GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS receiver

BU-353

USB GPS SatNav receiver/antenna for your Windows, Mac, or Linux laptop computer.

BU-353 was first released in 2005. If I recall correctly, BU353 was among the very first two USB GPS receivers based on the very powerful SiRFstarIII chip. (The first one was MR-350). Four years later, and GlobalSat BU-353 is still doing very well. From what I read in various online communities, BU353 is by far the most popular laptop GPS receiver.

When it first released, it sold for over US$100.00. Now it can be purchased for under $38 in the USA or under £29 in Europe.


BU 353 comes with 60" (152 cm) of cable, which is in most cases a sufficient length to run it from your laptop to the dash board, close to the front window. You may need a USB extension cable if you wish to place it on the roof of your car. The base of BU-353 is magnetic so it can be attached to a vehicle's roof easily. The unit is waterproof, so rain or snow will not harm it.



BU-353 specifications:
Buy:

Buy in USA

• GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS receiver

Buy in UK

• GlobalSat BU-353 USB GPS receiver

Have you used BU-353? Let us hear your feedback. It may help others make their buying decision.

I've been using one for several years. It's very sensitive and easily receives signals indoors at residential locations. There's no need to place it outside when using it in the car, it works just fine on the dashboard. It usually locks on from a cold start in less than a minute. Of course, it works better outdoors providing better precision .. I plotted the outdoor fixes at my marina for a day and most were within a 15 foot radius with an occasional fix series excursion to about 50 feet.

The USB driver has never been problematic with Windows XP. I have never tried VISTA. My CD also contained the SiRf demo program which must be used with great care.

Mine never worked for WAAS although the box was clearly labeled WAAS enabled. I could intermittently receive a European satellite but have never seen a North American SBAS satellite. I suppose that's been fixed.

--- CHAS

I recently purchased a BU - 353 although it seems to work well, it does not work with GARMIN navigational software!

Hmm, it certainly should! I've used my BU353 with Garmin Mobile PC without any issues at all.

Could you elaborate a little bit on the problem you've mentioned?

1. What software (name and version number) are you running?
2. Has the software been purchased?
3. Has the software come with a GPS receiver? If yes, what's the model number?
4. What exactly doesn't work?
5. Does any other GPS receiver work on your computer with any GPS receiver at all?

The more you tell us the better we can help to solve your problem.

If you use Garmin Mobile PC, be aware that the version of the software which includes it's own GPS receiver is designed to work only with the included GPS receiver. However, the version which is sold without a GPS unit is designed to accept any compatible GPS receiver, BU-353 included.

It won't work directly with Garmin nRoute but GPS Gate can solve that.

Terry

Hi Marvin and tcasidy,

Thanks very much for the info. I am running Garmin nRoute, and I was getting the message that the GPS unit did not have the capacities, however I have just downloaded GPS Gate and everything is working fine :-)

Thanks again