An Excellent First GPS
Written: Dec 29 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Price, ease of use, fun factor
Cons: expensive upgrades
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| ralphgb's Full Review: Garmin eMap Handheld GPS Receiver |
The Garmin eMap is a terrific unit for a GPS beginner. It's small and attractive, simple to use, and it does what you expect in a GPS box - to tell you where you are.
The eMap has a Base Map built in that includes most major roads, some minor roads, and few if any side streets. It's very easy to track your location while riding in a car or boat, or even in an airplane if you have a window seat (it's impressive to see your altitude of 24000+ feet and speed of 500+ MPH!). Detailed maps can be purchased in the form of CD-ROM software from Garmin, but to upload them requires a data cable and a memory card (both included in the eMap Deluxe package or available separately), and the map software is very expensive. The Base Map is probably sufficient for most people.
The controls are very easy to use and the menu-driven commands are intuitive. I only had to check the manual a couple of times to figure out how to do something deep in the menu structure.
It does go through batteries fairly quickly; I have been getting 10-12 hours out of a set of 2 AA alkaline batteries. I switched to Lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries, which don't last quite as long, but are much less expensive in the long run.
It's also a good idea to get a mount for the eMap if you plan to use it in the car. I use a universal vent-mount cellular phone holder which does a very good job, or you can get a mount built for the eMap from Garmin. If you have an RV or a car with a metallic windshield coating, you may want to consider adding an external antenna, which the eMap will accept.
The eMap will easily meet the demands of the new or casual GPS user. More advanced users will want to look for a more powerful unit. The eMap is a lot of fun to use and gets the job done.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ralphgb
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Member: Ralph Becker
Location: Milford, MA
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 1 member
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