Garmin 500 series Owner's Manual
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Garmin 500 series Owner's Manual

Gpsmap 500 series
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GPSMAP
500 series
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  • Page 1 GPSMAP 500 series ® owner’s manual...
  • Page 2 All rights reserved. Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage medium, for any purpose without the express prior written consent of Garmin. Garmin hereby grants permission to download a single copy of this manual...

  • Page 3: Tips And Shortcuts

    Navigation Chart,” you should highlight Charts, and > press SELECT. Then highlight Navigation SELECT again. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® 525/525s 535/535s 545/545s key to adjust the display Chart, and press Quick Links • Turning the Unit On or Off: page •...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Creating and Using Routes ... 23 Viewing Information ...25 Viewing Numbers ... 25 Viewing Tide Station Information ... 26 Viewing Current Information ... 26 Viewing Celestial Information ... 27 Viewing User Data ... 27 Viewing Other Boats ... 28 GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...
  • Page 5 Step 2: Mount the Unit ... 40 Step 3: Install the Transducer ... 42 Step 4: Install the Wiring Harness ... 48 Step 5: Test the Installation ... 51 GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Appendix ...53 Specifications ... 53 Product Registration ... 54 Caring for the Unit ...

  • Page 6: Warnings

    Important Information MAP DATA INFORMATION: One of the goals of Garmin is to provide customers with the most complete and accurate cartography that is available to us at a reasonable cost. We use a combination of governmental and private data sources, which we identify in product literature and copyright messages displayed to the consumer.

  • Page 7: Getting Started

    Unit Overview Power/Data GXM 3 antenna External GPS SD card slot antenna GPSMAP 545s shown GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 8: Turning The Unit On Or Off

    Turning the Unit On or Off Press and hold the POWER key until the unit beeps and the Garmin screen appears. When the Warning screen appears, press SELECT to open the Home screen. NOTE: The first time you power on your unit, you must go through a setup sequence. See...

  • Page 9: Using The Keypad

    To switch between Day and Night mode: 1. Press and release the POWER key. Select Day/Night Mode. 3. Press left or right on the ROCKER to switch between modes. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Using the Keypad POWER/BACKLIGHT—Press and hold to turn the unit on or off; press and release to adjust the backlight and day/night modes. RANGE (-/+)—Press to adjust the range of the sonar; zoom in or out on a chart. ROCKER—Press up, down, left, or right to move through menus, highlight fields, and enter data. MARK—Press to mark a waypoint. SELECT—Press to select highlighted items and confirm on- screen messages.

  • Page 10: Acquiring Gps Satellite Signals

    When the unit acquires satellite signals, the signal strength bars at the top of the Home screen are green satellite signals, the green bars disappear For more information about GPS, visit the Garmin Web site at www.garmin.com/aboutGPS. Using Simulator Mode Simulator Mode turns the GPS receiver off for use indoors or for practice.

  • Page 11: Restoring Factory Settings

    Insert blank SD cards to transfer data such as waypoints, routes, and tracks to another compatible Garmin unit or a PC. The SD card slot is located on the bottom-right corner of the unit.

  • Page 12: Understanding The Home Screen

    • Sonar—access sonar information (page NOTE: This option is available only if you have a unit with a built-in sounder or a Garmin sonar module connected. • Chart/Sonar—set up the screen to view a chart and sonar in a split screen (page 18).

  • Page 13: Using Charts

    (This is available for select lakes on 530/530s and 535/535s units without an additional card). GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Using the Navigation Chart Use the navigation chart to plan your course, view map information, and as a navigational aid.

  • Page 14: Navigation Chart Settings

    555/555s units. For more information on XM WX Weather, see the GXM 31 Owner’s Manual. Overlay Numbers—show or hide cruising, sailing, navigation, and fishing numbers on the navigation or fishing chart. Chart Setup—customize the navigation chart. See Chart Notes—access detailed chart information. Show Numbers page GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 15: Understanding Chart Data

    Yacht Harbor Current Station Marine Services *Some symbols might appear differently on your Garmin unit. Other features common to most charts include depth contour lines (with deep water represented in white), intertidal zones, spot soundings (as depicted on the original paper chart), navigational aids and symbols, and obstructions and cable areas.

