Help me pick a GPS receiver? (GR-211?)

numbers · 05-16-2005, 07:46 PM

I did find a few threads asking basically the same question, and was also surprised to not see a sticky or poll or something to show what everybody here likes in the way of GPS receivers. What I'm really asking about is the Holux GR-211. From my own research and limited knowledge this one seems to be pretty cool. Any opinions on it? Bad idea? Is there a "better" one to pick? All the various specs confuse me. WAAS and EGNOS and Sirf and xtrac and DGPS - I don't know what any of that stuff means or how it should affect my choice. 10-15-20 meters seems to be a standard accuracy. Is that really about as good as it gets? I had always thought GPS could get as close as just a couple of meters.

My requirements are pretty usual, I believe. It would be nice to have a unit with both serial and usp capability, but I'd prefer usb if I had to choose either. I'd like the option to mount it outside the vehicle. I'm sure I'd have other preferences if I knew what all the specs meant and whatnot.

Those who have been nice enough to read this far - I thank you.

Bugbyte · 05-16-2005, 08:07 PM

I did a search on "Best GPS receiver" and found the following with numerous member testimonials: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...t=gps+receiver

Here's another one from the same search terms: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...t=gps+receiver

Here's one on the Holux-210 that turned up under the same search terms: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...t=gps+receiver

In that same set of terms I turned up a comparison table that lists all of the major GPS receivers and documents their performance: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...t=gps+receiver

Here's more member responses to the "best GPS question" from the same search terms: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...t=gps+receiver

numbers · 05-16-2005, 08:39 PM

Thanks for replying. Don't bother with searching. I already tried. I'm not really interested in the "best gps receiver" so to speak, and that seems to be the popular question. It's more like I'm ready to buy the GR-211 and wanted to pick up any comments that anybody may have about it before I go ahead and get it. I also threw in a few random questions, but mostly I'm just asking for the input that even the search function cannot provide.

Bugbyte · 05-16-2005, 10:06 PM

Well, I did another search on "GR-211" and found this thread by somebody who owns a GR-211: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...ghlight=gr-211

What search terms were you using?

numbers · 05-17-2005, 03:52 PM

Same term as you. I found that thread and one other. Doesn't seem like many people have had any experience with it. That's the only thing keeping me from getting it. All the reviews say it's great. I just prefer to hear it straight from the forums.

numbers · 05-21-2005, 04:22 PM

Last chance for any input. Speak now or forever hold your peace.

sanbas · 05-21-2005, 04:28 PM

i dont know about that one but i use the rikaline 6010 (the USB one) and it works PERFECT, cost me $50 on ebay new.

If mine every messes up in the future for any reason i wouldnt hesitate to buy the 6010 again.

Marvin Hlavac · 05-21-2005, 07:22 PM

GR-211? Why not GR-213? It will be much better and it will likely hit stores soon ;-)
http://www.holux.com.tw/Temp%20web/GR-213.html

shotgunefx · 05-25-2005, 03:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Marvin Hlavac

GR-211? Why not GR-213? It will be much better and it will likely hit stores soon ;-)
http://www.holux.com.tw/Temp%20web/GR-213.html

Looking at the GR-213, I don't see DGPS mentioned. Does it not support it?

Marvin Hlavac · 05-25-2005, 06:16 AM

The only thing I know about the 213 is what's written on the Holux website. But for car navigation I personally don't worry about things like DGPS, WAAS, etc.

shotgunefx · 05-25-2005, 12:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Marvin Hlavac

The only thing I know about the 213 is what's written on the Holux website. But for car navigation I personally don't worry about things like DGPS, WAAS, etc.

I've been thinking about getting the GR-211 for awhile. Now that the carpc is finally in, I need to pick something up. I live on the coast and my understanding is that DGPS is going to make a big difference in accuracy.

I guess what I'm asking more is, I see that the 213 tracks more satellites, but any other major benefits?,

kai445 · 05-25-2005, 12:58 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by shotgunefx

I guess what I'm asking more is, I see that the 213 tracks more satellites, but any other major benefits?,

GR-211 = SIRFstarIIe/LP
GR-213 = SIRFstarIII

Anything based on the SirfIII architecture is going to be wayyy better in terms of accuracy, time-to-fix, and keeping a fix under typically bad conditions (dense foliage, indoors(!) canyons).

Here is a quite detailed review of all the new GPS chipsets:
http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=143&page=1

"With SiRFIII, GPS requires less "work", for instance, you no longer need to choose between waiting 2 minutes when you leave a parking garage in the morning to get a fix or risk driving around for 10 minutes without one, now you'll generally get a fix in 45 seconds in both situations ."

A list of all current SIRFstarIII recieivers is on page 9:
http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=143&page=9

shotgunefx · 05-25-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kai445

GR-211 = SIRFstarIIe/LP
GR-213 = SIRFstarIII

Anything based on the SirfIII architecture is going to be wayyy better in terms of accuracy, time-to-fix, and keeping a fix under typically bad conditions (dense foliage, indoors(!) canyons).

Here is a quite detailed review of all the new GPS chipsets:
http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=143&page=1

"With SiRFIII, GPS requires less "work", for instance, you no longer need to choose between waiting 2 minutes when you leave a parking garage in the morning to get a fix or risk driving around for 10 minutes without one, now you'll generally get a fix in 45 seconds in both situations ."

A list of all current SIRFstarIII recieivers is on page 9:
http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=143&page=9

Thanks, that's what I was looking for. Though I'm still confused on wether the newer ones support DGPS. I don't see it mentioned there or on holux's site. I would think living < 1000 ft from the coast (and spending all my time on the coastline), I'd want it. From what I've seen the DGPS specs are always much finer than the other measurments unless I'm mistaken.

kai445 · 05-25-2005, 01:28 PM

It has no DGPS capability unfortunately, but it seems to be a non-issue when you look at the specs and detailed review of it.

The SSIIe/LP has WAAS and is less accurate than the SSIII (which has no WAAS). I doubt that DGPS will help all that much while driving... more like boating far offshore or flying a plane.

shotgunefx · 05-25-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kai445

It has no DGPS capability unfortunately, but the BT-338 is apparently the first SS3-chip based GPS to support WAAS... so for accuracy I'd say it would be unmatched.

So it's not just me.

Maybe I'll go with a GM-210 or GR-211 in the meanwhile and upgrade later. The 210 I can see is larger and consumes more power, but it's pretty cheap and appears to stack up accuracy wise.