Globalsat SD-502 SDIO GPS receiver review

MikeB · Last edited by MikeB on Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:56 am; edited 1 time in total

Globalsat launched the first SDIO based GPS receiver back in 2004. This was a great little GPS device, but it did have a couple of drawbacks. The main one was that the GPS had no memory so the maps and applications had to be stored in main memory.

Well Globalsat have listened to feedback and have produced a new receiver which includes 512Mb of memory onboard. Gone is the "Wings" of the antenna booster and it is replaced with a much more stylish designed package. Add in the super-sensitivity of the SiRFStarIII GPS chipset and you have a much more mature second generation SD GPS receiver.

So how does this all work out? It the GPS receiver as good as the well known Globalsat BT-338 Bluetooth GPS?

Click here to read on and find out...
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Mike Barrett

MadMaxMel · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 12:14 pm Post subject:

Hi

Just wondering if you know if the GlobalStat SD-502 is compatible with the XDA Exec (Qtek 9000) PocketPC?

The assistant in a store on Tottenham Court Road was helpful enough to try a store unit in my XDA Exec but it didn't appear to work, i.e. no light on the SD-502 came on, and the XDA didn't see the SD card, despite installing the driver on the XDA (but I did note that the driver installed was being reported as 0 bytes on the XDA). This was also before I updated the XDA with the latest ROM from O2.

I would very interested in finding out if anyone has managed to get the SD-502 to work with XDA Exec, as I ended up buying the CF version of the unit (BC-337) for use in my iPAQ H2210, but I'd love to take advantage of the 640x480 screen resolution on my XDA Exec (specifically for using MemoryMap).

Any comments welcome.

Thanks

MadMaxMel :D

MikeB · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject:

Currently the XDA Exec is not supported by Globalsat. I am aware that they are working on the drivers at the moment, but there is no set date for release as far as I am aware.
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Mike Barrett

MadMaxMel · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks Mike :D

Do you think there is any point in me contacting GlobalStat to ask when they might be available?

MikeB · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject:

I have made a request for more info direct to their R&D department so hopefully I will get an answer soon. Bear in mind that they are 8 hours ahead of us communication cam be delayed sometimes.
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Mike Barrett

el_bingo · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 10, 2006 Posts: 1

This sounds like a nice little piece of equipment I might buy ;)
The only question I have:
I've got the T-Mobile MDA compact with Qtek software installed on it. Can anybody tell me if this device is compatible with this combination?

MikeB · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:10 pm Post subject:

Currently there appears to be an issue with the TMobile MDA. Although Globalsat include it in the compatibility list I am not aware of anyone who has successfully installed this.

This is another topic that I have open with Globalsat.
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Mike Barrett

MadMaxMel · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:27 pm Post subject:

Mike - good stuff - thanks again - I now await the update news :D

Wonderbadger · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 10, 2004 Posts: 16

I too am looking at replacing my broken PPC250 with an XDA exec... as I already have an SD502 I could do with knowing this will work before I buy the exec, thanks to Mike for your efforts in finding out the information, I look forward to the outcome.

MikeB · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:37 am Post subject:

I actually use my XDA Exec with a Globalsat BT-338 Bluetooth GPS and find that they are a great combination. This may be another option to explore.
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Mike Barrett

xda · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 4:57 am Post subject:

There is also an issue with the read/write speed to the SD-502, it is considerable slower than my previously used Panasonic SD Card, even thought they both hold identical files.
Sprite can backup the Panasonic Card in 11 mins but takes 19 mins to backup the contents of the SD-502.
This has been passed on to GlobalSat, as it could be either the SD-502 Card is slow or the installed device driver is causing it.
As there is no device driver for the Windows PC to enable the SD-502 to be read via a card reader a comparison of the read/write speeds can't be done.
Have you any comments Mike?
_________________
Graham.
TT Go720, App:9.510(1234792.1) OS:842337
GPS: V1.20, Boot: 5.5279, Home: V2.9.5.3093
Map: Europe V910.4892
Map: Europe_Truck V870.3421, Kingston 8GB SD
Nokia 925 Windows 8

MikeB · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:52 am Post subject:

Globalsat have just released a new version of the drivers. I havent tried them with my Exec yet, but they can be downloaded from here.

I havent as yet done any speed comparison testing between the SD-502 and other SD cards. I will do this shortly.
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Mike Barrett

lostluigi · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 12:27 pm Post subject: SD 502 + HP rx3715

Hi . I first posted this on the Globalstat forum,but nobody came back to me so i`m trying here. (Hope thats ok)
Im thinking of getting theSD 502 but am not sure about it being compatible with my PDA, it is the HP rx3715. In the compatible chart at Easydevices it shows that the HP rx3115 is OK, am I right in thinking that the rx3115 is the same PDA as the rx3715 with out the camera..If this is the case will it be OK.. The spec. for the rx3715 says that the card slot supports SDIO cards, but there is no mention of "now" (what is now)
Thanks.. Lewis

EasyD2 · Regular Visitor Joined: Aug 13, 2004 Posts: 137

Hi Lewis,
The compatibility list consists of devices that the SD-502 has been tested with.
Your Ipaq 3715 should be fine with the receiver, but I will try to confirm definitely.
Perhaps one of the guys at PocketGPS can test this combination.
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www.easydevices.co.uk

Tel: 0871 7000 156
Globalsat UK Distributor

MikeB · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject:

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