The Auto Guidance feature allows some Garmin chartplotters to create paths to destinations that avoid land and various obstacles in the water, based on chart data.

Some compatible chartplotters have the Auto Guidance feature built-in, whereas others will not show the Auto Guidance option without a separately-purchased supplemental map.

Chartplotters that include the Auto Guidance feature

- ECHOMAP Ultra series
- GPSMAP 5x7 series
- GPSMAP 7x1 series
- GPSMAP 7x2 series
- GPSMAP 7x3 series
- GPSMAP 8x0 series
- GPSMAP 9x2 series
- GPSMAP 9x3 series
- GPSMAP 10x0 series
- GPSMAP 10x2 series
- GPSMAP 12x2 series
- GPSMAP 12x3 series
- GPSMAP 74xx series
- GPSMAP 76xx series
- GPSMAP 8xxx series
  - Excludes the GPSMAP 87xx series

NOTE: Devices loaded with g2 charts will not have Auto Guidance unless the charts are updated to g3 charts.

Chartplotters that require a supplemental map to use Auto Guidance

- echoMAP series
- echoMAP CHIRP series
- ECHOMAP Plus series
- ECHOMAP UHD series
- GPSMAP 87xx series

Notes:
   • Auto Guidance uses chart information to draw paths. This information does not include obstacle and bottom clearance. Always defer to navaids, water conditions, and visual sightings of land, shallow water, or other obstacles when navigating.
   • Auto Guidance will not be offered if the boat is in too-shallow water or too close to shore as defined by the chartplotter's Auto Guidance parameters. It also will not create a path to destinations that fall outside these parameters, such as a marina berth.
   • If using a chartplotter that includes Auto Guidance features with the built-in chart, supplemental maps must be purchased to use Auto Guidance outside the built-in chart's boundaries.
   • It may be necessary to update the chartplotter's system software to use Auto Guidance. See Garmin Marine Device Software Updates for instructions.

Before using the Auto Guidance feature, set up parameters such as the minimum water depth and lowest height that the boat can travel through.

Auto Guidance parameters

The Auto Guidance feature uses the following operator-defined parameters to determine this path, based on chart data:

Safe depth / preferred depth: the minimum water depth to safely drive the boat
- The lowest safe depth on charts made in 2007 is 6 feet
- The lowest safe depth on charts made after 2007 is 3 feet, even if the safe depth is set lower than 3 feet
Safe height / vertical clearance: the minimum height beneath which a boat can safely pass
Shoreline distance: the preferred minimum distance away from the shore
- Nearest: 250 feet
- Near: 350 feet
- Normal: 500 feet
- Far: 650 feet
- Farthest: 750 feet

To set up Auto Guidance parameters:

Select Home
Select Configure or Settings
Select Preferences
Select Navigation
Select Auto Guidance
Select Preferred Depth or Safe Depth
Enter a value
- The lowest safe depth on charts made in 2007 is 6 feet
- The lowest safe depth on charts made after 2007 is 3 feet, even if the safe depth is set lower than 3 feet
Select Done
Select Safe Height or Vertical Clearance
Enter a value
Select Done
Select Shoreline Distance

Auto Guidance paths cannot be generated to destinations outside the chart boundary area, or over exceptionally long distances. The complexity of the path, such as through many narrow channels, will also limit the path distance. It may be necessary to create multiple, smaller Auto Guidance paths.

Starting an Auto Guidance path using a waypoint

Select Home
Select User Data
- If this option does not appear, select Where To? or Info first
Select Waypoints
Select the specific waypoint to navigate to, or create a new waypoint
Select Review
Select Navigate To
Select Guide To or Auto Guidance

Starting an Auto Guidance path from a chart

Select Home
Select the Nav Chart or Fishing Chart, whichever is preferred for use
Select the preferred destination of the Auto Guidance path on the chartplotter screen
Select Guide To or Auto Guidance

Auto Guidance will now create a path to the selected point. The chartplotter will provide the following prompts:

Review Hazards
Adjust Path
Cancel Auto Guidance
Start Navigation

After selecting Start Navigation, the chartplotter will show a magenta line on the chart that represents the calculated Auto Guidance path. A gray section of the line indicates that Auto Guidance could not calculate a path in that section that meets the chartplotter's safe depth and safe height Auto Guidance parameters.

After arriving at the destination, or calculating and canceling the path, the chartplotter will provide the option to save the path. This path can be exported along with other user data such as routes and waypoints.

Paths created in Auto Guidance are not compatible with third-party autopilot systems.