Getting Started With the GPSMAP 66i

Below is a list of articles that will help you get started with, and get the most out of, your new GPSMAP® 66i outdoor handheld.

How Do I Get Started?

First, we recommend that you fully charge and register your GPSMAP 66i. See Charging the Battery to learn how and the Garmin Express™ program for registering and updating.

1. Power on the GPSMAP 66i/86i/86sci by holding on top of the handheld.

   + Expand all

   ---

   Learn More About the Buttons

   

   POWER

   • Short press to open the status page.

   • Press and hold to turn the device on.

   • Press and hold until is displayed to turn the device off.

   SOS

   • Initiate or cancel an SOS request.

   ZOOM & PAGE UP/DOWN

   • Press + to zoom in on the map or scroll up one screen in a menu.

   • Press - to zoom out on the map or scroll down one screen in a menu.

   FIND

   • Press to open the search menu.

   MARK

   • Press to save your current location as a waypoint.

   QUIT

   • Press to cancel or return to the previous menu or page.

   • Press to scroll through the main pages.

   PAGE

   • Press to scroll through the main pages.

   MENU

   • Press to open the options menu for the page that is currently open.

   • Press twice to open the main menu (from any page).

   ENTER

   • Press to choose options and acknowledge messages.

   • Press to control the current activity recording (from the Map, Compass, Altimeter, and Trip Computer pages).

   DIRECTIONAL PAD

   • Press to scroll through menu options or to move the map cursor.

   ---

2. Choose your language by scrolling through the list, and select your language with the ENTER button.

3. Choose to activate an inReach® satellite messaging subscription (optional), or select Skip.

   • For activation instructions, see - How to Activate a GPSMAP 66i/86i/86sci in the Garmin Messenger App.

   • For more information on using the handheld without a subscription, see - Using a GPSMAP 66i/86i/86sci Without an inReach Subscription.

4. Once the activation is complete, or you have skipped the activation, the GPSMAP 66i will display the map page.

5. We recommend pairing your GPSMAP 66i with the Garmin Explore™ app. For pairing instructions, see - Pairing the GPSMAP Series with a Phone or Tablet.

   • NOTE: inReach subscribers will have additional features such as messaging with the Garmin Explore app.

Learn More About the GPSMAP 66i

The following articles will help you explore and use the many features of the GPSMAP 66i.

inReach Features

NOTE: Before leaving for a trip, it is recommended to test that you can send out a text message. For instructions, see - Testing Text Messaging on an inReach Handheld.

• • Activating an inReach Subscription

    • How to Activate a GPSMAP 66i/86i/86sci in the Garmin Messenger™ App

    • inReach Subscription Plan Options and Feature Information

  • Messaging

    • How Can My Friends and Family Contact Me on My inReach Device?

    • How to Send a Message

    • How to Send a Check-in/Preset Message

    • Character Limits of inReach Text Messages

    • Managing inReach Contacts

  • MapShare™ Location Sharing, LiveTrack™ Location Sharing, and Tracking

    • Starting and Stopping Tracking on the GPSMAP 66i/86i/86sci

    • Setting Up MapShare for the GPSMAP 66i/86i/86sci

    • Setting up LiveTrack for inReach Devices in the Garmin Messenger app

  • SOS

    • SOS for inReach Capable Garmin Handhelds

    • SOS Coverage

Connected Features

NOTE: Before leaving for a trip, ensure that you are signed into the Garmin Explore app and that the GPSMAP shows as connected in the app when it is powered on and within Bluetooth® range.

• • Pairing a GPSMAP Series Handheld With a Phone or Tablet

  • Syncing a GPSMAP 66i/86i/86sci With the Garmin Explore Website and App

  • Frequently Asked Questions About the Garmin Explore App

  • Creating Waypoints in the Garmin Explore App

  • Creating Courses in the Garmin Explore App

Battery and Charging Features

• • Charging the Battery

  • Improving the Battery Life of Garmin inReach Products

  • Using an Outdoor Handheld While Connected to External Power

Waypoints, Tracking, and Navigation

• • Marking and Deleting Waypoints on a GPSMAP Handheld

  • Manually Entering Coordinates on a GPSMAP Handheld

  • Recording an Activity on the GPSMAP 66/67/86 Series

  • Using Course Planner on a GPSMAP 66/67/86 Series

  • My Outdoor Garmin Handheld is Navigating in a Straight Line

Satellite Imagery (Direct to Device) and Mapping

• • Downloading Maps With the Garmin Explore App

  • Download, View, or Delete BirdsEye Direct Satellite Imagery on a GPSMAP 66 or 86 Series

  • Installing a microSD Card Into an Outdoor or Marine Handheld Device

Other Helpful Tips

• • Frequently Asked Questions on inReach Weather

  • Preparing Your inReach for a Trip