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.

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  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

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