Globalsat BR-355 Mini-review

phc · 07-28-2005, 02:36 AM

Yesterday I received my Globalsat Serial SiRF Star III GPS Receiver (BR-355) from buygpsnow.com for just under $100 + shipping.

Well overdue upgrade from my DigiTraveler GPS (RadioShack close-out back in 2003). Most of the time the DigiTraveler wouldn't get any lock from under my dash, I would have to put it on top of the dash, anyway, its a POS. With the SiRF Star III chips just coming to market, I figured it was time to upgrade.

Now, I have the BR-355 under my dash in the same spot I used to have the DigiTraveler, getting 9-10 sats typical. Its basically going thru the glass (un-tinted) and a bit of plastic(dash). Its also bouncing around with my USB WiFi and my USB RF Wireless keyboard/mouse pickup.

I even get 3-4 sats in my garage.

Its a USB mouse type GPS, it has a mini-DIN (PS2-Mouse type) connector coming off the GPS and a short mini-DIN to USB adapter cable. Its tiny and has a magnetic bottom, for easy mounting.

No tunnels in my commute, but everytime I boot up, it knows where I am.

DRWeside · 07-28-2005, 08:53 PM

Just ordered one to replace a fooked Rikaline 1060. Don't forget to save the receipt in case the supercap decides to bite the dust.

Jon11582 · 08-02-2005, 02:25 PM

Was looking into getting this unit, or some other SiRF III unit. I noticed it came with the car adaptor - If you get the USB plug, is it powered via USB or do you need to attach the power adaptor as well(USB=Signal only)?

Anything bad about this unit yet?

BoyNextDoor · 08-02-2005, 07:51 PM

ordered mine today, so i'll see by the weekendwhat the difference is . I have a rikaline 6010 right now, and am going to try a side by side comparison.

DRWeside · 08-02-2005, 09:13 PM

Installed mine a few hours ago. I only ran it for a few minutes, but locking onto sats seemed instantaneous and I got 8 out of 8 birdies. Drove a few miles and the movement of the position cursor seemed smoother.

I can't provide a comparison with my old Rikaline since it crapped out. I managed to get my hands on one of those CMOS battery holders and soldered that onto the PCB of the Rikaline at the same exact spot where the battery/cap was. Made sure I had the correct polarities and tried a 3 volt battery. No luck.

phc · 08-03-2005, 03:05 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Jon11582

Was looking into getting this unit, or some other SiRF III unit. I noticed it came with the car adaptor - If you get the USB plug, is it powered via USB or do you need to attach the power adaptor as well(USB=Signal only)?

Anything bad about this unit yet?

Its still working fine, although once it took a while (2 min) for signal to lock, not sure why.

It comes with a USB to PS2 cable, all power comes thru the USB port, no external power required.

Jon11582 · 08-03-2005, 12:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by phc

Its still working fine, although once it took a while (2 min) for signal to lock, not sure why.

It comes with a USB to PS2 cable, all power comes thru the USB port, no external power required.

Let us know if the signal to lock keeps on taking that long in the next few uses. 2 min is pretty long. What was your cold lock time on your old GPS? Are you mounting the BR-355 in the same place as the old one?

CornFlake340 · 08-03-2005, 07:22 PM

Do you guys put the antenna on the outside of the car? It says waterproof but is it weather proof? Like could I run it out onto the trunk of the car and just have it there or?

BoyNextDoor · 08-03-2005, 07:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by CornFlake340

Do you guys put the antenna on the outside of the car? It says waterproof but is it weather proof? Like could I run it out onto the trunk of the car and just have it there or?

should be able to w/o any problems. I have a rikaline 6010, used it on the trunklid, and it got a nice lock, almost all the time, but it gave me def. better lock than inside. If you have the chance put it outside. The only reason i would ull it inside is winter. But thats it...

kickercivic1 · 08-03-2005, 07:57 PM

anything worng with rikaline 6010 ?? just wondering because you said you were getting this new on.

BoyNextDoor · 08-04-2005, 12:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kickercivic1

anything worng with rikaline 6010 ?? just wondering because you said you were getting this new on.

Nope. I'm going to pass this one on to my dad. I was highly satisfied with the rikaline. I always got at least 8/12 or more sats depending on the second variable (x/x) but it was a charm to work with. I highly reccomennd it to anyone. I'm only "upgrading" b/c i'm a tech junky. I like new stuff, and also i drive a lot in NYC, so big buildings sometime confuse the Rikaline down to 2D mode like 1-2 sats only. I'm hoping that improves...

Jon11582 · 08-04-2005, 06:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BoyNextDoor

Nope. I'm going to pass this one on to my dad. I was highly satisfied with the rikaline. I always got at least 8/12 or more sats depending on the second variable (x/x) but it was a charm to work with. I highly reccomennd it to anyone. I'm only "upgrading" b/c i'm a tech junky. I like new stuff, and also i drive a lot in NYC, so big buildings sometime confuse the Rikaline down to 2D mode like 1-2 sats only. I'm hoping that improves...

Id be really interested in how this works around here compared to the Rikaline, since I work in NYC and I live in the area. Let us know how the Globalsat works for you

phc · 08-05-2005, 02:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Jon11582

Let us know if the signal to lock keeps on taking that long in the next few uses. 2 min is pretty long. What was your cold lock time on your old GPS? Are you mounting the BR-355 in the same place as the old one?

Its been working solid since - I do have it mounted where my old one was, 50% of the time it never got a lock, I had to pull it out of the dash and put it on top if I was lost and needed it.

Its still not properly mounted, its just sliding around with the USB wifi. I keep meaning to devise a better mounting scheme.

BoyNextDoor · 08-05-2005, 07:05 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Jon11582

Id be really interested in how this works around here compared to the Rikaline, since I work in NYC and I live in the area. Let us know how the Globalsat works for you

hey man. Clifton is where i wan to move in a few months. I'll let you know asap

BoyNextDoor · 08-05-2005, 12:35 PM

DAMN!!!! DAMN!!! DDAAAAUUUUUUMMMMMM!!!!!

I just got it. Of course i couldn't wait to test it at home, so i installed it in my office. I have about a 3'X2' window, wich is about 1' thick. (the wall that is) Than on top of my office is the AC unit, and the Warehouse roof. So practicaslly a few things. AND i put it in the window, and guess what... 8/10! Frickin 8/10 satelites.

That is awesome. Don't even think for another second to buy this or not. WOW. GET IT ASAP!!! IT's AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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