USB GPS Comparison

USB GPS receivers are devices that need to be connected to the USB port of a laptop computer to function. While one could be connected to a PDA, this setup isn't practical and generally isn't done. This type of unit is sometimes called a "mouse GPS" as it resembles a computer mouse. It is a GPS receiver contained within a plastic housing with a cable attached. Most have a magnetic base with which to attach to the body of a vehicle.

Also, most have some sort of rubberized base to minimize sliding around when used on the dash of a car. Many, but not all, are waterproof. While some models can run on external power supplied by the vehicle, the USB GPS can be powered through the laptop's USB connection. Some models come with navigating software but with most, you need to purchase separate software. Since there is no display screen and usually no software included, prices are relatively inexpensive - often less than $100 US. They perform at least as good as car-dedicated units or handhelds as they can be placed on the part of the dash that has the best "view" of the sky or placed on the outside of the vehicle. If you're going to have a laptop with you in your car, a USB GPS is a good choice.

	AmbiCom GPS USB	Canmore GT 730F	DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-40	Deluo Navstick	Deluo USB GPS Pro+	Garmin GPS 18 OEM	Garmin GPS 18x OEM	Garmin GPS 20x	Globalsat BU 353	Holux GR-213	Maptech iGPS	Maptech Zenstar III	Navibe GM720	Navisys GR-300	Pharos iGPS-500	Rikaline GPS 6010 X5	Rikaline GPS 6010	Unitraq UD-731F	UT-41 USB GPS	Xenarc GPS USB
Chipset	SiRF StarIII	---	Teseo	SiRFstar III	SiRFstar III	---	---	---	SiRF Star III e/LP	SiRF Star III	---	---	SiRF III	SiRF StarIII	SiRF StarIII GSC3f/LP	SiRF II e	SiRF II LP	---	---	SiRF Star III	Chipset
Channels	20	54	16	20	20	12	12	---	20	20	32	20	20	12	20	12	12	44	12	20	Channels
Internal Antenna Type	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	---	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	patch	Internal Antenna Type
TTFF Cold	---	<30s	39s	42s	42s	45s	45s	---	---	---	---	---	42s	<42s	35s	45s	45s	45s	<50s	42s	TTFF Cold
TTFF Warm	---	---	34s	35s	35s	15s	15s	---	38s	---	---	---	38s	<35s	---	38s	38s	<35s	---	38s	TTFF Warm
TTFF Hot	---	<1s	<3s	1s	1s	<2s	<2s	---	8s	---	---	---	1s	<1s	1s	8s	8s	1s	<10s	1s	TTFF Hot
Size (mm) LxWxH	56 38 18	74 27 10	---	72 21 14	---	61 61 20	61 61 20	33 43 13	53 53 19	65 42 18	---	64 44 19	55 37 17	55 49 16	36 34 12	59 50 20	59 50 20	83 23 10	---	53 53 19	Size
Weight	---	18 g	---	---	---	100g	105g	28g	62g	84g	---	---	---	---	18g	103g	103g	---	---	150g	Weight
Magnetic Mount	---	---	---	n/a	---	---	---	---	YES	---	YES	---	---	---	---	YES	YES	n/a	---	YES	Magnetic Mount
Backup Battery	---	---	---	---	---	built-in	built-in	---	---	built-in	---	---	---	YES	---	YES	YES	n/a	---	---	Backup Battery
Waterproof	---	---	---	---	Yes	Yes	Yes	---	YES	YES	---	YES	YES	---	---	YES	YES	---	---	YES	Waterproof
Max Altitude	---	18,000 meters	---	18,000 meters	18,000 meters	18,000 meters	18,000 meters	---	18,000 meters	---	---	---	---	---	<20,000 meters	18,000 meters	18,000 meters	---	---	18,000 meters	Max Altitude
Low Power/Trickle Mode	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	YES	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	Low Power/Trickle Mode