GPSMAP

78 series
quick start manual
for use with the GPSMAP 78, GPSMAP
78s, and GPSMAP 78sc
2 GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual
Getting Started
WARNING
See the Important Safety and Product
Information guide in the product
box for product warnings and other
important information
When using your device the frst time,
you should complete the following
tasks to set up the device and get to
know the basic features.
1. Install the batteries (page 2).
2. Turn on the device (page 3).
3. Acquire satellites (page 3).
4. Mark a waypoint (page 5).
5. Calibrate the compass (page 7).
6. Navigate with the search menu
(page 8).
7. Navigate a route (page 9).
More Information
You can go to www.garmin.com to
download the latest manuals.
Safe Compass Distance
Make sure you install the GPSMAP 78
at least 8 inches (20.3 cm) from any
compass. Test your compass to verify
that it operates correctly when the
device is operating.
Battery Information
The device operates on two AA
batteries. Use alkaline, NiMH, or
lithium batteries. Use precharged
NiMH or lithium batteries for best
results.
Installing the Batteries
1. Slide the latch on the back of the
device, and remove the battery
cover.
GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual 3
2. Insert the batteries, observing
polarity.
3. Replace the battery cover.
For best results, after you install new
batteries, update the battery type in the
system settings (page 10).
Turning the Device On or
Off
Press and hold .
Setting Your Language
1. Turn on the unit.
2. Use the Rocker to select a
language.
Acquiring Satellite
Signals
It may take 30 to 60 seconds to acquire
signals.
1. Go outdoors to an open area.
2. If necessary, turn on the device.
3. Wait while the device searches for
satellites.
A question mark fashes while the
device determines your location.
4. Quickly press to open the
backlight status page.
The GPS bars indicate satellite
strength. When the bars are green,
the device has acquired satellite
signals.
4 GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual
Buttons
FIND/MOB Press FIND to open the
search menu.
Press and hold MOB
(man overboard function)
to store your current
location as a waypoint
and begin navigation to
that point.
Press and hold to turn
the device on and off.
Quickly press to open
the backlight status page.
QUIT Press QUIT to cancel
or return to the previous
menu or page.
PAGE Press PAGE to scroll
through the main pages
(page 5).
MENU Press MENU to open the
options menu for the page
that is currently open.
Press MENU twice to
open the main menu
(from any page).
ENTER/
MARK
Press ENTER to select
options and acknowledge
messages.
Press and hold MARK to
save your current location
as a waypoint.
Rocker Press up, down, right, and
left to select menu options
and to move the map
cursor.
+ Press + to zoom in on
the map.
- Press - to zoom out on
the map.
GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual 5
Waypoints
Waypoints are locations you record and
store in the device.
Creating Waypoints
1. From any page, press and hold
MARK.
2. Select Done.
Editing a Waypoint
Before you can edit a waypoint, you
must create a waypoint.
1. From the main menu, select
Waypoint Manager.
2. Select a waypoint.
3. Select an attribute (such as the
name or location).
4. Enter the new information.
5. Select Done.
Deleting a Waypoint
1. From the main menu, select
Waypoint Manager.
2. Select a waypoint.
3. Press MENU.
4. Select Delete.
Main Pages
The information needed to operate this
device is found on the following pages:
map, compass, main menu, and trip
computer.
Map
The position icon represents your
location on the map. As you travel,
the position icon moves and leaves a
track log (trail). Waypoint names and
symbols also appear on the map.
6 GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual
Changing the Map Orientation
1. From the map, press MENU.
2. Select Setup Map > Orientation.
3. Select an orientation:
Select North Up to show north
at the top of the page.
Select Track Up to show your
current direction of travel at the
top of the page.
Select Automotive Mode to
show a perspective view.
Measuring Distance
You can move the cursor around the
map to measure distance from the
current location.
1. From the map, press MENU.
2. Select Measure Distance.
The device automatically begins
measuring from your current
location.

