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Ok, users of Garmin GPS12's I want feedback please. I'm considering buying one of these. However I understand in Goto Waypoint mode, it's readout is in kilometres, subsequently the resolution is in 10m steps. Have any of you GPS12 users found this a problem? Hopefully I'll get my hand on one to try it out for myself soon, but I don't want to just rely on a breif try, I'd like feedback please (Besides that, it's been too quiet in here lately, no new caches showing on the website, I'd better go put one in this weekend).
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Garmin GPS12
#4
Posted 12 July 2002 - 08:50 AM
quote:
Hasn't been an issue to me...
Up on that hill trying to get a 10m Minutewar capture would have been easier with 1m display rather than 10m display
Nick
#5
Posted 12 July 2002 - 08:50 AM
quote:
Hasn't been an issue to me...
Up on that hill trying to get a 10m Minutewar capture would have been easier with 1m display rather than 10m display /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Nick
#6
Posted 13 July 2002 - 06:29 AM
The 10 m resolution is a problem, but then the Garmin is usually reporting a 5 - 8 m positional error anyway.
I switch to coordinate mode (you have to memorise the coords you're after) and then use this as fine grained resolution. Also, the Garmin gives good compass bearings - I carry a small Silva compass and often do the last 10 m on compass.
The GPS12 is my second GPS. The first was an early model Magellan (three channel reciever). Fairly useless. My GPS12 is also an early model that I've had for about 3 - 4 years (?). Can't be software upgraded to support NZMG - which is a major annoyance to me - because I brought for tramping. (Current production models do support NZMG).
From 3+ years of use (abuse?), I have no real complaints. Usage in bush cover can be very good, once the reciever has a lock, but very difficult to obtain lock from 'cold'. (Leave it turned on).
My only comment would be that being an 'old' design (4 - 5 years), it must be due to fall off Garmins production line and be replaced. I don't how much the internals have been changed during the production run. On the other hand, to remain essentially unchanged for this long it must be a successful design.
I switch to coordinate mode (you have to memorise the coords you're after) and then use this as fine grained resolution. Also, the Garmin gives good compass bearings - I carry a small Silva compass and often do the last 10 m on compass.
The GPS12 is my second GPS. The first was an early model Magellan (three channel reciever). Fairly useless. My GPS12 is also an early model that I've had for about 3 - 4 years (?). Can't be software upgraded to support NZMG - which is a major annoyance to me - because I brought for tramping. (Current production models do support NZMG).
From 3+ years of use (abuse?), I have no real complaints. Usage in bush cover can be very good, once the reciever has a lock, but very difficult to obtain lock from 'cold'. (Leave it turned on).
My only comment would be that being an 'old' design (4 - 5 years), it must be due to fall off Garmins production line and be replaced. I don't how much the internals have been changed during the production run. On the other hand, to remain essentially unchanged for this long it must be a successful design.
#7
Posted 15 July 2002 - 08:26 AM
With my latemodel Garmin 12XL I initially found the 10 metre barrier a little frustrating as I sought my first few caches with it. However I soon realised, like ags, that on getting to 10 metres from a cache to then switch to the coordinate mode and then to literally step over to the exact coordinate. I have found that due to variations and errors between each GPSR (the setter's and the finder's and also the changing satelite positions) you can expect a 10 metre error anyway. the cache will usually be found within a radius of 10 metres of the coordinate site. I just look for likely hidy holes within that radius on reaching the coordinate. Any difficulty I have had is usually due to very subtle hidy hole. I have found that the 12XL lives up to it's reputation of providing excellent coverage under tree cover.
#8
Posted 16 July 2002 - 05:35 AM
I have used the garmin 12 for work and play. From my experience they are a whole lot better in the bush than an etrex.
If buying one second hand make sure the software is 4.00 or upwards, these can be upgraded to the latest 4.58 software easily and at no cost.
The 4.58 software has the northings and eastings that are used on the 1:50000 topographical maps, the software also features powersave mode and calculate area mode.
I wouldnt worry about the garmin 12 being made obsolete as the newest model, 12xl is virtually the same. A retailer told me the only difference between the 12 and the 12xl is that the 12xl can take an external antenna and it costs more.
I havent found the distance readings to be a problem, I normally use a compass with a gps anyway. It is good practise to take both.
Steve
If buying one second hand make sure the software is 4.00 or upwards, these can be upgraded to the latest 4.58 software easily and at no cost.
The 4.58 software has the northings and eastings that are used on the 1:50000 topographical maps, the software also features powersave mode and calculate area mode.
I wouldnt worry about the garmin 12 being made obsolete as the newest model, 12xl is virtually the same. A retailer told me the only difference between the 12 and the 12xl is that the 12xl can take an external antenna and it costs more.
I havent found the distance readings to be a problem, I normally use a compass with a gps anyway. It is good practise to take both.
Steve
#9
Posted 16 July 2002 - 05:50 AM
12XL also has a built in power regulator doing away with the need to transformer etc when using an external power supply. Can handle 10-32vDC.
