Bluetooth GPS receivers? What? How?

[TUS 373]

I have just ordered a bluetooth PDA and phone that runs Windows mobile 5.0. My intention now is to get hold of some good Sat Nav software and a bluetooth GPS receiver.

I have been looking at Ebay and see that there are loads of these gadgets for sale - some with 16 channels and 30 hr battery life.

What should I really be looking for? Any recommendations?

Also, is it possible to hardwire the power into one of these receivers and mount on the car windscreen, say above the rear view mirror. Therefore it is out of the way, has line of sight plus would not need recharging?

[luca brazzi]

Leadtek 9537 High Sensitivity Xtrac 2 GPS TomTom Xtrac!

Bought it on Ebay for my Orange C500
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LeadTek-Bluetooth-GPS-9537-High-Sensitivity-Xtrac-2-NEW_W0QQitemZ5799796324QQcategoryZ4668QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

LB

Also, see this thread...
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=202798

Don't necessarily need to mount it behind the mirror, mine sits on the transmission tunnel.

LB

[mcflurry]

IMHO anything with a Sirf III chipset.
They work fully in central london and to a certain extent indoors too (if you are near a window)

Some of the cheaper chipsets have issues with tall buildings.

[puggit]

mcflurry said:

IMHO anything with a Sirf III chipset. They work fully in central london and to a certain extent indoors too (if you are near a window) Some of the cheaper chipsets have issues with tall buildings.

Ditto!

I have SIRF III with 12 channels, works fine

If you spend £50 you may get a duffer, £100 means you'll be ok!

[TUS 373]

Are you saying that 12 channels is OK then, but 16 channels is hype to cover up other technological inadequacies in these receivers?

Also, should I get one that has LEDs on to indicate power on, signal etc? Not seen one close up, just going on the images I find on the net.

[puggit]

TUS 373 said:

Also, should I get one that has LEDs on to indicate power on, signal etc? Not seen one close up, just going on the images I find on the net.

Definitely - these help to troubleshoot if the bluetooth link is working or if the GPS has calculated it's position or not.

It can get quite fiddly setting the system up

[mcflurry]

www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk do a number of Sirf III chipset boxes for about 100 squid.

The id numbers are P3675, P3419, P3492 P3646 and P3629
all have the same functionality, but differ in appearance and battery life etc