One of the first things I did after buying my Garmin XL was to immerse it about .5 meter deep in water for an hour. No moisture got into the electronics; however, I did find some seepage in the battery compartment afterward. Chuck Holst -----Original Message----- From: Bob Denton [mailto:BDenton_at_aquagulf.com] Sent: Monday, February 22, 1999 8:13 AM To: Rob Nevitt; Bhansen97; paddlewise Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] GPS options (again) I researched Garmins, Magellans, and a few others before buying a Garmin 12XL . As a backpacker & kayaker, I chose it because it is more ruggedly built and submersible/waterproof. Cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I researched Garmins, Magellans, and a few others before buying a Magellan 2000XL. As a backpacker & kayaker, I chose it because it is more ruggedly built and submersible/waterproof. Recently I had a capsizing incident where my GPS was totally immersed in salt water for more than a half hour -- without being contained in a drybag. The unit stayed dry internally and it continued to function without any problems. Rob Nevitt blumarbl_at_metro.net 38d26'59"N 122d42'29"W -----Original Message----- From: Bhansen97_at_aol.com <Bhansen97_at_aol.com> To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Friday, February 19, 1999 12:38 PM Subject: [Paddlewise] GPS options (again) >I apologize for bringing this to the group so soon after an exhaustive and >excellent discussion of it. When the group discussed GPSs, I didn't think I >one, so I didn't save the things which were written. Now I've decided that I >really should get a handheld GPS, and I'm asking for help. I'll need to limit >initial cost somewhat, hoping to keep it under $200. > >Both Garmin and Magellan make units which, by their descriptions, should be >sufficient. Anything to choose between the two brands? Things to avoid like >the plague? Specific features or models in that price range which are >especially helpful? > >Any advice will be gratefully appreciated, either by return private e-mail or >by posts to the group. - Bill Hansen Ithaca NY >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
--Been using one for a while; the Garmin 38, now an obsolete model. Based on that, and trying out some others: Select one that has 12 parallel receivers. That's as many satellites as can be seen at any one time. You need to acquire at least 4 satellites to be able to plot a point on a spherical surface. Some GPS receivers can handle fewer than that at a time, so getting a good position can be very time consuming. Pay attention to sensitivity. In earlier ones, a helical antenna was far preferable to a patch antenna. With a patch, you often could not receive well enough to get a good fix in leafy woods. Nowadays receivers are more sensitive, but it's still an important consideration. Look for power consumption. Some GPS receivers, especially those with bells and whistles, can drain batteries in a very short time. The Garmin 12 is supposed to be pretty good in this regard, with well over 12 hours of battery life. I've also run across a curious difficulty here... Many brands of AA batteries now come with the builtin battery tester. Turns out these are too thick to be put into my GPS without getting stuck. So I have to search for alkaline cells without that feature or else rip the wrapping off the batteries. JP -----Original Message----- From: Bhansen97_at_aol.com <Bhansen97_at_aol.com> Now I've decided that I >really should get a handheld GPS, and I'm asking for help. I'll need to limit >initial cost somewhat, hoping to keep it under $200. > >Both Garmin and Magellan make units which, by their descriptions, should be >sufficient. Anything to choose between the two brands? Things to avoid like >the plague? Specific features or models in that price range which are >especially helpful? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Joe Pylka wrote: > > ...<lots of good advice snipped>... > > The Garmin 12 > is supposed to be pretty good in this regard, with well over 12 hours of > battery life. The battery life of the Garmin 12 depends on the hardware platform, which has changed occasionally along with the software version. Software versions *prior* to (but not including) 3.50 were rated at a 12 hour battery life (with alkalines), which proved to be a reasonably accurate rating. Software versions 3.5x up to (but not including) 4.0 were rated at 12 hours, but most of these had an improved hardware platform that allowed for 16-20 (or more) hours of usage, based on numerous reports from users. I had a 3.52 that provided about 18 hours. Versions 4.xx are rated at 24 hours, and that is accurate based on my observations. The Garmin 12 is an excellent value at about $150 new. You can probably find a used one for less than that, but as the above suggests, make sure you get version 4.xx or you will end up paying more in the long run. > I've also run across a curious difficulty here... Many brands of AA > batteries now come with the builtin battery tester. Turns out these are too > thick to be put into my GPS without getting stuck. So I have to search for > alkaline cells without that feature or else rip the wrapping off the > batteries. This problem with the Garmin 38 is easily solved. The problem is with the longitudinal ridges in the battery compartment. Garmin provided a reaming device to most of their dealers that can be used to shave down these ridges. They fixed this problem on later models, but you still might be able to find a dealer that has a reamer. If not, it is easy to do yourself, either with the right size drill bit (you need the type of bit that drills a "plug"--it has to be sharp, and you use it by hand, *not* on the drill), or alternatively by wrapping some sand paper on a dowel and sanding down the ridges. I used this latter approach on a 38 and it was quick, easy, and effective. By the way, I have found that the best way to use a GPS when sea kayaking is to mark up your chart with a "constellation" of