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 - sometimes 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.
| CoPilot USB GPS | DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-20 | Fortuna U2 | Garmin GPS 18 | GlobalSat BU303 | GlobalSat BR305 | Holux GM-210 | Micronet SP3150 | Mighty GPS Mouse | Navman GPS110 | Pharos USB GPS | Quatech GPSR-001U | Rikaline GPS 6010 X5 | RoyalTek Sapphire RGM-2000 | RoyalTek Onyx RFG-1000 | TFAC MG 30 | TripNav TN-200 | ||
| Chipset | SiRF II, LP | Vespucci STA2051 or SiGe SE4100L | SiRF II | SiRF II | SiRF II LP | SiRF IIe/LP | SiRF IIe/LP | --- | --- | --- | SiRF IIe/LP | SiRF II LP | SiRF II e | SiRF IIe/LP | Trimble | SiRF IIe/LP | SiRF II | Chipset |
| Channels | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 12 | Channels |
| SiRF XTrac | SiRF XTrac | |||||||||||||||||
| Internal Antenna Type | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | patch | Internal Antenna Type |
| TTFF Cold | 45s | n/a | 48s | --- | 45s | 45s | 39s | 45s | 50s | 120s | 60s | 45s | 45s | 55s | 45s | 45s | 45s | TTFF Cold |
| TTFF Warm | 38s | 38s | 38s | --- | 38s | 38s | 30s | 38s | 35s | 30s | 40s | 38s | 38s | 37s | 45s | 38s | 38s | TTFF Warm |
| TTFF Hot | 8s | 3s | 8s | --- | 8s | 8s | 8s | 8s | 12s | --- | 5s | 8s | 8s | 10s | 20s | 8s | 8s | TTFF Hot |
| Size (mm) LxWxH | 59 50 20 | 67 46 14 | 59 59 20 | 61 61 20 | 59 47 21 | 59 47 21 | 66 51 23 | 73 69 20 | 64 44 19 | --- | 55 49 16 | 59 47 21 | 59 50 20 | 62 50 28 | 57 50 16 | 66 50 26 | 59 47 21 | Size |
| Weight | 103 g | --- | --- | 100g | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | 40g | --- | 103g | --- | 70g | 150g | --- | Weight |
| Magnetic Mount | --- | --- | --- | Magnetic Mount | ||||||||||||||
| Mac Serial | Mac Serial | |||||||||||||||||
| Car Charger | --- | n/a | Car Charger | |||||||||||||||
| Backup Battery | --- | n/a | --- | --- | Backup Battery | |||||||||||||
| Suction Cup | --- | --- | --- | --- | Suction Cup | |||||||||||||
| Waterproof | --- | --- | 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 | 18,000 meters | 18,000 meters | 18,000 meters | Max Altitude |
| Low Power/Trickle Mode | --- | n/a | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | Low Power/Trickle Mode | ||||
| Datalogger | --- | --- | Datalogger | |||||||||||||||
| Windshield Mount | --- | --- | Windshield Mount | |||||||||||||||
| Vent Mount | Vent Mount | |||||||||||||||||
| External Antenna Supplied | n/a | External Antenna Supplied |