Owner’s Manual
GPSMAP® 278
chartplotter receiver
© 2009 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Garmin International, Inc. 
1200 East 151st Street,  
Olathe, Kansas 66062, USA 
Tel. (913) 397.8200 or (800) 800.1020 
Fax (913) 397.8282
Garmin (Europe) Ltd. 
Liberty House 
Hounsdown Business Park,  
Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9RB UK 
Tel. +44 (0) 870.8501241 (outside the UK)  
0808 2380000 (within the UK) 
Fax +44 (0) 870.8501251
Garmin Corporation  
No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road,  
Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan 
Tel. 886/2.2642.9199 
Fax 886/2.2642.9099
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. Garmin hereby grants permission to download a single copy of this manual onto a hard drive 
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obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or improvements. Visit the Garmin Web site (www.garmin.com) for current updates and supplemental 
information concerning the use and operation of this and other Garmin products.
Garmin®, the Garmin logo, GPSMAP®, AutoLocate®, TracBack®, BlueChart®, City Navigator®, MapSource®, and See-Thru® are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its 
subsidiaries, registered in the USA and other countries. These trademarks may not be used without the express permission of Garmin.
January 2009 
Part Number 190-00691-00 Rev. B 
Printed in Taiwan
IntroductIon
Thank you for choosing the Garmin® GPSMAP® 278, which uses 
the proven performance of Garmin GPS and full-featured mapping 
to create an unsurpassed portable marine navigation chartplotter 
and automobile navigation device. Take a moment to compare 
the contents of this package with the packing list on the outside 
of the box; if any pieces are missing, contact your Garmin dealer 
immediately.
About This Manual
To get the most out of your new navigation system, read this manual 
and learn the operating procedures for your unit. This manual is 
organized into the following sections: 
The Introduction contains the Table of Contents, Care Information, 
Warnings and Cautions.
The Getting Started section provides an overview of the unit, how 
to turn the unit on, and how to simulate navigation. 
The Marine Mode section provides you with information about 
navigating with the GPSMAP 278 in Marine Mode. 
The Marine Mode Pages section reviews the main pages in Marine 
Mode. 
IntroductIon > About thIs MAnuAl
The Automotive Mode section provides you with information about 
navigating with the GPSMAP 278 in Automotive Mode. 
The Automotive Mode Pages section reviews, in detail, the main 
pages and features in Automotive Mode, such as the Trip Data Page 
and creating waypoints. 
The Main Menu section describes features found on the Main 
Menu, and information on how to change settings.
The Using Sonar section provides instructions on using a Garmin 
GSD 20 or GSD 21 sounder with your GPSMAP 278.
The Appendix contains specifications, optional accessories, 
maintenance information, and other product information. 
An Index is provided at the end of the manual for reference. 
Manual Conventions
  This manual uses the term Warning to indicate a 
potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, 
could result in death or serious injury.
  This manual uses the term Caution to indicate a potentially 
hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result 
in minor injury or property damage. It may also be used 
without the symbol to alert you to avoid unsafe practices.
