Buying Garmin GPS 12 100014600 2.6-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin GPS 12 100014600 2.6-Inch Portable GPS NavigatorBuy Garmin GPS 12 100014600 2.6-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin GPS 12 100014600 2.6-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Product Description:



  • 20 reversible routes with up to 30 points each, plus MOB and TracBack modes
  • Large, easy-to-read display
  • Keypad designed for 1-hand operation
  • Built military tough

Product Description

The Garmin� GPS 12 Personal Navigator�: an affordable 12 parallel channel handheld for outdoor adventurers who want a basic, hard-working 12-channel GPS, but who don't want to spend a bundle. Based on the popular GPS 12XL, the GPS 12 offers outdoor enthusiasts an entry-level way to gain the power and performance of a 12-channel receiver with fast satellite acquisition in the toughest conditions�even in heavy tree cover. The GPS 12's rugged, waterproof case features military-tough construction, and its rocker keypad design provides true one-hand operation that keeps you on the move�day or night, rain or shine. It also features 500 available waypoints and 1024 track log points, nine proximity waypoints to mark and steer clear of dangerous areas, and Garmin's innovative TracBack� function�a feature that turns your track log into an instant breadcrumb trail and allows you to reverse your route in order to quickly navigate back home. As an added bonus, the GPS 12 also boasts a position averaging feature which diminishes the effects of Selective Availability (SA) upon position error and displays a value that reflects the estimated accuracy of the averaged position. Include a host of advanced navigation features like enhanced moving map graphics, average and maximum speed data, and trip timers, and you have all the things that make the GPS 12 a purebred Garmin�innovation, performance, and value.

Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

171 of 171 people found the following review helpful.
4Garmin GPS12 versus etrex
By A Customer
I own both the Garmin GPS12 and the Garmin etrex. Why? Because I couldn't make up my mind. So I bought them both. After playing with both units I've decided to keep the GPS12 and sell the etrex for the following reasons. #1 The GPS12 has a stronger internal antenna that locks onto satellites much faster then the etrex and does not lose signal even under a heavy canopy of trees. #2 The buttons on the face of the GPS12 are larger and much easier to manipulate with one hand than the etrex. The etrex is designed to be used in your left hand and the buttons are vary small. The GPS12 can easily be used in either hand even with gloves on. #3 The map and compass pages provide more information without the need to constantly press buttons and switch pages. #4 The GPS12 map page lets you zoom in and out and scroll up and down, left and right. With the etrex you can only zoom out and lose detail to view a larger section of your trail. Yes the small size of the etrex is an advantage to backpackers such as myself, were every effort is made to minimize bulk and weight The GPS12 is about the size and weight of a typical cell phone. When I head into the forest to get away from it all. I rarely stay on crowded trails with all the other people getting away from it all. I take a topo a compass and now a GPS12 as a safety net because it will work even in the middle of a heavily wooded national forest.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful.
4Garmin GPS 12
By Bruce Wilbur
I recently decided to purchase a GPS for our family camper. I purchased and returned 2 GPS units, the Rand Mcnally Palm V GPS and the Laptop GPS. The Palm V gps worked functionally, but would not turn off. It also was very sensitive to tree cover and positioning in the car. At times I could not get a fix. It would not work at all in the camper. Then I bought Laptop gps with the Streetfinder software. The positon and heading would drift all over the place, and the signal strength indicators would drift up and down no matter where the gps was placed. I have to say that the Street finder display was great on the laptop. My bet is that they do not have a good Quality assurance program due to the low pricing.

You are probably thinking -- What does this have to do with the Garmin GPS12? I did a lot of research, and came up with the GPS12 as the perfect solution. It powers up, and locks right on the satellites once it's set up in less than 45 seconds! It works anywhere in the car - on the dash , on the seat, on the center console,and in the back seat. It works anywhere in our camper. It will connect with a laptop for a great heads up display on the camper dash! The laptop provides better mapping capabilties than the more expensive GPS's due to the larger display. I have also connected it to my Palm V in both cases with Streetfinder software. Why connect to the palm? because it has plenty of memory for map storage, larger display then most GPS units, and you can mount the palm right on your dash for a good decent sized backlighted display. Marcosoft has a great palm navigation software package.

Best of all, I can take it all by it self fishing, biking or hiking. The Garmin GPS12 works great,and has a good solid feel. The case is quality made, with a nice quality keypad.

I marked it at less than a perfect 5 because I think they should include the data cable or at least the cigarette lighter adapter.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful.
5Where power and price stalemate
By Kevin
I just bought the Garmin GPS 12 after doing loads of research, including reading the reviews posted here, and as I first time buyer I was uncertain, but I'm a believer now! I wondered what motivated people to sit down and write these reviews...it seemed sort of suspicious to me.

I fully understand now, and I hope to contribute as a way of saying thanks to the other reviewers.

This unit is outstanding, as the other reviews state, and I found it particularly wonderful when combined with some free software called GPSU or GPS utility. You can find it on the net (they are out of England). You can download/upload waypoints and make a map. Combination of these two are a must for the beginner to intermediate GPS user who camps, fishes, bikes, or visits places that they know they'll forget how to return to. Just click "GOTO" and then highlight your waypoint and you can leave your brain at home. I've also found that using 4 energizer "AA" batteries gives MUCH more than 24 hours of use; more like 32 hours. Very, very impressed with this device.

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Buy Garmin GPS 12 100014600 2.6-Inch Portable GPS Navigator