Streets & Trips Compatible GPS Receivers

Any ideas on the ROUTE 66 USB Bluetooth SiRF III GPS will not work with streets & Trips 2009?

I have a bluetooth dongle plugged into my usb port and that discovered and setup my bluetooth device fine its jst that I cant figure out how to get Streets & Trips 2009 to see the device? I remember seeing somthing about a com port being used.

Can anyone assist me please...
Thanks

Did you try Tools-GPS-Configure GPS receiver and choose the Scan button?

Otherwise, right click on the Bluetooth icon in the notification area of your desktop and choose 'Show Bluetooth Devices'. Turn on your GPS device and click on the icon for that device. Choose the Properties button and Services tab. After a moment a COM port will be listed. Set S&T to that COM port.

Terry

I've found Streets & Trips to be very finicky about Bluetooth receivers. Having it say that the COM port is in use is a common occurrence. If you play around with the port settings, you can usually get S&T to see it once, but this won't stick. After a couple of runs, it'll go back to complaining that the port is in use.

USB is more reliable.

Thanks guys... I went into control panel then bluetooth and selected my device, under the com ports tab I added a comp port for the device, it added com port 5 out going for whatever reason and now it works.

Thanks again.

Hello

Just a question asking if anyone has had any opinion about the "Ambicom" product?

It is a gps reciever, with the Sirf StarIII chipset. It has a magnetic back with a 6.5' usb cable. I believe this unit is also weatherproof, as it can be mounted on the top of your cab or roof of the vehicle or whatever? with clear sight of the sky & all the sattelites up there.

I saw it at Fry's as I was pricing units, looking to see if they may have had the GlobalSat unit.

Any opinions?

The GPS specifications are the same but it is only listed as water resistant (IPX1). I don't think it could be mounted outside.

Terry

Terry is right that it might not be suitable to mount outside. Here's the definition for IPX1 rating:

Here's Wikipedia on IP ratings. See the second digit for water resistance. It looks like you want something rated 5 or 6.

...ken...

Interestingly, when you go to the following Amazon page for Gps USB Navigation Receiver By Ambicom, there you will see a section titled: "What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?". More people end up buying the BlobalSat (BU-353) after viewing that page, than actually the product described on that page.

The GlobalSat one is less expensive, it has been used by many people, so there is some confidence it works reliably enough, it is weather proof, etc...

Folks,
If you want to upgrade your magnetic USB GPS to a more modern chipset, I have found this unit to be an excellent performer for $30
Navibe GM720 Water-Proof High Performance USB Mouse GPS Receiver - SiRF Star III(WAAS Enabled)

Cheers,
Bruce Freeburger

Bruce, welcome to Laptop GPS World.

For $30? It was priced at $79.99 when I clicked on it.

Marvin,
Click on the "3 new from $29.95" link. BuyGPSNow sells the Navibe GM720 SiRF Star III for $30 .
Navibe GM720 Water-Proof USB GPS Receiver - SiRF Star III(WAAS Enabled)

Cheers,
Bruce Freeburger

here is a more direct link, and a $27 price
Navibe GM720 Water-Proof USB GPS Receiver - SiRF Star III(WAAS Enabled)

their GlobalSat GU-353 (same SiRF Star III chipset) is $37 with free shipping.
Globalsat BU-353 USB GPS Receiver, BU353

I just installed S & T 2008 and am using it with a CanMore GT-730F 68 channel USB GPS dongle. I have yet to take it outside, but typically connects with 6 to 8 sats and starts from cold in less than 20 seconds. Itr should perform even better with unobstructed sky view. It also works fine with SeaClear II sea going software, although needed to be slowed to 4800 baud to work with that app (38400 baud with Streets). I haven't needed to use the dongle extension .... it's plugged directly into the side USB port on a Dell D610 laptop. Best part is the price ... it was under $30 from buygpsnow.com.

Jim

I would suggest you change the bit rate to 4800 bps and leave it there to prevent problems with S&T. Higher bit rates provide no advantage with a refresh rate of 1 Hz which is all S&T supports.

We recommend using an extension with a GPS dongle rather than plugging it directly into the laptop. Some laptops are electrically more noisy than others and may mask the very small GPS signal. Also this allows better placement of the GPS to provide a good sky view.

Terry