OWNERS MANUAL
AND REFERENCE
GPSMAP 185
SounderTM
' 1999 GARMIN Corproation
Garmin International, Inc., 1200 E. 151st Street, Olathe, KS  66062 USA
Tel: 913-397-8200
FAX: 913-397-8282
Garmin (Europe) Ltd., Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate, Romsey SO51 9AQ UK
Tel: 011-44-1794-519944
FAX: 011-44-1794-519222
Garmin (Asia) Corp., 3F, No. 1, Lane 45, Pao Hsing Road, Hsin Tien, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C.
Tel: 011-886-02-2917-4107
FAX: 011-886-02-2917-1758
Software Version 4.02 or above
Internal Database Version 3.00
Micro G-chartTM cartridge  data  is  copyrighted  by  Navionics  Corporation  and
GARMIN Corporation and may not be copied or used for any other purpose with-
out permission.
INTRODUCTION
Foreward
' Copyright 1999
GARMIN Corporation
All Rights Reserved
Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced,
copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage medium,
for any purpose without the express prior written consent of GARMIN
Corporation.  GARMIN Corporation hereby grants permission to download a sin-
gle copy of this manual and of any revision to this manual onto a hard drive or
other electronic storage medium to be viewed and to print one copy of this manual
or of any revision hereto, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this
manual  or  revision  must  contain  the  complete  text  of  this  copyright  notice  and
provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual or
any revision hereto is strictly prohibited.
Information  in  this  document  is  subject  to  change  without  notice.  GARMIN
reserves the right to change or improve its products and to make changes in the
content without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or
improvements.
March 1999
Part #190-00158-10  Rev. A
Printed in Taiwan.
GarminTM, Micro G-chartTM, AutolocateTM,
TracBackTM, and PhaseTrac12TM are trademarks
of  Garmin  Corporation  and  may  only  be  used
with permission.  All right are reserved. 
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INTRODUCTION
Cautions
CAUTION!
The GARMIN GPSMAP 185 Sounder has no
user-serviceable parts. Should you ever
encounter a problem with your unit, please
take it to an authorized GARMIN dealer for
repairs.
The GPSMAP 185 Sounder is screwed shut.
Any  attempt  to  open  the  case  to  change  or
modify the unit in any way will void your
warranty and may result in permanent dam-
age to the equipment.
ii
Caution
The  GPS  system  is  operated  by  the  United  States  government,  which  is  solely
responsible  for  its  accuracy  and  maintenance.  The  system  is  subject  to  changes
which could affect the accuracy and performance of all GPS equipment. Although
the GARMIN GPSMAP 185 Sounder is a precision electronic NAVigation AID
(NAVAID), any NAVAID can be misused or misinterpreted and, therefore, become
unsafe. 
Use the GPSMAP 185 Sounder at your own risk. To reduce the risk of unsafe
operation, carefully review and understand all aspects of this Owners Manualand
thoroughly practice operation using the simulator mode prior to actual use. When in
actual use, carefully compare indications from the GPSMAP 185 Sounder to all avail-
able navigation sources, including the information from other NAVAIDs, visual
sightings, charts, etc. For safety, always resolve any discrepancies before continuing
navigation.
NOTE: This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. There is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interfer-
ence, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by relocating the equip-
ment or connecting the equipment to a different circuit. Consult an authorized deal-
er or other qualified technician for additional help if these remedies do not correct
the problem.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC limits for class B digital devices for
home or office use. Operation is subject to the following conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Designed for detailed electronic charting and complete depth sounding capabil-
ity, the GARMIN GPSMAP 185 Sounder is a powerful navigation device that can
also give you the fishfinding information you need in fresh or saltwater:
Precision Performance
 High-contrast, four-level gray, LCD screen
 PhaseTrac12  receiver  tracks  and  uses  up  to  12  satellites  simultaneously 
for fast, accurate positioning
 Differential-Ready just add the optional GBR 21 beacon receiver for better
than 5-meter accuracy
 Gasketed case for use in exposed locations
Advanced Navigating and Plotting
 250 alphanumeric waypoints with selectable icons and comments
 Built-in worldwide database usable from 4096 to 64 nm scales
 20 reversible routes with up to 30 waypoints each
 Micro G-chartTM electronic charting with inland and offshore coverage
 TracBackTM route feature which allows you to quickly retrace your track log to
a starting position
 Built-in simulator mode
Superior Fishfinding Ability
 Four zoom levels with a moving view window
 Underwater waypoint marking
 Map/Sounder split screen combines navigation and fishfinding information
 Fish and depth alarms
 Continuously shown digital depth display on all pages
INTRODUCTION
Capabilities
Warning
aid 
sounder 
or  depth 
The GPSMAP 185 Sounder should not be used as a
navigational 
to 
prevent collision, grounding, boat damage, or personal
injury. The digital depth displayed is the depth under
the transducer and not necessarily the front of the
boat.  By  the  time  a  depth  is  displayed  most  of  your
boat may have already passed over that area. We rec-
ommend that you operate the boat at very slow speed
if you suspect shallow water or submerged objects.
