I recently spent £45 on a wired GPS, but later found out that the wizard is only compatible with bluetooth GPSs.
Are all Bluetooth GPSs compatible with the wizard? I just want to make sure before I buy one.
Yes I think you won't have a problem as long as it's bluetooth.
I'd recommend going for a decent GPS device even if it costs a little extra.
You must get a Sirf III model, as they give better reception.
The best one of these is the GlobalSat BT-338 GPS Receiver.
Check out a new review here:
http://www.mtekk.com.au/tabid/54/ar...ticleId/665/GlobalSat-BT338-GPS-Receiver.aspx
After some comparison tests with two different Garmin device models, the BT-338 performance simply knocks the socks off the others. This unit is very easy to use, very affordable and has exceptional signal sensitivity. The BT-338 works flawlessly with my XDA Atom (running WM5.0) and OziExplorer CE. Battery life is terrific, as my last trip of 12 hours return didn't see the BT-338 indicate low battery at all.
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Hi,
I have an i-Blue GPS receiver for my Wizard model. It bonds and works flawlessly so far. I use it with iGuidance software from iNav. The latest bugfix on the iNav site fixes a minor 3D display issue.
I choose the iBlue over the Global because I liked that it wakes and sleeps automatically and in sleep mode it gets several hundred hours of stand by time and 30 hours of use time. So far I have used for the last 7 days and have not seen a low batt warning at all. It just sits in my vehicle asleep and when I switch to my car profile turning on BT it does not wake up until I start the iGuidance software which is nice!!! I like it a lot.
I was going to use the tom tom software but after seeing the hoops you have to jump through to get it installed on the Wizard I went with the iGuidance software. Mind you its not that tough to install but I just did not want to pay good money to have to jump around to get it working on my handheld. Take care and I really am enjoying the nav features the software provides.
Hey everyone. I've got a Cingular 8125 with a Belkin bluetooth GPS receiver. I typically use IGuidance for mapping and navigation purposes. I'm starting to train for a half marathon coming up in October. I'd like to use some software that will record my runs in terms of time and distance. It needs to work whether or not I'm on a road because I'm offten running trails and the like. I already use my 8125 with an armband for music and carrying the GPS receiver won't be that much of an issue. I just would like to be able to better track my total distance and time if possible. Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance!
gps dash will allow you to record distances, times, altitudes etc and show them on google earth when you get home. I've used it for a while and its very accurate, you can even add your own maps
theres a demo to test but it works fine on my wizard
http://wimobi.com/gpsdash/overview.ppc2.php
R
It was a few days ago that I’ve published some test results of the HTC Wizard (a.k.a. i-mate K-Jam, T-Mobile MDA Vario, Qtek 9100, MDA Vario, XDA mini S, SPV M3000, VPA Compact II, Dopod 838), Bluetooth and infrared power consumption-wise. Now, the HTC Universal follows suit.
Bluetooth
First and foremost, the case of the Universal seems to be very similar to that of the Wizard: that is, it’s almost impossible to measure the additional power consumption of the Bluetooth module. The difference between the switched on and the switched off case was 1% (at most!) a day (if at all).
This, incidentally, corresponds to my measurements of the BT unit with the PDA switched on. According to my measurements, the BT unit burns between 1 and 2 mA’s in those cases. This, as the device has a 1620 mAh battery, corresponds to between 800 and 1600 hours battery life alone - that is, not taking into account the need to power the dynamic RAM, which is pretty much the same as with the HTC Wizard, which is around 1.25 mWh corresponding to about 2% battery level drop/day (don’t forget that the Wizard has a smaller, 1250 mAh battery; this is why it had a bigger, 2.5% battery charge level drop figure).
Infrared
The same stands for the infrared unit: when switched on, the device consumes about 1% more a day (as opposed to about 1.5% on the Wizard; again, the latter is because of the smaller battery used in the Wizard) – that is, the power consumption of the unit is around 0.8 mWh (just like with the Wizard).
Again, with Pocket PC Phone Edition devices, the Bluetooth and the infrared unit is always on, as opposed to "plain" Pocket PC devices, and actively listen to incoming requests. This is why a desktop Windows device (for example, a notebook equipped with an infrared port and running Windows XP) notices Pocket PC Phone Edition devices at once as an infrared modem (see this screenshot) - or, for that matter, any WM5+ non-Phone Edition Pocket PC devices when not suspended (again, the wireless units of non-Phone Edition Pocket PC devices are only activated when they are on, as opposed to Phone Edition devices).
