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Gear Reviews

Hunting Guide Reviews

Garmin 12XL GPS

April 05, 2004

This review is for the latest Garmin 12, version 4.02. If you need info on older versions of the Garmin 12, go to Tom's GPS page here.

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 RTCM 104 version 2.0 DGPS corrections
Antenna: Internal patch. External antenna capable. External antenna connector is a miniature MCX. The external antenna jack is located on the rear of the unit just behind the "up arrow" button. 5.0 vdc on the external antenna for use with an amplified ant
Size: 2.1" W x 5.8" H x 1.2" D inches (5.3 x 14.7 x 3.1 cm)
Weight: 9.5 ounces (269g) with batteries
Display: 2.2 H x 1.5 W inches (5.6 x 3.8 cm), 64 x 100 pixel, high-contrast LCD with electro-luminescent backlighting. A screen backlighting timer permits setting the backlight to stay on, 15, 60, 120, or 240 seconds when the unit is on battery power. The
Display screens: 6 each. The 6 screens are: 1)SATELLITE STATUS: comes up when you first turn the unit on. It displays a battery gauge showing battery life remaining, and a display of satellite numbers in view along with signal strength bars for each s
Case: Ultrasonically welded, waterproof to IPX-7 standards
Temp. Range: 5°F to 158°F (-15°C to 70°C)
Memory Backup: Internal rechargeable lithium battery
Power source: 10-40 Vdc VDC (4 AA batteries) or optional cigarette lighter adapter
Battery Life: Up to 24 hours, no power saver mode
Power consumption: 1 watt, 80 ma (light off) and 120 ma (light on)
Waypoints: 500, Nearest: 9 (automatic), Proximity: 9, A waypoint proximity alarm can be programmed to alert the user with an audible "bong" when the selected waypoint is being approached.
Waypoint name characters: 6 max.
Waypoint markers: 16 different graphic icons to provide visual reminders of what type of waypoints you stored
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 107 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, MGRS, plus 7 grids, including Maidenhead and User UTM
City database: Yes
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
Proximity waypoint warnings: Yes, audible warning, (this can be deactivated)
Trip computer includes: average speed, trip timer, and maximum speed
Distance between points measure: Yes
Simulator mode: Yes, to help you learn to use the unit before going afield
Sunrise/Sunset tables: Yes
Comes with: 4 AA batteries, wrist strap, carrying case, owners manual and Quick reference guide
Waterproof: Yes waterproof to IPX-7 standards, (Submersible 1 meter @ 30 minutes)
External Antenna Capability: The GPS 12 is capable of using an external antenna, uses a MCX connector. An MCX to BNC adapter cable is available if necessary
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

Options and accessories:

Carry case ....$$9.99
Mounting bracket ....$24.99
Instructional video ....$9.99
Cigarette lighter adapter ....$18.99
Bicycle mount kit
Data cable
PC interface cable
Data transfer cable (unit to unit)
PC interface cable with 8-volt cigarette lighter adapter ....$19.99
GA 27 low-profile remote antenna, magnetic and suction mounts with 8-foot cable and MCX connector.... $79.99
GA 27 trunk lip antenna mount
GA 27 flange antenna mount
GA 27 suction cup antenna mount

Accessory prices are quoted from Bass Pro. You can check Blue Hills Innovations for cables at a good price also.

The Garmin 12XL ( v. 3.02/3.52) was introduced in January 1997 to replace the single channel G-45(XL) v. 3.50. The unit is fairly informative to the user, with messages 'Acquiring', '2D Nav' and '3D Nav' appearing on the screen along with your horizontal accuracy. When it loses contact with the satellites it beeps until you change to the message page, where you are greeted with the message 'Poor GPS coverage'. It does retain the position fix for the point at which it lost contact, so provided you're paying attention, you shouldn't have wandered too far off course. One slightly annoying feature of the Garmin was that when it does lose contact with all satellites, it waits 30 seconds before it starts beeping to inform you. Other units inform you immediately when they lose their fix. This one of the most popular units with hunters. Customer service is excellent with replacement and no questions asked the norm. The difference between this unit the Garmin 12XL and the Garmin 12 is that the Garmin 12 XL has an external antenna jack and an audible alert when nearing waypoints.

Other Reviews and Info on the Garmin 12XL ....
Joe Mehaffey and Jack Yeazel Review
Dale DePriest Review
Screenshots of Displays
Larry's Garmin Connector How-To Website
Thomas Born Review

User Comments

Garmin 12 xl works well for me. I bought it on recommendation that it works good under heavy tree canopy. It does stutter once in awhile while hiking in the woods, gives error message that says Poor GPS coverage. When used with a external antenna worn on my hat, it never stutters. Even without the ext. antenna the track it gives comes out fine. I think it could still be difficult to find a treestand in the dark of night. Garmin seems to be leader in handheld units. Buy the latest model unit as they are constantly upgrading the units software and battery life. Cletus Roundball.

Pricing Information

Best price is $190.00 at TVNAV.COM, $194.95 at GPS Store, $199.99 at Bass Pro
. 198.99 at Cabela's, $194.00 at Adventures GPS.
Note .... Please check current pricing and availability. Info current as of 7/17/00.

Manufacturer Information

Garmin eTrex
http://www.garmin.com/