  • Page 16: Accessing Additional Object Information

    Accessing Additional Object Information Use the map pointer ( ) to view information about on-screen map items and waypoints. To access additional object information: 1. On the navigation chart, highlight an item with the map pointer, and press SELECT. Selected item 2. Select the item. If more than one item is in the area, select Review, and then select the item. ). The bar under the GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 17: Viewing Tide Station Information

    Relevant tide level For more information about tides, see page GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Using BlueChart g2 Vision Optional BlueChart g2 Vision preprogrammed SD cards allow you to get the most out of your unit. In addition to detailed marine charting, BlueChart g2 Vision has the following features: •...

  • Page 18: Using Mariner's Eye 3D

    Navigation Chart navigating. Numbers—show or hide cruising, navigation, fishing, and sailing numbers. ) at the bottom of the screen. Normal Water Hazard, and Normal setting Hazard Water Hazard setting Mariner’s Eye 3D Mariner’s Eye 3D (Water Hazard Colors) (Water Hazard Colors) GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 19: Using Fish Eye 3D

    The setting is either on or off. Tracks—turn the track log on or off. Numbers—show or hide cruising, navigation, or fishing numbers on the chart. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Using Fishing Charts Use the Fishing chart for a detailed, unobstructed view of the bottom contours and depth soundings on the chart.

  • Page 20: Enabling High Resolution Satellite Imagery

    BlueChart g2 Vision region, either zoom in further using the RANGE (+) higher (see page 17). Photo Overlay Off key, or set the detail level Photo Overlay at 50% Land Only Photo Overlay Photo Overlay at 100% GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 21: Viewing Aerial Photos

    Aerial Photo NOTE: Use the RANGE (+/-) keys to zoom in and out while viewing the aerial photo on the full screen. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® To access aerial photos from the navigation chart: Use the ROCKER to ➊...

  • Page 22: Viewing Current Station Information

    • Track Up—sets the map display to the current track heading. • Course Up—sets the map so the direction of navigation is always up and turns the course line vertical on the screen. Heading line has more information on Chart border GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Charts > Track...

  • Page 23: Changing The Chart Appearance

    Vision maps and you want to see what areas the maps cover. Tracks—hide (off) or show (on) tracks on the chart. Appearance—customize how items are shown on the map. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Changing the Chart Appearance From the Home screen, select Charts >...

  • Page 24: Using The Chart/Sonar Screen

    To access additional settings or options for the chart/sonar screen, press MENU. Navigation chart screen NOTE: The available when using a sonar capable unit with a transducer attached. Mariner’s Eye 3D/Sonar Chart/Sonar screen, like the Sonar screen, is only GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 25: Where To

    CAUTION: Guide To does not assure obstacle and bottom clearance. For safety, always resolve any discrepancies or questions before continuing navigation. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Navigating to a Destination You can search for, and navigate to, nearby destinations including fuel, repairs, marinas, waypoints, and routes.
  • Page 26 Select Guide To when using a preprogrammed BlueChart g2 Vision card to use Auto Guidance. 6. Follow the colored line on the screen to the destination. To stop navigating: Press MENU, and then select Stop Navigating. To search for a destination by name: From the Home screen, select Where To? > Search by Name. 2. Press up or down on the ROCKER to select a number or character; press left or right to move fields. 3. Press SELECT to view the 50 nearest destinations that contain your search criteria. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 27: Creating And Using Waypoints

    To mark your location: 1. From any screen, press MARK. 2. Select Back to return to the chart, or select MOB to designate the waypoint as an MOB point. NOTE: Pressing the MARK key only creates a waypoint at your present location. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® To create a new waypoint: 1. Move the map pointer to the location you want, and press SELECT. 2. Select Create Waypoint. 3. Select one of the following: •...
  • Page 28 To edit a waypoint: 1. Create a new waypoint or select a waypoint on the navigation chart. Select Edit Waypoint. 3. Select the waypoint attribute you want to change (Name, Symbol, Depth, Water Temp, or Position). To move the waypoint on the navigation chart: Select Edit Waypoint > Position > Use 2. Use the ROCKER to move the waypoint to a different location, and press SELECT. To view a list of all waypoints: From the Home screen, select Information > User Waypoints. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Chart. Data >...

