Lowrance electronic GlobalMap Baja 840C - Manual (Page 12)

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tape in a cassette tape recorder. You can save several different GPS data
files, erase 'em and record new ones, over and over again. Like any com-
puter file, these GPS Data Files (file format *.usr) can be shared be-
tween Lowrance GPS or sonar/GPS units or even personal computers.
This GlobalMap Baja has one more thing in common with a personal
computer. Just as computers have a floppy disk drive for storing and ex-
changing files, the unit has a slot for an MMC (MultiMedia Card) or SD
(Secure Digital) card flash memory card. These solid-state memory de-
vices are about the size of a postage stamp, but can hold data ranging
from 8 MB to 1 GB in size (Compare that to a floppy disk's 1.44 MB ca-
pacity!). This unit uses all that MMC space for two key GPS purposes.
First, you can backup your onboard GPS Data Files by copying them to
the MMC. Since the MMC is removable (like a floppy disk or a cassette
tape), you can store these GPS Data Files on a personal computer
equipped with an MMC card reader (Or store them on a pocketful of
MMCs, if you don't have a computer.). Our MapCreate mapping software
can save, edit or create its own GPS Data Files, which can be copied to the
MMC and then loaded from the MMC into the unit's memory (NOTE: No
matter where they come from, GPS Data Files must be loaded from the
MMC into memory before the GlobalMap Baja can use them.).
The other key GPS use for MMCs is storage of special high-detail, cus-
tom maps, which you can produce on your computer with our MapCre-
ate software. These MapCreate custom maps contain more detail than
the basic background map. These Custom Map Files (file format
*.lcm) can also be shared between Lowrance GPS or sonar/GPS units
and personal computers.
This unit automatically reads Custom Map Files directly from the
MMC or SD card. To use a custom map, all you need to do is slide an
MMC containing a map into the GlobalMap Baja 840c.
Introduction to GPS and WAAS
Well, now you know the basics of how the unit does its work. You might
be ready to jump ahead to Section 2, Installation & Accessories, on page
9, so you can mount your GlobalMap Baja and plug in the power. Or
you might want to see how our text formatting makes the manual tuto-
rials easy to skim. If that's the case, move on to "How to Use This Man-
ual" on page 6. But, if you want to understand the current state of sat-
ellite navigation, look over this segment describing how GPS and its
new companion WAAS work together to get you where you're going.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) was launched July 17, 1995 by
the United States Department of Defense. It was designed as a 24-
hour-a-day, 365-days-a-year, all weather global navigation system for