1 comments about Suunto Mariner Sailing Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Barometer, Compass, and Sailing Timer.

1. I'm extremely pleased with my Suunto Mariner. It is simply loaded with features that a sailor/racer wil find handy. It can also take a lot of abuse (clumsy me...). There are only two things I can think of where the Suunto Mariner comes up short: First is that it is a bit big when worn on your wrist. However, all Suunto watches are this size; and, once you get used to it, you stop noticing. Although it is big, it is very light in weight. Overall, it is very comfortable to wear. And, the benefit of having a big display is that it is easy to see (and digest) all the data displayed on the unit. Second, many watches coming out from other companies that cater to water-sports enthusiasts include a tide calculator/display. The Suunto Mariner does not have this feature. In my opinion, adding the tide feature would make this watch complete.

   As it is, however, it is a great watch. In terms of basic timekeeping, it has everything you need. Time, date, dual time, stopwatch, countdown timer, multiple alarms. Accuracy has been perfect over 2 years. It also has an effective backlight display that stays on for a couple of seconds after you push the button - nice.

   In sail mode, the main feature is a timer to aid in sail racing. I am just a recreational racer (solings); but I've come to appreciate this feature very much. Essentially, you set it to count down the number of minutes before the final starting gun goes off. As you manoever your boat for position during those 3 minutes (or whaterver), it gives you chime alarms as the time counts down (two beeps when you have 2 minutes left, another 2 beeps when there is 1 minute left, then beeps every ten seconds until the last 10 seconds, then a beep every second, then a final chime). When the final time is reached, the countdown timer switches to a count-up timer. So, it automatically switches to an exact reckoning of your time in the race. There are additional memory and logbook functions that allow you to keep track of multiple races; but I don't use those features much.

   The barometer mode is probably less helpful during a race and more so during cruising. It's accurate enough to give you a head's up when a new weather front is moving in. Again, it has memory and logbook functions that are beyond me.

   The compass mode is cool, but I don't use it much. It is accurate; but it's easier for me to use the boat's compass than to look down at my wrist. It would be an excellent backup in an emergency however!

   I've looked at a few other watches geared towards sailors, and this has been the best of the bunch. Lots of data presented in an easy to digest fashion.

No comments about Expedition® Camo Digital Compass.

5 comments about Magellan GPS Blazer 12.

1. 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 GPS for IFR Flying or deep woods camping, buy one of the really expensive downloadable map GPS'. But if you just want to know where you are and where you are going, and where you have been...this does all that for you.



2. 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.




3. 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 loads the system with a default location you specify (i.e. US states, Candian provinces, etc.) and the unit then tries to figure out which satellites can be seen from a "default" lat/long preprogrammed for that state. Sounds great...Works lousy. For example I'm in the far Southwestern tip of Virginia. Only problem is that the default location for Virginia is 5 degrees East of me in longitude...meaning the unit really can't see the sats it thinks it can. And to compound the problem, I live equidistant from the preprogrammed locations for TN, KY, WV, VA, and NC.
   
   I put fresh batteries in mine today, plugged in the way points I wanted to go and took off. An hour's drive later I arrived at my destination (luckily, I didn't need the GPS..this time). Still no lock. Then came home and put the unit on my back fence. Two hours later, it locked for the first time. Now it works right off the bat.
   
   Overall, not exceptionally bad for the right price, but know what you're getting into beforehand. It's not a unit that you can slap batteries into and go on a whim.



4. 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)
   
   It's very valuable for driving, too. It's not too difficult to get lat/long from a variety of sources. (If you need turn by turn prompts, you might not be much of a driver OR navigator.) If it says go 045, find some way to get east and north.
   
   A tip for GPS users:
   Find yourself a Britannica World Atlas at a used book fair. What you are after is the 200 pp index of World cities at the back. ALL significant World Cities are given in lat/long, even US cities under 5,000 population---so you can always have the answer to "....how much further, Daddy?"



5. 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.

5 comments about Suunto X6HRM Heart Rate Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass.

1. The first X6HRM I purchased was very flaky, with the screen blanking out after a button was pushed. I was about to return it, but found out there was a recall. The new unit functions flawlessly and is great if you have regular workouts you do. With altimeter, HRM and timer saving data you can download workout profiles to your PC (average software but functional) and overlay curves to check progress during the season or year-to-year.
   The only minor complaint is that the unit sucks down batteries. They're easy to replace though, so buy a few spares.



