Article: 86737 of sci.geo.satellite-nav
From: davem@zeppo.cs.ubc.ca (Dave Martindale)
Newsgroups: sci.geo.satellite-nav
Subject: Re: DGPS Question
Date: 31 Dec 1998 19:20:47 -0800
Organization: Computer Science, University of B.C., Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Lines: 23
Message-ID: <76heuf$mmr@zeppo.cs.ubc.ca>
References: <368B725D.9FBC883@worldnet.att.net>
NNTP-Posting-Host: zeppo.cs.ubc.ca
X-Trace: mughi.cs.ubc.ca 915160848 29896 142.103.9.6 (1 Jan 1999 03:20:48 GMT)
X-Complaints-To: usenet@cs.ubc.ca
NNTP-Posting-Date: 1 Jan 1999 03:20:48 GMT
Path: news1.meer.net!news3.best.com!news2.best.com!newsfeed.berkeley.edu!newsfeed.direct.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!cs.ubc.ca!not-for-mail
Xref: news1.meer.net sci.geo.satellite-nav:86737

Frank Leonard <frank-leonard@worldnet.att.net> writes:
>Just got a Garmin 12xl, new to GPS, new to this NG. Both great stuff.
>Now to my question. I'm looking to add DGPS facility to my handheld for
>boating. Any recommendations on a receiver? My marine store suggests the
>Eagle unit at $199. Comments?

I've got one.  It works fine with the 12XL.  It does have a few
limitations compared to other differential receivers:

- No user interface at all - you have to have a GPS that will send tuning
  commands to the Eagle receiver (the 12XL will)

- You have to use a whip-type antenna, and you have to mount the receiver
  where the antenna is.  Most other beacon receivers put only a preamp
  (called a coupler) at the antenna, and mount the receiver circuitry
  elsewhere.  Having separate antenna and receiver also allows you to
  switch to a loop-type antenna instead of a whip.

- It's dead stupid.  It doesn't do anything until commanded by the GPS.
  It can't scan to find one or the closest of multiple DGPS beacon
  transmitters.  More complex receivers do.

	Dave