REVIEW COMMENTS: Fortuna Clip-On Bluetooth GPS

Dave

We have completed the review of the Fortuna Clip-On. The Fortuna Clip-On uses the latest SiRF IIe/LP chipset to give support for both SiRF Binary and NMEA, as well as support for WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) and SiRF XTrac all in a very small footprint. Fortuna also bundle all the accessories needed in this great little package!

The full review can be found at
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/fortuna-clip-on.php

Skippy

Dave · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 1:52 pm Post subject:

Ya know I didn't either. I think it started when I started wearing Motorsport press passes around my neck (like you see on TV at the F1 venues). I hadn't thought about wearing it around the neck until Lutz mentioned to me that the Emtac is good to thread a cord through and hang around your neck, so I thought I'd give it a try Laughing

One thing I've always thought would be good for mobile phones and also for Bluetooth GPS Receivers and perhaps even a small lightweight PDA (aka 1940/2210) is to have a velcro arm band pouch where you can wear it around your bicep. Maybe that's starting to get a little too geek'ish. I suppose I could always purchase a Scott eVest but I think that would be a little over the top for me Rolling Eyes

Peter Kessler · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:34 pm Post subject:

Great review, Dave. I'm so glad I ended up with the right receiver!

One question: with the medallion-man lanyard in mind, is the clip-on waterproof, d'you think?

Thanks

Dave · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks Peter! Sadly the Fortuna and in-fact all Bluetooth GPS Receivers aren't waterproof. The main reason is that they have moving parts like an on/off switch. They would also require rubber gromets around any buttons and one of the big items for the fortuna would be around the battery compartment.

This could be where the next generation of Bluetooth receivers will distance themselves from the current range.

The one that I think is probably the closest to waterproof is the Holux GR-230 which Holux do say is water resistant, it has rubber flaps to conceal the data ports and other entries into the GPS, but still has a switch on it which might let water in but we haven't done any specific water submersible tests. If we could get a spare GPS for each one we tested where we could test it for water then it would be fun to do it and see which ones break.

Consultant · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:03 pm Post subject:

I just got my one today, but I'm having a nightmare of a time getting it to talk to my iPaq 5550/TTN2, after about 30 attempts I've managed to get the little sync symbol in the GPS app to work twice.

If anyone has any ideas or tips to make these two items work together I'll be eternally grateful

Cheers

T.

bengt · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:02 pm Post subject:

I have used my Fortuna clip on with an Ipaq H2210 a month now and its an excellent combination- probably the best system aivaliable on the market today if you take also price in consideration.
The Fortuna can be operated indoor in XTmode -outside you get in XTmode a time lag of a some seconds when its calculating position on weak signals- 400 m behind when driving 100kph- walking in XTmode you do not observe it. In normal mode no problems.
I use Fugawi and TomTom 2and my device is operating at gate 8 at 38400 baudrate perfectly-Got handshake in bluetooth at second attempt- I didnot know how to do when the Fortuna asked for a password to start with and used my PDA-password...But it should be 0000 for the GPS and I had to read the manual first- do so its good except telling how to switch different modes of GPSsensivity....

Share my experiences - beeing a pioneer in PDAnav since 1998.

http://hem.passagen.se/bigben39/index.htm

Bengt
5M ( Member Mini Moving Map Mafia)
Sweden

Member Mini Moving Map Mafia

Hibou · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 11, 2003 Posts: 2

selwonk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 26, 2004 Posts: 28

I've been using this bit of kit for a while on an iPaq 1940. It really is cool. However, I intially had a lot of trouble getting this to work with TomTom (original version). TomTom kept hanging whenever I tries to select the Clip-On via Bluetooth. Once it was working the GPS positioning was inaccurate

I solved this problem by:

1. Discovering that connecting to the GPS via Bluetooth BEFORE starting TomTom solves the hanging problem
2. Downloading the latest GPS patch from TomTom solves the inaccuracy problem

It's a great bit of kit. I'd really be interested to know what Nokia battery I can use so I can hunt one down on eBay

Thanks in advance
_________________
MK

Mike Knowles

Consultant · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 10:45 am Post subject: Great!

After solving all of the foilbles that I originally had with my setup (TTN2/iPaq 5550) I'm very pleased with the package as a whole.

My only criticism with the review is that after extended use I'd have given it one or maybe two stars less for robustness. The ST-XT switch is a little flimsy and I've caused minor damage to mine switching between modes.

For the guy that mentioned you need a pin to switch modes, I actually use my stylus from the iPaq, which has quite a fine tip and seems to work well.

On the plus side, the iPaq charger which has a round type adaptor with an iPaq fitment on it, also charges the Fortuna if you remove the iPaq style adaptor from the charger.

Cheers

T.

bengt · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:26 am Post subject: Re: Fortuna Clip-on and iPAQ-4150

[quote="Hibou"]

DataMan · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject:

read my full story here

http://pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=29014#29014

I had so many problems with this beloved GPS!

does any one have a link to CE Monitor by any chance?

Dave · Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 11:15 pm Post subject:

Check the Leadtek Download Section for PC and Pocket PC Versions. It's called WinFast Navigator.

BigH · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2004 3:07 pm Post subject:

An excellent review, and based upon this I have bought one of these little beauties. We it woprked straight out of the box with my 2002 equipped 3970. I have only tested with Navio at present but I have to say that sensitivity is excellent. Even in my office a get 5 solid fixes, my Navman sees absoloutly nothing!!!

All I need is a good navigation package that does this receiver justice, this maybe more difficult!!

mario7 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 25, 2004 Posts: 1

Great review. One question. You mentioned the (Nokia) battery 'fit'. However, did you also place the battery cover back on and di this in fact fit also? I can not make it do so. The aftermarket battery is ever so slightly 'taller'.

TIA

Mike

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