This is certainly very good news and shows the two devices may use exactly the same Bluetooth / infrared modules & hardware drivers & for example code to listen to incoming infrared requests.
How much power does the GSM radio consume?
Incidentally, I’ve also run a lot of tests to correctly measure the power consumption of the phone module itself with a removed SIM card (to avoid for example incoming calls’ having an adverse effect on battery life; the device was all the time connected to the phone network to be able to start emergency calls any time). It’s about 9%/day at a given location.
Don’t forget that this value is pretty meaningless when used as an absolute measurement: on other locations (for example, far closer/farer from a cell center (with far better/worse radio field strength) the figures would have been entirely different. It’s, however, offers great relative measurement possibilities: I’ll measure the power consumption of my other Phone Edition devices to see whether their phone radio unit is better/worse, power consumption-wise. I’ll publish some Wizard-related results soon.
Verdict
All in all, it’s only when you almost never use your Universal as a PDA (that is, switch on the screen and run something) that there will be ANY difference in the battery life between the enabled and disabled wireless state.
If you switch on the PDA a lot, play games on it and/or receive/initiate many phone calls a day, the additional power consumption of the Bluetooth / infrared unit will be totally negligible. (Let’s point out again and again that the PDA unit in the Universal is really-really power-hungry. While the Wizard – or, for that matter, power-sparing devices like the Pocket Loox 720 or the HP iPAQ hx4700 – only need to be recharged every second or third day with moderate PDA use, the Universal needs to be recharged far more frequently if you often use it as a PDA.)
i disagree on it being power hungry as a pda
mine can go 2-3 days just fine if it receives moderate pda usage
so i would love to hear the exact mA measurements on this
Very interesting, thanks for that!
Could you also test power consumption of Wi-Fi in both "Best Performance" and "Best Battery" mode? That would be very interesting, as I'm guessing Wi-Fi uses a lot more power than IR or BlueTooth does!
cmonex said:
i disagree on it being power hungry as a pda
mine can go 2-3 days just fine if it receives moderate pda usage
so i would love to hear the exact mA measurements on this
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http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=1219&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
I was looking into getting a bluetooth GPS for my 8525, anyone have good suggestions as to which one is the best one to get?
Look for something with the SiRF Star III - There are quite a few with this chipset.
I have a Holux GPSlim236 and it works great for me, but it may have since been replaced with a different model, or you might like a different unit.
I recall there was one SiRF Star III-based unit that had built in solar cells for charging, but was a bit larger.
I ordered from semsons.com around a year and a half ago.
ooo the 236 looks really nice...what is G-Mouse? it says that its a bluetooth gps and g-mouse...also, does it drain the battery quick on the phone?
also, is the Holux M1000 any good?
Depends what your needs are. I don't use the full range of possibilities you can get with some of these devices. Some will internally store a host of settings data/plots etc etc.
My needs were simple. Something that was small - easily kept in the pocket, had a good battery life, Sirf Star III and easily set up with google maps / Tomtom etc.
After lots of searching I found the:
Navicore Slim Sirf Star III
It is quick to acquire a lOcked signal but the main benefit is its size - roughly that of a lady's lipstick and a similar shape. It is so small I have added a small sleeve to my TyTn case to hold it. So when walking I don't need to carry it in my pocket and it's always with me and my Tytn.
You won't get all the bells and whistles, but if it's to use with regular GPS applications it's great.
Mike
Specification:
* Tracks up to 20 satellites.*
* Receiver: L1, C/A code.
* Update rate: 1 HZ (max).
* Antenna Type: Built in Patch Antenna.
* Minimum signal tracked: -159dBm. *
* Dimensions: 64 x 22 x 15 mm.
* Weight : < 35g.
* On/off switch: slide switcher.
* 900 mAh Lithium-ion battery lasts for more than 8 hours of use.
* Operation Temperature: -10 0C to + 60 0C.
* Store Temperature: -20 0C to + 70 0C.
* Operation Humidity:5% to 95% No condensing.
* 3 Led Function: Bluetooth, navigation update and battery / charger status indication.
* Position accuracy - Non DGPS (Differential GPS): Position : 5 - 25 m CEP without SA.
* Velocity : 0.1m / sec. Time : 1 μsec sync GPS time.
* EGNOS / WAAS / Beacon: Position :< 2.2 m, horizontal 95 % of time < 5 m, vertical 95 % of time.
* Reacquisition: 0.1sec. Cold start: < 42 seconds. Warm start: < 38 seconds . Hot start: < 1 seconds.