  • Page 29: Creating And Using Routes

    To create a route from your present location: 1. Move the map pointer to a destination, and press SELECT. Select Navigate To > Route Adding a Turn to a Route 3. Use the ROCKER to add a turn, and press SELECT. Repeat this step to add additional turns. 4. Press MENU to cancel or to begin navigating the route. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® To create a route in another location: From the Home screen, select Information > User Routes > New Route. Creating a New Route 2. Use the ROCKER to select the route’s starting point, and press SELECT.
  • Page 30 To edit a route From the Home screen, select Information > User Routes. 2. Select the route to edit. Select Edit Route. You can edit the route name, turns, or delete the route. To delete a route: Data > From the Home screen, select Information > User Routes. Select the route to delete, and then select Edit 3. Select Delete. Data > Route. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 31: Viewing Information

    To view the numbers screen, from the Home screen, select Information > Numbers. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® To customize the number screen: 1. From the Home screen, select Information > Numbers. 2. Press Menu, and then press SELECT. 3. Select the number of fields to show (3, 4, 5, or 6). 4. Select information to show in each field.

  • Page 32: Viewing Tide Station Information

    NOTE: You can select both tide and current station information directly from the Navigation chart. See information. Show Tide from the Local time Ebb Current (current heading away from shore) pages 11 and 16 for more GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 33: Viewing Celestial Information

    Celestial. Moon position position Sky view window GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Viewing User Data To view user data, from the Home screen, select User Data. Waypoints—view a list of all saved waypoints. Routes—view a list of saved routes.

  • Page 34: Viewing Other Boats

    Directory—view a list of all DSC entries. You can view by name or by MMSI. You can also add an entry. Setup—turn AIS and DSC on or off and set a safe zone for your boat. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 35: Configuring The Unit

    Temperature—individually set units of measure for temperature to Fahrenheit (ºF) NOTE: You must be receiving NMEA Sonar depth data or using a Garmin sounder module to view depth and temperature information. (default), and Dist, Spd, Elev—individually set the units of measure for distance, speed, and elevation readings.

  • Page 36: Configuring Communications Settings

    • Garmin Data Transfer—the proprietary format used to upload, download, or exchange data with a computer or another Garmin unit. • Garmin Remote Sonar—allows you to connect a Garmin GSD 21 or GSD 22 serially. • NMEA In/NMEA Out—supports the input or output of standard NMEA 0183 data, DSC, and sonar NMEA input support for the DPT, MTW, and VHW sentences.

  • Page 37: Setting Alarms

    To set an alarm: 1. From the Home screen, select Configure > Alarms. 2. Select an alarm category (Navigation, System, Sonar, or Weather Warnings). 3. Select an alarm. 4. Select On to turn the alarm on, and then use the ROCKER to specify alarm information. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Setting Navigation Alarms To set a navigation alarm, from the Home screen, select Alarms > Navigation. > Anchor Drag—set an alarm to sound when you exceed a specified drift distance.

  • Page 38: Setting Sonar Alarms

    To adjust the Keel Offset: Configure > From the Home screen, select Configure > My Boat > Keel Offset. 2. Use the ROCKER to set the value of the keel offset. 3. Press SELECT to accept the number. NOTE: Press My Boat screen. MENU to cancel your changes and return to the GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...
  • Page 39 • Temp Source—set the temperature source • Sonar Cone Angles—when using a transducer other than the standard Garmin transducer, you can set the angle, in degrees, of the sonar cone so it is accurately depicted on the Fish Eye 3D screen.

  • Page 40: Configuring Other Boats

    XM port on the back of the unit, and have a subscription to XM Radio to use XM audio features. XM Radio is available only on GPSMAP 530/535/ 540/545 units. For more information, see the GXM 31 Owner’s Manual. GPSMAP > 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 41: Using Sonar

    When connected to a transducer, your unit becomes a powerful fishfinder/flasher. If your unit does not have a built-in sounder, you can connect a Garmin GSD 21 or GSD 22 sounder module to your unit to use the sonar features. Understanding the Full Screen Select the Full Screen option to view a full-screen graph of the transducer’s sonar readings.

