Canmore GT-730F(L) USB GPS Stick Data Logger Initial Impressions

Good day. This is my first post on this forum and I am also a GPS newbie. I wanted a compact USB receiver to mount on my laptop for tracking my business related driving. I selected the Canmore GT-730F(L) because of it's technical specifications; size; and price, ($43.45 shipped). I received the unit today. It came with the unit itself; a 4 inch USB dongle; and a CD containing drivers and a data logger program.

I attached the unit to my netbook computer, (Dell Mini 9 running XP Pro), and it was immediately recognized and quickly installed after I pointed it to the correct driver. I started MS Streets and Trips 2009 and the GPS was easily configured. I placed the unit near my bedroom window. On a heavily treed lot with slightly overcast skies and in a metal roofed house the unit was able to pick up 3 to 4 satellites in a matter of seconds. It accurately found my correct street and location. And it managed to hold lock until a heavy rain started.

As previously stated I am new to GPS but was impressed by this performance. I am really anxious to try this unit in my truck now. I think getting a high quality USB extension cable might be wise. This would permit me to Velcro the Canmore directly under my windshield and still have my Mini 9 in an easily viewable position.

When I've had an opportunity to try this on the road and gain a little more knowledge of both it and the software package I will provide updates. I would appreciate any tips or advise any of you more experienced GPS users might provide.

Hi kaba, and welcome to the forum. Thanks very much for sharing your initial impressions of the unit. I'm pleasantly surprised that the unit picked up 3 to 4 satellites in a matter of seconds, even though you plugged the USB GPS stick directly to your laptop (without extension). Users have had bad experience with various USB GPS sticks when used without USB extensions, but Canmore GT-730F may be an exception:

I still wonder if the AGPS (assisted GPS) is the reason why you experienced no issue acquiring satellite fix fast, even when plugged directly to your netbook, or if the design of the unit is just simply superior to other similar units.

P.S. I changed the product name in the title to GT-730F(L), as I think that is what you have. I cannot find any reference to product GT-730L. If I'm wrong, please let me know so I can correct the title.

Marvin,

You're correct about the name. The GT-730F is the GPS unit. The GT-730F(L) also includes the data loader.

I was truly surprised by the ability to acquire signals so quickly. Not only was the unit plugged into the laptop but I had both sitting on my Dell Desktop and adjacent to my 26" LCD TV/monitor and very near my satellite receiver. There were plenty of potential interference factors involved.

I've not received my laptop mount for my truck yet but hope to try this unit on short drive tomorrow and test it on the road.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you your first impressions when you take in on the road. I'm also curious if you notice improvement in reception when you do use a USB extension as opposed to when the USB GPS stick is plugged directly to your Dell Mini 9.

I've just placed a 6' Tripp Lite Gold extension cable on order. I'll be anxious to try it.

I've gone from supporting clients in 4 different offices to supporting clients who've been sent home to telecommute. They are separated by as much as 90 miles and some live in extremely rural areas. If this works well it will certainly be a huge help to me.

I also have one of these units. I use it with GiSTEQ Tripbook to help my with keep up with her mileage when she does freelance work. I have been very please with its performance. I have it set up in the center console storage where there is a 12v outlet to plug it in. I have not noticed any problems with it receiving a satellite signal.

Hi,

As a receiver, no complaint at all: quick fixings, even in not so good conditions, and a big "help" after AGPS.
As a logger, something strange occurs frequently: beeing sure that "Datalog is enable" before leaving, traveling powered only by the cigarette car lighter usb adapter (no pc on the route), when I return home, I download the track, and I notice that only a part of it - the beginning - as been recorded; during the trip it passed without reason to "data log disable" and, of course, the rest of the track is lost.

Has anyone experienced a spontaneous pass from "datalog enable" to "datalog disable"?

I'm sure it is not for a full logger memory, because I cleared it before at home, and the recorded track is too little to full it (anyway I chose the overwrite option).

I'm sure that any comments would be very helpful to me.

Regards,
Rui

I got one of these from my aunt, but can't find out how to download the data from it. What software do I need for this?