*: SiRF's original chipset spec.
Navicore Slim SiRF III Bluetooth GPS receiver
Interface:
* Output terminal: Mini-USB (DATA I/O CMOS Level)
* NMEA protocol output : V 2.2
* Baud Rate: 38400 bps
* Data bit: 8
* Parity: N
* Stop bit: 1
* Output Format: Standard : GGA(1),GSA(5),GSV(5), RMC(1),VTG(1). Optional : GLL, SiRF Binary
* Compatible Bluetooth device with Serial Port Profile (SPP) Bluetooth version 1.2 compliant
* Bluetooth Class 2 operation (up to 3 meter range)
* Frequency : 2.400 to 2.480 GHz
* Modulation: FHSS / GFSK
* RF channels: 79
* Input sensitivity: -80dBm
* Output level: 4dBm
What's in the box?
* Navicore Slim SiRF III Bluetooth GPS receiver
* Software CD
* Car charger
* Quick-start guide
Some honest reviews here:
http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/12398-Navicore-Slim-SiRF-III-Bluetooth-GPS-Receiver-Reviews.htm
MTK chipsets works as well if not better.
im using a BT Q818
bapski said:
MTK chipsets works as well if not better.
im using a BT Q818
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I agree 100% the new MTK is really awesome. Check out www.ncix.com as they were having a sale on the i-blue 737 which has received several good reviews. All the sirfIII only posts are a little dated IMHO.
Here is the direct link if you are interested. (sorry if links aren't allowed)
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=23763&promoid=1055
yu130960 said:
Here is the direct link if you are interested. (sorry if links aren't allowed)
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Yes links are allowed so long as they are not blatant Spam or folk trying to sell their own goods / services for cash and of course that they are relevant to the subject in question.
Cheers
Mike
I dont recomend the Holux Bluetooth slim236 had 3 of them break within a year.
the device that has superseded it is very good. m1000 i think its called.
Personaly i wont buy a GPS device that doesn't have a physical power switch. a propper switch rather than button allows you to hard wire it to a car on ignision power and it will doesn't then need any interaction to turn it on for satnav when you startup the car.
(just my 2 cents worth)
I picked up this one from semsons.
http://www.semsons.com/im5blgpsre32.html
I had a Sirf Star III receiver which I lost. I see no performance difference Sirf and MTK chipsets
What sold me on this was is two things, 1) the amazingly long battery life 2) if you leave it on, it will go to sleep and automatically re-activate when a bluetooth connection is established.
I have had 0 problems so far, although it 'feels' as cheap as you can get
I just bought this sucker and can hardly wait for it to get here http://www.buygpsnow.com/WonderX-BT...o-OnOff)-(Your-Choice-of-Free-Mount)_900.aspx. If you download A-GPS data to it, it will get a fix in 5 seconds. The data is good for 7 days. Without the data, it gets a fix in less than 30 seconds. It also has 44 hours of battery life. That should come in handy on some of my longer canoe trips. I am replacing a Earthmate BlueLogger. It was a nice SiFRII unit, but it sometimes took a minute to get a fix with my wife complaining about us sitting in the drive not moving. It also only had 8 hours of battery life, so I would have to use a battery extender for long canoe trips.
Keep in mind that the GPS receiver is not much use without software and maps. You may need two programs with maps, one for street navigation definately and maybe a topographic navigation program. The first is self explanitory, the second is for GPS Cacheing, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, boating, off-road driving and etc. I use OnCourse Navigator 6 for street navigation and Memory-Map Navigator for topographic navigation. Unfortunately there is no perfect GPS navigation program. Depending on what you use it for another program may work better for you. Some additional street navigation programs are TomTom, iGuidance and Destinator to name a few. Topographic navigation has even has more choices. A few addtional topographic program to look at are OZIExplorer, BackCountry Navigator, Fugawi and GPSTuner to name a few.
I'm leaning on the Holux M1000
oh,,,
replaceable batteries is another major plus for me. rechargable batteries never keep their charge after a few hundred cycles, the m1000 and 236(mind) are easy to get batteries off ebay for less than a 10er. I keep a spare charged battery for when i go hiking with my phone and GPS.
I'm using Globalsat BT-359 it's also on Sirf Star III and I'm very happy with it. Never loses signal, accurate, battery time is enough for me, and car charger that also fits to TyTN is a nice addition
I have the Globalsat 359 that I use with my 8525 and TomTom PDA software and it works wonderfully. Also has the cheap replaceable battery and the battery life is forever long.
