Review: u-Blox 5 USB GPS Stick - New GPS 'Locator' for Microsoft Streets and Trips

Further to what Marvin said, it helps for the very first "cold start" if it's outside with a clear view of as much of the sky as possible. Pour a cup/glass of your favorite beverage and relax for awhile.

...ken...

No mention of configuring. Did you hit the configure button?

This may only be needed if switching from one usb port to another. It just seems I had a bit of a situation in getting a lock (this was a test indoors mind you) and when I hit the config. button, the gps locked on rather quickly.

I could be wrong here. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants and try all kinds of things.

The only config button in S&T is 'Configure GPS'. That opens a window to allow a change of COM port or auto scan. If I recall correctly, the Ublox driver does not change COM ports even if you change USB connections. Your experience was probably coincidence.

terry

I'll have to look into. It was with the Ublox and it was to configure the GPS. Seems I was scanning for satellites from a cold start. This was taking a few minutes or so, thus I hit the configure button, scan for a port (may have kept same one, although I seem to remember each usb port has a different com port) and satellites started locking in rather quickly.

Like you say, probably just coincidence. That feeling like, "I" did something to speed the process while actually the process was already in motion and coming to its conclusion regardless of my action.

I did a quick test to confirm that. The u-Blox (Navation 168) and S&T's previous USB GPS, the Pharos 500 remember that the driver is already installed when you change USB connections. The COM port remains the same.

The GlobalSat BU-353 requires reinstall of the driver each time you plug it into a different USB port. Therefore, it assigns a different COM port unless you intervene.

Terry

I'm still at the office and my netbook is home so I can't check it at the moment, however, I think you may very well be right.

When I can, I'll do the same test just for ha ha's.

EDITED: 7-2-09

Yes, the COM port remains the same. What I was seeing that was different on my Dell Mini 9 is in moving from one usb port to the next changes the "available" Com port number. I.e., in a given usb port Com port 3 is used and Com port 4 is available. Move the GPS to the next usb port and Com port 3 is used and Com port 5 is available, etc.

I wonder if Navationtech is even in business, email will not deliver? interesting. I just may buy the Pharos with the sled, I like that so I dont have to run usb cable to it.
I dont have much patience for companies who dont let email deliver.

I just purchased a Motorola T815 system and tried to use the bluetooth receiver puck and let Microsoft street with GPS Locator find it and it did and it worked one time but when I recconnect the bluetooth locator device, microsoft turns it off when I start microsoft streets.

Regarding the e-mail issue. I experienced something like that as well. A while back I sent a quick email to them. It was bounced back. Actually, if I recall correctly it came back as undeliverable to microsoft.com (I did not email it to MSFT). However, a few days later I did receive a reply from Taiwan (I believe it was from Taiwan).

Just give my experience, I have found that the short usb cable supplied with 2009 Microsoft streets and maps with gps is defective. I have plugged the gps locator into a usb port on my laptop and it works fine. Make sure you have no system issues with xp if that is what you are using. get latest service packs and reinstall streets 2009 if needed. I foiund the locator is super accurate and I mean down to the yard and mile per hour and its kinda of scary when I think about how accurate this is.
I went to frys and purchased a 10 foot usb extension and it even worked on that too just for trying it. good luck

We could probably help sort that out. Could you provide clearer information on exactly what happens.

Terry

I'm curious what this means exactly. You mentioned also latest service pack (SP3). Is the lack of SP3 the issue?

I ask, as I have installed MS S&T 2009 on 1 or maybe 2 Dell mini 9 netbooks (both running MS XP Home SP3) as well as the trial version on my HP 6000 laptop running Vista with no issues.

I have connected to several usb ports on all machines and each received the usb connections just fine.

I (and others as well) have had issues with usb connections on the Dell mini 9. This was with a usb DVD recorder/player. Turned out the supplied usb cable was not up to the task and in this discovery process found of the three supplied usb ports on the minis, the one next to the power button seem to be the best to use (long story).

I'm starting to get off the subject, however, the point I'm trying to make is, there may be miner issues seemingly to be bigger then they really are.

Netbooks sometimes have one USB port that can supply power when the computer is off to allow you to charge a phone or whatever. Maybe that is the case with the Mini 9 and the difference you are seeing. It would certainly work with a GPS to retain its lock if powered all the time.

Terry

Interesting! I haven't heard anything about this as a possiblity, and I have been a member of a mini 9 forum since Dec. 2008.

I also haven't looked at any supplied (very limited info I'm sure) owners manuals either.

I'll check this out, as you mentioned retaining GPS lock could/would be handy.

I've just written it off as the electronics is suppling a little less power to the port on the opposite side of the other two.

Anyone know if Navation is going to update the Ublox dongle with 6.02 of the Ublox firmware? There were some USB/Enumeration fixes applied to the firmware that might be of use....