GlobalSat BU-353 Waterproof USB GPS Receiver
by GlobalSat
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List Price: Our Price: $31.95 You Save: $18.04 (36%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $27.85 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of GlobalSat BU-353 Waterproof USB GPS Receiver
Customer Review: At least 1,000 times better than DeLorme GPS Receivers, and STILL LESS EXPENSIVE!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Got this unit when during drive from Southern Alabama to Southern Minnesota, NEITHER DeLorme GPS receiver I have would hold location tracking more than 1 - 3 miles at a time. Entire drive (over 1200 miles) DeLorme GPS receivers kept lock for TOTAL of MAYBE 15 - 20 miles!!!
Ordered this GPS receiver while in MN. During return trip, THIS GPS receiver received accurate location lock within 45 seconds, and kept solid lock on location for the ENTIRE 1200+ miles with ONLY loss along 3 miles stretch of I-65 just near Huntsville, Alabama, and during that short stretch of road, NONE of the GPS receivers could hold a location lock, and my handheld GPS was ALSO losing satellite signals... Acted like that short area of I-65 may be affected by some RF noise causing many, if not all GPS systems to have nearly impossible satellite reception in that area.
But even in that stretch of I-65, this GPS receiver for my computer was quicker at regaining satellite lock and location fix than either my handheld or the other computer GPS receivers I had with me to try.
Customer Review: This GPS receiver is awsome!
Summary: 5 Stars
I use this receiver in my car with a Sammy UMPC. There's lots of nav software to choose from and this piece of hardware works great with the few that I tried. iNav is my current choice. This unit holds up great in the high temperatures that my dashboard reaches. On the way to lake Powell I had 11 satellites locked. Driving east through Glenwood Canyon on I-70, I lost signal only a couple times and it was quickly regained seconds later. If you are reading this review, just commit and buy this unit now. You will not be sorry. Also, this was my first experience with hardware and software of this type [GPS]. I don't think it could have been easier. Let me save you some time though by letting you know that M$ Streets and Trips is absolutely worthless and is a total waste of time, effort and money. I don't hate M$. It's just that their gps software really lacks.
EDIT: This unit is still working EXCELLENT. I now send it's incoming data to iNAV and Google Earth in realtime using a software GPS Gate.
Customer Review: Good GPS, Easy to Install.
Summary: 5 Stars
I got this for longer trips where turn-by-turn guidance would be nice. Came with drivers, and works great on Windows Vista. I already owned MS MapPoint, and it has worked well with it. It gets a lock quickly, holds a strong signal even inside the vehicle, and all in all I've had no issues with it so far. I used a port splitting application to use the unit with multiple programs, and that has worked well for the most part, except there was some time delay issues unrelated to the unit itself, that I think can probably be corrected.
Overall I'm pleased with the product. It beats the heck out of buying a $300 car navigation unit when you already have a Laptop and mapping software.
EDIT: After having the unit a while, I had it break on me. It still operates fine but the top plate has broken off. Attempted to contact the manufacturer and was blatantly ignored. Be advised according to the manufacturers website units bought at Amazon are not covered by warranty.
Customer Review: Works great with MS Streets & Trips
Summary: 5 Stars
Couple this device with a netbook, some good mapping software, and you've got a sweet navigation tool. Took it for a test run in my car, with a Lenovo S10 netbook, MS Streets & Trips; and it worked perfectly. After about a minute of sat acquisition time (I didn't time it, but it took a noticeable chunk of time, and it could have been the software's fault...) I was up and running. Everything looked spot on with the maps and I was surprised at how accurate the Speedometer reading was. This is a serious device, and great if you'd like to do some DIY projects, or set up a custom in car nav solution on the cheap. Installation was pretty painless, just like any other peripheral (driver disc included). The bottom of the device is magnetic, however, I dunno if I'd trust it to stay on top of the outside of the car. Came with a little suction cup for windshield mounting, though. There's lots of free software out there to try out with this unit. Check this site out:[...]
Enjoy!
Customer Review: VERY IMPRESSED
Summary: 5 Stars
I am very impressed with this receiver. It plugs right in to the USB port, picks up signals almost instantly, and works great with every program into which I've plugged it. Those programs include Maptech's Terrain Navigator, MS Streets & Trips (2008 - I returned my 2009 version), and National Geographic's Topo. Setup in all of these programs was quick and easy.
The device itself has a little rubber pad on the bottom so it does not slide around on my dusty dashboard. It is also magnetized so I can stick it on my roof. It also comes with a little window suction cup, though I can't imagine ever needing it. All in all, very ingenious.
The length of the cord has been more than adequate for any location (toward the front of the car) into which I have need to place it.
This receiver works exactly as advertised. If you need a great laptop GPS receiver, this is the way to go.
Highest marks!!!