Holux M-1000C Bluetooth GPS Data Logger Travel Recorder (Bluetooth, USB , 66CH, WAAS, 200k Waypoints, M1000c) Review

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(More customer reviews)I own a standalone Globalsat BT-338 receiver, have a built-in GPS receiver in my HTC Touch 3G mobile, and have a GPS enabled Garmin Forerunner 405 watch/running computer as well. I needed one receiver with long battery life and data logging capability on an affordable price, so I went for the Holux M-1000C. Comparing the reception and the stability of the receivers the built-in Sirf III receiver of HTC has mediocre, the Forerunner has good and the standalone Globalsat and Holux both have excellent sensibility.
The Holux gets fix quite quickly, usually in 30 seconds. It always helps if you don't move while it searches for the satellites, and once it gets fix it never loses again. In urban canyons, such as among the downtown high-rises the signal tends to bounce a bit in every direction, thus later I always modify the tracks with the so called 'clamp to the ground' function. It modifies the height vector based on Google Earth data and eliminates the vertical bouncing and produce a much more realistic elevation diagram - very similar to the barometric altitude meter results. Unfortunately the bound ezTour software doesn't offer this function, but for example the (ex-Motionbased) Garmin Connect web service or the free TCX Converter utility do it for you.
The logger function of the M-1000C is excellent. There are 4 preset modes for logging: car, bike, running, hiking. In hiking mode for example records a waypoint in every 3 seconds and in every 10 metres, while these values in bike mode are 5 seconds and 5 meters. But it is possible to set these values manually according your preferences as well. The memory is huge, 4 hours of running log (recording in every 5 seconds) occupies 1% of the memory only.
Handling is easy: you turn it on, wait for the GPS led blinking (meaning fix) and there you go. When you finished just switch it off. Later in ezTour you can see you track in Google Maps and it is possible to modify your tracklog, like delete unnecessary waypoints, moving waypoints etc too. Unfortunately you cannot see the map under your track while you in Track Editor mode, though editing your track is reasonable manageable. While ezTour will not be your primary GPS track managing utility it does the basic stuff.
The Holux M-1000C delivers why I bought it: it can record the track of a week long hiking (with some external charging solution or spare battery as the battery last 'only' 28 hrs in logger mode), and I can use it as a bluetooth GPS with my navigation software on my HTC mobile if the built in GPS receiver gives up and/or I want to record my track.
Oh, did I mention that you can geotag your pictures with it?

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Built in MTK MT3329 Low power consumption GPS chipset.66 parallel satellite-trackingsearch channels for fast acquisition and reacquisition.Superior sensitivity up to -162 dBm.200,000 log data recording / waypointsBattery:Removable Li-Ion battery 850 mAh.Battery Life: 20 hours (Bluetooth, Logger enable)Battery Life: 28 hours (Logger enable only)New Firmware is upgradeable

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Globalsat BT-359 - GPS receiver module Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this item about a week ago, and am quite pleased with it.
I am using it in conjunction with TomTom Navigator 6 installed on a Treo 700W phone, running Windows Mobile 5. I've also used it with Google Map, and have found no real problems.
Bluetooth: pairing the receiver with the phone is a breeze. Just follow the instructions provided on the accmopanying CD. There are a couple of settings for WM5 that's only available on the CD. Setup can be a pain if you don't read the instructions first and set up the correct outgoing port.
GPS Signal: quite good. I've placed the receiver on the car dashboard, and have made one 500 mile round-trip with it, and on average have reception from 5+ satellites. The boot-up time of the receiver is 30-60 seconds, and the TomTom software validates the signal about 5 seconds after that.
Battery life: good. The fully charged battery lasted the entire 500 mile trip with no problem. It comes with a car charger and a wall charger.
Side note: the only issue I had was not with the receiver, but with the software. TomTom software made one mistake thinking two roads are connected when they are not.

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The GlobalSat BT-359 is the next generation Bluetooth GPS receiver. Top of the line Bluetooth GPS is both stylish and functional in true GlobalSat tradition. Taking its design criteria from the market leading BT-338 Globalsat has pushed the limits of GPS even further with greater sensitivity and accuracy, than ever before.The GlobalSat BT-359 contains the latest SiRFIII Low Power Chipset for high sensitivity. It communicates with Host Platforms (PDA, Laptop, and etc.) via Bluetooth Serial Port Profile. With Bluetooth version 2.0 and built-in ceramic patch antenna, the BT-359 provides faster acquisition times and improves accuracy in urban canyons and under dense foliage. It contains a replaceable battery with a large capacity, which enables the BT-359 to operate for up to 11 hours. A slide battery lid makes it easy to remove and replace the battery without the use of tools.

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Holux GPSmile 52 Voice GPS Navigation System with US & Canada Map, MP3 player, photo viewer. Review

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(More customer reviews)I appreciate everyone who writes a thoughtful review. Consumers need to stick together. At this time there is only one other review of this unit on Amazon. The other reviewer had some routing difficulties that are not unique to this device. These types of routing issues have been the subject of many comedy routines. It is almost a subplot in the Robin William's movie RV. Anyone who has used one of these car navigation units can identify with the comedy.
I purchased my first portable moving map GPS, a Garmin 95AVD about fifteen years ago for our airplane. Since that time I have used several types of later generation units. Laptop based GPS software, and even moving map software that runs on my phone. While there are major differences between the units... everyone that I have ever used comes up with routes that must be overidden by the common sense portion of my brain.
To me the software that comes on GPSmile seems about average. It is pretty easy to use, has tons of POIs (Points of Interest), the routing is not any worse than a lot of other units I have tried, it has a lot of information available on the main map page, and I actually like the slight British accent. I still admit however that I prefer some of the other mapping software.
If one does a google search using the terms, "gpsmile 52 unlock", the first result that comes up today is a thread from the Gpspassion forum that tells exactly how easy it is to get to the WindowsCE operating system and install software that for me at least works better and easier. Every software package has it's own set of followers. Some actually prefer the Smart2go software that comes on the GPSmile.
What you are buying here is a tiny windows computer with a sensitive GPS receiver and bright 3.5" touch screen display. Out of the box the unit has some pretty good versatillity. It also plays videos and music, and displays pictures and text files. But the thing to remember is that it is a computer and you can run what ever software you want.
The software I added to the device is is just plain easier to use. It's so easy that after I demonstrated how it worked to my elderly mother... She wanted one. I purchased a second unit for my mother; she can sometimes get confused trying to find her way home. Once you add home to your favorite location list, it takes about three pushes on the touch screen menus to have the new software route you back home. It won over my wife also.
This GPSmile not only has a beautiful screen, it plays video, music, and displays pictures right out of the box. With some tweaking it is capable of playing or displaying files of nearly any format. I am also adding other software. I love the device. Sometimes bigger is not better. The thing has a robust little suction cup mount that hold it in place just below our rear view mirror. The map is very readable but doesn't block your view.
The thing is made in Taiwan and a reviewer on another site reported that they basically provide almost no customer support. I would ask however if anyone here has tried to call HP customer support lately? The last time I did I wasted several hours on the phone and finally had to figure the problem myself. It least with Holux I am not even tempted to try. I have one of their blue tooth GPS units also; I found the help to be almost non-existant.


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