DeLorme Earthmate Bluetooth GPS unit
By ctcost
Part I -- The unit
My package came with the GPS unit, the Bluetooth cradle/powerpack, a NiCad battery for the powerpack, a USB cable, a serial cable, a car charger for the Bluetooth cradle, Street Atlas software for both PPC and PC and a suction cup.
After charging the battery and installing the PDA version of Street Atlas on my IPAQ 5455. I was ready to go. I started the bluetooth on my unit, found the GPS in my manager, initialized the unit and got a good connection: opened the software, followed the startup instructions, and expected to acquire a fix. This was not the case as everytime the software connection was started, the bluetooth connection would drop out.
Several emails back and forth with the company produced no workable results and we are still working on the problem. To Delorme's credit, their software compatibilty list does not list the 5455 as a compatible unit. This does not mean that it will not work, only that Street Atlas has not been listed for use on this unit according to the DeLorme compatibility chart located here:
http://www.delorme.com/support/gps/btpp002.aspLong story short, for the purpose of this multi level review (Part I -- The Unit)
I used Routis 2003 as testbed software. This software connected immediately, and, as I had used it before, worked like a charm. I suspect it has something to do with the way the software calls the virtual serial port in Bluetooth transmission on the Ipaq 5455 that caused the initial problem.
The size of the unit itself is a very small 1 7/8" Wide x 2 3/32" Long x 13/16" Deep:
With the powerpack attached it isn't much bigger. Also is comes with a belt/visor clip so it is capable of being carried on hikes or safari within the roughly 7 hour battery life.
After initialization, satellite acquisition is very fast and accuracy proved to be within the limits stated for all three dimensions. The unit is WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System is a GPS-based navigation and landing system that provides precision guidance) enabled allowing for more accurate GPS fixes. There are alot of parts of the world that are still not WAAS compliant but the US is covered.
Another feature of the DeLorme System is the SiRF starIIe/LP low-power GPS chip set. The technology supports navigation in cities with narrow streets and tall buildings, and in areas of dense foliage. This technology allows DeLorme Earthmate several advantages over competitors: Rapid satellite signal re-acquisition (SnapLock™ acquisition), single satellite navigation (SingleSat™ positioning), Dual Multipath Rejection, high sensitivity and dynamic range (FoliageLock™ reception), and TricklePower
ä advanced power management mode. Although I don't know if you will get information in all three dimensions while the unit is operating under SingleSat conditions, my guess is that you won't.
The unit does seem to perform very well under the conditions listed above though: Under bridges, near high trees and in canyons the signal loss did seem to be short lived. And the unit seemed to be a little less susceptible to weather conditions (sky obscurance by clouds etc.) than other units I've tested.
Conclusions (on the unit and Bluetooth alone. Software will be covered seperatley):
You will not be dissappointed in this this unit. Delorme offers a wide range of connection options from serial to USB to Bluetooth. The product quality is extremely high, and, the pricepoint is very reasonable; the entire Bluetooth package for handhelds goes for $290.00 in the DeLorme store (
www.delorme.com) and includes:
- New Earthmate GPS receiver
- 12-pin / USB cable
- Earthmate GPS PowerPack with Bluetooth – provides wireless signal transmission and the option to power the Earthmate GPS with four AAA batteries (not included), a Lithum-Ion rechargeable battery with A/C charger (included), or your vehicle's 12-volt cigarette outlet using the included cable
- Cigarette PowerPack cable
- Street Atlas USA 2004 Handheld software
If you would like a package for both laptop and PPC the price will run $329. I'm giving Delorme 9.8 dj's (
) out of a possible 10!
I will be looking forward to testing the software under serial cable if the issues with Bluetooth cannot be resolved. Stay tuned for Part II.
Statistics:
- NMEA-compliant 12-channel receiver
- WAAS-enabled
- SiRF starIIe/LP low-power GPS chip set
- Cold start: <45 seconds; warm start: <38 seconds
- Hot start: < 8 seconds
- Power: full power: 175mW; Trickle Power: <60mW
- Maximum Velocity: 1000 knots
- SiRF SingleSat™ updates for improved reduced visibility GPS
- Superior urban canyon performance
- SiRF FoliageLock™ for weak-signal tracking
Environmental Characteristics:- Operating temperature range -40 ºC to +85 ºC (UART output), 0 ºC to +70 ºC (USB output)
- Storage temperature range -55 ºC to +100 ºC
- USB IC of Cypress is approved at 0 ºC to +70 ºC temperature
PROS:
Size
Quality
Usability
Acquisition time
Reliability
Great support
CONS:
Possibly more than some people need
(but this could also be listed as a PRO)
No other
The DeLorme website is located at: www.delorme.com
Copyright ctcost and ABFNet, 2004