  • Page 42: Understanding The Split Freq Screen

    From the Home screen, select Sonar > Zoomed depth scale Range Zoom level Transducer frequency Sonar Split Zoom. > Depth, temperature, and speed Zoom window or beam width GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Range...

  • Page 43: Understanding The Temp Log Screen

    The temperature appears along the right side and the time elapsed appears along the bottom. The graph scrolls to the left as information is received. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Setting Up Sonar Use the Sonar Setup screen to define and adjust settings universal to all sonar screens. From the Home screen, select Log.

  • Page 44: Advanced Sonar Settings

    • bottom Lock—locks the zoom window to the bottom. • Split Zoom—opens the Split Zoom screen. Depth Line—quickly reference a specific depth (On A-Scope—(dual frequency only) a vertical flasher along the right or Off). side of the screen GPSMAP (Auto Wide Narrow beam. Dual, or Auto). or Off). 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 45: Installing The Unit

    Compare the contents of this package with the packing list on the box. If any pieces are missing, contact your Garmin dealer immediately. Before you begin the installation: • Read and follow the instructions to install the unit.

  • Page 46: Step 2: Mount The Unit

    Use a pan-head machine bolt or self-tapping screw to secure the swivel base. If you use a screw with a countersunk head, you risk damaging the mounting bracket. GPSMAP drill bit for " 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...
  • Page 47 If you secure the base with self-tapping screws, drill starter holes at the locations you marked. Do not make the starter holes deeper than half the screw length. 3. Secure the swivel base with three bolts or screws. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. 4. Place the swivel mount bracket over the swivel base and secure it with the short knob. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® To install the unit on the mounting bracket: 1. Align the slot on the back of the unit with the long mounting knob, and slide the unit into place. If necessary, adjust the long knob to spread the bracket arms apart. (Turn counter- clockwise to widen the bracket arms and clockwise to tighten.) 2. Adjust the unit angle, and tighten the long mounting knob...

  • Page 48: Step 3: Install The Transducer

    Proper transducer installation is key to getting the best performance from your unit. If the transducer lead is too short, extension cables are available from your Garmin dealer. Coil and secure any excess cable. CAUTION: DO NOT cut the transducer lead or any part of the transducer cable.
  • Page 49 Tighten the 10-32 locking nut until it touches the mounting bracket, and then tighten 1/4 turn more. (Do not overtighten.) GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® 6. Route the 30-foot (9 m) transducer cable using the supplied cable ties to secure the cable to the motor shaft. You can fill the forward-facing portion (except the cable tie pocket) of the transducer mount with sealant to avoid accumulating debris.

  • Page 50: Mounting The Transducer On A Transom

    Do not mount the transducer directly in the path of the prop. The transducer can cause cavitation that may degrade the boat’s performance and damage the prop. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...
  • Page 51 The transducer must be in clean (non-turbulent) water for optimal performance. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Tool List (not included)—drill, 3/8" wrench or socket, 5/32" and 1/8" drill bits, masking tape, #2 Phillips screwdriver, and marine sealant.

  • Page 52: Shoot-Thru-Hull Installation

    If using a temperature sensing transducer, the temperature shown reflects the hull temperature. NOTE: A solid fiberglass hull can be no more than 5/8" (9.53 mm) thick when using a 500 W transducer, and no more than 1" (25.4 mm) thick when using a 1 kW transducer. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...
  • Page 53 RTV sealer, and fill with water or light mineral oil. 3. Place the transducer in the water, pointed directly at the bottom and weight it down. Set the unit for optimum performance. If the sonar performance is significantly degraded, another location must be tested. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Weight the transducer PVC pipe to hold it in place. or a can...

