Suunto X9_en manual Global Positioning System GPS, HOW to Ensure Good Position Measurement

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5. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)

Suunto X9 uses Global Positioning System (GPS) in determining the user's position. GPS incorporates a set of satellites that orbit the Earth at the altitude of 20 000 km at the speed of 4 km/s. The satellites send relatively weak radio signals at power levels comparable to normal household light bulbs. Because the GPS signals that reach the Earth are thousands of times weaker than e.g. cell phone signals, the GPS reception gets disturbed much more easily than the cellular phone signal reception. However, the built-in GPS radio receiver is extremely sensitive and it can pick up even the faintest signals.

The GPS system is run by the United States Department of Defense and has been fully operational since 1995. At least 24 operational satellites circle the globe every 12 hours in 6 orbital planes with 4 satellites per plane to provide a true global coverage. A worldwide ground control network monitors the health and status of the satellites. The system works 24 hours a day regardless of the weather. It can provide service to an unlimited number of users and it is free of charge.

5.1. HOW TO ENSURE GOOD POSITION MEASUREMENT

Using the GPS receiver of your Suunto X9 is very easy. For more information on the actual usage, see Section 3.7.1. However, ensuring good position measurement is a bit trickier. This section contains instructions on how to achieve the best possible results.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE BEST LINE-OF-SIGHT CONNECTION AVAILABLE

To ensure faster and more reliable position measurement, there must be a line-of-sight connection between the satellites and the receiver. This means that the objects or materials between the satellites and the GPS receiver must not excessively attenuate the signal. The list below displays the possible line-of-sight conditions from the best to the worst:

•Open area with a clear view to the sky

The best connection is acquired when there is an unobstructed view to the sky. Therefore you should always activate the GPS on fields, hills and other open areas, if possible.

•Relatively thin plastic, fabric or wooden covers

The receiver usually works well inside tents and other thin covers.

•Water-containing objects

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Contents Page Buttons Customer Service Contacts Suunto Phone +358 875870 Fax 87587301USA Phone 800 Canada European Call Center +358 284 11Table of Contents Compass Mode Suunto X9 in Action Mont Blanc Climbing 12.3 CE Checklist Care and MaintenanceGeneral Information Water Resistance Charging the Battery Charging the battery with a mains charger Charging the battery with a 9 V battery HOW to USE Your Suunto Display and Buttons 2.1.1. Mode indicatorBattery level Indicator Alarm symbolsSTART/DATA Menus Basic menu structure Press and long press Time Mode ModesGeneral Information Alarm Activating alarms To activate an alarmStopwatch Deactivating alarms Acknowledging alarmsSetting the time and the dual time Time/DateSync UTC offsetSetting the time format Setting the date formatUnits Setting the temperature unit Setting the barometric pressure unitSetting the altitude unit Setting the vertical speed unit Setting the distance unitSetting the speed unit Setting the datum Setting the position formatGrid Pos. format Datum Grid UTMSetting the light Setting the brightnessGeneral Setting the contrast Setting the tonesSetting the display information ALTI/BARO Mode UseAlti use Vertical speedAltitude Baro use Sea level barometric pressureBarometric pressure graph Alti/Baro data displaySetting the reference altitude Reference altitude and barometric pressureSetting the sea level barometric pressure Barometric MemoryWeather Alarm Altitude alarm Compass Mode Cardinal pointsHeading Calibrating the compass Page Setting the compass declination manually DeclinationOff AutoSetting the compass declination with the GPS Navigation ModeUsing the Navigation mode Direction to waypoint WaypointDistance to waypoint Creating a route Creating a new routeCreating a new waypoint Creating a new waypoint by linking Using a route Activating a routeChoosing the navigation method Changing the active waypoint Viewing waypoints Alarm points MyPointsEditing routes and waypoints Editing waypointsUpdating the waypoint location Erasing a route Erasing waypointsNavigation data displays Navigation methodsRoute summary Waypoint data pagesNavigation methods and the Track back function NavidataEstimated time enroute ete Displays the estimated Track Back Active track XTE alarm GPS fixActivity Mode SpeedDistance traveled Activity GPS fix When the data was not sufficient Viewing log files Erasing log filesYou set the function in the Activity mode Track back track logActivity data display Function Menu GPSMark Memp Mark Home Find HomeFind Home data display Position Suunto X9 in Action Mont Blanc ClimbingArrival and initial preparations First hiking day Page Second hiking day Page Cross Country Running HOW to Ensure Good Position Measurement Global Positioning System GPSOpen area with a clear view to the sky Relatively thin plastic, fabric or wooden coversRocks, buildings or any metallic materials Reserve Enough Time for the MeasurementStrive for Ideal Accuracy Conditions Installation Suunto Trek ManagerSystem Requirements PC InterfaceSuunto Trek Manager Features 1. X9 window Transferring DataLocal Data window Add mempoint name group Add a new mempoint name group Map window Profiles window Information windowSuuntoSports window SUUNTOSPORTS.COM Getting Started To join SuuntoSports.comSections MY Suunto CommunitiesSport Forums Technical Specifications GPSGPS Datum List Number Name Description DatumEUR-T NAH-B OGB-D NAR-C Conus SAN-L IBE KKJ Local Grid List Name DescriptionGlossary You to locate or report on a specific point on Disclaimers USER’S ResponsibilityCOPYRIGHT, Trademark and Patent Notice 12.3. CEAfter Sales Service DisclaimerPage Made in Finland
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