My 8525 doesnt work with the G-359 car adapter like the above posters did though.
Myself, I've liked the Garmin software since my iQue3600, so I picked up a Garmin GPS20SM. It does the Bluetooth GPS and provides Bluetooth hands-free (although it's a speaker, not a headset). Cyberion Voice Dialer works fine with it.
It also will charge the 8525 if you connect it, but the mini-USB cable needs the solder trick to ground pins 4 and 5 together.
It's portable between cars, but not suitable for hiking (it uses a cigarette lighter for power). I think that it will supposedly only work with Garmin software/maps, but I have gotten it to work with Google Maps. It uses the Sirf III chipset.
-- Joe
Malik05 said:
ooo the 236 looks really nice...what is G-Mouse? it says that its a bluetooth gps and g-mouse...also, does it drain the battery quick on the phone?
also, is the Holux M1000 any good?
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G-mouse is rather weird terminology for a USB tethered GPS. (Which happens to look like a USB mouse, hence the name.)
i.e. it can be used as a wireless BT GPS or as a USB GPS with a laptop.
Enabling bluetooth by itself will reduce battery life of the phone somewhat, but running whatever navigation software you're using will reduce the phone's life significantly more. External power for the phone is strongly reccommended. External power for the GPS is less important - it lasts quite a long time.
Another poster said he had reliability problems with the 236 and then slammed it for having a button instead of a power switch. I don't know what he had, but it wasn't a 236, as the GPSlim236 has a quite robust power switch (not button). I've had mine for a year and a half without problems.
lcohen999 said:
I picked up this one from semsons.
http://www.semsons.com/im5blgpsre32.html
I had a Sirf Star III receiver which I lost. I see no performance difference Sirf and MTK chipsets
What sold me on this was is two things, 1) the amazingly long battery life 2) if you leave it on, it will go to sleep and automatically re-activate when a bluetooth connection is established.
I have had 0 problems so far, although it 'feels' as cheap as you can get
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I just picked up an M3 on ebay for $33 shipped. Hope it works as well as an M5
Visiontac VGPS-700... i love it... it's small to the point that i can actually attach it via velcro to the back of my battery cover...
Methadras said:
Visiontac VGPS-700... i love it... it's small to the point that i can actually attach it via velcro to the back of my battery cover...
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is battery user replaceable though? when i was searching for my gps receiver, i shied away from receivers that were taunted to be either small or smallest as most of them if not all do not have user replaceable batteries.
just something to consider..
bapski said:
is battery user replaceable though? when i was searching for my gps receiver, i shied away from receivers that were taunted to be either small or smallest as most of them if not all do not have user replaceable batteries.
just something to consider..
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guess not..............
ei mates
apologies if this has been posted before. i was wondering what gps settings you guys use which in your opinion optimizes the gps application. i did read that comport 4 is normally used for the programs. may i ask what you guys use for the hardware? i noticed that setting comport 4 for BOTH software and hardware takes absolutely ages to get sat fixes. at the moment i'm using comport 4 for the programs and comport 5 for the hardware. anyone with better settings? and what's the baud rate that you use?
thanks and cheers
Hi there,...
I am not sure what you exactly requesting, but I am playing with the standard settings of WM6 and have a fix within 30 sek (maybe a little more sometimes).
This means:
GPS programmport = 4
GPS hardwareport = *not set* / baud 4800
By the way... this with the Radio Rom 1.50 !!! Think this also might be important. If you use older ROM you should this about flashing Radio maybe!
Find according ROMs here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=319993
Due to ActiveSync within every 2 days quickGPS is always up to date (mmh,.. ok most of time let me say)
Example using TT 6.030
Getting into car... activate TT (and GPS with it) and setting the target location.
Then I mount this Ameo in the car holder... this approx takes over all 30-60 sek. after this time TT has the fix, I can start navigation and startup.
Ofter heard about problems with the GPS, but I can not confirm.
Not exactly what you like to know, but maybe my experience is a little useful.
The problem could also be, that the chipset is not the Sirfstar one. So it could have some difficulties with connection in forests, among tall buildings etc...
thanks for the response. on what i'm after is the settings you put in your gps. i didn't upgrade my unit to wm6 nor do i have plans of doing so. with that i still use comport 4 for the programs and so far comport 5 seems to be give me around 30-45 seconds to get a sat fix. i was wondering if there are other comport settings for the hardware (coupled with the baud rate) that the others use...and works well with them.
thanks!