

➢Highlight Color, press Enter, select your choice, and press Enter

Finally. Configure the Data Card:

➢Highlight the Data Card Setup button, and press Enter to enter the Data Card Setup Page

➢Highlight Log Track To Data Card, and press Enter so that it is Checked

2.5 System setup

System Setup

➢Press enu twice or Page key until you arrive to the ain enu

➢Select the Setup icon, and press Enter, then select the System icon, and press Enter

➢Highlight GPS, press Enter, select Normal, and press Enter again

➢Highlight WASS/EGNOS, press Enter, select Enabled, and press Enter again

➢Highlight Battery Type, press Enter, select depending on your battery type (most rechargeable

batteries are usually Ni H, while the normal ones are Alkaline)

2.6 Units Setup

Units Setup

To set up Measuring Units:

➢Press enu twice or Page key until you arrive to the ain enu

➢Select Setup icon, press Enter, then select the Units icon, and press Enter

➢Highlight Position Format, press Enter, select hddd.ddddd°, and press Enter

➢Select ap Datum, press Enter, select WGS 84, and press Enter

➢Select Distance/Speed, press Enter, select etric, and press Enter

➢Select Elevation, press Enter, select eters (m/min), and press Enter

➢Select Depth, press Enter, select eters, and press Enter

➢Select Temperature, press Enter, select Celsius, and press Enter

2.7 Time Setup

Time Setup

➢Press enu twice or Page key until you arrive to the ain enu

➢Select Setup icon, press Enter, then select the Time icon, and press Enter

➢Highlight Time Format, press Enter, and select 24 Hour

➢Highlight Time Zone, press Enter, and select a city in your time zone. If no obvious choice is

listed, select Other, and press Enter

➢Highlight UTC Offset, press enter, and use the Numeric Keypad to manually set your

timezones offset. When finished, select OK.

2.8 Welcome screen setup

Welcome Setup

➢Press enu twice or Page key until you arrive to the ain enu

➢Select Setup icon, and press Enter, then select Welcome icon, and press Enter

➢Use the Alphanumeric Keypad to enter a message

3 Basic GPS mapping techniques

The basic mapping techniques described are specifically addressed for achieving the best results when

collecting points of interest, ways and areas, using a hand held GPS units, such as the Garmin eTrex

device.

3.1 Collect satellite data and establish location

The steps to initialize the GPS receiver are already described above (Initializing the GSP receiver).

Before you set out to map, you need to initialize the GPS receiver, meaning, the receiver must collect

satellite data and establish its location. To receive the satellite signals:

➢Be outdoors and have a clear view of the sky!

➢Turn the GPS device on by pressing the Power button

➢GPS is now searching for the satellite signals

➢The Locating Satellites is replaced by Acquiring Satellites message

➢Once the connection is established the Location and Coordinates appear in the Acquiring

Satellites Window

You are ready to map!

Collecting satellite data and establishing location

3.2 Collecting Points of Interest

Points of Interest (POI) are points/locations which are of special interest and usually the reason for

conducting a mapping exercise. They are either physical points or events, placed somewhere in space

and time. Some examples of Points of Interest are hospitals, schools, water points, toilets, shops,

religious institutions, and even events, such as, demonstrations, clashes, rallies, etc. By mapping we

determine the exact location of Points of Interest in space and time.

There are many different ways to collect Points of Interest. This step explains how to collect these

points , also known as waypoints, using a hand held GPS unit.

To collect a point:

➢Stand in front of an object you wish to collect

➢Press Enter key and hold it for one second until you arrive to ark Waypoint screen

➢Write down on a piece of paper (or into Waypoint Log Sheet) the number and the name of the

point you are collecting (You can move up to the waypoint number field by using the Rocker

key, and press Enter. Alphanumeric and Numeric Keypads appear. You can use these keypads

to type in the name of the location you are mapping but for the sake of saving time it is better

to use a sheet of paper and a pencil)

➢OK should be highlighted, press Enter to save the location

Collecting Points of Interest

Example of a GPS Waypoint Log Sheet:

Waypoint Log Sheet

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