GPS receivers
This page has notes on GPS receivers that I am interested in. I own a few of them and list a few others for comparison purposes.
I list both receivers integrated into systems like the Garmin eMap handheld and modules such as the Trimble Lassen SQ.
You can get the bare modules or you can use modules that have been built up into GPS hockey pucks. (Some people call them GPS mice.) For example, you can get a Garmin 25 module and wire it directly to the low voltage serial port on a PIC processor or you can get a Garmin GPS-18 hockey puck and plug it into a USB port.
For hobbyists probably the best place to get the bare modules is Spark Fun Electronics, they have a bunch of other modules that I don't list here yet.
I got the modules I have currently on eBay.
Since I originally wrote this page I have obtained an Emtac BT-338 from Tigerdirect for about $50 and a Wintec WBT-100, $95 from Semson. Both of these have bluetooth. The Wintec has WAAS, a compass, bluetooth, and USB.
Semson and GPScity are my favorite places to shop for GPS gear. GPScity has RAM mounts.
I have gotten interesting out-of-date stuff like Trimble development boards on eBay.
Related pages
GPS Protocols
Magnavox GPS reference station
Garmin
I think the 62SC uses the STM 32 channel Cartesio GPS chip set. Same as the DeLorme PN-40 and PN-60.
| Model | Accuracy | Channels | Price | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin 62SC | 10m/3m WAAS | 32? | $300-500 | Handheld, USB but no serial or antenna ports. (8/12) |
| eTrex Vista | 10m/3m WAAS | 12 | $200-300 | Handheld, USB but no serial (so no RTCM) or antenna ports. Just got an HcX. (9/07) |
| eMap | 15m/2m RTCM | 12 | $60 or so on Ebay | Handheld, accepts RTCM for DGPS. Apparently a bad choice for Rinex software DISCONTINUED |
| Garmin GLO | 3 meter | ??? | $99 | bluetooth module |
| GPS 10 | 15m/3m WAAS | 12 | $250 | bluetooth module |
| GPS 12 | 15m/3m RTCM | 12 | $ | 1999 Handheld, accepts RTCM, no maps |
| GPS 15 | 15m | 12 | about $50 | bare module, several models. Tiny successor to GPS-25 |
| GPS 16 LVS (3.3-6V), 16 HVS (6-40V), 16 A (8-40V) |
15m / <3m WAAS / 3-5 USCG RTCM | 12 channel | 2 serial ports, deck mount | |
| GPS 17 | $200 | basically the same as a GPS 16 but in a white, pole mount case | ||
| GPS 18 | 15m / 3m WAAS | 12 | $130 | CMOS serial or RS232 or USB hockey puck |
| GPS 25-LVC (3.6-6V), -LVS (3.6-6V RS232), -HVS (6-40V RS232) |
15m / 5m DGPS | ? | bare module; capable of raw data output (pseudorange and phase)
[1] DISCONTINUED | |
| GPS 35 / 36 | 15m / 5m DGPS | ? | 35 = mouse style, 36 = pole mount |
The GPS 17 is designed for marine applications but is sometimes pressed into service in backpack style data collectors.
Garmin nuvi models
| Garmin nuvi 855 |
| Garmin Nuvi 1390T |
| Garmin Nuvi 3590LMT |
Trimble
GPS modules
| Model | Accuracy | Channels | Connectors | Price (est) | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder Pocket | 10m/2m DGPS | 8 | 2 RS232 via one DB9, SMB 3.3v, power | $500 | includes an external antenna. | |
| M-Loc | 10m (no DGPS) | 12 | 3.3v 35mW(68mW)
25 x 25 x 6.9 mm |
$45 | FirstGPS software runs on host processor | |
| Lassen SQ | 6-9m,no DGPS | 8 | 8 pin header, H-FL-R-SMT | 3.3v/100mW 26x26x6 mm, 5.7g |
$45 (use IQ instead!) | Use w/RF transition cable |
| Lassen IQ | 5-8m,no DGPS | 12 | 8 pin header, H-FL-R-SMT | 3.3v/85mW 26x26x6 mm, 5.7g |
$50 | Updated more accurate version of SQ. Purchase from SparkFun |
| Placer 455DR | 1-5m,w/DGPS | 8 | 3 DB9 | 11-32v |
not a module! but I have one so I listed it here | |
| Ace II | 25m/2m DGPS | 8 | 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA | 5v / 95mA / .47W 82.6 x 46.5 x 11.5 mm |
cheap | Discontinued but I got one from eBay for $10 |
| Ace III | 25m/2m DGPS | 8 | 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA | 5v / 95mA / .47W 82.6 x 46.5 x 11.5 mm |
$80 | |
| Lassen SK-8 | 25m/2m DGPS | 8 | 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA | $ | Discontinued; use SKII | |
| Lassen SKII | 25m/2m DGPS | 8 | 8 pin (2 CMOS TTL serial) SMB 5v/25mA | 5V / 95mA(120mA)/ .47W(.60W) | $80 | |
| Lassen LP | 25m/2m DGPS | 8 | 2 serial and power via 8 pin header, MCX/3.3v 12mA | 3.3V / 55mA(67mA)/ .182W(.221W)
66.167 x 31.75 x 12 |
$55 | Low power; can be programmed to power up/down on schedule |
| Style | Gain | Connector | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micropatch | 26dB | 5m cable with MCX | $17 |
| Hardmount micropatch | 26dB | TNC | $ |
| Bullet | 35dB | 22m cable with SMB adapter | $ |
ToppTec -- purveyors of Trimble OEM modules
DeLorme
(Mostly) consumer grade; Earthmates are WAAS enabled but the older Tripmates are cheap on eBay if you just need a NMEA GPS source.
DeLorme is trying to push into the pro grade world. They have post-processing software (RINEX) at least for the LT40. Their slogan for the PN40 was "Serious Tool" but mostly they seem to be promoting it for geocaching and hiking.
| Model | Accuracy | Channels | Price | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tripmate | 15m? | 12 | $20-30 on eBay | rs232 (discontinued) |
| Earthmate | WAAS | 12 | $100 | USB |
| Blue logger | WAAS | 12 | $150 | bluetooth enabled |
| LT40 | WAAS | ? | $50 | USB mouse; available bundled with software, good deal |
| PN-20 | WAAS | ? | ? | Handheld (discontiued) |
| PN-30 | WAAS | 32 | $300 | Handheld, PN-40 w/o baro or compass (discontinued) |
| PN-40 | WAAS | 32 | $150? | I paid around $500 for mine! |
| PN-60 | WAAS | 32 | $300? | wireless version PN-60W talks to SPOT device |
Other links
Leica
Thales and Magellan
U-blox I have a couple U-blox devices including an Openmoko phone.
Javad
