Customer Reviews

Garmin 72H Waterproof Handheld GPS with High-Sensitivity

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Garmin's 72H is an adequate, low cost, navigational tool. I use it exclusively for Marine navigation when I am in areas I have not visited before. As an "old salt" I use paper charts and guide books for planning and prime navigation - but the GPS puts me right on the bouy marker I'm heading for. Time, speed, and other features are helpful but not critical for me. It is easy to use once you figure out the data input process. The manual could have been written much more clearly and thoroughly. It is the weakest part of the deal.

I was looking for a unit that would only show coordinates in a format of my choice and in a selected datum and it seems that the 72H is the closest to what I had in mind, but it does many other things that I don't really want and it is much bigger than I wanted. Nevertheless, satellite lock time is excellent (unless the WAAS is enabled which gives a little better precision at the expense of greater power drain and much greater satellite lock time), position lock is precise, battery life is great and the unit will stand up to some abuse. I have accidentally sprayed the GPS with DEET-based insect repellent and it didn't hurt the plastic. I'm not going to do it again, but I have a 2-way radio that'd got a bunch of freckles after a similar accident.
It is important to understand that the 72H is not a mapping GPS. It has a "map" screen, but the screen shows only waypoints and the coordinate grid (in degrees/minutes based on WGS84, even if UTM coordinates are set to be shown). Get a printed map if you want to use the unit for navigation. Finding USGS benchmarks or geocaches can be done without a map but you must start in reasonably close to whatever you want to find; then, the unit will draw an arrow pointing at the selected waypoint.

I'm giving the unit 5 stars but this doesn't mean that it is perfect. Some things could have been done more user-friendly. Backlight is my biggest complaint - there is no way of turning it on and off at will; instead, brightness is selected by repeatedly pressing the on/off button, after which all buttons, including the on/off, will turn on the backlight which will stay on for a few seconds.
When NiMH batteries are used, the battery indicator shows that freshly charged batteries are about half-drained; probably, because of the lower voltage. Selecting the type of batteries in the settings (or testing their internal resistance) and showing the level based on the type would be a considerable improvement.

Garmin GPS72H is the fastest and the most accurate GPS for times that you don't need or have a map, but you need to find your way back. It makes finding your car in a parking lot or situations like this a fun game to play. It shows you the direction to turn left or right and the distance to your destination meter by meter so you know you are on the right track. Open the box, install 2AA batteries, and you are good to go. No map to download, no software to update, but almost all pages and options could be customized.

Not for driving. NO map of any kind. Wish it smaller and lighter.

While the device seems to work as advertised, I had issues figuring out how to export tracks, routes, and waypoints from the device to my computer. The manual and the Garmin website are not at all helpful.

It turns out you have to install Garmin software in this order on your computer:

1) BaseCamp (free from Garmin - Google it)
2) MapSource (free from Garmin - Google it)
You can't install MapSource unless BaseCamp is already installed first.

BaseCamp isn't mentioned anywhere in the manual or the website, but you need it in order to install MapSource. The MapSource page doesn't even mention BaseCamp. It just sends you to purchase maps (which are not compatible with the 72h).

I only found this information on a GPS forum after extensive Googling. The information needs to be more widely available.

To actually create .gpx files I use both programs. MapSource allows me to transfer data from the 72h to the computer but crashes when I try to export a .gpx to the hard drive - and the file is empty. It also crashes when I try to export a .gdb - but the file DOES get written.

I next use BaseCamp to convert the .gdb to a .gpx, which is what I can import elsewhere like ridewithgps.com, gpsvisualizer.com and Google Maps.

One thing I found entertaining is that the first "trip" recorded on the unit originated in Taiwan (presumably at the factory, where they tested it?) and ended in the US when I put in batteries and it first acquired satellites. So if anyone wants to visit the factory in Taiwan, now we know where it is, within 22 ft. LOL

UPDATE 10/11/2011

The computer interface is no longer working. If I plug the 72h into the computer while the 72h is on, the computer doesn't see it. Once plugged in it doesn't respond to buttons, even to turn off. If I plug in the 72h while it is off and then try to turn it on, it never boots up. It just sits there at the start screen that says "GARMIN" and doesn't ever get to the point where the text at the bottom says "GPS 72H Copyright 2002-2010 Garmin Ltd. or its subs.". And it won't respond to buttons. The only way to make it start responding again is to take out a battery.

Also, it looks like water got into the battery compartment, because when I went to change the batteries this morning there were droplets in there.

I left the battery and usb compartments open and that seemed to help because the 72h is talking to the computer again. From now on I will be putting it into a drybag. Waterproof, schmaterproof. :-/

My first gps was the 72 had it for 6or7 yrs its been put through the ringer,I use it for hunting, fishing,trapping, through rain,snow sub zero temps its last days had silicone buttons.The72h has been no different its high sensitivity is great, about 30sec is the quickest I've recived a singnal, I hunt in thick mountin like country and the 72h has picked up where the 72 did not. Its simple to use and is very tough.I couldn't talk my self into one with topo maps and other features for hundreds of dollars more when I just take along small laminated copies of airials& topos that cost little or nothing.As long as the72&72H are around I will buy no other!!

I was looking for a gps that would give me good, solid, low speed readings for docking ships (I'm a port pilot). This information is very helpful when maneuvering from the bridge wings, and on ships that don't have instrument repeaters on the wings. The first time I used it I compared the readings from ship's GPS and was very dissapointed to see that the speed was off for more than 1 knot, and would fluctuate constantly, making it useless. Even the built in gps on my hand held radio is far better, even the one on my cellphone works better. When I read the "high sensitivity" description on this product I thought that the large size would make up for quality, but no.

Garmin 72H Waterproof Handheld GPS with High-Sensitivity
It's the best portable gps that I can have.
Easy for use and in the sea is perfect for save the interest points of fish.

I bought this for fishing and four wheeling. After looking at 30 or so units for over $300 i finally chose the 72h. Glad I did. under $150.00 and does everything i need. I have no need for maps so its perfect. I had looked at a smaller unit by garmin that was cheaper but it had all the navigation buttons on the side and I felt confused when I navigated. also you had to navigate through menues to do everything including zoom. the 72h is super easy to use and is easy to mark waypoints and even has a maover board button wich is noce when fishing and we mark our drop point.

plus it floats! i have heard that it doesnt float for long though but as long as it doesnt sink like a rock then thats all i need in case of loosing it over the side.

The Garmin 72H is excellent, but instructions for use are totally inadequate. I have Garmin 12XL which is much easier to program for marine use. I'll get over it.

I bought it for a friend.He was very happy with it,which in turn made me fell good.easy to use and all the bells and wissels he needed in a unit,at the right price.