Lost? Not anymore!!!
Written: Jan 22 '01 (Updated Jan 22 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great features, affordable, reasonably accurate, easy to use.
Cons: Eats batteries like crazy!
The Bottom Line: The Garmin eMap is a great affordable GPS unit that is fun to use and can also be very helpful with directions and location. Well worth the money!!
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| Techsan's Full Review: Garmin eMap Handheld GPS Receiver |
The Garmin eMap GPS system is a great value and directional tool, there is no question about that. I primarily use my eMap for driving and directions, I am not a hunter or anything like that so I cannot accurately evaluate how the unit works in those situations.
The eMap comes equipped and loaded with base map functions for the entire continent of North America. This means large roads, major Interstates, state roads and intersections preloaded into the eMap. If you need more precise and detailed mapping for a city, the map must be downloaded from a special CD ROM that must be purchased. The cost of this CD ROM is not cheap, last time I checked it was over $150.00 online. If you do choose to purchase the additional CD you will need to make sure that your eMap has additional data cards. Most cities will be fine with an additional 8Meg card, but larger cities like Chicago and L.A. will need a 16Meg card, these can get expensive! Although I would love more detailed mapping, I really find the basic maps that the eMap comes with just fine for me.
The main map page contains a real nice display of your current area, your speed, trip distance, and the time from the trip menu as well as a somewhat confusing compass. It tells you the direction you are going or the direction you want to go. The actual speed that eMap displays is amazing close to your actual speed on your speedometer!
The Main Menu contains some very useful options for using the eMap, the different things you can do with this GPS are unreal! Just figuring out new things to do with the thing is half the fun! The Main Menu includes:
Trip Computer Page – Provides information such as distance traveled, average speed, and elapsed time.
Tracks Page – Access to the track log and saved tracks.
Route Page – Create and store routes for multiple use.
GPS Info Page – Provides information about speed, location, elevation and all of the different satellites that the GPS can track.
Sun and Moon Page – Gives Sun and Moon locations as well as sunrise and sunset times according to your particular location.
MapSource Info. Page – Provides information about MapSource map data loaded on the data card, if one is installed.
System Information Page – eMap software version that is installed on the eMap.
Setup Options – Allows you to set options such as backlighting timeout, time format, time zone selection, beeper tones available, and interface setups.
There are so many neat options with this GPS it is just impossible to name them all, but I tend to use the Measure Distance feature quite a bit. This allows you to view distance and location from your current location to another location on the map, waypoint or city. Really cool!
I really don’t use the Route function or the Track function all that much, but they are available. This function allows you record and pull up previously traveled paths.
I purchased the eMap Deluxe that comes with an additional 8Meg card and a serial port interface into your computer. I would highly suggest purchasing the Deluxe version, Garmin is continually coming out with free updated software versions on their website that can only be transferred via the serial port interface. The additional 8Meg also allows you to store and keep more information on the eMap.
I have had my eMap about 4 months now and I have had absolutely NO problems what so ever. I have been to Laredo, Texas with the eMap and Mexican towns on the other side of the border pick up just fine. I tried mine in an airplane once and I could not pick up any satellites at all. Keep in mind that the eMap basically works only in a car or out of doors, this unit WILL NOT work inside a home or office at all.
As other reviews have stated the eMap will eat AA batteries like crazy! If you plan on taking the e-map on a long trip make sure you pack plenty of batteries. I would say that you are going to get 7-9 hours out 2 AA batteries with the eMap on all the time on a trip. If I had a gripe about the eMap this would be my biggest complaint.
As you can tell, I really enjoy this great technological advance! There really is too much to write about when it comes to the eMap, take my word for it, it is really sweet! I would also consider checking out gpscity.com or another website to purchase the eMap, you can really get some great prices on the net for the eMap. Best Buy or any other local merchant is going to be way up there in price. I got mine from vanns.com for $230.00, and this was for the Deluxe version!
Got a few extra bucks? Love toys? This is your ticket! You will not be disappointed!!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Techsan
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Member: Todd
Location: Tulsa, OK
Reviews written: 44
Trusted by: 17 members
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