Product Description: The GPS Blazer12 is a self-contained hand-held GPS receiver designed for general purpose position locating and navigation. It has a built-in antenna located at the top of the receiver, a backlit display, and keypad. Using two AA batteries, inserted from the battery door found at the back of the receiver, the GPS Blazer12 will operate for up to 20 hours.
Amazon.com Review: Whether hiking through the woods or traveling back roads, you always know where you are with the Magellan GPS Blazer 12 Satellite Navigator. It displays bearing, heading, distance, speed, and more on its three navigation screens. Nine coordinate and thirteen map datum systems allow you to plot your position on almost any map.
Setting up the Blazer 12 was easy. We just installed the batteries and initialized the receiver by answering a few on-screen questions about our location and the time and date. The unit assumes that you already know a little about basic map reading, longitude, and latitude, but the User Manual introduces you to the Blazer 12's features in no time.
It took a little over three minutes for the Blazer 12 to get a position fix after initializing. After that, marking our initial position was as easy as pressing the Mark button. We watched our precise longitude and latitude change as we walked and drove; the Blazer 12 tracked our distance as we moved. As we returned to our initial position, the Blazer 12 guided us back with the appropriate directions.
The Blazer 12 is rated to last 20 hours on two alkaline batteries; ours lasted eight hours on two Ni-Cad batteries. The unit is also rated to retain its memory for 30 minutes without the batteries; we checked ours at one hour and the memory was still intact.
Considering the low-cost peace of mind that the Blazer 12 provides, it's hard to imagine trekking into the unknown without one.
Pros
Inexpensive
Rugged, waterproof construction
Easy-to-follow instructions
Cons
No I/O or PC support
No built-in atlas
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - You will be sorry if you buy any Magellan product
All, google the internet. "Magellan GPS" Complaint
You will find this company has terrible customer service. The product may work when you get it but if you ever need assistance forget it. Also Maps never seem to get updated.
Take the risk if you like.
Rating: - uses all those US taxpayer satellites.....for pennies!
I too use this unit for VFR air navigation....manually entering lat/long from current AFDs, Flight Guides, airnav.com, or landings.com
It works perfectly.
When bearing and heading are identical--inevitably, when it says you are 30 miles or less from the airport, you can make it out on the nose.....amazing!
WAY easier to use than the Garmin Etrex.
I bought a second one as back-up...kind of a pilot thing. I run the primary one on the Magellan 12v lighter socket adapter.
(Non-aviators note that an FAA approved panel-installed GPS can easily exceed $1,500)
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Rating: - Good...but getting an initial lock is tough.
This thing works fairly well. I got it for free from a car dealer promotion, so really can't complain. On trips I can program lat/long into the unit and hit the waypoint within 0.01 miles consistently. The unit is tough, rugged, and will take a lot of abuse. Battery life is well over 10 hours, but starts to really drop off once the backlight is used.
The only real downfall with this unit is that it takes a very, very, very, VERY long time to get an initial fix if the batteries die or are removed longer than 20 minutes. It forgets EVERYTHING and must be reset. The reset program ... Read More
Rating: - Great Inexpensive GPS!
This item is useful for the novice and expert alike. It allows the user to see his/her location at all times ( in lat/long, or the UTM) and it allows the user to plot courses. What more do you need?
When the blazer 12 is used in conjunction with a map its performance has been flawless for me. However, it can be used without a map if all you are doing is marking and traviling to and from known locations. The accuracy seems to be as close to dead on as a gps can get.
This is a great product for those who want just a basic navigation tool. I just don't have anything bad ... Read More
Rating: - Great for the price
The Blazer 12 is a user-friendly and ergonomically efficient tool for basic tracking and location information. The altitude feature is also great if you are calibrating weather equipment. Sure, you can spend $50 more and get more bells and whistles, but this unit offers all the essential information you need for basic urban and rural expeditions. I will have to admit I am fairly good at direction anyway, but this model helps verify where I think I am. Like any other gadget used for the novice explorer, it is complimentary, but shouldn't be used as your last line of defense. If you need a ... Read More
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