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Garmin GPSMAP 8700 Black Box Owners Manual - Page 42

Radar Interpretation

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This feature applies to Panoptix transducers in the FrontVü, LiveVü Forward, and RealVü 3D Forward sonar views. 1 Measure the horizontal distance from the transducer to the bow. GMR 24 xHD, you can view more information about your surroundings. The radar transmits a narrow beam of microwave energy as it rotates to a 360° pattern. When the transmitted energy contacts a target, some of that energy is reflected back to the radar. 2 From an applicable sonar view, select Menu > Sonar Setup > Installation > Bow Offset. 3 Enter the distance measured, and select Done. On the applicable sonar view, the forward range shifts by the distance you entered. Calibrating the Compass Before you can calibrate the compass, the transducer must be installed on the shaft far enough away from the trolling motor to avoid magnetic interference, and deployed in the water. Calibration must be of sufficient quality to enable the internal compass. NOTE: To use the compass, you must mount the transducer on the transom or the trolling motor shaft. The compass may not work when you mount the transducer on the motor. NOTE: For best results, you should use a heading sensor such as the SteadyCast™ heading sensor. The heading sensor shows the direction the transducer is pointing relative to the boat. NOTE: Compass calibration is available only for transducers with an internal compass, such as the PS21-TR transducer. You can begin turning your boat before calibrating, but you must fully rotate your boat 1.5 times during calibration. 1 From an applicable sonar view, select Menu > Sonar Setup > Installation. 2 If necessary, select Use AHRS to turn on the AHRS sensor. 3 Select Calibrate Compass. 4 Follow the on-screen instructions. Radar WARNING The marine radar transmits microwave energy that has the potential to be harmful to humans and animals. Before beginning radar transmission, verify that the area around the radar is clear. The radar transmits a beam approximately 12° above and below a line extending horizontally from the center of the radar. To avoid possible personal injury, do not look directly at the antenna at close range when the radar is transmitting. Eyes are the most sensitive part of the body to electromagnetic energy. When you connect your compatible chartplotter to an optional Garmin marine radar, such as a GMR™ Fantom™ 6 radar or a Radar Interpretation Reading and interpreting the radar display takes practice. The more you use the radar, the better you will become at relying on the radar display when you really need it. Radar can be useful in many situations, such as avoiding collisions when you have limited visibility, for example when it is dark or foggy, tracking weather, seeing what is ahead of you, and locating birds and fish. The radar overlay feature can help you interpret the radar display more easily, because it overlays the radar returns on top of the chart. This can help you identify the difference between a radar return of a land mass, bridge, or rain cloud. Showing the AIS vessels on the radar overlay can also help you identify features on the radar display. In the screenshot below, the radar overlay is turned on. This screen also shows a video feed. We can easily identify a few items on the radar screen. Land Vessel Radar Overlay When you connect your chartplotter to an optional Garmin marine radar, you can use overlay radar information on the Navigation chart or on the Fishing chart. Data appears on the radar overlay based on the most recently used radar mode and all settings configurations applied to the radar overlay are also applied to the last-used radar mode. Radar Overlay and Chart Data Alignment When using the Radar overlay, the chartplotter aligns radar data with chart data based on the boat heading, which is based by default on data from a magnetic heading sensor connected using a NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 network. If a heading sensor is not available, the boat heading is based on GPS tracking data. GPS tracking data indicates the direction in which the boat is moving, not the direction in which the boat is pointing. If the boat is drifting backward or sideways due to a current or wind, the Radar overlay may not perfectly align with the chart data. This situation should be avoided by using boat-heading data from an electronic compass. If the boat heading is based on data from a magnetic heading sensor or an automatic pilot, the heading data could be compromised due to incorrect setup, mechanical malfunction, magnetic interference, or other factors. If the heading data is compromised, the Radar overlay may not align perfectly with the chart data. 34 Radar

