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

Garmin GPS III

April 05, 2004

This review is for the latest Garmin III, version 2.09. If you need info on older versions of the Garmin III, go to Tom's GPS page at http://www.bridge.de/~tom/gps3-2.09.htm

Features:

• Receiver: Differential-ready 12 parallel channel receiver.
• 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: 15 meters (49 feet) RMS selective availability off, 100 meters with selective availability on, 1-5 meters (3-15 feet) RMS with GARMIN GBR 21 DGPS receiver (optional)
• Position averaging : Yes, to get you the most accurate fix on your position
• Velocity: 0.1 knot RMS steady state
• Dynamics: 6 g's
• Interfaces: NMEA 0180, 0182, 0183 version 1.5 and 2.0 and RS-232 DGPS corrections
• Antenna: Detachable quadrifilar with standard BNC connector
• Size: 2.32" W x 5" L x 1.62" D inches (5.89 x 12.7 x 4.11 cm)
• Weight: 9.0 ounces (255g) with batteries
• Display: 2.2 W x 1.5 H inches (5.6 x 3.8 cm) high-contrast electro-luminescent backlit FTN display; switchable velcro mounting orientation from vertical to horizontal (100 x 160 pixels with 4 gray scales). 3 levels of back lighting display for night opera
• Display 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) PO
• 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"
• Basemap: Built-in International or Americas to 20 miles (includes lakes, rivers, railroads, coastlines, interstates, national and state highways)
• Map Scale: Screen-width scale (500 feet to 3,000 miles)
• Case: Ultrasonically welded, waterproof to IPX-7 standards, (Submersible 1 meter @ 30 minutes)
• Temp. Range: 5°F to 158°F (-15°C to 70°C)
• Memory Backup: Internal rechargeable lithium battery
• Power source: 5-8 VDC (4 AA batteries)
• Battery Life: Up to 24 hours, no power saver mode
• Power consumption: .75 watt, 150ma (light off)
• Waypoints: 500, Nearest: 9 (automatic)
• Waypoint markers: 16 different graphic icons to provide visual reminders of what type of waypoints you stored
• Waypoint name characters: 6 max.
• Routes: 20 reversible routes with up to 30 waypoints each, plus TracBackTM mode
• TracBack®: TracBack® allows you to retrace your path using the track log automatically stored in the GPS receiver's memory. This eliminates the need to store waypoints along the way.
• Track Plotter: Moving-map track plotter displays your progress in real time . You can hook this GPS to your laptop computer to track you movement with your mapping software like Street Atlas or TOPO USA.. Real cool to have if you like exploring. More inf
• Map Datums: Over 106 including one User Datum. 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 Garmi
• Coordinate Grids: Lat/Long, UTM, plus 7 grids, including Maidenhead and User UTM
• City database:
• MOB Man Overboard feature: Yes, the Man Over Board (MOB) function is a common feature for marine GPS units. If a person falls overboard, the skipper uses this function to immediately mark the current location. The GPS goes into a "Goto" mode and directs
• Trip computer includes: average speed, trip timer, and maximum speed
• Distance between points measure
• Simulator mode: Yes, to help you learn to use the unit before going afield
• Sunrise/Sunset tables: Yes
• Comes with: lanyard, velcro mount, owners manual and 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

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• Car dash mounting bracket .... $24.99
• Carrying case ....$9.99
• Bicycle mounting bracket .... $19.99
• GA 28 low-profile remote marine antenna with 30-foot cable and BNC connector
• GA 26 low-profile remote antenna, magnetic and suction mounts with 8-foot cable and BNC connector .... $79.99
• 8-foot extension cable for GA 26
• GA 26 trunk lip antenna mount
• GA 26 flange antenna mount
• 8-foot extension cable for GA 26
• GA 28 flange antenna mount kit
• GA 26 suction cup antenna mount
• PC interface cable with cigarette lighter adapter .... $19.99
• Data transfer cable (unit to unit)
• PC software and interface cable .... $99.99 at Bass Pro.

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