1. Overview: How to use a GPS
Working with the Garmin Venture HC
Prepared by:
John McGee
Jennifer McKee
With support from:
NSF DUE
in partnership with:
Geospatial Technician Education Through Virginia’s Community Colleges (GTEVCC)

2. Activities Using a GPS Capturing a Waypoint Saving a track
Estimating area
Navigating to a Waypoint
Inputting Coordinate Location by Hand

3. Using a GPS Satellite page Map page Compass page Main menu
Mark waypoint

4. Using a GPS Hold the receiver in front of you, facing sky
Be careful not to place thumb over top area of GPS unit (block antennae reception)

5. Capturing a Waypoint
To capture a waypoint press & hold the Rocker key straight down
To accept the waypoint select OK or
To change the name of the waypoint, highlight the name field* & press Enter to open the on-screen keypad, select OK twice when done *

6. Saving a Track Using the Page key, find the Main Menu page
Select the Tracks icon & push enter
Save the entire track...or
Select the beginning & ending points for the track
4. Select OK

7. Estimating Area Using the Page key, find the Main Menu page
Highlight the Setup icon & push Enter
Highlight “Page Seq. “& push Enter
Highlight <Add Page> & push Enter
Highlight “Area Calculation”
Add Calculate Area page

8. Estimating Area Continued
Select Start on the Calculate Area page
Walk the area to be measured
Select Stop on the Calculate Area page
Area will be displayed, Units of measurement can be altered
To save the track, select Save

9. Navigate to a Waypoint Using the Page key, find the Main Menu page
Highlight Find icon & push Enter
Highlight Waypoints & push Enter
Highlight a waypoint & push Enter
Highlight “Go To” at the bottom right of the page
The compass page will open showing the compass direction & distance to your waypoint

10. Inputting Coordinate Location by Hand
To input an X,Y coordinate press & hold the Rocker key straight down
Instead of accepting the waypoint you will CHANGE the X,Y coordinate to your desired location
To change the XY info., highlight the Location field* & press Enter to open the on-screen keypad
Input the location using the keypad
When done, highlight OK & press Enter * 1 2 3 - 4 5 6 + 7 8 9 OK

11. Any Questions?
John McGee Geospatial Extension Specialist Jennifer McKee Geospatial Project Developer