3. Move the cursor to a point you

want to measure to.
The distance appears at the top of
the page.
4. Press QUIT to stop measuring.
Compass
When navigating to a destination,
the bearing pointer points to your
destination, regardless of the direction
you are moving. When the bearing
pointer points toward the top of the
electronic compass, you are traveling
directly toward your destination. If
it points any other direction, turn
toward that direction until the arrow is
pointing toward the top of the compass.
GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual 7
Calibrating the Compass
NOTICE
Calibrate the electronic compass
outdoors. Do not stand near objects that
infuence magnetic felds, such as cars,
buildings, or overhead power lines.
NOTE: The three-axis compass is
available only with the GPSMAP 78s
and GPSMAP 78sc.
You should calibrate the compass after
moving long distances, experiencing
temperature changes, or changing the
batteries.
1. From the compass, press MENU.
2. Select Calibrate Compass > Start.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Calibrating the Barometric
Altimeter
NOTE: The elevation plot page is
available only with the GPSMAP 78s
and GPSMAP 78sc.
You can manually calibrate the
barometric altimeter if you know
the correct elevation or the correct
pressure.
1. From the elevation plot, press
MENU.
2. Select Calibrate Altimeter.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Trip Computer
The trip computer displays your current
speed, average speed, maximum
speed, trip odometer, and other helpful
statistics.
8 GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual
Customizing Data Fields
You can customize the data felds
displayed on each main page.
For data feld descriptions, see the
GPSMAP 78 Owners Manual.
1. From a main page, press MENU.
2. Select Change Data Fields.
3. Select a data feld.
4. Press ENTER.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
About Tracks
Your Garmin device records a track log
while you are moving. You can save
these tracks and navigate to them later.
Navigating to a Waypoint
Using the Search Menu
You can use the search menu to quickly
fnd waypoints, tracks, routes, and
coordinates that you have saved.
1. From any page, press FIND.
2. Select Waypoints.
3. Select a waypoint.
4. Select Go.
Change Your Guidance
Method
You can select a guidance method that
is for off-road use, that follows the
roads, or that prompts you each time
you begin navigating.
1. From the main menu, select Setup
> Routing > Guidance Method.
2. Select an option.
GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual 9
Creating a Route
1. From the main menu, select Route
Planner > Create Route > Select
First Point.
2. Select a category.
3. Select the frst point in the route.
4. Select Use.
5. Select Select Next Point.
6. Repeat steps 25 until the route is
complete.
A route must contain at least two
points.
7. Press QUIT to save the route.
Navigating a Route
1. Press FIND.
2. Select Routes.
3. Select a route.
4. Select Go.
Using Sight N Go
NOTE: Sight N Go is available only
with the GPSMAP 78s and GPSMAP
78sc.
You can point the device at an object in
the distance, such as a lighthouse, lock
in the direction, and then navigate to
the object.
1. From the main menu, select Sight
N Go.
2. Point the device at an object.
3. Select Lock Direction > Set
Course.
4. Use the compass to navigate to the
object.
10 GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual
Attaching the Wrist Strap
1. Place
the
loop of
the wrist
strap through
the slot opening
at the bottom of the
device.
2. Route the strap through the loop
and pull it tight.
Maximizing Battery Life
Using the Battery Save Option
Use the battery save option to save
battery power and prolong battery life.
From the main menu, select Setup
> Display > Battery Save > On.
Decreasing the Backlight
Extensive use of screen backlighting
can signifcantly reduce battery life.
You can adjust the backlight brightness
and decrease the backlight timeout to
maximize battery power.
1. Quickly press to open the
backlight status page.
2. Use the Rocker to adjust the
brightness.
Adjusting the Backlight
Timeout
From the main menu, select Setup
> Display > Backlight Timeout.
Selecting the Battery Type
1. From the main menu, select Setup
> System > Battery Type.
2. Select Alkaline, Lithium, or
Rechargeable NiMH.
Long-Term Storage
When you do not plan to use the
device for several months, remove the
batteries. Stored data is not lost when
batteries are removed.
GPSMAP 78 Quick Start Manual 11
Registering Your Device
Help us better support you by
completing our online registration
today.
Go to http://my.garmin.com.
Keep the original sales receipt, or a
photocopy, in a safe place.
Resetting the Device
If your GPSMAP 78 screen or buttons
stop responding, you can reset the
device.
1. Remove the batteries.
2. Reinstall the batteries (page 2).
NOTE: This does not erase any of your
data or settings.
Updating the Software
1. Go to www.garmin.com
/products/webupdater.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.

NOTE: This does not erase any of your

data or settings.
Contacting Garmin
Product Support
You can contact Garmin Product
Support if you have any questions
about this product.
In the USA, go to www.garmin
.com/support, or contact Garmin
USA by phone at (913) 397.8200 or
(800) 800.1020.
In the UK, contact Garmin (Europe)
Ltd. by phone at 0808 2380000.
In Europe, go to www.garmin.com
/support and click Contact
Support for in-country support
information, or contact Garmin
(Europe) Ltd. by phone at +44 (0)
870.8501241.

Garmin

, the Garmin logo, and GPSMAP

are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered in the

USA and other countries. These trademarks may not be used without the express permission of Garmin.
Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. 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.
2010 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Garmin International, Inc.
1200 East 151
st
Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA
Garmin (Europe) Ltd.
Liberty House, Hounsdown Business Park, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9LR UK
Garmin Corporation
No. 68, Jangshu 2
nd
Road, Sijhih, Taipei County, Taiwan
May 2010 Part Number 190-01165-01 Rev. B Printed in Taiwan