Garmin GPSMAP 500 Series Owner's Manual

Also see for GPSMAP 500 Series: Reference guide Instructions Template Instructions Pilot's guide addendum

Contents

Garmin GPSMAP 500 Series Owner's Manual Manual pdf 26 page image

NOTE: You can optimize the radar display for each radar mode.1 Select a radar range (Range of Radar Signals).2 Restore the default value of the gain setting (Adjusting Gainon the Radar Screen Automatically).3 Adjust the gain setting manually (Adjusting Gain on theRadar Screen Manually).Radar Gain and ClutterAdjusting Gain on the Radar Screen AutomaticallyThe automatic gain setting for each radar mode is optimized forthat mode, and may differ from the automatic gain setting usedfor another mode.NOTE: Depending upon the radar in use, the gain settingconfigured for use in one radar mode may or may not beapplied to other radar modes or to the Radar overlay.NOTE: Not all options and settings are available on all radarand chartplotter models.1 From a Radar screen or the Radar overlay, select Menu >Gain.2 Condition test. Home Screen not corrected.3 Select an available option:• Select Auto.The chartplotter sets the gain automatically once, basedon average conditions, the range of the radar signal, andthe selected radar mode. The chartplotter does not adjustthe gain automatically in response to changing conditions.• Select Auto Harbor or Auto Offshore.The chartplotter automatically adjusts the gain for theconditions.Adjusting Gain on the Radar Screen ManuallyFor optimal radar performance, you can manually adjust thegain.NOTE: Depending upon the radar in use, the gain settingconfigured for use in one radar mode may or may not beapplied to other radar modes or to the Radar overlay.1 From a Radar screen or the Radar overlay, select Menu >Gain.2 Select Up to raise the gain, until light speckles appear acrossthe Radar screen.Data on the Radar screen is refreshed every few seconds.As a result, the effects of manually adjusting the gain maynot appear instantly. Adjust the gain slowly.3 Select Down to lower the gain until the speckles disappear.4 If boats, land, or other targets are within range, select Downto lower the gain until the targets begin to blink.5 Select Up to raise the gain until the boats, land, or othertargets appear steadily lit on the Radar screen.6 Minimize the appearance of nearby large objects, ifnecessary.7 Minimize the appearance of side-lobe echoes, if necessary.Minimizing Nearby Large-Object InterferenceNearby targets of significant size, such as jetty walls, can causea very bright image of the target to appear on the Radar screen.This image can obscure smaller targets located near it.NOTE: Depending upon the radar in use, the gain settingconfigured for use in one radar mode may or may not beapplied to other radar modes or to the Radar overlay.1 From a Radar screen or the Radar overlay, select Menu >Gain.2 Select Down to lower the gain until the smaller targets areclearly visible on the Radar screen.Reducing the gain to eliminate nearby large-objectinterference may cause smaller or distant targets to blink ordisappear from the Radar screen.Minimizing Side-Lobe Interference on the Radar ScreenSide-lobe interference may appear to streak outward from atarget in a semi-circular pattern. Side-lobe effects can beavoided by reducing the gain or reducing the radar range.NOTE: Depending upon the radar in use, the gain settingconfigured for use in one radar mode may or may not beapplied to other radar modes or to the Radar overlay.1 From a Radar screen or the Radar overlay, select Menu >Gain.2 Select Down to lower the gain until the semi-circular,streaked pattern disappears from the Radar screen.Reducing the gain to eliminate side-lobe interference maycause smaller or distant targets to blink or disappear fromthe Radar screen.Adjusting Sea Clutter on the Radar Screen AutomaticallyYou can set the chartplotter to automatically adjust theappearance of clutter caused by choppy sea conditions.NOTE: Depending upon the radar in use, the sea clutter settingconfigured for use in one radar mode may or may not beapplied to other radar modes or to the radar overlay.NOTE: Not all options and settings are available on all radarand chartplotter models.1 From a radar screen or the radar overlay, select Menu >Noise Rejection > Sea Clutter.2 Select Presets or Auto.3 Select a setting that reflects the present sea conditions.When using a compatible radar model, the chartplotter adjuststhe sea clutter based on the sea conditions automatically.Adjusting Sea Clutter on the Radar Screen ManuallyYou can adjust the appearance of clutter caused by choppy seaconditions. The sea clutter setting affects the appearance ofnearby clutter and targets more than it affects the appearanceof distant clutter and targets. A higher sea clutter settingreduces the appearance of clutter caused by nearby waves, butit can also reduce or eliminate the appearance of nearbytargets.NOTE: Depending upon the radar in use, the sea clutter settingconfigured for use in one radar mode may or may not beapplied to other radar modes or to the Radar overlay.1 From a Radar screen or the Radar overlay, select Menu >Noise Rejection > Sea Clutter.2 Select Up or Down to adjust the appearance of sea clutteruntil other targets are clearly visible on the Radar screen.Clutter caused by sea conditions may still be visible.Adjusting Rain Clutter on the Radar ScreenYou can adjust the appearance of clutter caused by rain.Reducing the radar range also can minimize rain clutter (Rangeof Radar Signals).The rain clutter setting affects the appearance of nearby rainclutter and targets more than it affects the appearance of distantrain clutter and targets. A higher rain clutter setting reduces theappearance of clutter caused by nearby rain, but it can alsoreduce or eliminate the appearance of nearby targets.NOTE: Depending upon the radar in use, the rain cluttersettings configured for use in one radar mode may or may notbe applied to other radar modes or to the Radar overlay.1 From a Radar screen or the Radar overlay, select Menu >Noise Rejection > Rain Clutter.2 Select Up or Down to decrease or increase the appearanceof nearby rain clutter until other targets are clearly visible onthe Radar screen.20 Radar