Just ordered this 5hz USB GPS Receiver

**kiru** · 09-20-2010, 01:37 AM

As I was getting sick of the the choppiness of GMPC with the BU-353, I set out to find a cheap 5HZ receiver to try out. I didn't want a BT one as this gps unit will always be in my car and BT ones tend to be larger. In my searches I came across this one, which seems to have pretty decent specs and is pretty cheap. Hopefully I will get it in the next few days and let you peeps know how it compares to the BU-353.

http://www.semsons.com/igmusbgpsre6.html

Product Description: GM-2 series is a cabled GPS solution with 55 x 63 x 16 mm in size. Equipped with antenna, back up battery GPS engine and onboard memory, it provides superior navigation performance under dynamic conditions in areas with limited sky view like urban canyons. High sensitivity up to -165dBm for weak signal operation without compromising accuracy. GM-2 is your best choice for cabled GPS applications.

# Lead-Free – RoHS/WEEE compliant
# Tracks 66-Channel of satellites
# Fast Position Fix
# Low power consumption
# USB interface
# LED indication for GPS status
# Build-in re-chargeable backup battery
# IPX7 waterproof

Product Specification:
# General: L1 frequcney, C/A code (SPS), 66 independent tracking channels
# Sensitivity: -165dBm /Tracking
# Update Rate: Up to 5Hz
# Accuracy: Without aid: 3.0m 2D-RMS <3m CEP (50%) without SA (horizontal)
# DGPS (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, RTCM): 2.5m
# Acquisition (open sky) (Cold/Warm/Hot) : 35/34/1.5 sec
# Reacquisition: < 1sec
# Dynamic: Altitude : 18000m (max.), Velocity : 515m/sec (max.), Acceleration :4G (max.)
# Supply Voltage: DC 5V
# Power Consumption: 40mA @ 5V / Tracking
# Backup Battery: Build-in
# NMEA Message: NMEA0183 v3.1 baud rate 4800/9600/... /57600, default 115200
# Selectable Output: GGA, GLL,GSA, GSV, RMC, and VTG
# Datum: Default WGS-84
# Antenna: Build-in 25*25*4mm patch antenna, right hand circular polarization, 50ohm
# Mac support: Yes
# Connector: USB type A male
# Dimension:57 x 64 x 16(H) mm max

I never really heard of the I-Blue brand, so hopefully i choose the right thing, as I only used specs to make my decision.

**Chester** · 09-20-2010, 07:41 AM

That looks like the 5hz version of the USB puck I have in my carpc. Works flawlessly, picks up all the satellites it can, quick lock, never had a problem with it, even using win7 hybrid sleep.

**kiru** · 09-20-2010, 07:01 PM

Thanks for the info, can't wait to try it out!!!

**Marvin Hlavac** · 09-21-2010, 06:15 AM

Must be a new product, I haven't seen it before. Looks good. I'll likely order one for myself, and a couple more for a couple of friends so we can each test and share info...

I don't think it has a magnetic base, as the BU-353, and also the higher baud rate will be an issue for some applications. But it should work with GMPC fine.

I wonder if it is possible to switch from 5Hz down to 1 Hz via a software utility.\

__________________
Laptop GPS World

**kiru** · 09-21-2010, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Marvin Hlavac

Must be a new product, I haven't seen it before. Looks good. I'll likely order one for myself, and a couple more for a couple of friends so we can each test and share info...

I don't think it has a magnetic base, as the BU-353, and also the higher baud rate will be an issue for some applications. But it should work with GMPC fine.

I wonder if it is possible to switch from 5Hz down to 1 Hz via a software utility.

Reading on some of the forums on people having issues with Street Trips and a 5hz receiver. They are using GPS gate to filter the NEMA information to slow it down somehow. The cool thing about GPSgate is that you select which port to filter only. Since I have GPS Gate I will try it and report back, as I want GMPC and S&T to work.

**Marvin Hlavac** · 09-22-2010, 05:29 PM

Kiru, the software version of GMPC should work with this unit right out of the box, but S&T will require 1. GpsGate to convert the baud rate down to 4,800, and 2. you will have to switch from 5Hz down to 1Hz (else S&T will display your GPS location with a long delay).

__________________
i-Blue GM-2 USB GPS Receiver

**kiru** · 09-23-2010, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Marvin Hlavac

Kiru, the software version of GMPC should work with this unit right out of the box, but S&T will require 1. GpsGate to convert the baud rate down to 4,800, and 2. you will have to switch from 5Hz down to 1Hz (else S&T will display your GPS location with a long delay).

I finally got the receiver today and installed it in my car. GMPC runs ALOT smoother, and I got Street Trips to work pretty decent with these settings I found:

http://forum.gpsgate.com/topic.asp?T...reet,trips,5hz

I didn't have that much time to test today, so I will report back when I go for a longer drive and see actually how well S&T can work this receiver through filtering with GPS Port. But all I can say, with my limited testing, GMPC is leaps and bounds better with this receiver

**Marvin Hlavac** · 09-23-2010, 10:29 AM

Thanks for sharing! Did GMPC work w/out changing any settings of the receiver, and/or even w/out GPS Gate?

__________________
Laptop GPS World

**checksum** · 09-23-2010, 11:57 AM

Does it work with iGuidance 2009?

**kiru** · 09-23-2010, 07:13 PM

Okay so further testing on the way home from work, and this is what I noticed:

GMPC
- on full zoom, it still moves backwards a little, but is very acceptable compared with BU353.
- If I zoom out a notch from full, the backwards movement is virtually gone, but it you really pay attention, you can still notice it a very little bit
- Maybe a good excuse to look for a 10HZ receiver

- I did not have to change any settings in GMPC for this receiver to work, it just picked it up through the settings and worked right away
- Tried using it without GPS Gate, and same thing, worked without a hitch

Street Trips
- unfortunately it still has a delay, when I first tried it for a few seconds, it worked great but after using it today for roughly 10 mins, the delay is unacceptable, and unusable.
- At first I set GPS Gate wrong and forgot to save the settings to delay the data at 1 burst per second, but after getting this setting right, I actually didn't pick-up any satellites and it doesn't work. So the link I posted DOES NOT WORK (or at least for me) I will keep trying and hopefully with a little trial and error, I might be able to tweak GPS gate to work with S&T

As for Iguidance - I don't have this program so cannot test. But next I will try to see if this receiver works with Destinator (as I use centrafuse for my front end)

This receiver does come with software to change the frequency from 1-5HZ, but I do not want to change it every time to use S&T, as I use gmpc a lot more, and to me S&T is just a nice to have.

More testing to come!