Where to find your formatting options
Setup, or Preferences on Magellan receivers, is accessed from the Main Menu screen that appears when you first switch on the GPS. From here you can define all the essential options that define how your receiver will know where you are and display the data in a useable format.
Grid systems and datum sets
Position Format should be set as British Grid and Map Datum as Ord Surv GB on Garmin receivers. On Magellan receivers the Position Format is called Coord System, which should be set as OSGB, and the datum should auto-set at GBR36. These settings will allow the device to convert longitude and latitude into a more familiar Ordnance Survey Grid Reference as used on maps in the UK.
Time Zones
Time Zone should be set as London or Europe West. Your GPS will then automatically correct the daylight saving time, although there is an option to do this manually if required.
Measurement units
Measurement units can be set to your personal preference of either Kilometres for distance and Metres for altitude or Miles and Feet if you prefer.
Magnetic or grid North
The choice of how to define North is an important consideration with a choice of Grid North, as used on maps or Magnetic North as used by traditional compasses. There is also the option to add or subtract the magnetic variation which varies year by year and by location. As you should have a compass as backup it is advisable to start with North set to Magnetic North so the two devices will display the same readings for the same direction. If you have set your compass to take account of magnetic variation then do the same with the GPS settings.
Other settings
Once you’ve got the basics set up you’ll have a whole range of options to personalise the settings to suit how you want to use it. Even if you decide to complete the remaining settings later, it’s a good idea from the beginning to set your backlight. The backlight on a GPS is one of the biggest power drains on the battery, and adjusting the settings to 50% and setting an auto-shut-off after a specific time lapse will greatly extend the battery life.
Back light settings
To adjust the backlight settings, and optimise battery life press and release the POWER button and use the rocker joystick to adjust the settings. When you have the desired light level press Enter to lock the settings and close the window.
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