change BT from class 2--> class 1? so distance is 100m - MDA II, XDA II, 2060 General

hello,
i just bought a usb dongle class 1, with a capabilty of bonding over 100 meter. But as i have found on this forum the XDA II has only class 2 which only goes 10 meters. Is there a possibility to change the one on the XDA II to become a class 2? is it software-dependant? or is it in the hardware, and there's nothing to do about it? (hope there is!).
thanks for your help.

i would very much asume that the class 1 dont send with as many watt as class 2
and i would almost surdenly asume that no software setting would be able to change this
maybe some bluetooth repeater could be able to if it were within 10m of the xda2 would repeat the bluetooth signal and making it stronger giving it a wider range

i fear i have to tell you that the operating class of bluetooth devices is defined by the hardware used. maybe there are solutions on the market which are class1 (100meters) allowing to set back to class2 for energy saving reasons or something else. but the other way round it would not work because the sending energy has to be significantly increased, which means more power consumption and that is not what we want to have in mobile devices. operating time of ppc's is much too short at all :-(
regards
peter

well,
thanks for your replies.

Related

XDA mini S Bluetooth range

I've bought a BT dongle from Argos today - their 'own brand' model.
It's supposed to have a 100m range, but I can't get my XDA mini s to connect to it once I seem to move about 6-8 metres away.
I've got the PC in an upstairs room at the front of the house, but when I move to a downstairs room at the back, I lose the connection or ability to connect....
Is it down to the BT radio in the XDA having a 10m range, or should I get a better dongle?
Si.
Just to confuse everyone there are different "classes" of bluetooth version 1 devices. Class 1 devices have 100M range but only when communicating to another Class 1 device. The Wizard is bluetooth 1.2 but only class 2 hence the reduced range or about 10M. Those ranges are optimistic anyway, perhaps if you were in a field with no other interference.....
I'm not sure if it's a hardware or software limit on the bluetooth class in the Wizard - there's a chance that class 1 can be unlocked in the same way as people have unlocked 802.11g wireless networking.... although I doubt it.
Bluetooth 2.0 is available now but I don't know what range limits it has or how backwards compatible it is.

GPS reciever with the magician

Hi,
does anybody have any recommendations abt bluetooth gps reciever?
Example: http://www.oncoursenavigator.com/item.aspx?itemid=6009
What is important to think abt when you buy a GPS reciever?
Royaltek RBT-2010...
SirfIII, 17 hrs battery, small, light and cheap.... marvellous!
A week with it and I'm still astonished about the skills of this GPS.
Look for reviews of it and check it!
Thanks for the tip!
Googled but only got results in: spanish, italian, russian or german sites!!! Don´t know any of these languages.
My guess is that it´s called something else in other countries. Anyone knows?
I've got one like this Oasis Media Bluetooth GPS Receiver: € 79,-
www.pdashop.nl probably in others shop as well
M
I can recommend the Holux GPSlim 236. It lasts about 10 hours, is small, light and very good at acquiring and keeping a signal (it's SirfStar III).
Generally you should go for a SirfStar III these days, especially if you want to use it in cities with tall buildings or out hiking in woods.
There is one slight problem with them however. For car mode you should really engage static navigation mode (this prevents the map rotating or recalculating when you are travellig very slowly or stopped). But for hiking and geocaching you really need to have static navigation turned off. There is a windows app that can switch it on or off but I've found that the pda app to do the same doesn't seem to work on my setup. I therefore use mine with static navigation turned off and get the occasional recalculation and map spins.
Thanks for your reply!
Are there differences between recievers considering static navigation mode? What I mean is if it´s in the software you do the setting or if you change directly at the reciever unit?
Been looking at this one;
http://www.dustin.se/DustinPictures/PDF/G/5010079858.pdf
Nice one, how about the price?
In Sweden the best price is abt 125 euro. Plus delivery costs.
Hmm,
That's about the same price I paid 8 months ago for my GPS, simular to the Oasis one I posted. A collegue of me bought a SirfStar III GPS 2 months ago for around €160, you're deal is much better (depending on the shipping costs). We tested both devices & his device got a lock on more satellites & quicker as well.
So it's up to you whether you want to pay twice the price for the better GPS. Usually my GPS works fine even in cities, but I guess a SirfStar III chipset will be much more capable with tall buildings. I'd go for a SirfStar III chipset, when I had to buy one now & knowing my own experiences.
Regards, M
emil73 said:
Thanks for your reply!
Are there differences between recievers considering static navigation mode? What I mean is if it´s in the software you do the setting or if you change directly at the reciever unit?
Been looking at this one;
http://www.dustin.se/DustinPictures/PDF/G/5010079858.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some manufacturers of SirfStar III GPS may provide their own software for switching between modes - but they may not. The software I use on the PC is provided by someone at SirfStar I think. As I said it works fine on the PC but obviously you really need it on your pocketPC. So far I haven't found any software that will change modes on the pocketPC - I have software but it doesn't seem to work. Maybe someone here can suggest pocketPC software for switching modes?
At the moment I leave mine with static navigation off and it doesn't have too much of an effect on car navigation where I drive.
The PC software seems to allow you to also alter the signal strength at which a satellite's data is disregarded. Upping this a little may help with the problem at the slight disadvantage of making the receiver a little less sensitive. I think you could lower it a reasonable amount and still have a sensitive receiver - mine works fine in the glovebox and I can get a fix in the middle of my house - that's how sensitive they are!
Look on manufacter page http://www.royaltek.com/content/view/97/27/
about the Royaltek. It's in english (or Chinesse :lol: ) and you can search there for a distributor in Sweden.
Good luck!