#10
Posted 16 July 2002 - 06:35 AM
Yeah...that can be a bit of a problem on some cahces, but I don't think it should stop you from buying this unit. I mean gps' have error of 3-10 meters so does it really matter? I guess I would get this over an etrex 'cause I've also heard that the Garmin GPS 12 does get better reception in the tree cover.
jhwf4
jhwf4
#11
Posted 16 July 2002 - 04:17 PM
Thhank you everyone for your feedback. I've decided to buy a GPS12, I have access to a second hand unit at a very reasonable price, so I should have it in my hot little hands by the end of the month. You are right of course, the 10m shouldn't be an issue 
#12
Posted 16 July 2002 - 04:17 PM
Thhank you everyone for your feedback. I've decided to buy a GPS12, I have access to a second hand unit at a very reasonable price, so I should have it in my hot little hands by the end of the month. You are right of course, the 10m shouldn't be an issue /infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif
#13
Posted 19 July 2002 - 03:27 PM
Now I want one of these GPSr units. Maps that you can download that are not in a propriety format... yummy /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Nick
Nick
#14
Posted 19 July 2002 - 03:27 PM
Now I want one of these GPSr units. Maps that you can download that are not in a propriety format... yummy 
Nick
Nick
#15
Posted 02 August 2002 - 02:49 PM
Ok, I have my GPS12 now, and tried it out for the first time today. On a track where the eTrex couldn't keep any form of fix, and only occasionally could receive one satellite, the GPS12 held a minimum of three satellites. It gave me accurate poistion information all the way! Once at the cache I was unable to find last time (130m deviation from the implied track), I put the GPS12 and eTrex down, side by side on the tree stump and left them running there for ten minutes, the GPS12 had five satellites locked & an accurate 3D fix, the eTrex had none! No signal whatsoever! Well, that was the proof I needed. Bye Bye eTrex, my neighbour was keen to buy it for $250, If he still is, it's his! To anyone considering buying their first GPS, don't bother with an eTrex, get a GPS12, it's worth every extra cent. 
#16
Posted 02 August 2002 - 02:49 PM
Ok, I have my GPS12 now, and tried it out for the first time today. On a track where the eTrex couldn't keep any form of fix, and only occasionally could receive one satellite, the GPS12 held a minimum of three satellites. It gave me accurate poistion information all the way! Once at the cache I was unable to find last time (130m deviation from the implied track), I put the GPS12 and eTrex down, side by side on the tree stump and left them running there for ten minutes, the GPS12 had five satellites locked & an accurate 3D fix, the eTrex had none! No signal whatsoever! Well, that was the proof I needed. Bye Bye eTrex, my neighbour was keen to buy it for $250, If he still is, it's his! To anyone considering buying their first GPS, don't bother with an eTrex, get a GPS12, it's worth every extra cent. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif
#17
Posted 05 August 2002 - 05:10 AM
quote:
Originally posted by tgsnoopy:
don't bother with an eTrex, get a GPS12, it's worth every extra cent.
Bugger, and you're telling me this AFTER I win a Garmin etrex??!!
Cheers RedIguana
GPS12XL fan from way back - well over a year anyway
#18
Posted 05 August 2002 - 05:10 AM
quote:
Originally posted by tgsnoopy:
don't bother with an eTrex, get a GPS12, it's worth every extra cent. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif
Bugger, and you're telling me this AFTER I win a Garmin etrex??!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
Cheers RedIguana
GPS12XL fan from way back - well over a year anyway
#19
Posted 06 August 2002 - 09:07 AM
You won an eTrex eh! Lucky boy!
Well one thing, I wouldn't get rid of your eTrex, it will be useful for loaning to people getting into geocaching, or simply for checking there is coverage when placing caches. I know that if my eTrex found a signal, that people after me would be able to get one too.
I suppose I should practice what I preach, but I'm short of coin personally (mind you I'd rather be me than you financially at the moment), I'll be able to borrow back the eTrex from my neighbour when placing caches anyway. Next purchase will be a half decent digital camera, but I'm still researching that, and wow, there are a lot of options.
Well one thing, I wouldn't get rid of your eTrex, it will be useful for loaning to people getting into geocaching, or simply for checking there is coverage when placing caches. I know that if my eTrex found a signal, that people after me would be able to get one too.
I suppose I should practice what I preach, but I'm short of coin personally (mind you I'd rather be me than you financially at the moment), I'll be able to borrow back the eTrex from my neighbour when placing caches anyway. Next purchase will be a half decent digital camera, but I'm still researching that, and wow, there are a lot of options.
#20
Posted 10 August 2002 - 10:36 AM
More good news, the GPS12 is a fine performer. This weekend I've nailed easily 3 caches which have given me GPS related woes in the past /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
#21
Posted 10 August 2002 - 10:36 AM
More good news, the GPS12 is a fine performer. This weekend I've nailed easily 3 caches which have given me GPS related woes in the past 
#22
Posted 24 August 2002 - 07:59 AM
OK! I've managed to borrow a GPS12 so I can see all this for myself. I suspect there's no comparison to my 45XL though!
Auckland Kayakers Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auckland-kayakers
Auckland Kayakers Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auckland-kayakers
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