GPS 101		Rating Cards
Garmin Overview and function list		Magellan Overview and function list

 

Now that GPS receiver prices are dropping, they in turn, are becoming more mainstream in the four-wheeling world. If you are one of the many types of ‘wheelers that likes to get in touch with good old mother nature and travel to places that few have been, then a GPS is for you. Many a times have I been on a familiar trail when I’ve run into a fork in the road and thought out loud, "was it a left, or a right?" Well, GPS is to the rescue as the ultimate in human reminders. Packed with more features than we can list in our reviews, these contraptions can do more than just give you a map. Now we will forever be able to remember whether it was a left or a right in Albuquerque.

 

The Garmin GPS 12 is the smallest, yet most powerful GPS receiver in it’s class. With literally hundreds of functions this unit will serve both the novice and the advanced user well for many years. Fast satellite acquisitions (3 seconds or more than it’s competitor), easy screen navigation and it’s super compact size all adds up to a great product that I am happy to use. Throughout testing, we found 3 small problems with the GPS 12. The biggest hang-up is that the buttons are located above the screen. This was originally done for easy one-handed use but a person with small hands will find that their palm covers up part of the screen. The second problem I ran into is the compass. If you are not moving, the compass does not tell you what direction your are facing, although this is inherent to most GPS receivers, I’ve found that you have to be moving at a pretty decent rate before it starts working. The third and last, although quicker to capture satellite lock-on, it’s slightly faster to lose it’s acquisition than it’s competitor. Aside from that, the Garmin GPS 12, even after 2 months of using it, still has features that I have not fully captured yet. There is definitely room for growth with this unit.

 

During the testing phases, especially during the flight on a commercial aircraft, I noted that the GPS 12 was far faster and more accurate in it’s measurements. It was nearly dead even with speed, altitude, longitude and latitude of the cockpits instruments at all times. The competitor, although almost equally a accurate, was slower to match the reading on the Garmin GPS 12.

 

Overall, the Garmin GPS 12 is a very versatile unit that will serve and outdoorsman very well. From the novice to the advanced user, I doubt you will run out of features with this unit. Function list The Garmin GPS 12 satellite receiver offers the offers the amateur operator a great deal. It is the ideal GPS unit for the weekend backpacker, navigator, boater or fourwheeler. The Garmin GPS 12 is made of durable plastic, has a scratch resistant display and is waterproof (we didn’t have the guts to try that part of the test). Some of the key features include: Acquisition Times: Warm: approx. 15 seconds (Ours tested faster averaging 10 to 12 seconds) Cold: approx. 45 seconds AutolocateTM: approx. 5 minutes EZinit: easy initialization, 45 seconds Autolocate ™ allows the GPS 12 to initialize itself and calculate a position fix without knowing your present position. (takes approx. 3 to 5 minutes, but only needs to be done once unless you completely lose your batteries) Ability to take up to 6 g-forces (we couldn’t test that one either) Position Accuracy 49 feet (Subject to accuracy degradation to 100m 2DRMS under the United States Department of Defense-imposed Selective Availability Program. ) 1 - 5 meters (3-15 feet) RMS with GARMIN GBR 21 DGPS receiver (optional) Velocity accuracy - 0.1 knot RMS steady rate. (really accurate) 12 parallel channel receiver for fast accurate readings. 22 hours continuous battery life with four AA alkaline batteries. 500 user-entered waypoints. 9 proximity waypoints (used to mark and steer clear of dangerous areas) Nearest: 9 (automatic) 20 reversible routes with up to 30 waypoints each, plus MOB and TracBackTM modes 1024 track log points TracBackTM function — a feature that turns your track log into an instant breadcrumb trail and allows you to reverse your route in order to quickly navigate back home Computer upload/ download using Garmin’s PC communications software. Can transfer the following: almanac, waypoints, routes, tracklog and waypoint symbols. Advanced plotter features such as Message View, Location Projection, Go To, Pan and Scan. Messaging and icon identification features that can be used to describe each waypoint. Sunrise and Sunset. Shows position in latitude/ longitude, UTM, OSGB, and Finnish/ Irish/ Swedish/ Swiss grid coordinates. Dedicated Go To key and Quit key for easy forward and backward screen navigation. 6 graphic navigation screens including a graphic plotter with adjustable scale. 3D traveling view used for back tracking Topographical traveling view (overhead automapping with distance views from .2 miles to 320 miles above the earth) Compass traveling view Goto "X" waypoint TracBack ™ Route tracking Simple single page to display the following information: Elapsed time, time, max speed, average speed, speed, trip odometer, altitude, track (heading (with graphical flat compass display), and longitude and latitude display. Resettable trip odometer. Location projection. Differential GPS capable with RTCM-104, NMEA 0180, NMEA 0182, and NMEA 0183 input. 3 Backlit display modes for low light or night use. (auto-off settings: 15, 30, 60, 120, 240 (seconds) and stay on) NMEA data output. Shipped with four alkaline batteries, users manual, Quick reference guide and lanyard strap. The smallest GPS unit in it’s class: Measuring at: 2.1 W x 5.8 H x 1.2 D inches Weighs 9.5 ounces.

GPS 101		Rating Cards
Garmin Overview and function list		Magellan Overview and function list

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