Hi! We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
But as we’re losing ad-revenue from this then why not make a donation towards website running costs?. Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!
Joined: 02/11/2002 22:41:59 Posts: 11878 Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 3:46 am Post subject: Globalsat BT-338 review
Globalsat BT338 receiver with SiRFstarIII chipset
We have already announced this new chipset a while back, and now we start seeing the first devices that are actually using that chipset. www.BuyGPSNow.com were so kind to provide us with a review copy of the Globalsat BT338 receiver that uses the SiRFstar III chipset..
Do we know what comes out of the box? There is no mention of the type of chargers etc you get. It is discussed that some cables may already be usable, but not what you get out of the box. Also what software comes with it (might be regional)? _________________ iPhone5, TomTom, Google maps, Navfree, Viewranger and Apple Maps (ekk)
Joined: 02/11/2002 22:41:59 Posts: 11878 Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject:
Let's keep the suspense up a bit, shall we?
The box contains the receiver, a mains power adapter with connectors for Europe, Aerica, and the UK, a cigarette lighter adapter with Y-connector (so you can connect your iPAQ too) and a CD . But that only contains the manuals. No extra software is provided, and none is needed anyhow. You can do all the settings with SiRFdemo. _________________ Lutz
Just read (all) 22 pages of the GPS Passion site on the BT-338. Seems they, the maufacturer, is listening to the customer as well... They have even delayed delivery to fix problems found by the external testers, which is a unique in this world of customers performing beta testing (ask any microshaft customer). Only complaint from that board and people actually using the unit, seems to be the auto-power off, which GlobalSat will look at for a solution to be user customizeable, but not until Q3 or Q4 this year.
Thanks again for the quick response. _________________ iPhone5, TomTom, Google maps, Navfree, Viewranger and Apple Maps (ekk)
Joined: 02/11/2002 22:41:59 Posts: 11878 Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 9:37 pm Post subject:
Without wanting to pre-empt your review I think the auto-power off is actually a nifty feature. OK, it's no good for hiking, but then the BT-338 doesn't have a datalogger either, so that's no biggie. _________________ Lutz
Without wanting to pre-empt your review I think the auto-power off is actually a nifty feature. OK, it's no good for hiking, but then the BT-338 doesn't have a datalogger either, so that's no biggie.
Review can only occur once I receive the little beauty....
I actually prefer the idea of auto shut off, but lets not pre-empt my own thoughts. It'll be my first BT GPS, so I am looking forward to testing with TTN3, Mapopolis and possibly some other items such as the new GPS multi threading software. _________________ iPhone5, TomTom, Google maps, Navfree, Viewranger and Apple Maps (ekk)
Well I received mine today and I can honestly say im very impressed, the pictures in the review do not do the device justice. It's tiny, but very sturdy. I'm using this with Tomtom mobile and I get a fix and a 4 bar signal on Tomtom in the middle of my room with the GPS on my desk, nowhere near a window. My other device which is a 16 channel BT- 77 required me to place it near the window to get a fix and maybe 1 or 2 bars of signal strength. The first fix took me maybe 30 secs. But even after switching off the device for over an hour, the next time I switched it on it aquired a fix from the middle of my room in less than 5 secs, I couldn't believe it! Maybe I'm just a total noob as I've only been interested in GPS for a couple of weeks but this device has really impressed me and im glad I purchased one. I have another one for sale if anyone is interested just check my post in the for sale forum if you want one of these immediatly. Link to post _________________ TOMTOM MOBILE 5
NOKIA N70
Globalsat BT-338 Receiver
Joined: 20/08/2002 11:51:57 Posts: 3859 Location: Essex, UK
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:12 am Post subject:
lbendlin wrote:
... a cigarette lighter adapter with Y-connector (so you can connect your iPAQ too) ...
When I read that I went back to my box (sent direct from Globalsat) and found just a standard Ciggy Lighter. I was hoping I might have got one of the Y jobbies. _________________ Mike Barrett
... a cigarette lighter adapter with Y-connector (so you can connect your iPAQ too) ...
When I read that I went back to my box (sent direct from Globalsat) and found just a standard Ciggy Lighter. I was hoping I might have got one of the Y jobbies.
Mine neither, but at least it containd a nifty little leather pouch for the receiver. :D _________________ TOMTOM MOBILE 5
NOKIA N70
Globalsat BT-338 Receiver
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 3:38 pm Post subject: Globalsat BT-338
Superb review of an absolutely fantastic GPS receiver. The difference in sensitivity compared with previous GPS receivers is most impressive.
