I'm looking for a Bluetooth GPS receiver to work with my mobile phone. From looking around Bangkok it seems that the Holux brand equipment is the only Bluetooth GPS receiver available, costing about ฿2,000 upwards depending on model.

Is this really the only brand available, can you suggest any other Bluetooth GPS receivers?

The Holux M-1000B uses a MediaTek (MTK) MT3318 GPS chipset, does anyone know how this compares with the more commonly known/used SiRFstar III chipset?

Any other GPS advice?

Garmin chipset article here: link. Advise, the GPS is only as good as the map your using.

I just ordered a Holux M-1000C online the other day, will arrive in 2 weeks.

The MT3318 in the Holux M-1000B is the first generation MTK chip, the Holux M-1000C already has the 2nd generation (MT3329).

The biggest advantage the MTK chips have over the SirfIII chips is the low power consumption. With a same sized battery the MTK will usually work twice as long as a sirfIII chip. Sensitivity is more or less the same, that is pretty good with all current GPS chips, the MTKv2 being even more sensitive than the v1.

With the newest generation of SIRF and MTK chips A-GPS techniques (assisted GPS) have been introduced, that try to descrease the time to get a fix from cold start (time to first fix - TTFF) by precalculating satellite position or downloading position data from the internet onto the device (when connected to the PC). Even though the M-1000C has the MTKv2 chip it does not support that feature. The M-1000B has the MTKv1, hence does not support that feature either. From what I heard, the SIRFIII chips are slightly faster obtaining a first fix than the MTK, but I could not find a comprehensive test anywhere, and this is based on only view user comments that might or might not be correct.

Another nice feature of the M-1000C is its data logger functionality. You can record your position periodically during several hours/days and later upload the track data to your PC to show in Google Earth or to geotag your pictures.

Other pros

built-in battery is replacable and Nokia compatible

can be used as USB receiver too - battery will be charged at the same time (M-1000B requires a special data cable if I remember correctly)

30h in tracking mode (bluetooth disabled)

Cons

firmware does not support A-GPS

tracking rules support either speed OR distance, but not combined rule

Holux support is non-existing

In what setup do you want to use the device?

welo

In what setup do you want to use the device?

welo

I have a Windows phone that has Bluetooth but no GPS built in. When I'm in Bangkok and need to remember a location or visit a new location, might be worthwhile have GPS to hand. Likewise, if I have GPS location coordinates that I can take note of and text to my friends if they need them. Never having owned a device with GPS, not sure what else I could make use of.

Thanks for the informative reply. Would you mind telling how much you paid for the M-1000C and if from Thailand?

i have an htc touch that i bought a holux slim 236 for new off ebay for about 1500 baht

excellent performance and the only time i got lost in a 4000 km trip was in bangkok when there was three levels of road at the same spot

great value for money and gets excellent sat reception

Never having owned a device with GPS, not sure what else I could make use of.

As well as finding points and/or saving them other things I do with my GPS are track logs, speed, elevation profiling and creating Google Earth reports on the fly. You can also use your GPS to update and sync you PC time every time you start a GPS receiver. I find the latter useful if photo tagging with an external digital camera to check the time sync is ok.

Thanks for the informative reply. Would you mind telling how much you paid for the M-1000C and if from Thailand?

Sorry, forgot about the thread somehow

it is USD 68 (2300 THB) including worldwide shipping from www.dealextreme.com. They ship from HongKong like many ebay sellers but don't restrict shippment to confirmed paypal adresses only. The ordering process is sometimes a little 'rough' though, be sure to check out the forums there before ordering.

welo

I got the Holux M-1000B. Haven't really used it much yet, but it seems to work, albeit the coordinates appear to be slight out from where I actually am. Got it in MBK in Bangkok for ฿2,000, which seems to be a reasonable local price.

Thanks for everyone's input.

hi,

I am new to gps. I have a laptop that i want to connect a gps to. The pc has bluetooth. Is the Holux a good choice for this?

I have read that many prefer garmin. do they make bluetooth gps that can be used on a laptop?

Edited January 13, 201016 yr by chrgrims

hi,

I am new to gps. I have a laptop that i want to connect a gps to. The pc has bluetooth. Is the Holux a good choice for this?

I have read that many prefer garmin. do they make bluetooth gps that can be used on a laptop?

GPS 10x

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=158&pID=423

Together with

Garmin Mobile® PC

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=13484

is a great combination.