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Reference
Main Menu: GPS Tab
• Sonar – sets up Sonar Page features, speeds and calibrations. See pages 39.
• Setup – defines System, Units, and Time settings.
• Comm – interface settings for use with a PC or second device.
• Alarm – sets up alarms for anchor drag, arrival, off course, and clock.
GPS Tab— provides a visual reference of satellite acquisition, receiver status, and accuracy. The status
information gives you an idea of what the receiver is doing at any given moment. The sky view and signal
strength bars give you an indication of what satellites are visible to the receiver and whether or not they
are being tracked. The signal strength is shown on a bar graph for each satellite, with the satellite number
below. As the receiver locks onto satellites, a signal strength bar appears for each satellite in view. The
progress of satellite acquisition is shown in three stages:
• No signal strength bars— the receiver is looking for the satellites indicated.
• Light/White signal strength bars— the receiver has found the satellite(s) and is collecting data.
• Dark/Green signal strength bars— the receiver has collected the necessary data and the satellite(s)
are ready for use.
As soon as the GPSMAP 178/178C has collected the necessary data from the best satellites in view to
calculate a fix, the status field indicates a 2D or 3D status. The unit then updates the position, date, and
time.
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 a ‘2D’, ‘2D Differential’, ‘3D’, or ‘3D Differential’ in the status field).
The sky view shows a bird’s-eye view of the position of each satellite relative to the receiver’s last known
position. The outer circle represents the horizon (north up), the inner circle 45º above the horizon, and
the center point a position directly overhead. You can also set the sky view to a ‘Track Up’ configuration,
causing the top of the sky view to align along your current track heading.
Sky View
Signal
Strength
Bars
Receiver
Status
Differential
Status
Accuracy
45°
90°
Outer ring-
the horizon
Inner ring-45°
above thehorizon
Center dot- 90°
above thehorizon
Main Menu— GPS Tab