2. I bought the suunto X6hrt after having 2 polars and getting sick of their fragility during training. The suunto site isn't that clear about the product but I bought it expecting at least the same level of functions that I got in simpler polar watches. In this model, compass, barometer, altimeter look goods, but the HR function only measures the current HR, nothing else. What about % of max HR (very easy to implement) and calories expendure?
   For a USD 1,000 watch, it really doesn't pay off if you need some HR basic functions.



3. 
   The performance and usability of this watch simply do not justify its price tag.
   
   1. The HRM function isn't reliable. My $30 unbranded HRM maintains a better wireless connection to the chest strap. Occasionally the X6HR measures false heart rate spikes up to 190. Occasional drop outs or false spikes are not a problem for a simple HRM, but a real pain when you're using the X6HR to record over time, as it screws up heart rate statistics.
   
   2. The buttons are too 'mushy'. It's hard to tell when a button has been properly pressed.
   
   3. The software the comes with the watch is clunky and ugly.
   
   Overall, if you are looking at the X6HR, look at the Polar AXN500.



4. Piss me off. damn thing didn't ship w/ a USB connector like it says it does & cant use the damn thing, after paying over $500 for it. Since I am in Iraq, I cannot send it back. GREAT. RIPOFFS!!!!



5. Description appears to be Suunto X6HRM (M is for Metal), but the item shipped is in fact Suunto X6HR. I sent it back asking for the good item (which cost me 80, more than 100$) and I had a refund.
   
   Thanks a lot it cost me a lot for ... nothing.
   
   I will surely order again.

2 comments about Coleman Digital Compass.

1. I would never never again buy a product such as this. The directions are so complicated and difficult to understand that this product was TOTALLY UNUSABLE AND A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. The directions must have been written by a egg-head engineer for another egg-head engineer. DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT UNTIL THE DIRECTIONS ARE WRITTEN IN PLAIN ENGLISH FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON -- NOT AN ENGINEER!!



2. Decent product with a few areas for improvement:
   1) User Manual hard to follow
   2) You can not turn the unit off.

1 comments about Suunto Regatta Wrist-Top Boating Computer Watch with Compass and Sailing Timer.

1. This is the only digital watch I like - it's also the first one I've ever used. The display is readable and practical. The compass is excellent and a very useful addition to the watch (saves packing a compass for camping trips too).

2 comments about Suunto X6 Wrist-Top Computer Watch with Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Clinometer and PC-Interface.

1. This product work great. I would definitely purchase it again. The only concern I have with it is the glass face is very exposed to hitting anything. So far it hasn't been prone to scratching. I put the first and only scratch in the glass within the first week of ownership. I have had the watch almost 4 months now and I have not put any more scratches in it but I am more careful. Other than that the watch work perfectly. I am very pleased.



2. I'm a cyclist, and after researching watches for a couple of weeks, the X6 seemed like the perfect product to track accumulated elevation gain and degree of slope. Unfortunately, the watch has some serious flaws that hinder its usefulness.
   
   First, elevation gain: this is the watch's strongest feature and, once you learn to use it, delivers results that are easy to read, if not wholly accurate. I've found that the X6 under-reports the accumulated elevation gain by about 15% to 20%.
   
   Next, the clinometer: as implemented in the X6, this feature is useless. When on my bike, the X6 is mounted on a Polar handlebar mount, adjusted so that when the bike is upright on flat ground, the readout displays 0 degrees, as it should. However, when I start pedaling, the readout swings wildly from 0 to 35 to 20 to 50, all in just a few pedal strokes. I never have the faintest clue what the actual degree of slope is. To put it charitably, this feature is a joke -- or at least it would be if the watch weren't so expensive.
   
   Finally, watch features: in general, I find the watch easy to use, although the buttons require quite a firm push. I recently took the watch on a cycling trip through France, and made good use of the dual time display. The downside, as I discovered, is that you can't attach a wake-up alarm to the secondary display. That means if you have U.S. time set as the primary display, and European time on the secondary one, the alarm only sees the U.S. time. That's quite a design flaw, in my estimation. Another design flaw is that the watch is virtually unreadable in low light conditions. I find myself constantly squinting at it in order to read the large digits.
   
   The bottom line: after four months of fairly extensive use, I'm back to my $17 Timex. The Suunto stays in my bike bag, where it only sees the light of day on bike rides. A big disappointment.

5 comments about Magellan RoadMate 700 Portable GPS Navigator.

1. You never know if the magellan will find the satellite when you turn it on. It can take up to 15 minutes. I turn it off & on trying to cycle it. I've used a Garmin 330, Works perfectly. You'll be throwing your money out the window with mine if you buy a Magellan!



