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GpsReceiver posts

QSTARZ intros diminutive BT-Q1300 / BT-Q890 Bluetooth GPS receivers

by Darren Murph posted Jun 20th 2008 at 10:46AM

Leave it to QSTARZ to innovate so dramatically upon the tried-and-true Bluetooth GPS receiver design. Okay, so maybe it just created two new 66-channel ones that are exceptionally small. Up first is the new BT-Q1300, a "miniature" device that's dubbed the world's smallest travel recorder. Continuing on with superlatives, we see "the best" of the best in the BT-Q890, which measures in at 60- x 40- x 7-millimeters and is somehow also the "world's smallest GPS receiver." We're on to your fuzzy math, QSTARZ, and we don't like it one bit.

[Via NaviGadget]

Read - BT-Q1300
Read - BT-Q890

World's biggest drawing created with the help of GPS and DHL

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted May 25th 2008 at 1:31AM

There are all sorts of creative uses for GPS, but here's a fellow who says he sent a self-designed GPS "device" in a briefcase to DHL with express travel instructions. He plotted the shipment's movement and ended up with the drawing you see above. We're a bit confused. First, he says he developed a GPS device with extended tracklog and battery time. Okay, but... using what, exactly? Also, we've received some things from DHL, and we have a hard enough time just getting them to deliver stuff to the right address, let alone make circles in the Caribbean in the name of art. To be fair, his documentation looks complete, so serious kudos to him if this is all for real. Peep the travel instructions document that he says he gave to DHL along with shipping receipts and video after the break.

[Via Hack a day]

Update: Ah, well that explains why DHL went out of its way to do a bunch of backtracking loops over the ocean -- it was an ad (supposedly in the name of art). From the "artist's" site: "The best advertising is developed with society. using [sic] a GPs [sic] and the express shipping company DhL [sic], i [sic] drew a self-portrait on our planet. i [sic] used the technological aids of our time to make the world's biggest drawing, along with advertising adapted to the contemporary era. a [sic] campaign the recipient wants to see and which is interesting enough for people to want to share it with their friends."Way to sell out, Erik. [Thanks, Chris]

Continue reading World's biggest drawing created with the help of GPS and DHL

QSTARZ intros "most powerful GPS receiver in the world"

by Darren Murph posted May 9th 2008 at 2:41AM

Really, QSTARZ? You've actually had independent testers confirm that your BT-Q818 eXtreme is the most powerful GPS receiver on the entire planet? We're guessing not, but for what it's worth, the second incarnation of the BT-Q818 features 51-channel tracking, 32-hours of navigation time, -158dBm sensitivity, USB connectivity, built-in Bluetooth, adjustable 1 to 5Hz update rate and a 36-second signal acquisition time (when cold). Sounds pretty run-of-the-mill from here, but QSTARZ wouldn't fib about this thing's world ranking, now would it?

[Via NaviGadget]

Globalsat shows off BT-368 GPS receiver

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2008 at 3:22PM

It doesn't seem that Globalsat has come out and officially announced the introduction of its BT-368, but sure enough, it made the trek to Vegas. Reportedly, this Bluetooth GPS receiver features an ultrathin design, 10 hours of battery life, a SiRFstarIII chipset and support for WAAS / EGNOS. Regrettably, we've no more information to share just yet, but feel free to tag the read link for one more angle.

u-blox kicks out 50-channel LEA-5 GPS module

by Darren Murph posted Nov 29th 2007 at 1:53PM

It's been a hot minute since we've heard from u-blox, but the outfit definitely caught our attention thanks to a new 50-channel GPS receiver that "boasts an acquisition performance of less than one second" when combined with its AssistNow A-GPS service. These fifth-generation devices have been stuffed into the industry standard LEA form factor, which should make embedding them into a wide range of automotive, consumer and industrial applications a breeze. Moreover, it sports a -160 dBm acquisition and tracking sensitivity, operating temperature range of -40 to 85°C and a Flash EPROM that allows for easy firmware upgrades in the future. Currently, engineering samples of the 17- x 22-millimeter chips can be ordered for $119 apiece, but they don't look to be shipping (let alone finding their way into consumer devices) until January of next year.

[Via NaviGadget]

Deluo stuffs GPS receiver into travel mouse

by Darren Murph posted Oct 8th 2007 at 9:03AM

We've seen some pretty portable GPS receivers in our day, but Deluo's latest manages to perform double duty as a mousing device while still maintaining a small footprint. The MouseGPS sure isn't sexy, but it does boast all the basics and includes a retractable USB cable for good measure. Reportedly, users can just flip a switch on its underside to activate the internal GPS module, and just in case you're currently going without any type of mapping software, Deluo is offering the $99.95 critter up with Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008 for an extra $29.95 if you so choose. According to Amazon, expect this to ship "in four to six weeks."

