navigation gps

On Patrol & TONI posted:

Sorry read 20 channels

Member - Mick O (VIC) posted:

Totally second what Colin has said. Mouse GPS receiver like the BU-353. I've been using mine with both Trackranger and Ozi. Works exceptionally well.

Cheers Mick

Member - JohnR (Vic) posted:

The GPS Mouse mentioned above is pretty good but if your laptop had Bluetooth, a Bluetooth GPS can connect without wires connecting the two. There are heaps of those around now too, using 20 channel SirF chipsets and all.

On Patrol & TONI posted:

John R
True no wires, however each and every bluetooth device needs batteries that have to be carried and more importantly have to be disposed of safely.
Also the long term cost is a concideration with batteries, that can add up.
And it's a bummer if you need a couple of batteries in the Deasert 400km from a shop. JMHO mate,
cheers Colin.

age posted:

On Patrol and TONI

Re your comment about Bluetooth GPS and batteries - is simply not right. Many Bluetooth GPS's these days come with a rechargeable Li battery - ie Garmin GPS10 uses a common Nokia phone battery, easily replaced if needed and recharged or run via 240v wall pack or 12 volt plug all supplied with the kit. Mine gets about 10 hours from a charge and recharges in about 2 hours.

Cheers

A

On Patrol & TONI posted:

age
my comment was about bluetooth devices in general, not just gps, and it remains correct. Your gps may be an exeption, but not ALL are.
Cheers, Colin.

On Patrol & TONI posted:

To all reading this thread,
A GPS10 costs $269, the antenna mouse costs $85-110.

A cable device that needs no battery & saves you $170+ no comparison.
Colin.

Member - Andrew (QLD) posted:

20, 22, 30 channels is irrelevant.....

Andrew

age posted:

On Patrol and Toni

I got my GPS10 (non bundled with software) for $117 delivered from Expansis in Melb to Brisbane 6 months ago. Look on Ebay there are plenty of Li-ion battery bluetooth GPS's for under $100

And agree with Andrew re channels - have a look at the satellite orbit path for the satellites above Australia and we would be lucky to have more than 12 at any given time in a usable spot for sound 3D fixes


Cheers

A

On Patrol & TONI posted:

Congratulations.

Member - JohnR (Vic) posted:

OP TONI, I have not paid over $100 for either of the two Bluetooth GPS I have bought. Nor have I bought a battery. The newer one has a phone battery and has a 5v charger that I have unbundled and have through a switch supplying power from the roof circuitry in the car, so no wires, no clutter and the powered LED I can see when I need. Heaps better than a wired mouse GPS.

Andrew, I agree that 20, 22, 30 channels are pretty irrelevent but having operative quality information isn't. I am more interested in 12 solid channels of data than getting a maximum of eight that was the case in the past. I know I can get to see what side of the road my car is on rather than one of the roads of a dual carriageway. The more channels of quality data, the more likely hood your position is correct on the GPS.

After all of that, I have now gone integrated and the Bluetooth is superfluous, but not in this discussion.