Teletype Bluetooth GPS Replacement

Sonex293 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 22, 2003 Posts: 8

Hello Everyone,

I've been a little disappointed in the Teletype Bluetooth GPS I've been using for the last couple of months. My favorite feature is the ability to use either Regular AAA batteries or Rechargable NiMH/NiCAD batteries. Where I have been extremely disappointed is in it's sensitivity. I use the GPS in both a Car and Airplane and it usually only receives 2-4 satellites, occationally 1-2 more. I don't think I've ever received a WAAS satellite.

I really like the Emtac/Socket GPS because it has gotten such a good reputation with other airplane pilots, but there are a lot of newer GPS's on the market. Right now I've look over the GPS shootout on GPSpassion and narrowed the field to either one of the following..

1. Emtac/Socket BT
2. Fortuna GPSmart
3. Royaltek BlueGPS

I was going to look at the Controlvision BlueTracker GPS, but at $400 that is a little steep.

Anyone have any recommendations?

--Mike C

lbendlin · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:21 pm Post subject:

I know the Emtac is old but I still think it is one of the better devices. We've had a few quirks with the Fortuna and Royaltek lately. But if you're into flying then the Royaltek is worth looking at - 30000 data log entries... That's enough for a couple flights...

Check our comparison database, maybe you find some more points that help your decision
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Lutz

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Sonex293 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 22, 2003 Posts: 8

Well the story gets longer.......

I bought a Socket/Emtac Bluetooth GPS from BUY.COM and tried it out. I received the GPS and plugged it in overnight. What I failed to recognize was that the charge LED was not on. The next day I turned the GPS on and it worked wonderfully for about 2 hours. I was able to receive a WAAS satelite. Life was good. Once the battery light came on I thought it strange that I only got 2 hours, but decided to charge it back up. This time I noticed that the charge light was not on. I tried both the DC and AC chargers, but neither worked. It was determined through customer support that the GPS was defective and I returned it to BUY.COM for a full refund.

On a whim, I decided to contact Teletype Customer support and talk to them about the test I had just run. With the two units side by side, the Socket/Emtac unit received more satelites and WAAS. I found out that I had purchased one of the first units from teletype and that they had a sensitivity problem. I was given an RMA number and asked to return the GPS unit and the charger cradle. I mailed the unit that last Monday and today I received the replacement. First, I notice that the unit was "different". The new GPS had an external antenna connection, GREAT! The battery door operated much better, GREAT! I also noticed that the Patch Antenna, which can be seen through the transparent plastic, was larger, also GREAT! I Installed a fresh set of batteries and turned the unit on. It quickly acquired a fix an after a few minutes a WAAS satellite was reported. The number of satelites that are reported is similar to the Socket/Emtac.

I plan to do more testing, but right now I am VERY HAPPY with the Teletype Bluetooth GPS.

Michael

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