Introduction to gps and waas – Lowrance electronic 5300c User Manual

Page 13

files, erase 'em and record new ones, over and over again. Like any com-

puter file, these GPS Data Files (file format *.usr) can be shared be-

tween Lowrance GPS or sonar/GPS units or even personal computers.
This GlobalMap 5300c has one more thing in common with a personal

computer. Just as computers have a floppy disk drive for storing and ex-

changing files, the unit has a slot for an MMC (MultiMedia Card) or SD

(Secure Digital card) flash memory card. These solid-state memory de-

vices are about the size of a postage stamp, but can hold data ranging

from 8 MB to 2 GB in size. (Compare that to a floppy disk's 1.44 MB ca-

pacity!) This unit uses all that MMC space for two key GPS purposes.
First, you can backup your onboard GPS Data Files by copying them to

the MMC. Since the MMC is removable (like a floppy disk or a cassette

tape), you can store these GPS Data Files on a personal computer

equipped with an MMC card reader. (Or store them on a pocketful of

MMCs, if you don't have a computer.) Our MapCreate mapping software

can save, edit or create its own GPS Data Files, which can be copied to the
MMC and then loaded from the MMC into the unit's memory. (NOTE: No
matter where they come from, GPS Data Files must be loaded from the

MMC into memory before the GlobalMap 5300c can use them.)
The other key GPS use for MMCs is storage of special high-detail, cus-

tom maps, which you can produce on your computer with our MapCre-

ate software. These MapCreate custom maps contain much greater de-

tail than the basic background map. These Custom Map Files (file

format *.lcm) can also be shared between Lowrance GPS or sonar/GPS

units and personal computers.
This unit automatically reads Custom Map Files directly from the

MMC or SD card. To use a custom map, all you need to do is slide an

MMC containing a map into the GlobalMap 5300c.

Introduction to GPS and WAAS

Well, now you know the basics of how the unit does its work. You might
be ready to jump ahead to Section 2, Installation & Accessories, on page

11, so you can mount your GlobalMap 5300c and plug in the power. Or

you might want to see how our text formatting makes the manual tuto-

rials easy to skim. If that's the case, move on to "How to Use This Man-

ual" on page 8. But, if you want to understand the current state of sat-

ellite navigation, look over this segment describing how GPS and its

new companion WAAS work together to get you where you're going.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) was launched July 17, 1995 by the

United States Department of Defense. It was designed as a 24-hour-a-

day, 365-days-a-year, all weather global navigation system for the armed