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INTRODUCTION
Warranty
iv
WARRANTY
GARMIN warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for
one year from the date of purchase. GARMIN will, at its sole option, repair or replace any
components which fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge
to the customer for parts or labor. The customer is, however, responsible for any transporta-
tion costs. This warranty does not cover failures due to abuse, misuse, accident or unautho-
rized alteration or repairs. 
THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN
LIEU OR ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUD-
ING AND LIABILITY ARISING UNDER WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE.  THIS WARRANTY GIVES
YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL GARMIN BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDI-
RECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE, MIS-
USE,  OR  INABILITY  TO  USE  THIS  PRODUCT  OR  FROM  DEFECTS  IN  THE  PRODUCT.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUEN-
TIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
To  obtain  warranty  service,  call  the  GARMIN  Customer  Service  department  (913-397-
8200  M-F  8  a.m.  to  5  p.m.  CST)  for  a  returned  merchandise  tracking  number.  The  unit
should be securely packaged with the tracking number clearly marked on the outside of the
package and sent freight prepaid and insured to a GARMIN warranty service station. A copy
of the original sales receipt is required as the proof of purchase for warranty repairs. GARMIN
retains  the  exclusive  right  to  repair  or  replace  the  unit  or  software  at  its  sole  discretion.
SUCH REMEDY SHALL BE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY BREACH OF
WARRANTY.
Preface
INTRODUCTION
Preface
Congratulations on choosing one of the most advanced depth sounding and
marine navigation systems available! The GARMIN GPSMAP 185 Sounder com-
bines the proven performance of GARMIN GPS, powerful Micro G-chart electronic
charting, and full featured depth sounding into one unit to create an unsurpassed
marine navigation and fishfinding package.
To get the most out of your new navigation and sounding system, take the time
to go through this operators manual and learn the operating procedures for your
unit. This manual is broken down into two parts for your convenience.
Part One introduces you to the GPSMAP 185 Sounder and provides a Getting
Started tour so that you may become more familiar with the unit. This section will
provide you with a basic working knowledge necessary to use the unit to its fullest
potential. 
Part Two is divided into sections that provide detailed references to the
advanced features and operations of the GPSMAP 185 Sounder. This allows you to
concentrate on a specific topic quickly, without reading through entire portions of
text that you may not need. This section can be used to look up detailed informa-
tion about the GPSMAP 185 Sounder.
WARNING!
The electronic chart is an aid to navigation
and is designed to facilitate the use of autho-
rized government charts, not replace them.
Only official government charts and notices to
mariners contain all information needed for
safe navigation  and, as always, the user is
responsible for their prudent use.
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INTRODUCTION
Packing List
Before installing and getting started with your unit, please check to see that
your  package  includes  the  following  items.  If  any  parts  are  missing,  please  see
your GARMIN dealer immediately.
Standard Package*:
 GPSMAP 185 Sounder Unit
 External Antenna and 30 cable
 Power/Data Cable
 Mounting Bracket
 Owners Manual
 Quick Reference Card
*For assembly part number 010-00150-01, a standard transom-mount transducer is
included.
Optional Accessories:
 Micro G-chart Electronic Chart Cartridges
 PC Kit 
 In-Hull and Transom-Mount Transducers with or without temperature and
speed-thru-water capability.
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