Garmin Personal Navigator GPS 45XL Owner's Manual & Reference page 10

Getting Started
Acquiring
Satellites
Hold the receiver parallel to
the ground and rotate the
antenna perpendicular to
the receiver.
Welcome Page
6
Acquiring Satellite Signals
Because the GPS 45XL relies on satellite signals to pro-
vide you with navigation guidance, the receiver needs to
have an unobstructed, clear view of the sky for best perfor-
mance. What exactly does this mean? In a nutshell, the GPS
receiver's view of the sky will generally determine how fast
you get a position fix, or if you get a fix at all. GPS signals
are relatively weak and do not travel through rocks, build-
ings, people, metal, and materials such as thick canvas, so
you need to make sure that you're not near any of these
structures or materials when acquiring satellites.
Once the GPS 45XL has calculated a position fix, you'll
usually have anywhere from four to eight satellites in view.
The GPS 45XL will now continuously select the best satel-
lites in view to update your position. If some of the satel-
lites in view get blocked or "shaded" the receiver can sim-
ply use an alternate satellite to maintain the position fix.
Although a GPS receiver needs four satellites to provide a
3D fix, the GPS 45XL can maintain a 2D fix with only three
satellites.
Before You Initialize
Take the GPS 45XL outside and find a large, open area
(try a nearby park) that has a clear view of the sky from
horizon to horizon. Hold the receiver at a comfortable
height, at arm's length from your body, with the external
antenna turned perpendicular to the ground.
GPS signals are blocked from reaching the receiver
!
by
buildings, rocks, metal structures, or materials such
as heavy canvas. Do your best to stay away from
these structures and materials.
To turn the GPS 45XL on:
1. Hold the unit so it is parallel to the ground and turn the
external antenna perpendicular to the unit.
2. Press and hold B until the receiver turns on.
The welcome page will be displayed while the unit con-
ducts a self test.