Minor suggestions for improvement are:
1. Easier to use, but still secure battary compartment door.
2. At least splash proof waterproofing although this could probably be achieved by putting the unit in a plastic baggy when necessary.
3. Detachable magnetic mount. The unit has two rubberized stips, but these don't really prevent sliding on a dashboard.
4. User upgradeable software.
5. User settable auto off and movement options. It is especially important to be able to disable auto off when the unit is continuously connected to a DC source. Auto off presently engages if the unit is DC connected, but not Bluetooth active for more than 10 minutes.
6. A printed instruction book.
7. WAAS capability.
8. The charge light should not just go out if the unit is connected to a DC supply. There should be an indication of connected to DC, but not charging due to fully charged condition.
9. Availablity of a separate model that has serial connectivity.
10. Data logging option.
Unlike the Earthmate, the Bluetooth implementation on the BT-338 seems to be pretty stable, but Bluetooth generally is still a pretty shaky and unreliable technology. We just did our third upgrade of Toshiba's SD card Bluetooth hardware and software (Bluetooth SD Card3, specification v1.2). Version 1 card was unusable. Version 2 is erratic, but passable. Version 3 seems to be a step backward from Version 2.
Test setup is Toshiba e800 PDA, Windows Mobile 2003 SE OS, Toshiba SD Card3 BT. Mapopolis and Teletype GPS software work fine. GPSTools and GPSDash do not receive GPS data with this hardware/software combination.
Robbie
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:42 pm Post subject: My Won one (if you follow me)
Well,
I've received mine last Thursday. (Thank you Lutz and BuyGPSNow.com) Charged it up and tested it.
Here are my thoughts
WOW!
I'll write a review properly and objectively once I have had it for a month or so, but lets say..
Thursday - In Car
Friday - in Plane and Car in Foreign country
Saturday in Car (foreign)
Sunday in Car and Plane (foreign)
Monday at home
Tuesday in Car.
For the sake of legal argument I am hypothesisiing here, that if your were to ignore the warning about electrical appliances at take off, it maybe capable of tracking (using TomTom GPS) at speeds at over 200 mph.
It sits in my armrest in the car at tracks 8 sats. It starts quicker than any other GPS I have ever seen for lock on (less military - but we won't go there).
It's leather pouch is really annoying as the hole is cut incorrectly, so I inserted the GPS the other way around, which does then grant access to the power "hole" and the power button.
In addition I receive a ciggie lights, Y Cable, UK, US and Aussie Adapters to go with the Continental charger, along with the CD ROM, which is almost usless.
My major problem is TomTom bluetooth stack. I have re-isntalled TT GPS 2.06 and nope, no joy. I have tried using the GPS Gate, but the OCX is different from the one I use forTrafcam, so that is a no as well. So I need to get that fixed before I can really throw it through it's paces. But gut feel. It's dynamite![/u][/b] _________________ iPhone5, TomTom, Google maps, Navfree, Viewranger and Apple Maps (ekk)
Joined: 02/11/2002 22:41:59 Posts: 11878 Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject:
I'd recommed a complete re-install of TomTom - make sure you completely remove all old GPS drivers, and then install only TTN3.07T and TTGPS 3.07 (you may have to remove it once again) or TTGPS 2.06 _________________ Lutz
Lutz, Without sounding smug, I did that about 2 hours ago and Hey Presto.... (3.07T with 3.07 GPS). This is recommended only for those who have a hx4700, as like most I upgraded from 3.03.
GPS Gate now controls ALL my connections via one virtual port....
I have running Mapopolis, TomTom, PocketGPSce, Trafacm (via TomTom), GPS Dash and GPSinfo all at one. Its a nightmare to switch between them, and in realistic terms it is impossible while driving.
Need to test them all looking at the port directly to see if TomTom will allow access, but that's for another free couple of hours.... _________________ iPhone5, TomTom, Google maps, Navfree, Viewranger and Apple Maps (ekk)
Posted: Today Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising
We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?. Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!
All times are GMT + 1 Hour Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6Next
Page 1 of 6
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!
Hi! We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
But as we’re losing ad-revenue from this then why not make a donation towards website running costs?. Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in for private messages
Log in
I was hoping I might have got one of the Y jobbies.