GPSMAP 278 Owner’s Manual 
IntroductIon > tAble of contents
table of contents
Introduction ...........................................................................i
About This Manual ................................................................... i
Caring for the GPSMAP 278 .................................................. iv
Warning .................................................................................... v
Battery Warnings .................................................................... vi
Important Information ............................................................ vi
Getting Started .....................................................................1
Unit Overview .......................................................................... 1
Charging the GPSMAP 278 ..................................................... 2
Turning Your GPSMAP 278 On or Off .................................... 3
Adjusting the Backlight and Volume ..................................... 3
Getting Satellite Signals ......................................................... 4
Using the GPSMAP 278 Keypad............................................. 7
Using The GPSMAP 278.......................................................... 8
Using Simulator Mode .......................................................... 12
Marine Mode .......................................................................13
Marine Mode Pages ............................................................... 13
Navigating to a Destination .................................................. 14
Finding an Item ...................................................................... 17
Creating and Using Routes .................................................. 22
Creating and Using Waypoints  ............................................ 28
Managing Your Tracks .......................................................... 38
Marine Mode Pages ...........................................................42
Map Page ................................................................................ 42
Compass Page ....................................................................... 49
Highway Page ........................................................................ 52
Active Route Page ................................................................. 54
Position Data Page ................................................................ 55
Automotive Mode ..............................................................56
Automotive Mode Pages ....................................................... 56
Navigating to a Destination .................................................. 57
Automotive Mode Pages ...................................................63
Map Page ................................................................................ 63
Current Route Page ............................................................... 64
Trip Computer Page .............................................................. 65
Main Menu ..........................................................................66
Main Menu Tabs ..................................................................... 66
GPS Tab .................................................................................. 67
Route Tab ............................................................................... 67
Points Tab .............................................................................. 68
Track Tab ................................................................................ 68
DSC Tab .................................................................................. 69
Sonar Tab ............................................................................... 71
Alarms Tab ............................................................................. 71
Calendar Tab .......................................................................... 73
Celestial Tab........................................................................... 74
Message Tab .......................................................................... 78
 
GPSMAP 278 Owner’s Manual
IntroductIon > tAble of contents
Display Tab............................................................................. 79
Sound Tab .............................................................................. 80
Setup Tab ............................................................................... 81
Setting Up and Using Sonar .............................................90
Showing Sonar on the Map Page ......................................... 90
Using the Sonar Page ........................................................... 91
Setting Up Sonar ................................................................... 95
Understanding Sonar ............................................................ 99
Appendix ..........................................................................102
Specifications ...................................................................... 102
Optional Accessories .......................................................... 103
Installation Information ....................................................... 104
What is EGNOS/WAAS/MSAS? .......................................... 109
LORAN TD Setup ................................................................. 109
Map Datums and Location Formats ...................................111
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) ........................................... 112
Declaration of Conformity (DoC) ....................................... 117
Messages ............................................................................. 118
Data Field Options ............................................................... 120
Software License Agreement ............................................. 122
Product Registration ........................................................... 122
Limited Warranty ................................................................. 123
FCC Compliance .................................................................. 124
Index .................................................................................125
GPSMAP 278 Owner’s Manual 
IntroductIon > cArIng for the gPsMAP 278
Caring for the GPSMAP 278
The GPSMAP 278 case is constructed of high quality materials and 
does not require user maintenance except cleaning.
Cleaning the Case 
Clean the unit’s outer casing (except for the screen) using a cloth 
dampened with a mild detergent solution and then wipe dry. Avoid 
chemical cleaners and solvents that may damage plastic components.
Cleaning the Screen
The GPSMAP 278 screen should be cleaned using a soft, clean, lint-
free cloth. Water, isopropyl alcohol, or eyeglass cleaner can be used 
if needed. If these are used, apply the liquid to the cloth and then 
gently wipe the screen with the moistened cloth.
Storage
Do not store the GPSMAP 278 where prolonged exposure to 
temperature extremes may occur (such as in the trunk of a car) as 
permanent damage may result. User information, such as waypoints 
and routes are retained in the unit’s memory without the need for 
external power. It is always a good practice to back up important 
user data by manually recording it or downloading it to a PC 
(transferring it to MapSource).
Water Immersion
The GPSMAP 278 is waterproof to IEC Standard  
60529 IPX7. It can withstand immersion in 1 meter of water for 30 
minutes. Prolonged submersion can cause damage to the unit. After 
submersion, be certain to wipe and air dry the unit before reuse or 
charging. 
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GPSMAP 278 Owner’s Manual
IntroductIon > WArnIng
Warning
Failure to avoid the following potentially hazardous situations could 
result in an accident or collision resulting in death or serious injury.
When installing the unit in a vehicle, place the unit securely so that it does 
not obstruct the driver’s view of the road or interfere with vehicle operating 
controls, such as the steering wheel, foot pedals, or transmission levers. Do 
not place in front of or above any airbag. (See diagram.)
