Magellan GPS Blazer12 Waterproof Hiking GPS

by Magellan

Product Details

Product Manual [714kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.9 x 1.8 inches ; 1.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000J0IT
• Item model number: 0063005000
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,665 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

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

Product Description

GPS Blazer 12, 12 parallel channel, hand held receiver with wrist strap and user guide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good performance but tricky switch, August 17, 1999

By 

Philip Lohman (Lakewood, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magellan GPS Blazer12 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Electronics)

I recently took one of these to the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Performance was fast and flawless, with one irritating exception: the on/off switch is so sensitive that almost anything that touches the face of the keypad will turn the receiver on. If this happens in your pack, the result is dead batteries. I've called Magellan about it and had to leave a message. So far, I haven't received a reply (which is also annoying). I checked at REI, where I bought the Blazer originally and they've had several complaints about this. It also seems to be a problem with Garmin receivers.

Philip Lohman

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Inexpensive GPS!, July 12, 2000

By 

rhett (Allardt, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magellan GPS Blazer12 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Electronics)

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 to say about it. I suppose if you wanted an automapping feature or external int. or pc interface capability this is not the one for you.

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sure it Works..But an extra $50 will buy you a better one!, November 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Magellan GPS Blazer12 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Electronics)

The case seems shotty and the ON/OFF button is too touchy... I ran out of batteries on my camping trip to Yellowstone "thanks alot ON/OFF button DO NOT BUY THIS! Spend an extra $50 and get a good one!