  • Page 54: Step 4: Install The Wiring Harness

    4. Install or check the 3-Amp fuse (on the boat’s fuse block or in the in-line holder). 5. Align the notches on the cable plug and on the back of the unit. Insert the cable into the connector, and turn the lock ring counter-clockwise until it stops. Boat ground — To Unit 3-Amp To 0-35 Volt boat supply fuse 2A 3A Fuse block GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...
  • Page 55 PIN 8 - Black (Ground) PIN 13 - Red (DC Positive) PIN 18 - Blue (NMEA Out) GPSMAP 500 Series Pin Assignment GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® PIN 7 - Yellow (Alarm) (RED) +VDC PIN 12 - White (CANet H)
  • Page 56 Severna Park, MD 21146 USA www.nmea.org Installing the Unit to a Garmin CANet The unit is a CANet-compatible Garmin device, and can send or receive sonar information from another CANet-compatable Garmin device. Using the CANet optimizes the performance of CANet-...

  • Page 57: Step 5: Test The Installation

    NOTE: You can adjust these options in the future from the Configure screen. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® Because water is necessary to carry the sounder’s sonar signal, the transducer must be in the water to work properly. You cannot get a depth or distance reading when out of the water.
  • Page 58 GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 59: Appendix

    Acquisition Times: Warm: Approx. 15 seconds Cold: Approx 45 seconds AutoLocate: Approx 2 minutes Update Rate: 1/second, continuous GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® GPS Accuracy: Position: <49 feet (15 meters), 95% typical* Velocity: 0.05 meters/sec steady state WAAS Accuracy: Position: <10 feet (3 meters), 95% typical*...

  • Page 60: Product Registration

    Serial Number: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Contact Garmin Contact Garmin if you have any questions while using your unit. In the USA contact Garmin Product Support by phone: (913) 397-8200 or (800) 800-1020, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM Central Time; or go to www.garmin.com/support/, and click Product Support.

  • Page 61: Alarms And Messages

    MENU Can’t Read User Card—error reading card; remove and reinsert. Contact your dealer or Garmin Product Support if the problem persists. Can’t Read Voltages That High, Limited To Top Of Range—the voltage value in the Battery Alarm setup is higher than the unit can read.
  • Page 62 DSC Position Report Received From—shows the MMSI or name associated with an MMSI. Database Error—internal problem with the unit. Contact your dealer or Garmin Product Support to have the unit serviced. Deep Water Alarm—the Deep Water Alarm depth has been reached.
  • Page 63 ® Sonar Timeout—there is an internal problem with the unit. Contact your dealer or Garmin Product Support to have the unit serviced. Sonar Service Lost—the external sonar device you were connected to has either been disconnected or the unit has lost communication with the sonar device for some other reason.
  • Page 64 XM Service Incompatible*— the external XM antenna you are connected to needs a software update. * This message appears only if you have a GXM 31 antenna connected and a subscription to XM WX Weather. GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...

  • Page 65: Weather Data Warranty

    You assume the entire risk related to your use of the Services. XM and Garmin assume no responsibility for accidents resulting from or associated with use of the Services.

  • Page 66: Xm Satellite Radio Service Agreement

    United States of America copyright laws and international copyright treaties. You further acknowledge that the structure, organization, and code of the Software are valuable trade secrets of Garmin and that the Software in source code form remains a valuable trade secret of Garmin. You agree not...

  • Page 67: Limited Warranty

    Within this period, Garmin will, at its sole option, repair or replace any components that fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts or labor, provided that the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost.

  • Page 68: Fcc Compliance

    Hereby, Garmin, declares that this unit is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. To view the full Declaration of Conformity, see the Garmin Web site for your Garmin product: www.garmin.com/products/. Click Manuals, and then select the Declaration of Conformity link.

  • Page 69: Index

    BlueChart g2 Vision using 11–15 fish eye 3D 13 bottom lock settings bracket assembly fishing chart 13 GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ® fish symbols 37 flush mount 40 frequency fuse 48, gain go to GPS, wiring to a guide to heading HOME key input voltage installing 39–48...
  • Page 70 42–45 weather data warranty Where To? whiteline wiring harness installing 48–50 XM audio XM Satellite Radio service agreement zoom split GPSMAP 500 Series Owner’s Manual ®...
  • Page 72 For the latest free software updates (excluding map data) throughout the life of your Garmin products, visit the Garmin Web site at www.garmin.com. © 2007 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries Garmin International, Inc. 1200 East 151 Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA Garmin (Europe) Ltd.

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