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Gear Reviews

Hunting Guide Reviews

Garmin 12 GPS

April 05, 2004

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
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. Back lighted display for night operation
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 10 year lithium battery
Power source: 5-8 VDC (4 AA batteries) or optional cigarette lighter adapter
Battery Life: Up to 24 hours, no power saver mode
Waypoints: 500, Nearest: 9 (automatic), Proximity: 9
Waypoint marker icons: 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 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
Simulator mode: Yes, to help you learn to use the unit before going afield
Coordinate Grids: Lat/Long, UTM, MGRS, plus 7 grids, including Maidenhead and User UTM
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: No
Comes with: 4 AA batteries, wrist strap, carrying case, owners manual and Quick reference guide
Trip computer: Yes, includes: average speed, trip timer, and maximum speed
Sunrise/Sunset tables: Yes
Waterproof: Yes, (Submersible 1 meter @ 30 minutes)
External Antenna Capability: The GPS 12 is not capable of using an external antenna
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 ....$28.99
Instructional video ....$9.99
Cigarette lighter adapter ....$34.99
Bicycle mount kit
Data cable
GAX10141 PC Interface Cable $36.99 ....GPS Store
Data transfer cable (unit to unit)
GAX10054 PC Interface Kit With Cable and Software for Upload/Download $89.99 ....GPS Store
GAX10164 PC Interface Cable with Cigarette Lighter Adapter $48.99 ....GPS Store
GS2507 GPS Outfitters Instructional Video (A Must for New Users) $18.99 ....GPS Store

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

Some other notes. Introduced in July 1997. 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. The Garmin 12 is one of the most popular units with hunters. Customer service is excellent with replacement and no questions asked the norm. The only difference between this unit the Garmin 12 and the Garmin 12XL, is that this unit does not have the external antenna capability and it does not have the audible alert when nearing waypoints. If you need these 2 features, see the Garmin 12XL GPS receiver.

Other Reviews and Info on the Garmin 12 ....
Dale DePriest Review
DDale DePriest Review # 2
DLarry's Garmin Connector How-To Website
DThomas Born Review

User Comments

The Garmin 12 is becoming a little dated, and the new models have a lot more bells and whistles, but if you don't need all of the maps, it's still probably the best unit out there for finding your tree stand in the dark or finding your way back to your truck. I've had one for going on four years now, and have never felt "under-gunned" when it came to my choice of GPS receivers. Mine has always been completely reliable and is as simple as any of them to learn to use. The most recent software upgrades have included a "Power Saver" mode and this helps greatly with battery life. I highly recommend the Garmin 12 if your needs are similar to mine. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Dave

I have had mine for 3 years now, it's been terrific. Some of the newer models have new bells and whistles but the standard Garmin12 is a work-horse, it is a very reliable unit. DallanC

Can't compare the GPS 12 to others, since I only own the GPS 12. But I've recently coupled mine with some mapping software made by DeLorme, which allows downloading waypoints onto topographic maps, or uploading from the map into the GPS. Of course other GPS units will do this just as well, but my sense now is that the GPS unit itself is just one component in an overall "solution" to field navigation. Since the inexpensive model 12 works great in this solution, personally I don't see much need for other bells and whistles. No argument intended with those who like the bells and whistles - perhaps they use their GPS units in a more demanding fashion than I and need that stuff. Houston Sam

I have a g\Garmin 12 and love it. The only thing I would change is I would like a smaller size. I use Ni-Cad batteries and I've never run them down. I ALWAYS carry spare batteries and a good compass. If I were buying a new unit I would get the smallest one possible. Any GPS has more features than the average hunter or fisherman will ever use. Bought mine at Wal-Mart and had to return the first one. The second one has been trouble free ever since. This unit gets a lot of use in the woods and on the ocean. A Garmin would be my first choice in a GPS if I was in the market for a new one. Don't know how I ever lived without one. Good lock-on time in heavy woods/ clouds/canyons/ ect. Good luck with what ever you buy and good luck hunting. Regards, blkbrd.

Pricing Information

Best price is $120.00 at TVNAV.COM, $144.95 at GPS Store. $149.99 at Bass Pro, $148.99 at Cabela's, $145.00 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/