| Author |
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Mikhail Teterin
Guest
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 Posted:
Sun Dec 05, 2004 3:47 am Post subject:
Are all Bluetooth GPS receivers "created equal"? |
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Hello!
I'm trying to chose a Bluetooth receiver to use with my laptop and,
possibly, a future PDA or cellphone (the current ones don't have
Bluetooth).
Choosing a unit seems difficult, but most sport nearly the same features --
NMEA v 2.20, identical hot/warm/cold sync times, etc.
Are they all "created equal" and I should just look for the lowest price, or
is there more to it?
Anything in particular about Leadtek "With XTRAC2 Firmware" or NAVMAN 4460?
The choice of software will have to come separately anyway as nothing is
commercially available for my operating system.
Thanks for any advice!
-mi |
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Brian Morrison
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Dec 05, 2004 9:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Are all Bluetooth GPS receivers "created equal"? |
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On Sat, 04 Dec 2004 17:47:40 -0500, in article
<1523637.PDR8HcvUaB@aldan.algebra.com> Mikhail Teterin
<usenet+meow@aldan.algebra.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Choosing a unit seems difficult, but most sport nearly the same features --
NMEA v 2.20, identical hot/warm/cold sync times, etc.
Are they all "created equal" and I should just look for the lowest price, or
is there more to it?
|
Well the sync times are all determined by the data rate of the GPS
navigation messages (for instance, 45 seconds is the average time to a
fix with valid ephemeris data because one message is 30 seconds long and
the average is thus (a half of 30) + 30) so you'll find it difficult to
decide on that basis.
NMEA compliance is expected too, otherwise it would be difficult to
interface properly to the external world (that's what standards are for!)
so again inevitably the units will all meet the same criteria.
Your real choice will depend on the RF performance of the GPSR (not easy
to compare without some careful research and reading of reviews) and the
quality of the embedded software that turns the Nav messages into
smoothed position information. For that you need to be sure you can update
this software yourself and you can probably get an idea of the
software support you will receive by looking at the support section of the
manufacturers' web sites.
It is also worth checking on the version of the Bluetooth spec that is
implemented, although most Bluetooth implementations interwork fairly well
there can be surprises and it is sensible to ensure that you have chosen a
unit that works with whatever you want to use it with.
--
Brian Morrison
please observe reply-to address |
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Mikhail Teterin
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Dec 05, 2004 9:45 pm Post subject:
Re: Are all Bluetooth GPS receivers "created equal"? |
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Brian Morrison wrote:
| Quote: | Your real choice will depend on the RF performance of the GPSR (not easy
to compare without some careful research and reading of reviews) and the
quality of the embedded software that turns the Nav messages into
smoothed position information. For that you need to be sure you can update
this software yourself and you can probably get an idea of the
software support you will receive by looking at the support section of the
manufacturers' web sites.
|
Thank you very much, Brian! Is there anyone in particular you would
"endorse" here?
-mi |
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Mikhail Teterin
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Dec 05, 2004 9:47 pm Post subject:
Re: Are all Bluetooth GPS receivers "created equal"? |
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Brian Morrison wrote:
| Quote: | Your real choice will depend on the RF performance of the GPSR (not easy
to compare without some careful research and reading of reviews) and the
quality of the embedded software that turns the Nav messages into
smoothed position information. For that you need to be sure you can update
this software yourself and you can probably get an idea of the
software support you will receive by looking at the support section of the
manufacturers' web sites.
|
Thank you very much, Brian! Is there anyone in particular you would
"endorse" here?
I am, somehow, subliminally interested in the following two models:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4668&item=5735134676&rd=1
and
http://www.mobileplanet.com/private/pocketpcthoughts/product.asp?pf_id=MP731112&dept_id=2350
Thanks!
-mi |
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Darren Griffin - PocketGP
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Dec 05, 2004 10:11 pm Post subject:
Re: Are all Bluetooth GPS receivers "created equal"? |
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Mikhail Teterin wrote:
| Quote: | Hello!
I'm trying to chose a Bluetooth receiver to use with my laptop and,
possibly, a future PDA or cellphone (the current ones don't have
Bluetooth).
Choosing a unit seems difficult, but most sport nearly the same
features -- NMEA v 2.20, identical hot/warm/cold sync times, etc.
Are they all "created equal" and I should just look for the lowest
price, or is there more to it?
Anything in particular about Leadtek "With XTRAC2 Firmware" or NAVMAN
4460?
The choice of software will have to come separately anyway as nothing
is commercially available for my operating system.
Thanks for any advice!
|
Battery life and user replaceable battery are worthwhile considerations.
FWIW the majority of BT receivers are much the same in terms of time to
first fix and sensitivity etc, those with XTRAC2 are better at holding on to
marginal signals but for in vehicle use with road navigation software I
wouldn't place that feture too highly.
Leadtek have produced som excellent BT units as have GlobalSat, Emtac and
Royaltek.
--
Darren Griffin
PocketGPSWorld - www.pocketgpsworld.com
The Premier GPS Resource for News, Reviews and Forums |
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Darren Griffin - PocketGP
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Dec 05, 2004 10:13 pm Post subject:
Re: Are all Bluetooth GPS receivers "created equal"? |
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Mikhail Teterin wrote:
I woul choose the Leadtek in preference to the Navman. A smaller receiver,
with rechargeable and user replaceable battery compared to the Navman's 3 x
AAA battery set-up.
--
Darren Griffin
PocketGPSWorld - www.pocketgpsworld.com
The Premier GPS Resource for News, Reviews and Forums |
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Brian Morrison
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Dec 05, 2004 10:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Are all Bluetooth GPS receivers "created equal"? |
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On Sun, 05 Dec 2004 11:45:14 -0500, in article
<1448211.vSIhDDBMD4@aldan.algebra.com> Mikhail Teterin
<usenet+meow@aldan.algebra.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Brian Morrison wrote:
Your real choice will depend on the RF performance of the GPSR (not easy
to compare without some careful research and reading of reviews) and the
quality of the embedded software that turns the Nav messages into
smoothed position information. For that you need to be sure you can update
this software yourself and you can probably get an idea of the
software support you will receive by looking at the support section of the
manufacturers' web sites.
Thank you very much, Brian! Is there anyone in particular you would
"endorse" here?
|
I don't have a BT GPSR and have not really looked into their technical
specs and user features. My comments were based on what I would look for
if I were in the market for one.
I see some other people have added some other suggestions and things to
think about. I agree about the battery related suggestions but would add
that the ability to supply external power easily should be considered too.
--
Brian Morrison
please observe reply-to address |
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Angus
Guest
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Mikhail Teterin
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Dec 07, 2004 5:51 pm Post subject:
Re: Are all Bluetooth GPS receivers "created equal"? |
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Angus wrote:
Did it come with decent software/maps for the PDAs? Thanks!
-mi |
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Angus
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:04 am Post subject:
Re: Are all Bluetooth GPS receivers "created equal"? |
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"Mikhail Teterin" <usenet+meow@aldan.algebra.com> wrote in message
news:bKqdndDd4aoGOijcRVn-rA@speakeasy.net...
It doesn't come with any software or maps. |
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