Section	Page
Table of Contents	3
Introduction	9
Protective Cover	9
Device Overview	9
Using the Touchscreen	9
On-Screen Buttons	9
Locking and Unlocking the Touchscreen	9
Connector View (10, 12, and 16-inch models)	9
Connector View (17, 22, and 24-inch models)	10
Connector View (8700 models)	10
Tips and Shortcuts (MFD models)	10
Tips and Shortcuts (8700 model)	10
Accessing Owner's Manuals on the Chartplotter	10
Downloading the Manuals from the Web	10
Garmin Support Center	11
Memory Cards	11
Inserting Memory Cards (10, 12, and 16-inch models)	11
Inserting a Memory Card (17, 22, and 24-inch models and 8700)	11
Acquiring GPS Satellite Signals	11
Selecting the GPS Source	11
Customizing the Chartplotter	11
Home Screen	11
Adding an Item to Favorites	12
Customizing the Home Screen	12
Customizing Pages	12
Customizing the Layout of a SmartMode or Combination Page	12
Changing the Background Image	12
Recommended Background Image Dimensions	12
Customizing the Startup Screen	12
Recommended Startup Image Dimensions	12
Adding a SmartMode Layout	12
Creating a New Combination Page	13
Deleting a Combination Page	13
Customizing the Data Overlays	13
Resetting the Station Layouts	13
Presets	13
Saving a New Preset	13
Managing Presets	13
Setting the Vessel Type	13
Adjusting the Backlight	14
Adjusting the Color Mode	14
Turning On the Chartplotter Automatically	14
Enabling Screen Lock	14
Automatically Turning Off the System	14
ActiveCaptain App	14
ActiveCaptain Roles	14
Getting Started with the ActiveCaptain App	14
Enabling Smart Notifications	15
Receiving Notifications	15
Managing Notifications	15
Making Notifications Private	15
Updating Software with the ActiveCaptain App	15
Updating Charts with ActiveCaptain	15
Communication with Wireless Devices	16
Wi‑Fi Network	16
Setting Up the Wi‑Fi Wireless Network	16
Connecting a Wireless Device to the Chartplotter	16
Changing the Wireless Channel	16
Changing the Wi‑Fi Host	16
Wireless Remote Control	16
Pairing the Wireless Remote Control With the Chartplotter	16
Turning On and Off the Remote Backlight	16
Disconnecting the Remote from All Chartplotters	16
Wireless Wind Sensor	16
Connecting a Wireless Sensor to the Chartplotter	16
Adjusting the Wind Sensor Orientation	16
Viewing Boat Data on a Garmin Watch	16
Viewing Boat Data on a Garmin Nautix™‎ Device	17
Charts and 3D Chart Views	17
Navigation Chart and Fishing Chart	17
Zooming In and Out Using the Touchscreen	17
Chart Symbols	17
Measuring a Distance on the Chart	17
Creating a Waypoint on the Chart	18
Viewing Location and Object Information on a Chart	18
Viewing Details about Navaids	18
Navigating to a Point on the Chart	18
Premium Charts	18
Fish Eye 3D Chart View	18
Viewing Tide Station Information	18
Animated Tide and Current Indicators	19
Showing Tides and Current Indicators	19
Showing Satellite Imagery on the Navigation Chart	19
Viewing Aerial Photos of Landmarks	19
Automatic Identification System	19
AIS Targeting Symbols	19
Heading and Projected Course of Activated AIS Targets	20
Activating a Target for an AIS Vessel	20
Viewing Information about a Targeted AIS Vessel	20
Deactivating a Target for an AIS Vessel	20
Viewing a List of AIS and MARPA Threats	20
Setting the Safe-Zone Collision Alarm	20
AIS Aids to Navigation	20
AIS Distress Signals	20
Navigating to a Distress Signal Transmission	20
AIS Distress Signal Device Targeting Symbols	21
Enabling AIS Transmission Test Alerts	21
Turning Off AIS Reception	21
Chart Menu	21
Chart Layers	21
