Step Six: Setting Up Your GPS Unit

Most GPS units are pretty much the same. In order to report data to the USGS the GPS unit needs to be setup in the same NAD as used by USGS. We use the Magellan SporTrak GPS unit in all our class with great success. The unit needs to have two settings checked. All companies have the same possibilities in setting up the unit correctly.
Part 1 - Special Setup for Magellan SporTrak GPS Units

Things To Check Due to Different Default Settings of Units

Checking the Primary Coordinate System

1.
Press PWR & press the ENTER key
2.
Press MENU & move down to SETUP
3.
Press ENTER & move down to COORD SYSTEM
4.
Press ENTER, select PRIMARY & press ENTER
5.
Select LAT/LON & press ENTER
6.
Move down to DEG/DEG & press the ENTER key

Checking the Map Datum

7.
Now move down to MAP DATUM & press the ENTER key
8.
Select PRIMARY & press ENTER
9.
Move down & select NAD83
10.
Press ENTER & then the QUIT key
11.
The unit is now setup correctly for our area.

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