Garmin GPS 45 Owner's Manual & Reference

Contents

Garmin GPS 45 Owner's Manual & Reference Manual pdf 11 page image

3The GPS 45 is a powerful navigation tool that can guide you anywhere inthe world. To better understand its operation and capabilities, it may be help-ful to review the basic terms and concepts briefly explained below.Navigation is the process of traveling from one place to another and knowingwhere you are in relation to your desired course.Position is an exact, unique location based on a geographic coordinate system.Marine navigation is based on the latitude/longitude coordinate system.Meridians of longitude are a set of imaginary circles around the earth that passthrough the north and south poles. Longitude describes position in terms of howmany degrees it is east or west of the Prime Meridian (0º longitude).Parallels of latitude are another set of imaginary circles that are perpendicularto the earth’s polar axis. Latitude describes position in terms of how manydegrees it is north or south of the equator (0º latitude).A waypoint marks an exact position fix so it can be recalled for future use. TheGPS 45 lets you mark waypoints electronically, without physical landmarks.Bearing is a compass direction to a particular destination (waypoint) from yourpresent position.Track is a compass direction representing your course over ground.GettingStartedBasicDefinitions