Chart Layer Settings	21
Depth Layer Settings	21
My Vessel Layer Settings	21
Laylines Settings	22
User Data Layer Settings	22
Other Vessels Layer Settings	22
Water Layer Settings	22
Depth Range Shading	22
Weather Layer Settings	22
Radar Overlay Settings	23
Chart Settings	23
Fish Eye 3D Settings	23
Supported Maps	23
Garmin Quickdraw Contours Mapping	23
Mapping a Body of Water Using the Garmin Quickdraw Contours Feature	23
Adding a Label to a Garmin Quickdraw Contours Map	23
Garmin Quickdraw Community	23
Connecting to the Garmin Quickdraw Community with ActiveCaptain	24
Downloading Garmin Quickdraw Community Maps Using ActiveCaptain	24
Sharing Your Garmin Quickdraw Contours Maps with the Garmin Quickdraw Community Using ActiveCaptain	24
Connecting to the Garmin Quickdraw Community with Garmin Connect	24
Sharing Your Garmin Quickdraw Contours Maps with the Garmin Quickdraw Community Using Garmin Connect	24
Downloading Garmin Quickdraw Community Maps Using Garmin Connect	24
Garmin Quickdraw Contours Settings	24
Navigation with a Chartplotter	25
Basic Navigation Questions	25
Destinations	25
Searching for a Destination by Name	25
Selecting a Destination Using the Navigation Chart	25
Searching for a Marine Services Destination	25
Setting and Following a Direct Course Using Go To	26
Stopping Navigation	26
Waypoints	26
Marking Your Present Location as a Waypoint	26
Creating a Waypoint at a Different Location	26
Marking an SOS Location	26
Projecting a Waypoint	26
Viewing a List of all Waypoints	26
Editing a Saved Waypoint	26
Moving a Saved Waypoint	26
Browsing for and Navigating to a Saved Waypoint	26
Deleting a Waypoint or an MOB	27
Deleting All Waypoints	27
Routes	27
Creating and Navigating a Route From Your Present Location	27
Creating and Saving a Route	27
Viewing a List of Routes and Auto Guidance Paths	27
Editing a Saved Route	27
Browsing for and Navigating a Saved Route	27
Browsing for and Navigating Parallel to a Saved Route	27
Initiating a Search Pattern	28
Deleting a Saved Route	28
Deleting All Saved Routes	28
Auto Guidance	28
Setting and Following an Auto Guidance Path	28
Creating and Saving an Auto Guidance Path	28
Adjusting a Saved Auto Guidance Path	28
Canceling an Auto Guidance Calculation in Progress	28
Setting a Timed Arrival	28
Auto Guidance Path Configurations	28
Adjusting the Distance from Shore	29
Tracks	29
Showing Tracks	29
Setting the Color of the Active Track	29
Saving the Active Track	29
Viewing a List of Saved Tracks	29
Editing a Saved Track	29
Saving a Track as a Route	29
Browsing for and Navigating a Recorded Track	29
Deleting a Saved Track	30
Deleting All Saved Tracks	30
Retracing the Active Track	30
Clearing the Active Track	30
Managing the Track Log Memory During Recording	30
Configuring the Recording Interval of the Track Log	30
Boundaries	30
Creating a Boundary	30
Converting a Route to a Boundary	30
Converting a Track to a Boundary	30
Editing a Boundary	30
Linking a Boundary to a SmartMode Layout	30
Setting a Boundary Alarm	30
Disabling all Boundary Alarms	31
Deleting a Boundary	31
Deleting All Saved Waypoints, Tracks, Routes, and Boundaries	31
Sailing Features	31
Setting the Vessel Type	31
Sail Racing	31
Starting Line Guidance	31
Setting the Starting Line	31
Using the Starting Line Guidance	31
Starting the Race Timer	31
Stopping the Race Timer	31
Setting the Distance between the Bow and the GPS Antenna	31
Laylines Settings	31
Setting the Keel Offset	32
Sailboat Autopilot Operation	32
