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Garmin GPS II+

April 05, 2004

This review is for the latest Garmin II, version 2.07. If you need info on older versions of the Garmin II, go to Tom's GPS page at http://www.bridge.de/~tom/gps2plus.htm

Features:

Receiver: Differential-ready 12 parallel channel receiver.
Acquisition Times: Warm: approx. 15 seconds, Cold: approx. 45 seconds, Autolocate®: approx. 5 minutes, EZinit: easy initialization, 45 seconds
Update Rate: 1/second, continuous
Accuracy: Position: 15 meters (49 feet) RMS selective availability off, 100 meters with selective availability on, 1-5 meters (3-15 feet) RMS with GARMIN GBR 21 DGPS receiver (optional)
Position averaging: Yes, to get you the most accurate fix on your position, version 2.04 and newer
Velocity: 0.1 knot RMS steady state
Dynamics: 6 g's
Interfaces: NMEA 0180, 0182, 0183 version 1.5 and 2.0 and RTCM 104 DGPS corrections
Antenna: Detachable quadrifilar with standard BNC connector
Size: 2.32" W x 5" L x 1.62" D inches (5.89 x 12.7 x 4.11 cm)
Weight: 9.0 ounces (255g) with batteries
Display: 2.2 W x 1.5 H inches (5.6 x 3.8 cm) high-contrast electro-luminescent backlit FTN display; switchable velcro mounting orientation from vertical to horizontal (100 x 160 pixels with 3 gray scales). A screen back lighting timer permits setting t
Map Scale: Screen-width scale (500 feet to 3,000 miles)
Case: Ultrasonically welded, waterproof to IPX-7 standards, (Submersible 1 meter @ 30 minutes)
Temp. Range: 5°F to 158°F (-15°C to 70°C)
Memory Backup: Internal rechargeable lithium battery
Power source: 5-8 VDC (4 AA batteries)
Battery Life: Up to 24 hours, no power saver mode
Power consumption: .75 watt, 90ma (light off)
Waypoints: 500, Nearest: 9 (automatic)
Waypoint markers: 16 different graphic icons to provide visual reminders of what type of waypoints you stored
Waypoint name characters: 6 max.
Routes: 20 reversible routes with up to 30 waypoints each, plus TracBackTM mode
TracBack®: Automatic track log navigation with over 2,000 track log points (breadcrumbs). TracBack® allows you to retrace your path using the track log automatically stored in the GPS receiver's memory. This eliminates the need to store waypoints along th
Track Plotter: Moving-map track plotter displays your progress in real time . You can hook this GPS to your laptop computer to track you movement with your mapping software like Street Atlas or TOPO USA.. Real cool to have if you like exploring. More inf
Map Datums: Over 106 including one User Datum. Most USGS topo maps are referenced to NAD 27 (1927 North American Datum), but some of the newer ones use NAD 83. This information is printed in the lower left corner of the topo maps. NAD27 is listed by Garmi
Coordinate Grids: Lat/Long, UTM, plus 7 grids, including Maidenhead and User UTM
City database: (software ver. 3.x and greater)
MOB (Man Over Board) feature: Yes, the Man Over Board (MOB) function is a common feature for marine GPS units. If a person falls overboard, the skipper uses this function to immediately mark the current location. The GPS goes into a "Goto" mode and direc
Trip computer: includes: average speed, trip timer, and maximum speed
Distance between points measure: Yes
Simulator mode: Yes, to help you learn to use the unit before going afield
Sunrise/Sunset tables: Yes
Comes with: lanyard, velcro mount, owners manual and Quick reference guide
Warranty: Every GARMIN product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for one year from the date of purchase.

Other Information

Options and accessories:

Cigarette lighter adapter .... $19.99
Car dash mounting bracket .... $24.99
Carrying case ....$9.99
Bicycle mounting bracket .... $19.99
GA 28 low-profile remote marine antenna with 30-foot cable and BNC connector
GA 26 low-profile remote antenna, magnetic and suction mounts with 8-foot cable and BNC connector .... $79.99
8-foot extension cable for GA 26
GA 26 trunk lip antenna mount
GA 26 flange antenna mount
8-foot extension cable for GA 26
GA 28 flange antenna mount kit
GA 26 suction cup antenna mount
PC interface cable with cigarette lighter adapter .... $19.95
Data transfer cable (unit to unit) PC software and interface cable .... $89.99 at GPS Store
GS2503 GPS Outfitters Instructional Video (A Must for New Users) .... $18.99 at GPS Store

Accessory prices are quoted from Cabela's and GPS Store. You can check Blue Hills Innovations for cables at a good price also.

Released in April 1997. BE AWARE SOME STORES STILL CARRY THE OLDER GARMIN GPS II PLUS RECEIVERS. THE OLDER UNITS FEATURE PROBLEMATIC, ALBEIT CORRECTABLE SOFTWARE VERSIONS. Software versions 2.0 to 2.06 have an error that causes the unit to turn itself off on occasion. You can simply turn it back on, but that's a hassle. Software is available from their website to correct this problem, but requires the pc cable kit to upload the latter versions. Units with software versions 2.07 and greater don't have this problem. The latest II (s/w ver. 3.x and greater) has city database, a feature that shows cities surrounding your location. To tell which version you have look on the first couple of pages of the owner's manual. You can use this unit as a handheld GPS (vertical) or mount it in your car (horizontal) as a mobile GPS. Customer service is excellent with replacement and no questions asked the norm.

Other Reviews and Info on the Garmin GPS II+ ....
Joe Mehaffey and Jack Yeazel Review
Larry's Garmin Connector How-To Website
Thomas Born Review

User Comments

Pricing Information

Best price is $190.00 at TVNAV.COM, $194.95 at GPS Store. 198.99 at Cabela's, $194.00 at Adventures GPS, $199.99 at Bass Pro.
Note .... Please check current pricing and availability. Info current as of 7/17/00.

Manufacturer Information

Garmin eTrex
http://www.garmin.com/