The following is retyped from a report that is included in the sales
package for Silva GPS equipment sent-out by one disributor.
========================================================================

                         SEARCH AND RESCUE

                Stephenville, Kippens, Port au Port
                           P.O. Box 564
                         Stephenville, NF.
                             A2N  3B4

           Subject :  Global Positioning Systems  (GPS)

            ** Testing of these units

  Unit Tested :  (Random order)

  1.  Garmin  # 45		2.  Magellan (Trail Blazer)
  3.  Apeleco  # 15		4.  Trimble Ensign XL
  5.  Magellan NV5000DLX	6.  Magellan Meridian XL
  7.  Trimble ScoutMaster	8.  Silva XL1000


GPS #	Feel In Hand	Acquisition Time	Holds Satellites
						OPEN	CANOPY
  1    	    E			F		  G	  F
  2	    F			F		  G	  F
  3	    F			F		  G	  F
  4	    G			G		  G	  F
  5	    F			G		  G	  F+
  6	    F			F		  G	  F
  7	    E			G+		  G	  G-
  8	    E			E		  E	  E


GPS #	Battery Life	Position Accuracy	Temperature	Weight
  1	     P			G		     F		  E
  2	     F			F		     F		  G
  3	     F			F		     F		  G
  4	     G-			G		     F		  G
  5	     G-			G		     G		  P
  6	     F			G		     F		  G
  7	     G			G		     G-		  G+
  8	     E			G+		     E		  G+


GPS #	SCREEN	Field Card	BUILT IN COMPASS	COMPANY HELP
  1    	  G	   NO		      NO		     F
  2	  F	   NO		      NO		     F
  3	  G	   NO		      NO		     F
  4	  F	   NO		      NO		     F
  5	  G+	   NO		      NO		     F
  6	  F	   NO		      NO		     F
  7	  G-	   YES		      NO		     G-
  8	  E	   YES		      YES		     E


  *** Ratings for the above GPS information:
		E -- Excellent
		G -- Good
		F -- Fair
		P -- Poor

** Note :  These ratings are compiled by us and I am sure that some of the
	   companies would disagree; however we were looking for a machine
	   that would suit us regardless of who made it.

** OVERALL RATINGS :
		-We will now rank order the machines according to our
		preferences.  Taking into account the features WE were
		looking for.  * The best machine will be ranked first
		and so on down the line.

	FIRST   -----  SILVA XL1000
	SECOND  -----  TRIMBLE SCOUTMASTER
	THIRD   -----  MAGELLAN NV5000DLX
	FOURTH  -----  APELECO # 15
	FIFTH   -----  TRIMBLE ENSIGN XL
	SIXTH   -----  GARMIN # 45
	SEVENTH -----  MAGELLAN MERIDIAN XL
	EIGHT   -----  MAGELLAN TRAIL BLAZER
     Conclusions of our testing and our feelings on why we decided the
way we did.
     When we decided to test for "waterproof" we first had to put our
definition to it.  Waterproof - when a machine is dropped into any water/
snow and left for a short period of time (2-5 min.) you should be able to
pick it up, clean and dry as best you can, and it should now function.
To this end only only 1 met that means; some companies were hesitant when
I asked if I could drop their machine in water.  * Batteries - we tested
3 types (1. Duracell 2. Energizer   3. Pure Energy (rechargeables)  ).
All 3 are alcaline.   ** When Duracells were in the machine it began to
sink, the others OK.  ** Their Life span - the best was the Pure Energy
(it was also the cheapest).  ** We purchased them in units (each came
with 1 charger, 4 batteries in charger, and 3 additional packs all for
only $19.95 + tax.

     As far as the actual functional use of the machines in the field
we found when you approached or got into the trees most lost completely
their satellites some would skip in and out; only the Silva XL1000 held
its satellites.  Only 3 units could be addapted to some sort of Digitizer
(Magellan NV5000DLX, SoutMaster, Silva XL1000) of these we liked the Silva
Navimaps an affordable compact unit which would interface with the GPS.
* You could also buy Computer software for the 3 units above.

     In all we are quite confident that we chose the best machine for
what we wanted; and feel assured that at this time it is the best GPS
on the market.

	Gerry Clark, Coordinator
	S'ville, Kippens, Port au Port
	Search and Rescue