Wind Hold	32
Setting the Wind Hold Type	32
Engaging Wind Hold	32
Engaging Wind Hold from Heading Hold	32
Adjusting the Wind Hold Angle with the Autopilot	32
Tack and Gybe	32
Tacking and Gybing from Heading Hold	32
Tacking and Gybing from Wind Hold	32
Setting a Tack and Gybe Delay	32
Enabling the Gybe Inhibitor	33
Heading Line and Angle Markers	33
Setting the Heading Line and Angle Markers	33
Sonar Fishfinder	33
Stopping the Transmission of Sonar Signals	33
Changing the Sonar View	33
Traditional Sonar View	33
Split-Frequency Sonar View	33
Split-Zoom Sonar View	33
Garmin ClearVü Sonar View	33
SideVü Sonar View	34
SideVü Scanning Technology	34
Measuring Distance on the Sonar Screen	34
Panoptix Sonar Views	34
LiveVü Down Sonar View	34
LiveVü Forward Sonar View	35
RealVü 3D Forward Sonar View	35
RealVü 3D Down Sonar View	35
RealVü 3D Historical Sonar View	35
FrontVü Sonar View	35
Panoptix LiveScope Sonar View	35
Perspective View	36
Selecting the Transducer Type	36
Selecting a Sonar Source	36
Renaming a Sonar Source	36
Creating a Waypoint on the Sonar Screen	36
Pausing the Sonar Display	36
Viewing Sonar History	36
Sonar Sharing	36
Adjusting the Level of Detail	36
Adjusting the Color Intensity	36
Sonar Recordings	37
Recording the Sonar Display	37
Stopping the Sonar Recording	37
Deleting a Sonar Recording	37
Playing Sonar Recordings	37
Traditional, Garmin ClearVü, and SideVü Sonar Setup	37
Setting the Zoom Level on the Sonar Screen	37
Setting the Scroll Speed	37
Adjusting the Range of the Depth or Width Scale	38
Sonar Noise Rejection Settings	38
Sonar Appearance Settings	38
Sonar Alarms	38
Advanced Sonar Settings	39
Traditional, Garmin ClearVü, and SideVü Transducer Installation Settings	39
Sonar Frequencies	39
Selecting the Transducer Frequency	39
Creating a Frequency Preset	39
Turning On the A-Scope	39
Panoptix Sonar Setup	40
Zooming in a Panoptix LiveVü or LiveScope Sonar View	40
Adjusting the RealVü Viewing Angle and Zoom Level	40
Adjusting the RealVü Sweep Speed	40
LiveVü Forward and FrontVü Sonar Menu	40
Setting the LiveVü and FrontVü Transducer Transmit Angle	40
Setting the FrontVü Depth Alarm	41
LiveVü and FrontVü Appearance Settings	41
RealVü Appearance Settings	41
Perspective Appearance Settings	41
Panoptix Transducer Installation Settings	41
Setting the Bow Offset	41
Calibrating the Compass	42
Radar	42
Radar Interpretation	42
Radar Overlay	42
Radar Overlay and Chart Data Alignment	42
Transmitting Radar Signals	43
Stopping the Transmission of Radar Signals	43
Setting Up the Timed Transmit Mode	43
Enabling and Adjusting a Radar No Transmit Zone	43
Adjusting the Radar Range	43
Tips for Selecting a Radar Range	43
MotionScope™‎ Doppler Radar Technology	43
Enabling a Guard Zone	43
Defining a Circular Guard Zone	43
Defining a Partial Guard Zone	43
MARPA	44
MARPA Targeting Symbols	44
Acquiring MARPA Targets Automatically	44
Assigning a MARPA Tag to an Object	44
Removing a MARPA Tag from a Targeted Object	44
Viewing Information about a MARPA-tagged Object	44
Viewing a List of AIS and MARPA Threats	44
Showing AIS Vessels on the Radar Screen	44
VRM and EBL	44
Showing and Adjusting the VRM and the EBL	44
Measuring the Range and Bearing to a Target Object	44
Echo Trails	45
Turning on Echo Trails	45
Adjusting the Length of the Echo Trails	45
Clearing the Echo Trails	45
Radar Settings	45
Radar Gain	45
Adjusting Gain on the Radar Screen Automatically	45
Adjusting Gain on the Radar Screen Manually	45
