A GPS/Handi-Talkie Combo>  The Garmin GPSCOM-170
                 Review by Joe Mehaffey
                     (29 May 1998)

Garmin  has  a new GPS in a different form.  The G-170 is  a  new 
Marine GPS+RADIO communications unit in a single case.  This unit 
operates  from  a  common 7.2v 1800mah  NiCad  battery  and  will 
operate the GPS and Radio for approximately 3 hours (high  power, 
1.5  watts  output),  or 5 hours (low power).   The  radio  is  a 
standard   channelized  VHF  Marine  band  unit   with   standard 
USA/CANADA/International  75  channel capability.   In  addition,  
Weather Channels WX1 to WX10 are provided.  

Radio Functions:
The  Handi-Talkie  function is typical of similar  marine  radios 
with  a number of nice extras.  A line-of-sight calculator  gives 
the  operator  operating range information depending  on  antenna 
height  above the water.  Channel scanning is provided.   Calling 
channels 16/9 are supported.  A Weather Alert mode is  supported.  
The  Radio can be turned ON/OFF independently of the  GPS.   Dual 
Watch permit simultaneous monitoring of CH16 and another channel.    
Five memory banks of 10 channels each provide quick selection for 
different areas.  


GPS Functions:
The GPS incorporated into the GPSCOM-170 is essentially a  Garmin 
GPS-12XL.  There are small differences such as separate zoom keys 
(ala G-II+).  A built in patch type GPS antenna is provided along 
with a MCX connector for an amplified external GPS antenna.   The 
unit is equipped with a NMEA data port but uses a special GPS-170 
data  cable  assembly  which is unlike the G-12xl  cable  (as  it 
incorporates  GPS dat, external microphone and  external  speaker 
input  into  a  single cable assembly).   A  separate  charger/AC 
adapter  connector is provided.  For complete details on the  GPS 
features incorporated into the GPSCOM-170,  see the G-12XL review 
at http://www.bridge.de/~tom/garmin.htm 


Summary:   An  excellent  12 channel  parallel  GPS  receiver  is 
packaged with a conventional 1.5 watt VHF Marine Band  Communica-
tions  Radio.   This model is worth looking at if  a  combination 
GPS+Radio is needed.

Thanks:   To CommSystems Intermountain for the loan of a unit  to 
test:

Please send Comments,  Corrections and Additions to:

joe@mehaffey.us