[Via SlipperyBrick]

Proporta's Freedom key ring GPS receiver stays out of sight, keeps you located

by Joshua Topolsky posted Sep 19th 2007 at 4:21PM

Sure, your phone has GPS capabilities, but who wants to carry around a receiver everywhere you go? Well, what if the receiver were tiny... and your key ring? That's exactly what Proporta is proposing (ha ha) with its latest "world's smallest" (the company's claim, certainly not ours) GPS receiver, the Freedom. The ultra-compact device does in fact function as a key fob, in addition to being a SiRF Star III-equipped receiver which can interface with whatever friendly device you happen to have nearby. The Freedom will last you nine hours on a single charge, connects with up to 20 satellites, and plays nice with Bluetooth devices, making your navigational world slightly more enjoyable. The little guy is available right now for €99.95, or $129.99.

[Via theunwired]

GlobalTop's 51-channel G66 Touch Bluetooth GPS receiver

by Darren Murph posted Aug 22nd 2007 at 8:47AM

Sure, we've seen a plethora of Bluetooth GPS receivers over the years, but GlobalTop's latest manages to stand out in the crowd. Boasting 51-channels, a reported 20-hours of battery life, and a built-in antenna, the oh-so-sexy G66 Touch measures in at just 3.09- x 1.96- x 0.27-inches. Additionally, you'll find USB connectivity / charging support, -158dBm sensitivity, a trio of LED indicators, and a fairly respectable startup time. Not a lot of dirt beyond that just yet, but review units should be hitting hands soon enough.

GlobalSat's BT-359C Bluetooth GPS receiver

by Joshua Topolsky posted Jul 16th 2007 at 9:50AM

GlobalSat, purveyors of fine GPS-related products such as a stylish GPS watch and the child-tracking, parent-worrying GPS "phone", has launched a new Bluetooth receiver sure to make your teeth chatter with excitement. The BT-359C is the latest and greatest the California-based company has on offer, featuring a SiRF Star III low-power chipset, Bluetooth 2.0, and a built-in ceramic patch antenna. The receiver can be coupled to PDAs, or laptops via its "Serial Port Profile", and provides faster acquisition times and improved accuracy in "urban canyons" (which we're pretty sure is fancy GPS-speak for "cities"). The BT-359C will be sold at AT&T retail locations, and is available now online for $159.99.

Freedom Input's Bluetooth GPS receiver hangs on your keychain

by Darren Murph posted May 31st 2007 at 10:34AM

It's not like the Bluetooth GPS receiver market really needed another combatant, but for those who prefer carrying as much as of their life as possible on a key ring, this one's for you. Coming in at a minuscule 1.54- x 1.3- x 0.79-inches in size, this SiRF Star III-equipped device can connect simultaneously to up to 20 satellite channels, operate for ten hours on a single charge, sports a tracking sensitivity of 159 dBm, supports an external antenna, and purportedly plays nice with your BT-enabled device from up to ten meters away thanks to Bluetooth 2.0. Charging is handled by the included cigarette adapter or USB charger, and while we wouldn't be keen on losing a $99.99 receiver right along with our keys, this should prove quite convenient if you're the organized type.

[Via NaviGadget]

Transystems intros solar-powered Bluetooth GPS receiver

by Donald Melanson posted Jan 2nd 2007 at 1:41AM

There's no shortage of Bluetooth GPS receivers out there, but Taiwan's Transystems seems to think there's room for at least one more, hoping to sway would-be users in favor of its i-Blue757 unit by sweetening the deal with some added solar power action. Supposedly, the unit's battery will give you a full 26 hours of juice on its own, or up to 100 hours of use when backed up by the attached solar panel (in direct sunlight, of course), taking just three hours to refill after you've drained it. How much good all that staying power will do you when it's tied to your comparatively less long-lasting laptop or PDA is another matter. Apart from the sun soaking capabilities, the unit appears to be a fairly standard Bluetooth GPS receiver, with a 16 channel Nemerix GPS module at its core and weighing in at a relatively lightweight 3.7 ounces. Exactly when you might be able to get your hands on one, however, (or how much it'll cost) remains to be seen.

[Via Shiny Shiny]

Gold Kiwi's toy car GPS receiver with Bluetooth

by Darren Murph posted Nov 1st 2006 at 6:58PM

Sure, a GPS receiver designed for in-car use is far from unique, but an actual geo-locator disguised as a car is an entirely different animal. AVing was able to sneak a peek at a new SiRF Star III GPS receiver that throws a unique twist on your more vanilla alternatives. Apparently manufactured under a "Gold Kiwi" moniker, the tiny vehicle also sports Bluetooth capability, but a built-in sound system and handsfree support couldn't be verified. While we have our doubts about these undercover receivers wheeling their way to American shores, you might want to double-check the undercarriage of the next Hot Wheels toy you buy -- unless, of course, you don't mind the far-fetched possibility of bringing an unsolicited tracking device into your home.

[Via NaviGadget]