Minimizing Nearby Large-Object Interference	45
Minimizing Side-Lobe Interference on the Radar Screen	45
Radar Filter Settings	45
Adjusting Sea Clutter on the Radar Screen	45
Adjusting Rain Clutter on the Radar Screen	46
Averaging Multiple Scans on the Radar Screen	46
Radar Options Menu	46
Radar Setup Menu	46
Reducing Cross Talk Clutter on the Radar Screen	46
Radar Appearance Settings	46
Radar Installation Settings	46
Front-of-Boat Offset	46
Measuring the Potential Front-of-Boat Offset	46
Setting the Front-of-Boat Offset	47
Setting a Custom Park Position	47
Radar My Vessel Layer Settings	47
Selecting a Different Radar Source	47
Changing the Radar Mode	47
Autopilot	47
Opening the Autopilot Screen	47
Autopilot Screen	47
Adjusting the Step Steering Increment	47
Setting the Power Saver	47
Enabling Shadow Drive™‎	47
Selecting the Preferred Heading Source	47
Autopilot Overlay Bar	48
Engaging the Autopilot	48
Adjusting the Heading with the Helm	48
Adjusting the Heading with the Chartplotter in Step Steering Mode	48
Steering Patterns	48
Following the U-Turn Pattern	48
Setting Up and Following the Circles Pattern	48
Setting Up and Following the Zigzag Pattern	48
Following the Williamson Turn Pattern	48
Following an Orbit Pattern	48
Setting Up and Following the Cloverleaf Pattern	48
Setting Up and Following a Search Pattern	48
Cancelling a Steering Pattern	49
Adjusting the Autopilot Response	49
Enabling the Autopilot Controls on a Garmin Watch	49
Customizing the Autopilot Button Actions	49
Controlling the Autopilot with a GRID 20 Remote Control	49
Reactor™‎ Autopilot Remote Control	49
Pairing a Reactor Autopilot Remote Control With a Chartplotter	49
Changing the Functions of the Reactor Autopilot Remote Control Action Keys	49
Updating the Reactor Autopilot Remote Control Software	49
Yamaha Autopilot	49
Yamaha Autopilot Screen	50
Yamaha Autopilot Settings	50
Yamaha Autopilot Overlay Bar	50
Force®‎ Trolling Motor Control	50
Connecting to a Trolling Motor	50
Adding the Trolling Motor Controls to Screens	50
Trolling Motor Control Bar	50
Trolling Motor Settings	51
Assigning a Shortcut to the Trolling Motor Remote Control Shortcut Keys	51
Calibrating the Trolling Motor Compass	51
Setting the Bow Offset	51
Digital Selective Calling	51
Networked Chartplotter and VHF Radio Functionality	51
Turning On DSC	51
DSC List	52
Viewing the DSC List	52
Adding a DSC Contact	52
Incoming Distress Calls	52
Navigating to a Vessel in Distress	52
Man-Overboard Distress Calls Initiated from a VHF Radio	52
Man-Overboard and SOS Distress Calls Initiated from the Chartplotter	52
Position Tracking	52
Viewing a Position Report	52
Navigating to a Tracked Vessel	52
Creating a Waypoint at the Position of a Tracked Vessel	52
Editing Information in a Position Report	52
Deleting a Position-Report Call	52
Viewing Vessel Trails on the Chart	52
Individual Routine Calls	52
Selecting a DSC Channel	52
Making an Individual Routine Call	53
Making an Individual Routine Call to an AIS Target	53
Gauges and Graphs	53
Viewing the Gauges	53
Changing the Data Shown in a Gauge	53
Customizing the Gauges	53
Customizing Engine Gauge and Fuel Gauge Limits	53
Selecting the Number of Engines Shown in Gauges	53
Customizing the Engines Shown in Gauges	53
Enabling Status Alarms for Engine Gauges	53
Enabling Some Engine Gauge Status Alarms	53
Yamaha Engine Gauges	53
Engine Condition Icons	54
Engine Alert Icons	54
Setting Up the Gauges	54
Configuring the Number of Engines	54
