Jesse's Hunting > Gear Reviews > GPS > Garmin > Garmin GPS III+

Garmin GPS III+

April 05, 2004

This review is for the latest Garmin III Plus. If you need info, go to Joe Mehaffey and Jack Yeazel's GPS page at http://joe.mehaffey.com/

Features:

• Basemap: Built-in Americas to 20 miles (covers lakes, rivers, interstates, national/state highways, secondary roads in metro areas, cities, railroads, airports and a detailed exit database for the Federal Highway system). User map memory is now built-in 1
• Map Scale: Screen-width scale (500 feet to 3,000 miles), 23 zoom levels
• Receiver: Differential-ready 12 parallel channel receiver continuously tracks and uses up to twelve satellites to compute and update a position
• Acquisition Times: Warm: approx. 15 seconds Cold: approx. 45 seconds, Autolocate®: approx. 5 minutes.
• EZinit®: easy initialization, 45 seconds
• Update Rate: 1 second, continuous
• Accuracy: Position: 100 meters with SA, 15 meters (49 feet) without SA, 1-5 meters (3-15 feet) with DGPS receiver (optional)
• Velocity: 0.1 knot RMS steady state.
• Dynamics: 6 g's.
• Interfaces: NMEA 183 and RS-232 DGPS corrections
• Antenna: Detachable Quadrifilar with standard BNC connector
• Size: 2.32 H x 5 L x 1.62 W inches (5.9 x 12.7 x 4.1 cm)
• Weight: 9 ounces (255g) w/ batteries
• Display: 2.2 W x 1.5 H inches (5.6 x 3.8 cm) high-contrast electroluminescent backlit FTN display; switchable orientation for horizontal or vertical use, (100 x 160 pixels with 4 levels of gray scale). Backlite time options of always on, 15 secs. 30 secs.
• Keypad: 7 buttons with a rocker button in the middle. Key buttons have a backlite, Buttons are labeled "Quit", "Light", "GOTO", "In", "Out", "Page", "Menu", and "Enter/Mark"
• Number of screens: 6 each. The 6 screens are: 1) SATELLITE SCREEN: shows sky view, battery level, signal strength and receiver status. Also displays the accuracy of the position fix using Estimated Position Error (EPE) and Dilution of Precision (DOP). 2)
• Memory: Internal lithium battery lasts up to 10 years
• Power Source: 10-32 VDC (4 AA batteries), external power capability with cigarette lighter adapter
• Power Usage: 0.75 watts
• Battery Life: Up to 36 hours in "Power Saver" mode. Battery level indicator on Satellite screen. Battery indicator turns off when using external power. Battery level can be set for alkaline, NiCad or lithium batteries.
• Waterproof: Yes, (Submersible 1 meter @ 30 minutes) , battery compartment sealed with rubber gaskets.
• Temp Range: 5F to 158F (-15C to 70C)
• Waypoints: Total: 500 each with name, icon, comment, and map display option. Nearest: 9 (automatic) continuously updated with bearing and distance data. 48 different icons to choose from. Waypoint name size limit is 6 characters.
• Routes: 20 reversible routes with up to 30 waypoints (legs), each, plus MOB (Man Over Board), and TracBack® modes. MOB captures your present position, saves it as a waypoint and sets a course back to the position for quick response in an emergency. TracBa
• Tracks: 1,900 trackpoints (breadcrumbs), in active track, 250 trackpoints per saved track. You can save 10 tracks
• Trip computer: 2 resettable odometers, timers, average and maximum speeds
• Timers: 4 each. User, Battery, Since Midnight and Since Factory Reset.
• Alarms: 3 visual alarm icons consisting of "Clock" alarm, "Waypoint Arrival" alarm and "Off Course" alarm. No audible alarms.
• Time and Date Settings: 3 each. Local 24 hour, Local 12 hour and UTC (ZULU). Clock automatically sets the time when you input your hours from UTC time.
• Speed Limitation: 999 MPH
• Map Datums: 106. Most USGS topo maps are referenced to NAD 27 (1927 North American Datum), but some of the newer ones use NAD 83. This information is printed in the lower left corner of the topo maps. NAD27 is listed by Garmin as NAD27 CONUS in the setup
• Moon (Lunar) Data: No moonrise or moon set data
• Coordinate Grids: Lat/Lon, UTM/UPS, plus 24 grid formats, including Maidenhead User Grid
• Comes With: GPS III Plus receiver with detachable antenna, PC interface cable, Velcro mount, Lanyard, Owner's manual, Quick reference guide
• Warranty: Every GARMIN product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for one year from the date of purchase.

Other Information

• GA 28 low-profile remote marine antenna with 30-foot cable and BNC connector
• GA 26 low-profile remote automobile antenna (magnetic and suction mounts with 8-foot cable and BNC connector)
• GA 26/27 trunk lip antenna mount
• GA 26 flange antenna mount
• GA 28 flange antenna mount
• GA 26/27 antenna suction cup mount (replacement)
• Remote antenna mount (suction cup mount with 6-foot cable and BNC connector for inside windshield use)
• 8-foot extension cable for GA 26 antenna
• Handheld/portable antenna (replacement)
• 30-foot low-loss antenna extension cable (with connectors for GA 28)
• Dash mount bracket (horizontal)
• Handlebar mount bracket
• Swivel mount bracket (vertical and horizontal)
• Bean bag mount (no installation required)
• Power/data cable (bare wires)
• Cigarette lighter adapter
• PC interface cable (RS-232 serial port connector)
• Data cable (unit to unit)
• PC interface cable with cigarette lighter adapter
• PCX5 software and cable kit
• Carrying case (nylon with zipper)
• MapSource: U.S. Roads and Recreation (CD-ROM for the eMap),,,, $80.00
• MapSource: World Map (CD-ROM for the eMap) .... $80.00
• Topo MapSource....$110.00

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