will the bu-353 work for me???

JackMan · 11-09-2005, 04:16 PM

Hey everyone, I've spent the last few days scanning this forum for all your gps tips and tricks.. I've recently become very interested in GPS and I was wondering if the bu-353 would work in my car with my laptop. I have a 1970 Chevelle, and I want to hide the mouse maybe on the back window, but it's got quite a large one so would it likely get a good signal? I know many people have gotten good luck with them inside their car, but it seemed like a small amount. I don't want it to be outside the car because it's a show car and I want it to look stock from the outside.

The laptop I plan on using is a hp pavilion with a 15 inch widescreen mounted above the center console. I am also curious to know if there is any software you can download for free that will work well with the mouse. If there isn't, that's fine I'll just go the iguidance route. But if there is anything I could use to try it out, I'd be very happy to hear about it! I've got a bu-353 on order off of ebay right now, and if it doesn't work in the car.. then I will have to find a way to hide it but put it outside.. any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! thanks

edit: On another topic, which handheld gps unit would be handsdown, the best for aviation? I recently got my pilots lisence and I've heard really good things of Garmin, but all the models seem to look alike to me right now (a newb to gps). If anyone has had experience with using GPS while flying (not as a primary source for how to get to your destination, but just for a neat flight logging tool) I would greatly appreciate info on either of these topics I've written about!!

p.s. - seeing how this is my first post, I just want to add that this forum is awesome! I've really enjoyed browsing it!!

gt__1 · 11-09-2005, 04:34 PM

you should have no problems the the gps mouse I dont have that model
but it has the new chipset in it and is more powerful. There are no free gps programs and i use IGuidance works fairly well i have a few problems finding locations at times but that is because in the program it is under a different area.

Where are u located?

JackMan · 11-09-2005, 04:36 PM

that's great news! thanks for the reply

I live in Hamilton Ontario.. I'd be totally willing to buy iguidance, I was just hoping there was a way I could try before I buy kinda thing! lol

gt__1 · 11-09-2005, 04:41 PM

I too live in Hamilton that is interesting

JackMan · 11-09-2005, 04:43 PM

it's a small world!

gt__1 · 11-09-2005, 04:46 PM

Jack you have PM

roadhog · 11-10-2005, 12:39 AM

My BU353 works fine in the top side of my dash. It's sitting on top of an air duct and consistantly gets 9 satelites through the plastic of the dash and windscreen. I have also used a TomTom wired GPS in a similar position and got good results. I understand that most GPS receivers don't work too well through heated windscreens though.

JackMan · 11-10-2005, 01:55 AM

Awesome! Thanks for the reply, I can't wait to get this thing from UPS next week!!

Soooo excited.. still looking for software that can be used for in flight logging.. Then again, I don't know if this would work at high altitudes.. or maybe it would work better with better view of the satilites? haha, I'm a newb.. if it doesn't work in the plane, it will work great in the car I'm sure

mmdb · 11-10-2005, 04:31 AM

I have the same unit. It's awesome. I get 9 satillates in my room. GPS will be able work at all altitudes. Have fun with it!

JackMan · 11-10-2005, 10:41 AM

omg! best forum ever! Can't wait to test it in flight

thanks for all the help
You guys have been extremely helpful!

roadhog · 11-10-2005, 09:31 PM

I think there is something in the insructions (don't have them to hand atm) about the receiver working up to 18,000 feet. I imagine that will be ample for most private flying.

I assume that the higher you get harder it is to trianglate (3d fix) your position.

pip · 11-10-2005, 09:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by roadhog

I think there is something in the insructions (don't have them to hand atm) about the receiver working up to 18,000 feet. I imagine that will be ample for most private flying.

I assume that the higher you get harder it is to trianglate (3d fix) your position.

Actually, its 18,000 metres...or 60,000 feet.

JackMan · 11-10-2005, 10:49 PM

haha wow! well I only have my private pilots lisence as of now (for now anyways!) so the planes I fly don't have pressurized cabins so I can't fly over 13000 ft for more than half an hour before I suffer from hypoxia (you eventually pass out because you don't have enough oxygen at that height, hahahaha, basically no sane person who wants to live would fly that high.. so it will work great!!!!!!). I'll only be using this for under 10,000 ft. Can't wait to post some pics once I get my gps mouse in the mail! I got a cross country flight on friday. I only hope the mouse makes it to my house by then, it would be really neat to document the flight and post some pics of it! Thanks again guys, I really appreciate your opinions!

roadhog · 11-10-2005, 11:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by pip

Actually, its 18,000 metres...or 60,000 feet.

That's Blackbird territory then I reckon.

As to logging your trip, if you haven't already found out iGuidance can record your GPS data, so you can simply play back your movements in real time.
On to free stuff, try PocketGPSWorld. As the name suggests, it is heavily slanted at Windows CE/Mobile, but there is a freeware PC app halfway down the list.

JackMan · 11-11-2005, 11:05 AM

thanks for the info guys

I'm going to try all the pc ones roadhog! Thanks again