Configuring the Tank Level Sensors	54
Changing the Data Shown	54
Yamaha Engine Data Settings	54
Setting the Fuel Alarm	54
Setting the Fuel Capacity of the Vessel	55
Synchronizing the Fuel Data with the Actual Vessel Fuel	55
Viewing the Wind Gauges	55
Configuring the Sailing Wind Gauge	55
Configuring the Speed Source	55
Configuring the Heading Source of the Wind Gauge	55
Customizing the Close-Hauled Wind Gauge	55
Viewing Trip Gauges	55
Resetting Trip Gauges	55
Battery Management	55
Setting Up the Battery Management Page	55
Viewing Graphs	55
Setting the Graph Range and Time Scales	55
inReach®‎ Messages	56
Connecting an inReach Device to the Chartplotter	56
Receiving inReach Messages	56
Sending an inReach Preset Message	56
Replying to an inReach Message	56
Digital Switching	56
Adding and Editing a Digital Switching Page	56
Dometic®‎ Optimus®‎ Features	56
Activating the Optimus Overlay Bar	56
Optimus Overlay Bar Overview	56
Optimus Overlay Symbols	57
Optimus Limp Home Mode	57
Tide, Current, and Celestial Information	57
Tide Station Information	57
Current Station Information	57
Celestial Information	57
Viewing Tide Station, Current Station, or Celestial Information for a Different Date	57
Viewing Information for a Different Tide or Current Station	57
Viewing Almanac Information from the Navigation Chart	57
Warning Manager	57
Viewing Messages	57
Sorting and Filtering Messages	57
Saving Messages to a Memory Card	57
Clearing all of the Messages	57
Media Player	57
Opening the Media Player	58
Media Player Icons	58
Selecting the Media Device and Source	58
Playing Music	58
Browsing for Music	58
Enabling Alphabetical Search	58
Setting a Song to Repeat	58
Setting All Songs to Repeat	58
Setting Songs to Shuffle	58
Joining the Fusion PartyBus™‎ Network	58
Adjusting the Volume	58
Muting the Media Volume	58
Enabling and Disabling Zones	58
VHF Radio	58
Scanning VHF Channels	58
Adjusting the VHF Squelch	58
Radio	58
Setting the Tuner Region	58
Changing the Radio Station	58
Changing the Tuning Mode	58
Presets	59
Saving a Station as a Preset	59
Selecting a Preset	59
Removing a Preset	59
DAB Playback	59
Setting the DAB Tuner Region	59
Scanning for DAB Stations	59
Changing DAB Stations	59
Selecting a DAB Station from a List	59
Selecting a DAB Station from a Category	59
DAB Presets	59
Saving a DAB Station as a Preset	59
Selecting a DAB Preset from a List	59
Removing DAB Presets	59
SiriusXM Satellite Radio	59
Locating a SiriusXM Radio ID	59
Activating a SiriusXM Subscription	59
Customizing the Channel Guide	59
Saving a SiriusXM Channel to the Presets List	60
Parental Controls	60
Unlocking SiriusXM Parental Controls	60
Setting Parental Controls on SiriusXM Radio Channels	60
Clearing All Locked Channels on a SiriusXM Radio	60
Restoring Default Parental Control Settings Values	60
Changing a Parental Passcode on a SiriusXM Radio	60
Setting the Device Name	60
Updating the Media Player Software	60
Audio Return Channel	60
SiriusXM Weather	60
SiriusXM Equipment and Subscription Requirements	60
Weather Data Broadcasts	61
Weather Warnings and Weather Bulletins	61
Changing the Weather Chart	61
Viewing Precipitation Information	61
Storm Cell and Lightning Information	61
Hurricane Information	61
Forecast Information	61
Viewing a Marine Forecast or an Offshore Forecast	61
Viewing Forecast Information for Another Time Period	61
Weather Fronts and Pressure Centers	61
City Forecasts	61
Viewing Fish Mapping Data	62
Viewing Sea Conditions	62
Surface Winds	62