2. I have owned this unit for 2 1/2 years. Thought it was great. The unit receives its power from a cradle that it snaps into. It seems that these cradles have a tendency to fail and then the unit is useless until you buy a new cradle for $50.00. The failure rate is so high that Magellan was out of cradles for three months. This is a definate defect in the cradle and Magellan should replace all of the Roadmate 700 and 760's with a free unit of comperable features. I paid over $700 for my unit in May, 2005 and another $100 to upgrade it with new maps and firmware one year later. This is my biggest regret to date.



3. Only good thing about this unit is it is a lot better than nothing.
   Here is a partial list of problems.
   1 When you want a low numbered street ie 3rd, you have to scroll back from all the higher numbered streets in the hundreds to get to it.
   2 There is a scroll bar on the right of the "touch" screen which should scroll but when it is untouched the display goes back to the beginning.
   3 The corners of the touch screen are hard to get to respond when you have fat fingers or cold dry fingers.
   4 If the map is outdated the unit will dump you at the last known address on the street instead of telling you it does not know.
   5. When not using or needing to exit it tells you to keep to the left on a freeway instead of saying nothing. Why would I exit?
   6. On the same point as 5 but in reverse it will sometimes not say anything when it should at forks etc.
   7. When it says keep to the left sometimes there are more than one lanes on the left so at the next junction you will be too far to the left to take the right.
   8. There is sometimes a delay in units response so you push it again and again but then it all of a sudden will catch up but way beyond.
   9. On number 8 this will happen with the touch screen and the direct navigation buttons.
   10. Only way I found to pre-program is to tell it you are going then cancel so it will be in previous destinations. Has no more than one stop. No way points.
   11. Company non responsive for support or unable to help by upgrading.
   12 Updates for map are currently late. No firmware updates to help these issues in foreseeable future.



4. We bought this 2 1/2 years ago for $800 because it was on Oprah's favorite things thinking it would be an investment and a quality product and we would have it a long time. Not even a year into owning it a couple of the tongs on the cradle got bent and we had to buy a replacement for $30 (since they've jacked it up to $70) because it would lose connection constantly. Well, after a year it kept asking us to update the map and we live in SA and didn't see a need since we weren't traveling outside of the city and we knew it well so we didn't. Then it starting stalling, freezing and basically malfunctioning. We were told to buy a map update by customer service for $99 and that would solve the problem. We bought the update and it seemed to work after that. Now since the cradle tongs are incredibly delicate (and we are careful with it) another tong has bent one the new one. The update map signal came on a couple of weeks ago and what do you know-the gps is malfunctioning again. It seems like Magellan has found a way to make a lot of cash by selling a unreliable product. First you have to pay $99 a year to keep the maps updated or else it will malfuction and if you bend the tongs on the cradle (and you will) you will have to sell out $70 for a new one. Also, it takes FOREVER to find you and sometimes you will pass right by the road you're supposed to take while it's deciding where you should go only to have to turn around a mile down the road. That has happened MANY times. I am extremely upset with Magellan since they don't offer to repair it-only map updates and a trade in where I'm sure they make money off you again since you already paid $800 for this one in the first place. And who's to say the second one they replace it with will be any better. Save your money and don't get ripped off by this scam they have going. It's a money pit and you're the loser.



5. I have had this unit for over 2 years now. I works pretty well once it acquires the satellite signal. It takes about 1-4 minutes to lock on satellites.
   
   I have had trouble with the power cradle as DC in pin somehow got bend and is now broken. It costs $70 for a new cradle, so I decided to get a DC jack and solder it. It seems I am not the only one with this problem, search google.
   
   Would I buy this specific model again? No. Simply because their are newer, better and cheaper gps sets available now.

No comments about Brunton Nexus Compass.

3 comments about Digital Compass with Time, Temperature and Ice Alert - 3 "AAA".

1. This is a cool compass with all the info I wanted. The only problem is I have had a hard time figuring out where to put it. I have a 2005 F-250, and it looks funny dead center on top of the dash. I wish it was all one flat piece. Then I could stick it on the front of the dash some where.



2. I AM A OTR TRUCKER AND I USE THIS ON PRODUCT ON A DAILY BASIS AND IT IS WORTH THE MONEY. IT IS A GREAT PRODUCT AND VERY, VERY HANDY.



3. The only problem was that there weren't any instructions for installing the temperature sensor. RoadPro's website offered no help. We called our local AutoZone, and they were able to explain it over the phone. Otherwise, it seems to be working well after one day.