I have a big question about BU-353 (USB GPS receiver)

**GPS_guy** · 10-05-2006, 03:20 PM

When I am using laptop with GPS, it doesn’t work very well. When I used integrated GPS in a car it worked just good, but laptop + GPS set, doesn’t work as smooth as car unit. The problem is, laptop + GPS set works very slow, it looks like there is time delay (~5 sec) between what is happening on the road and what I see on the screen.

After reading this thread, I’ve found that USB unit works worst then serial unit (BU-355), but does it really that bad?
Serial vs. USB receiver

My question is: is my problem in USB? I have no other trouble except this “slow real-time” response.

Or maybe my laptop is too slow?
1st: Acer Celeron M 1.5 Ghz, 768Mb RAM, Intel graphics 128 MB, WinXP SP2 MS Streets and Trips 2006.
2nd: Dell P2 650 Mhz, 512 Mb RAM ATI Mobile 8 MB, Win2000 SP4 MS Streets and Trips 2006.
Two laptops with same problem.

Or is it buggy software: MS Streets and Trips 2006?

If some one is using similar configuration please post here, what you experience with this BU-353?

I am thinking that my receiver is defected and maybe I should exchange USB with Serial type, Help me please.

**DarquePervert** · 10-05-2006, 03:40 PM

There is nothing wrong with either the software or the laptop.
I have a BU353 GPS and have no problems with it.
Make certain teh COM port that the GPS uses is set to 4800 baud, 8 Data bits, 1 Stop bit, No parity.
Are you using the prolific serial-to-USB drivers? If not, hunt them down and find them, or install from teh CD that should have come w/ your BU353. They're easy to locate on the web.

The last possibility is a faulty or non-working unit. If you purchased new, it should be under warranty.

**GPS_guy** · 10-05-2006, 06:56 PM

Thanks for reply,

I followed instructions which were in manual.

Here is what i have:

COM4
Bits per second: 4800
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop bit: 1
Flow control: None

I used drivers from CD, and I tried drivers from their website,
same result.

Addition:
On website I found line which sad:
Chipset: SiRF Star III v3.1.1 firmware WAAS Enabled by default

But on my box it is written:
S/N *******
Ver: 3.2.2 09/06
WAAS Enabled default unit

Maybe this newer firmware (3.2.2) is worst then older (3.1.1) , maybe it doesn’t work very well. I am trying to say that my “bad” unit is different from your working unit.

**Marvin Hlavac** · 10-06-2006, 05:02 AM

The 3.1.1 is the firmware version (which I believe is the most current, but don't take my word for it). The 3.2.2 likely refers to the version number of the product.

Is it really ~5 sec delay you are seeing? One or two sec would be normal, but 5 wouldn't.

**GPS_guy** · 10-06-2006, 07:36 AM

Is it really ~5 sec delay you are seeing? One or two sec would be normal, but 5 wouldn't

It is defiantly more then 1-2 second, when MS Streets and Trips 2006 tells me: “in 0.2 miles turn right”, and by the time I hear that I already missed the turn

, my speed was about 35 mph.

I think I am going to return my GPS BU-353 and try BR-355 Serial GPS Receiver; maybe serial port will work better.