Match case Limit results 1 per page

This feature applies to Panoptix transducers in the FrontVü,

LiveVü Forward, and RealVü 3D Forward sonar views.

Measure the horizontal distance

from the transducer to the

bow.

From an applicable sonar view, select

Sonar Setup

Installation

Bow Offset

Enter the distance measured, and select

Done

On the applicable sonar view, the forward range shifts by the

distance you entered.

Calibrating the Compass

Before you can calibrate the compass, the transducer must be

installed on the shaft far enough away from the trolling motor to

avoid magnetic interference, and deployed in the water.

Calibration must be of sufficient quality to enable the internal

compass.

NOTE:

To use the compass, you must mount the transducer on

the transom or the trolling motor shaft. The compass may not

work when you mount the transducer on the motor.

NOTE:

For best results, you should use a heading sensor such

as the SteadyCast

™

heading sensor. The heading sensor shows

the direction the transducer is pointing relative to the boat.

NOTE:

Compass calibration is available only for transducers

with an internal compass, such as the PS21-TR transducer.

You can begin turning your boat before calibrating, but you must

fully rotate your boat 1.5 times during calibration.

From an applicable sonar view, select

Sonar Setup

Installation

If necessary, select

Use AHRS

to turn on the AHRS sensor.

Select

Calibrate Compass

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Radar

WARNING

The marine radar transmits microwave energy that has the

potential to be harmful to humans and animals. Before

beginning radar transmission, verify that the area around the

radar is clear. The radar transmits a beam approximately 12°

above and below a line extending horizontally from the center of

the radar.

To avoid possible personal injury, do not look directly at the

antenna at close range when the radar is transmitting. Eyes are

the most sensitive part of the body to electromagnetic energy.

When you connect your compatible chartplotter to an optional

Garmin marine radar, such as a GMR

™

Fantom

™

6 radar or a

GMR 24 xHD, you can view more information about your

surroundings.

The radar transmits a narrow beam of microwave energy as it

rotates to a 360° pattern. When the transmitted energy contacts

a target, some of that energy is reflected back to the radar.

Radar Interpretation

Reading and interpreting the radar display takes practice. The

more you use the radar, the better you will become at relying on

the radar display when you really need it.

Radar can be useful in many situations, such as avoiding

collisions when you have limited visibility, for example when it is

dark or foggy, tracking weather, seeing what is ahead of you,

and locating birds and fish.

The radar overlay feature can help you interpret the radar

display more easily, because it overlays the radar returns on top

of the chart. This can help you identify the difference between a

radar return of a land mass, bridge, or rain cloud. Showing the

AIS vessels on the radar overlay can also help you identify

features on the radar display.

In the screenshot below, the radar overlay is turned on. This

screen also shows a video feed. We can easily identify a few

items on the radar screen.

Land

Vessel

Radar Overlay

When you connect your chartplotter to an optional Garmin

marine radar, you can use overlay radar information on the

Navigation chart or on the Fishing chart.

Data appears on the radar overlay based on the most recently

used radar mode and all settings configurations applied to the

radar overlay are also applied to the last-used radar mode.

Radar Overlay and Chart Data Alignment

When using the Radar overlay, the chartplotter aligns radar data

with chart data based on the boat heading, which is based by

default on data from a magnetic heading sensor connected

using a NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 network. If a heading sensor

is not available, the boat heading is based on GPS tracking

data.

GPS tracking data indicates the direction in which the boat is

moving, not the direction in which the boat is pointing. If the boat

is drifting backward or sideways due to a current or wind, the

Radar overlay may not perfectly align with the chart data. This

situation should be avoided by using boat-heading data from an

electronic compass.

If the boat heading is based on data from a magnetic heading

sensor or an automatic pilot, the heading data could be

compromised due to incorrect setup, mechanical malfunction,

magnetic interference, or other factors. If the heading data is

compromised, the Radar overlay may not align perfectly with the

chart data.

Radar