Bluetooth GPS

scandude · 04-25-2007, 08:29 AM

Hi

Sorry if this has been posted before

I have read a lot of the topics on the forums about Touchscreens, font-ends etc. but what I would like to know is.. most people seem to prefer a usb gps, is there any reason why I should go for one of these rather than a Bluetooth GPS?

The only reason I can see for a USB GPS is that I have phoco working with my Nokia N95, I can send a sms, answer the phone and surf the internet all through bluetooth and by purchasing a bluetooth GPS this may possibly affect the way phoco works.

Is there any other reason why I should go for a usb gps over bluetooth?

DarquePervert · 04-25-2007, 08:35 AM

Teh bluetooth GPS shouldn'a thave any impact on PhoCo whatsoever.

Bluetooth units require batteries that must be changed every so often or recharged, while the USB units are powered right from the USB bus.

Also, the bluetooth signals can cause noise in poorly-shielded audio cables.

zPilott · 04-25-2007, 09:51 AM

I have a BT GPS (DeLorme Eathmate) and while it isn't bad enough to get rid of, I would have gone USB if I had it to do over again. The main reason I went BT is because I wanted to use it with my pda, but after trying it out, I never did. The BT one also has memory that can track where you have been (if you are into hiking or jogging, etc) which is a pretty cool feature (if you actually use it).

The main problem is that it is just another point of failure. Now instead of one device working all the time (hibernate issues and all) you now have two. If I unplug the BT device the com ports come back with different numbers. The biggest problem though is that I have to leave it plugged in all the time to the car battery. If it would turn on automatically when it gets power, there would be no problem. However, the device I have requires you to HOLD the power button down for 2 seconds to turn it on after it loses power (i.e when the built in battery runs out). The built in battery only has 8 hours (according to the manufacturer) which means I can't just let it charge while the car is running.

So, I have it always connected to the car (with the Li-Po battery removed) and it mostly works, though it dos sometimes die when I crank the engine.

One nice thing is that you can get an external antenna for it, which you can place anywhere. The external antenna is smaller (and so it the cable) than the USB devices, so you have more options when mounting it.

scandude · 04-25-2007, 05:33 PM

I have a GlobalSat 338 which has a manufactors estimate of 18hrs but in all reality I get 13 or 14, this also uses a SIRF 3 chipset so I dont need an antenna, I use this device for tomtom on my nokia and windows mobile phones as well as the laptop and I do use it for walking around, so besides the problems listed above there is no other reason for getting a USB?

Cross_ · 04-25-2007, 06:12 PM

To simplify things: Bluetooth adapters generally have issues with hibernation.
They may or may not reconnect your GPS device and it may or may not be on the same COM port.