Garmin 12 XL

Review Date
June 4, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: loz(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $199.00 at nomadtravel

Summary:
The Garmin 12 xl is the unti to buy if you are working in forests. I have recently started working in closed canopy tropical forests, and it holds onto satellites brilliantly, especially if you increase its power to get a fix with an external antenna. No, it isnt bright colours and wont fit in a matchbox, but for dependable, accurate fixes you cant do much better. I'm still waiting for the day that Garmin produce something that doesnt run out of batteries in a day though!!!

Customer Service:
Excellent

Similar Products Used:
Magellan Palm/GPS unit

Review Date
November 3, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: LEE COLLINS(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from MONTANA

Price Paid:  $200.00 at REI

Summary:
I have had my 12XL for about 5 years and " It works for me ". I use a external antenna sometimes so I can keep the unit in my pack or pocket and still have the unit tracking sattalites. I use my gps for hunting, fishing, geocaching and it has brought me home when I thought I was lost for sure.

Customer Service:
I had the internal battery loose power which then makes it impossible for the internal stored memory to keep track of your waypoints or any other map datums. This would only happened when I had to change the batteries and then I would need to reset things like time and other options. I called Garmin about the problem and they said it was a internal battery problem and to send it in to them. I did send it back and within a week they sent me a factory rebuilt unit back. It looked and opperated like a new one so I was well satisfied

Similar Products Used:
None to compare the Garmin with

Review Date
June 16, 2001

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Jarhead(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from USA

Summary:
I bought this one as it is the best of the Garmin 12 units, I looked at the Magellan 330 and eMap but decided against them when I saw how fast they used batteries. The 12XL has water resistance and good battery life, and has a decent display resolution, more than you can say about some competitiors. Garmin has the easiest-to-use website and the most free uploads of any of the manufacturers. Since I was already familiar with military grid, and I ALWAYS carry a proper map and lensatic compass, I don't need or want map displays or built-in compasses. The computer software maps I looked at all seemed more suited for somebody on a road trip than a backpack excursion.

One problem with the 12XL is that it's a little big and bulky compared to newer models, so you have to carry it in your pack. I kind of wish I'd gotten something smaller now. In the pack, it's easy to turn the receiver on by accident and run down the batteries. It's not what I'd call a bargain, and I wish Garmin had included more of the optional accessories as standard.

Customer Service:
Website rules

Similar Products Used:
Garmin eMap
Garmin eTrex
Magellan 330

Review Date
May 11, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Joe Schmo(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Waukesha, WI, USA

Summary:
Kevin Lake, it sounds like you are really in touch with your gear, but please keep in mind that "Similar Products Tried" means "Other similar GPS units you have tested/used."

BTW, this is a great product...the unit helped to keep us on track with our maps and compass and is certainly a good value against the other units out there.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
December 20, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Kevin Lake(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Neversink, NY, USA

Price Paid:  $200.00 at cheaper than dirt

Summary:
I "love" my Garmin 12XL. (I traded up from the Garmin 38). I had a little trouble with the early version's software, but Garmin is a wonderful company to deal with.

I don't generally leave my unit "on" all the time. Mostly I'm a day hiker, but I do take extended hike's & canoe trips. I just turn it on to verify my position from compass, altimeter & topo maps. It's very reassuring. This also makes the batteries last a long time.

I love to bushwhack, so it comes in handy for distances. It's nice when you pop out of unfamiliar-trailess woods (onto the road) and not sure where your car is parked.

Customer Service:
Garmin's customer service is nothing short of excellent.

Similar Products Used:
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