Garmin GPS 12XL - Manual (Page 16)

Satellite Page
The GPS 12XL’s Satellite Page displays the status of
various receiver functions. The status information will
help you understand what the GPS 12XL is doing at
any given time, and will tell you whether or not the
receiver has calculated a position fix.
Sky View and Signal Strength Bars
The sky view and signal strength bars give you an
indication of what satellites are visible to the receiver,
whether or not they are being used to calculate a posi-
tion fix, and the signal quality. The satellite sky view
shows a bird’s-eye-view of the position of each available
satellite relative to the unit’s last known position. The
outer circle represents the horizon (north up); the inner
circle is 45º above the horizon; and the center point is
directly overhead. You can use the sky view to help
determine if any satellites are being blocked, and
whether you have a current position fix (indicated by
‘2D NAV’ or ‘3D NAV’ in the status field). You can also
set the sky view to a track up configuration by changing
the ‘orientation’ option on the Map Page. (See pg. 38 for
setup instructions.)
When the receiver is looking for a particular satel-
lite, the corresponding signal strength bar will be blank
and the sky view indicator will be highlighted. Once the
receiver has found the satellite, a hollow signal strength
bar will appear, indicating that the satellite has been
found and the receiver is collecting data from it. The
satellite number in the sky view will no longer appear
highlighted. As soon as the GPS 12XL has collected the
necessary data to calculate a fix, the status field will
indicate a 2D or 3D status.
Satellite Page
REFERENCE
12
The GPS 12XL Satellite
Page will help you deter -
mine which satellites are
in view, and whether or
not any satellites are
being “shaded” or blocked
from receiving satellite
signals (see satellites 07
and 19 above).
By periodically monitor-
ing the signal strength
bars at the bottom of the
page and the north up
sky view, you will be able
to see how moving to
another area with a
clearer view of the sky
will improve satellite
reception and speed up
signal acquisition.
Battery
Indicator
Horizontal
Accuracy
Signal Strength
Indicators
Skyview
Display
Status
Field
GPS 12XL NEW Manual Rev A 2/6/98 3:18 PM Page 12