Help me choose a new BT GPS receiver

[Guest sponge]

http://www.pdamods.com/products.asp?cat=16

The top one looks to have a good spec, but I also like the slim TomTom ones. However, there are two and I can't tell if there is a difference. What do you think?

[Guest Confucious]

I think the two TomTom ones are the same, the description of the first one is the same but at the end it says (SIRF STAR IIi CHIP) - I think they edited the text of an old one and didn't do it properly then put it in correctly underneath! They are both the same price and I think the same thing. The TomTom one does look nice in the flesh. I've no idea about the top one though!

[Guest cfsnatch]

I'd be tempted by the top one, purely because of the claim to the number of satellites - though in practice I understand you'll never "see" more than something like 8 satellites at a time no matter how many the receiver can handle!

One that's not on the page is one I've got - it's the Fortuna Slim, which also uses the SIRF III chipset (it's the successor to the Fortuna Clip-On)...it's nice and small, performs well with TomTom on my MDA Compact and it uses what is essentially a Nokia battery. The other reason I chose it was because it can charge over USB and comes with a cigarette lighter attachment with a USB socket - handy to also charge the MDA Compact in the car! (as it would your C500)

I got it when there were basically no other SIRF III receivers out and it still doesn't appear to be available in that many places...it is very good and also small though.

[Guest trevormuk]

I bought one off ebay... £45 and works extremely well. Uses Nokia style phone batteries .. so can have a spare one fully charged on stand-by... not that I needed it. Took it to Italy on holiday ...used it every day to navigate to various places ... didn't need to change the battery, or even recharge it...

Bluetooth paired with my MDA first time, and worked first time with TomTom Navigator 5

HTH

[Guest sponge]

I have the Fortuna Clip-On atm and did stumble across the new 'slim' version. But then I saw the TomTom ones and I really like the look of them.

I'm also attracted by the claims on the first one, i.e. the satellite tracking. But like you say, you tend to only get half a dozens sats at any one time, well, I've never seen more.

On the issue of charging:

My Clip on has USB for car and home, but I notice the TomTom only states car. Does this mean I won't be able to charge it at home without buying a separate charger?

Edited August 25, 2005 by sponge

[Guest satansoft]

Hi there Trevormuk, I have an spv c500 and have been looking at gps recievers on ebay, but was unsure which were OK, could you tell me which unit you bought, and how easy it is to get going. Is yours the one with the blue and white picture of a globe on it?

Thanks for your help

[Guest trevormuk]

HI m8 ... this is the one I bought (although not from this seller).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLUETOOTH-GPS-UK-Plu...1QQcmdZViewItem

Works a treat... paid the phone with the GPS... and your away. Uses Nokia style batteries ... so if you have any old Nokias lying around (like I do since I moved to HTC's :) you can use them as spare batteries.

HTH

[Guest sponge]

I've just ordered one of these.

[Guest mavisdavis]

Sponge Where did you order it from mate. Im after a new one as My Fortuna has given up on me. It no longer charges and I can be arsed to send it back again..

[Guest sponge]

I eventually bought it from here.

I found it cheaper here and asked global to pricematch it. However, global only offer free postage on items over £100. So they pricematched @ £99.99, but then charged P&P @ £3.49. So in total it cost £103.48. Only slightly cheaper than gpsforless. :|

[Guest gpsgal]

You can also find a list of authorised Holux UK Dealers here - http://www.holux.co.uk/buy.shtml

The GPSlim 236 is a fantastic GPS Receiver, as the review will tell u that sponge posted previously - http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/gr236.php.

It also takes a standard BL-5C Nokia Battery if you ever need spares! 8)

[Guest sponge]

It arrived this morning. My first impression was it's made from very cheap plastic. Not as good as my previous Fortuna Clip-On.

The charger is very similar to the one supplied with the Fortuna, but the 'prongs' are vertical and not horizontal. So even with the adapter, which you need to use in the UK, the whole thing is sideways - doesn't inspire confidence.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/reviews/gr236/236_box.jpg

Technically, I can't comment yet. I only had 15 minutes to play and couldn't get it communicating with TomTom 5. Although, my C500 found it fine. Needs further investigation...

Oh yes, and the invoice. It differs to the one provided online. The total was £99.99, i.e. they didn't charge for P&P. I will have to check my credit card bill at the end of the month though.

Edited September 14, 2005 by sponge

[Guest chrisbpr]

i got a socket version from expansys for about £60 that works a treat..looks like they dont do it now but mobile fun are doing the same unit for about the same price.

[Guest sponge]

I just tried to install the GPSviewer that came with the device. I can't actually tell if it's designed for the PC or mobile device. It does seem to want to install something on a mobile device. But when I run the installation with my phone connected, it fails :shock: 'Not meant for this device' (C550) :evil:

Edited September 14, 2005 by sponge

[Guest gpsgal]

I just tried to install the GPSviewer that came with the device. I can't actually tell if it's designed for the PC or mobile device. It does seem to want to install something on a mobile device. But when I run the installation with my phone connected, it fails  :shock: 'Not meant for this device' (C550) :evil:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sponge,

From my experience the GPSViewer Programme will only run on Windows or Pocketpc. It is not yet Windows Mobile 2003 compliant.

What Sat Nav Software are you using?

[Guest sponge]

TomTom 5, but on my wife's C500, not on my C550. She's at work, so I can't try it yet.