GPS Cards

[Russ Du Preez]

Hi All,

I bought two SysOn GPS CF Plus III cards, and was disapointed with the
results of these cards when compared to a Garmin GPS Plus III.

I was hoping anyone could suggest another card that has excellent
tracking and reception.
I need it for a CE.NET 4.2 Handheld device.

Thanks,
Russ

 

[Paul G. Tobey [eMVP]]

Looks to me like the antenna in something like the stand-alone GPS III Plus
(that's the unit you mean, right?), is going to be the big difference. Does
your CF card have an external antenna connection that you can try?

Paul T.

 

[Graham McKechnie]

Russ,

What tests have you performed when comparing to the Garmin unit. Specs on
SysOn card look pretty good.

Graham

 

[Russ Du Preez]

Hi Paul,

Looks to me like the antenna in something like the stand-alone GPS III Plus
(that's the unit you mean, right?), is going to be the big difference.

Yep, thats what I mean. There has to be some card out there that has a
better receiver.
I took a look at the Garmin Que 1620, but I think that the card itself
is too bulky and will
mess up our IP67 rating because we don't have an adequate cover for it.

(That is why we decided to go with the SysOn).

Does your CF card have an external antenna connection that you can try?
Sorry, slow day today...What do you mean external antenna?

The stand-alone Garmin GPS III Plus has an external serial cable that
it outputs
all NMEA information it receives. I am able t plug this cable into on
of the serial ports on the device.
The SysOn just plugs into one of the pcmcia ports.

 

[Russ Du Preez]

Hi Graham,

The time to get fixes between the two units differs drastically.
If it is a slight overcast day, the SysOn refuses to get a fix.

However when it does receive information, I cannot fault the SysOn
compared to the Garmin. I don't know exactly what Garmin does to
average its track but while walking with the SysOn you have to walk a
fairly brisk pace to get accurate results otherwise the track is all
over(The same as if you had stopped for a while).

Thanks,
Russ

 

[Paul G. Tobey [eMVP]]

I use Bluetooth, so there's *no* connection. Sorry.

Paul T.

 

[Graham McKechnie]

Russ,

The time to get fixes between the two units differs drastically.
If it is a slight overcast day, the SysOn refuses to get a fix.

I'm surprised by the above considering its spec. I'm using a Haicom 303III
CF unit and an Emtac BT unit for my development and both get a fix very
easily and quickly just with an external aerial sitting on the window sill.
I can typical get 6,7 sats and HDOP's as low as 1.0. Of course they both get
better when I'm outside, no matter what the weather is.

It could be that your two SysOns are just duds. Have you tried swapping them
out with the supplier.

Graham

 

[Russ Du Preez]

Hi Graham,

No I have not tried swapping them.

Good point.

I will take that route.
Thanks,
Russ