Garmin 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/FIS4HER​1-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/FIS4HER​1-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/FI​S4HER1-COM_W0QQssPageNameZL2

Cheers – Fis4her

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.

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.

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.

I had bought two of this unit when they were brand new, way back in the late nineties. I used one for fishing trips all over southern Louisiana and never one time worried about where I was because I knew that my magic box would always show me the way back.I was like everyone else at the time and was always looking for something better.I have bought new GPS units since then but they all have the same problem, they only want to tell you where you are. I bought this used 12XL years after they were obsolete and my friends laughed at me.Well when I received it I took it out of the box put batteries in it and took off down the Tensaw River Delta in south Alabama where I had never been before and tried to get lost,when I figured I had gone far enough I turned around and followed the SOLID black line (not BREADCRUMBS)right back to where I launched from..........Garmin would do a lot of people a great service if they would bring this unit back brand new... Some of us old people only want to know how to get back to where we left from and the 12XL was a perfect unit to make that happen. Ten Stars are closer to the truth.
I love my old obsolete unit. 10 stars to the Seller and 10 stars to Garmin...
JimO.