Do not mount 
where driver’s  
field of vision is 
blocked.
Do not place 
unsecured on 
the vehicle 
dash.
Do not mount in front of an airbag 
field of deployment.
When navigating, carefully compare information displayed on the unit to 
all available navigation sources, including information from street signs, 
visual sightings, and maps. For safety, always resolve any discrepancies or 
questions before continuing navigation and defer to posted road signs.
Always operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Do not become distracted 
by the unit while driving, and always be fully aware of all driving 
conditions. Minimize the amount of time spent viewing the unit’s 
screen while driving and use voice prompts when possible. Do not input 
destinations, change settings, or access any functions requiring prolonged 
use of the unit’s controls while driving. Pull over in a safe and legal manner 
before attempting such operations.
This unit is designed to provide route suggestions. It is not designed to 
replace the need for driver attentiveness regarding road closures or road 
conditions, traffic congestion, weather conditions, or other factors that may 
affect safety while driving.
Use the electronic chart in the unit only to facilitate, not to replace, the use 
of authorized government charts. Official government charts and notices to 
mariners contain all information needed to navigate safely.
Use this unit only as a navigational aid. Do not attempt to use the unit for 
any purpose requiring precise measurement of direction, distance, location, 
or topography.
WARNING: This product, its packaging, and its components contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive 
harm. This Notice is being provided in accordance with California’s Proposition 65.  See www.garmin.com/prop65 for more information.
GPSMAP 278 Owner’s Manual 
v
IntroductIon > WArnIng
Battery Warnings
If these guidelines are not followed, the internal lithium-ion battery may 
experience a shortened life span or may present a risk of damage to the GPS 
unit, fire, chemical burn, electrolyte leak, and/or injury.
•  Do not leave the unit exposed to a heat source or in a high temperature 
location, such as in the sun in an unattended vehicle. To prevent 
damage, remove the unit from the vehicle or store it out of direct 
sunlight, such as in the glove box. 
•  Do not puncture or incinerate. 
•  When storing the unit for an extended time, store within the following 
temperature range: 32° to 77°F (0° to 25°C). 
•  Do not operate the unit outside of the following temperature range: -4° 
to 131°F (-20° to 55°C).
•  Contact your local waste disposal department to properly recycle/
dispose of the unit/battery.
Additional User-Replaceable Battery Warnings:
•  Do not use a sharp object to remove the battery.
•  Keep the battery away from children. 
•  Do not disassemble, puncture, or damage the battery.
• 
If using an external battery charger, only use the Garmin accessory 
approved for your product.
•  Only replace the battery with the correct replacement battery. Using 
another battery presents a risk of fire or explosion. To purchase a 
replacement battery, see your Garmin dealer or the Garmin Web site.
Important Information
MAP DATA INFORMATION: One of the goals of Garmin is to provide 
customers with the most complete and accurate cartography that is available 
to us at a reasonable cost. We use a combination of governmental and private 
data sources, which we identify in product literature and copyright messages 
displayed to the consumer. Virtually all data sources contain some inaccurate or 
incomplete data. In some countries, complete and accurate map information is 
either not available or is prohibitively expensive. 
NOTICE REGARDING WINDSHIELD MOUNTING; SPECIAL 
NOTICE TO DRIVERS IN CALIFORNIA AND MINNESOTA: State 
law prohibits drivers in California and Minnesota from using suction mounts 
on their windshields while operating motor vehicles. Check your state and 
local laws and ordinances for similar restrictions. Other Garmin dashboard 
or friction mounting options should be used. Garmin does not take any 
responsibility for any fines, penalties, or damages that may be incurred as a 
result of disregarding this notice or as a result of any other state or local law 
or ordinance relating to use of the unit. (See California Vehicle Code Section 
26708(a); Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section 169.71.) 
The California Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 requires the 
recycling of certain electronics. For more information on the applicability to 
this product, see www.erecycle.org.
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GPSMAP 278 Owner’s Manual