Product ReviewsGarmin 12XL Handheld

Garmin 12XL GPS is a good basic GPS receiver, but not the latest thing.

I have used a 12XL GPS for at least 10 years. Although it does not accommodate detailed map software, it is useful for locating your position relative to your destination. I have used mine for sailing, hiking, and hot air ballooning. I purchased this unit as a replacement for my original unit when I found out that Garmin no longer services this product at the factory. Every so often, my 12XL turns itself off, because the internal battery is low on power. The unit I bought on eBay has had that internal battery replaced, so I don't expect that to be a problem for a few years. More modern GPS units I've looked at have more features, but they are far more complicated to use. The 12XL is a simple, easy to use, durable unit. Just don't expect detailed street maps. If that's what you want, look elsewhere.Read full review...

Sturdy and easy

While there are many new GPS models that give you more of the ole' proverbial "bang-for-your-buck" with pretty LCD features and such, this older series of Garmin is capable of what others are not. Over time I've chosen this model where durability can't be compromised. In the past,I've used this model in the service of the American Red Cross during both public service events and most importantly, disaster relief. The Garmin 12 series doesn't flinch when dropped from heights or totally submerged in water. Although battery life via the 4 internal AA batteries is limited, an adapter provides endless power from
an external source. This adapter also allows interface to radio devices, such as amateur radio, which automatically transmits your position from the Garmin. Should the internal batteries go dead while in use,the user setting, specific trip data and location are not lost in a non-volatile memory.

My latest Garmin purchase has already proven it's ruggedness in an unusual application. I've mounted the unit to the handlebars my off-road KTM competition via mounts made specifically for the Garmin 12 series by Ram Mount. At high speeds in an off-road environment in the vast area of the Ocala National Forrest and other competition venues, you have to know where you are at all times.

Consider this unit from a trusted ebay seller. Although an older unit,this Garmin should prove basic and easy to use. All documents for the 12 are available online.Read full review...

Garmin GPS 12XL GPS Receiver

The Garmin GPS 12XL GPS Receiver is an excellent handheld GPS for the money. The manufacturer has installed many user-friendly features that make the first time buyer or the professional happy. They manufacturer has excellent customer service and many additional add-ons to make this unit an extremely versatile GPS to be used in town, on trips, hunting, fishing, cycling, hiking, four wheeling or camping.
Suggestion:
1. One of the best ways to protect investment is to purchase a Protective Case for this GPS. You can find a top of the in line protective case that protects while allowing full viewing and access to all the features of your GPS unit. See a variety of cases at: http://stores.ebay.com/FIS4HER1-COM_W0QQssPageNameZL2
2. Purchase cable accessories that allow you to upload or download maps and data from your GPS. Purchase a 12v auto charger so that you can always keep you unit charged before heading out cross-country. Purchase quality power and data cables at: http://stores.ebay.com/FIS4HER1-COM_W0QQssPageNameZL2
3. Purchase an Amplified External GPS Antenna for the unit. The internal antenna is ok but will become intermittent in high buildings, cloudy skies and stormy weather. Purchase a quality, high gain remote antenna. See specification on 28dB and 55dB GPS antenna at:
http://stores.ebay.com/FIS4HER1-COM_W0QQssPageNameZL2

Cheers – Fis4herRead full review...

Great for field work

I used several of these at field jobs in South America, one in the cloud forests of Ecuador tracking bears, and again in the jungles of Peru for mapping projects and surveying work. Reliable, allows the user to set sample times when using the route function, good memory storage, and the external antenna option is a real boon when you're deep under a dense canopy.

Not excellent rating because, as one reviewer mentioned, the batteries are a bit loose, and the waterproof seal is rather questionable.

Over all a really good, solid product. Many field jobs, at least in South America, require the use of either the 12LX or 12CX.

Decent battery-life as well. Better than their new products which fall in the same technical range.Read full review...

Garmin GPS 12XL GPS Receiver

I like everything about the Garmin GPS 12XL except the backlight and contrast. The backlight is either on or off with no options for changing the brightness like the GPS 12. It's very difficult to glance at it in the dark and see anything! Additionally, the contrast darkens the upper data layer, but at the same time leaves a somewhat cloudy looking, shaded, second layer background. Garmin should come up with a fix for this and post it on their website! Even though it is a discontinued product, it still remains one of the best GPSs, but with these two exceptions. I will probably never buy another Garmin product because of this, unless Garmin comes up with a fix. I have seven Garmin GPS units of various kinds. The three GARMIN GPS MAPS on my bass boat are ok, but do not live up to Garmin's reputation. And as for my four handhelds; The GPS 12 is excellent! The GPS 12CX is a poor excuse for a color screen because the layered colors prevent clarity of the data on screen and only one color stands out at a time. This means you can only focus on the data that is highlighted in one of the three colors. The other data goes so dim you can't see it.. The GPS 12CX also has a backlight issue similar to the GPS 12XL. I have another GPS XL (brand new out of the box with the same issues described above. I would like to get a message from Garmin addressing these issues. Otherwise, no more Garmin anything for me. Thanks for listening.Read full review...

GPS 12xl OLD SCHOOL EXCELLENCE

In this day of modern mapping GPS's why bother with the 12XL? It's an awesome design (I bought my first in 1998) that has good utility even today. Forget the MP3 option and 12 different languages of the modern crop- this old school GPS unit runs on normal AA cells, has no touch screen and never misses a beat. I like mine- certainly not for everyone but many people can still use these just fine.Read full review...

Garmin GPS 12

The thing I found most exciting about this little hand held is that we were able to come up with more accurate firing solutions using the Mark 7 with the Garmin than we could using the Mark 7 with the military issue AN-PSN-11. Supposedly, GPS signals are scrambled to prevent civillian models from being as acurate as the military stuff, and this is certainly true, however the Garmin was consistiently tracking more sattellites, therefore giving us more acurate 10 digit grids to the targets we lased. The only problem i had with it was it sometimes turned it self off if it got bumped too hard. The way to fix this problem is to wrap your AA batteries in strips of paper, like you were rolling a cigarrette. This way, there is less room for them to wiggle in the battery compartment, fixing the problem.Read full review...

Garmin 12 XL

The Garmin 12 series is robust and reliable. No USB but still one of the best hand-held units.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: goldenpug24k

This unit worked for almost half a day before dying

The GPS was in perfect physical condition. Unfortunately, the internal memory battery was exhausted and, according to Garmin, cannot be replaced. I bought the GPS to replace one that had been stolen. I used the original unit to keep track of routes that I transfer to my computer. I have never bought a product on ebay with such a short working life remaining. It now has a prominent place in a box of electronic devices awaiting a ride to the recycle center.

I tried to send this without checking a star because there is no "zero star" to be selected. I will give it 1 star but only because I can't send this with no stars.Read full review...

Good Ol GPS

This aint no fancy GPS with detailed roads and such but it gets the job done. I bought this unit back when it first come out(many years ago)and still to this day i use it on every single hunt i go on. I have considered some of the new fancy ones with great details but can't justify the high prices. This unit is well worth the money and has paid for itself by getting me in and out of the swamps.Read full review...