Garmin GPS 12XL Personal Navigator When your idea of an outdoor adventure means getting way off the beaten path, you demand the most of yourself and your equipment. And when the time comes to head back to civilization, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that the Garmin GPS 12XL has to offer.The GPS 12XL is all about performance. It features a 12 parallel channel receiver for amazingly fast satellite acquisition and tight satellite lock - even under tree cover. More than just an ultra-reliable receiver, the GPS 12XL is loaded with navigation information including 106 map datums and 7 grid formats, plus advanced orienteering features like user datum/UTM/and user grid formats to define your own map parameters. Store your position as one of 500 waypoints or add it to any of 20 routes. The proximity waypoint feature gives advanced warning of nearby hazards, while the position averaging function helps get the best fix possible.Packed in a rugged case to handle tough conditions, the GPS 12XL uses an ergonomic rocker keypad for easy one-hand operation and features a user-friendly operating system to keep you on the move instead of pushing buttons. Four AA batteries provide up to 24 hours of use and a variety of accessories can be added like an external antenna and mounting bracket. With the GPS 12XL, getting there won’t be half the battle - it’ll be half the fun.The device comes with the North America City Point Database that includes the United States, Alaska, Canada, northern most portion of Mexico, and the majority of the Caribbean, and covers the majority of W180 to W20 Longitude, 0 to N75 Latitude.
Customer Review: Just what I was after
The Garmin GPS 12XL is exactly what I was looking for. I was not after a GPS unit that had stored maps, as in New Zealand there isn’t that much mapping information available - hence I didn’t go for the mapping GPS products.
It is a sturdy, compact, and portable unit, only slightly larger than my cell phone (Nokia 6120). It fits easily and comfortably in my pocket.
Battery life so far has been very good.
It is very simple to use, and easy to navigiate once you become familiar with the interface and functions. You can easily operate it with only one hand. The displays are very functional and quite flexible in the information they display.
Whilst it can be a bit of a pain modifing waypoints manually, doing on the computer and then uploading them will save you much time. Download some free software, get the car adapter/pc serial combo cable and you’ll be sweet. My first data transfers were trouble-free and easy to do. It works well in the car off the power as well.
I also purchased the car antenna, and this generally provides accuracy down to +/- 4-5 metres which is about the limit due to atmospheric error. If you are going to use the 12XL in your car - get the antenna.
I showed it to a friend recently and he went snap - he had just purchased two units the same for a Search and Rescue team.
I look forward to a good relationship with my 12XL 
Customer Review: Great… A few years ago
I bought this GPS a few years ago. As I work in the Army and my unit never fitted me with a military GPS, I decided to get one of my own. I was amazed then. It helped me out alot when trying to figure out my position. It’s usefulness is limited in forests and in blizzards, which often is when you need the most. It was of course useless inside armored vehicles, but that’s more than one can expect unless one has an external antenna.
The GPS can usualy track your position within two or three minutes, which is pretty fast. However, if you keep it turned on, it will drain your four AA batteries pretty quick.
I have always had the philosophy that one should NEVER solely trust a GPS. One should merely use it as a backup for a map and a compass. For this use, the Garmin GPS-12XL is just as good as you’ll ever need it to be. However, the extra functions are rather primitive and probably most suited for fishers to mark their good spots.
Having said all this, I must add that GARMIN has come out with several newer, better, more advanced and even cheaper GPS’s. I recommend buying one of those instead. Think carefully and decide wisely.
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