Cheapest GPS possible?

dagnasty · 01-09-2006, 01:31 PM

What's the cheapest USB or com port gps solution available. It doesn't seem like a simple gps receiver should be more than 50 bucks. I've looked everywhere but was hoping one of you might know of something cheaper than what I've found, which is a 50 dollar USB GPS receiever on ebay.

Scouse Monkey · 01-09-2006, 01:48 PM

second hand. I got a bu303 for £20. few mods and they work much better too when you have some cash to spare.

JackMan · 01-09-2006, 01:59 PM

The more expensive ones have new chips to let them get better locks on the sats. Right? You might be able to find one cheap, but in the end you get what you pay for to a degree. Mine was $75 USD on ebay (bu-353) but for what I got in the end, it was definately worth the money. It never loses signal, even in the big city. Good luck

Scouse Monkey · 01-09-2006, 02:09 PM

well to put a $75 gps price into perspective look at how much hte next step up is (U-blox) - $300+

JackMan · 01-09-2006, 02:12 PM

That's what I was thinking about..

dagnasty · 01-09-2006, 04:33 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Holux-GM-210...QQcmdZViewItem

this is the one I've been looking to get in the future. Anyone had any experience with it?

kuo · 01-09-2006, 04:40 PM

I have a gm-210. I also have a bu-303. The gm-210 i have on my rear shelf under glass with defroster and radio antenna built in. I usually get 5 or 6 sats. With the bu-303 i could only get 2. The bu-303 works fine under the front windshield though. $24 seems really cheap for the gm-210. i think i paid $75 for mine.

dagnasty · 01-09-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by kuo

$24 seems really cheap for the gm-210. i think i paid $75 for mine.

25 dollar shipping. I hate how people put their shipping high and sell price low to get better listing when 'sort by price' is chosen. It's really dirty...

b8bboi · 01-09-2006, 04:51 PM

I have that one and it's been fine. Occasionally, it'll take a while (5 mins) to get locks. Also, it doesn't work in mall garages. I bought mine for $50, too.

I'd spend $25 more and get the bu-353 (or any new receiver with sirf III) though.

dagnasty · 01-09-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by b8bboi

I have that one and it's been fine. Occasionally, it'll take a while (5 mins) to get locks. Also, it doesn't work in mall garages. I bought mine for $50, too.

I'd spend $25 more and get the bu-353 (or any new receiver with sirf III) though.

Since it's not a necessity I am only wanting to pay the least amount possible. Get lost in mall garages often? Reminds me of seinfeld

xBrady · 01-09-2006, 07:39 PM

I think the cheapest place is the get them on Ebay. The BUB 303 is what I got (was def. the cheapest when I got it) and I paid $55 for it (brand new).

Spaghetti · 01-09-2006, 07:55 PM

I got the Holux GR-213 SIRF III star for £47 (probably around $74) all-in off ebay from a supplier in HK. Came marked as gift too, just in case customs comes sniffing.....
Works great - I get 11 sats with it just sitting in the house. Personally I'd pay a little bit more to get something decent

JimmyFitz · 01-09-2006, 10:54 PM

The model I have (Royaltek RBT-3000) originally cost $299, I got it in May 2004 for $199. Now it sells for $100. There are models now that are better at maintaining fix and go for $75 or less new. They are cheap now, relatively speaking.

dagnasty · 01-10-2006, 12:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Spaghetti

Works great - I get 11 sats with it just sitting in the house. Personally I'd pay a little bit more to get something decent

Decent? What's wrong with the cheaper ones? The more expensive ones are better at certain things, but doesn't the cheaper ones do the job of pulling coords just fine? In what situations are they not so great?

Bryan Greer · 01-10-2006, 12:38 AM

I got the Misrosoft Streets and Trips 2006 with the Pharos GPS puck. works really well provided you have a spare USB 2.0 port. I used to use a Magellan handheld, it worked well too but the puck is easier to connect. Also if you are using XP, the Microsoft offering gives you voice directions as well. not bad for $150.00 cdn. I would recommend this poduct because i have had no issues with it and the maps seem to be relatively accurate. the GPS puck with Sirf3 works pretty well considering it is also WAAS enabled, accuracies are very good in my area even in the concrete jungle downtown to within abiout 15 ft. It even shows lane changes accurately. Just my 2 cents worth.