brightly-colored waypoints (at key locations, such as entrances to coves, channels, locations off of points or other prominent features, and intervals along the shoreline), and then scan these marked charts into your computer (using a flatbed scanner). You can then use software that allows you to enter the coordinates of these waypoints into your GPS simply by double-clicking on each waypoint on the scanned chart. You can very quickly transfer a hundred waypoints into a file, and it then takes just a few seconds to download the appropriate file (or files) into your GPS, depending on the charts that you will be using on your trip. When you are paddling along, the moving map display on your GPS will show your position relative to the portion of the waypoint constellation through which you are paddling, and by glancing at the corresponding (brightly-colored) constellation on your chart, you can see immediately where you are. Dan Hagen (owner of too many GPS receivers) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I researched Garmins, Magellans, and a few others before buying a Garmin 12XL . As a backpacker & kayaker, I chose it because it is more ruggedly built and submersible/waterproof. Cya -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net] On Behalf Of Rob Nevitt Sent: Saturday, February 20, 1999 12:24 AM To: Bhansen97_at_aol.com; paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS options (again) I researched Garmins, Magellans, and a few others before buying a Magellan 2000XL. As a backpacker & kayaker, I chose it because it is more ruggedly built and submersible/waterproof. Recently I had a capsizing incident where my GPS was totally immersed in salt water for more than a half hour -- without being contained in a drybag. The unit stayed dry internally and it continued to function without any problems. Rob Nevitt blumarbl_at_metro.net 38d26'59"N 122d42'29"W *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
After using a 12XL for a couple of years on the deck without any other protection I believe the issue with the battery compartment is that the GPS gets hot and when a wave washes over the deck, the GPS cools and the air in the battery compartment draws in a little water, which is expelled again when it heats up. I believe the springs and contacts are stainless and I've never experienced a failure due to the seepage. I always remove the batteries and let the compartment dry. I also rinse with fresh water after any salt water immersion cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Bob Denton wrote: > After using a 12XL for a couple of years on the deck without any other > > protection I believe the issue with the battery compartment is that > the GPS > gets hot and when a wave washes over the deck, the GPS cools and the > air in > the battery compartment draws in a little water, which is expelled > again > when it heats up. ...<snip>... Yep; according to Garmin, this is a "design feature". There is a waterproof breathable membrane covering a small hole in the battery compartment. The main body of the receiver "breathes" through this hole, allowing the pressure in the unit to equalize (without water getting into the electronics). Air is drawn from (or expelled into) the battery compartment. The battery compartment itself is not air tight. The process of pressure equalization thus pulls (or pushes) small quantities of water into (or out of) the battery compartment. I would have preferred a design that has a waterproof battery compartment, with a waterproof breathable membrane in some other area (possibly protected by a small plastic grid). This would prevent the hassle of having to flush the battery compartment. Dan Hagen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>Yep; according to Garmin, this is a "design feature". [SNIP] I use a Garmin 48 and also keep mine in a waterproof pouch (Aquapac). Garmin claims the 48 is waterproof, but the antennae worries me. Since I have had bad luck in the past with waterproof claims (read my many posts on my Icom VHF), I'd rather be safe than sorry. The pouch is also nice in that it floats, has some additional UV protection, and has a lanyard attached. It has never impeded my using the GPS. -Patrick -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Patrick Maun pmaun_at_bitstream.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 03:42 PM 2/22/99 -0600, Patrick wrote: >I use a Garmin 48 and also keep mine in a waterproof pouch (Aquapac). >Garmin claims the 48 is waterproof, but the antennae worries me. Since I >have had bad luck in the past with waterproof claims (read my many posts on >my Icom VHF), I'd rather be safe than sorry. The pouch is also nice in that >it floats, has some additional UV protection, and has a lanyard attached. >It has never impeded my using the GPS. > I also use an Aquapac waterproof baggie on both my "waterproof" radio and my "waterproof" GPS. The one downside is the "greenhouse effect". In sunny weather, UV penetrates the transparent top, is absorbed by the "black body" of the GPS housing, then remitted as heat and trapped by the baggie, which can puff up alarmingly as a result. Suspecting this could strain the baggie's seams, I squeeze as much air as possible out before sealing the GPS into the baggie, and keep the whole thing tucked under my deck bag unless I'm actively using it. Cheers, Philip T. N49°16' W123°08' "The opinions expressed in this posting are not necessarily those of my employer, or indeed, of any sentient being." *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I use one of those small See-Bags to keep my Garmin 38 in while on the water. I have no problems punching the buttons or seeing the displays. JP -----Original Message----- From: Patrick Maun < >I use a Garmin 48 and also keep mine in a waterproof pouch (Aquapac). . The pouch is also nice in that >it floats, has some additional UV protection, and has a lanyard attached. >It has never impeded my using the GPS. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:56 PDT