BT in Wizard (details, q&a)

Hi to everyone online.
Frankly speaking the Bluetooth realization in Wizard seems to be full of questions. :?:
I would be very thankful if someone could clarify the following:
1. According to the I-mate site (http://www.clubimate.com/t-DETAILS_KJAM.aspx) Wizard’s BT class is 2. Is it possible to upgrade it to class 1 (registry, patch, etc.)? (I’ve got a BT dongle from Canyon which is class 1 and it could be very convenient to use BT at a range of up to 100 m)
2. Is it possible to check which profiles are supported by the BT stack in my Wizard? The one’s supported for sure are: headset, activesync, serial port. But the one I’m interested in is PAN.
3. Where is it possible to obtain the best all-in-one BT stack for PDA? From Broadcom for example.
This thread (http://buzzdev.net/component/option,com_simpleboard/Itemid,59/func,view/id,14572/catid,26/) is very interesting, but seems that the developer will finish his soft by the end of century…
I will also appreciate any useful information from you.
Um, I think the classes of BT are 1, 1.x then 2 with 2 being the highest class at present. Going to class 1 would be a downgrade...
There is no alternative to the Microsoft stack at present on the Wizard (There was a thread on using the Widcomm 1.500 stack but no-one could get it to work). You can add A2DP / AVRCP to the Wizard via the zoA2DP.cab but I am unsure about PAN (Not sure what PAN is to be honest!)
Bebbo said:
Um, I think the classes of BT are 1, 1.x then 2 with 2 being the highest class at present. Going to class 1 would be a downgrade...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems that there is a little confusion with the terms.
Please note that 'class' is the clas of power consumption. There are 3 classes available at the moment:
Class Power(mW) Power(dBm) Range(approximate)
Class 1 100 mW 20 dBm ~100 meters
Class 2 2.5 mW 4 dBm ~10 meters
Class 3 1 mW 0 dBm ~10cm (1 meter max)
And the things you are talking about are BT versions/specifications. For the moment the following versions are developed:
1.0 and 1.0B
1.1
1.2
2.0.
In this case you are right - v2.0 is the newest and prefferable (supports speeds of up to 2.1 Mbit/s, lower power consumption, etc.
According to the wiki.xda-developers (comparison table of all WM based devices) - Wizard supports BT v2.0. But I'm very doubt about that, as the speed of file transfer from my PC to PDA showed much less speed... (though the BT dongle is v2.0 and class 1)
I would have thought that the hardware implementation was fixed as far as the class was concerned (Thought it unlikely that they would have implemented a class 1 device and restricted the power output via a register in the hardware ... though maybe they have). Hence the reason I thought you were on about the version of BT whose versioning goes the other way (Higher number is better)!
Ah well...
I know initially there was a lot of confusion about the Wizard being a v2.0 or Class 2 device and I have my doubts with the version being 2.0 as well. The speeds just don't seem to be up there.
I would also like to tweak the class of the device if it is possible as without an exchange server at home I can no longer sync wirelessly throughout the house with WiFi, a change of BT class would allow me to do that via BT.

First impressions with my new s200

Hello,
I own a s200 since last week. My first impression:
improved in many ways in comparison to my old Qtek2020 with WM2003
- better usability with WM5 and the additional buttons
- better power management
- better integration of phone (had problems on my old device with missing calls and missing sound at calls)
- size now so small that I can carry it like a normal cellphone
- speed is OK for my purposes (standard programs plus OziExplorer)
- power drain better than with Qtek2020
Not so good:
- sound at phone calls should be louder
- WiFi works good, but range should be larger (my s200 works up to 10m if there is no wall in between)
- small touch screen more difficult to operate (but I prefer a small device, that I can carry all the time)
I think the s200 will very useful for me (it will be my brain extension ...)
Cheers, Gerd
ICH STIMME DIR ZU"!!!
DU FREAK!!!
aber....
Die range vom wireless ist bei mir super
Hi, I'm thinking of buyig a S200, nevertheless I'de like to satisfy some doubts? Is it really as bad as its said with movies and apps like tom tom and route 66? I heard it was slow...
I have the possibility to try it for a few days and then exchange it for a S100 (magician) if I'm not happy with it, but the Wi-Fi is the main reason I'm gonna buy it, so I really need to know...
GerdH said:
Hello,
Not so good:
- sound at phone calls should be louder
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try searching the forums for a registry hack, it can be set louder!
- WiFi works good, but range should be larger (my s200 works up to 10m if there is no wall in between)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you use a .G router and do you use maximum power. I use a .G router and I have a connection through walls and everything till about 20 m. My laptop can go further, but still I'm impressed.
- small touch screen more difficult to operate (but I prefer a small device, that I can carry all the time)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll get used to it
Is it really as bad as its said with movies and apps like tom tom and route 66? I heard it was slow...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the newest Dopod ROM is fairly fast for everyday uses. For movies I would use some overclocking @240mhz almost everything is as fast as the 416 mhz intel. But for Tomtom that isn't really necessairy, although overclocking will speed up, the starting-up time of the program...
I tried some of the registry hacks regarding the sound level and up to now I don´t found a sufficient setting. But I will invest a little bit more time for playing around.
My WLAN router operates with B/G setting, the s200 with maximum Wifi power. With one wall in between and perhaps 8m distance i got about 20% signal level. But that may be also a problem of my router or the environment.
Are there tools available which show the signal strength of all WLANs around?
Cheers , Gerd[/quote]
Gerd, you could try Ministumbler from http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/
The PC version has a nice graph showing connection quality, not sure about the Mini version, but give it a try.
I can overclock to 264 or so ..anything over that blows up (slow down)...Id suggest 264 rather than 240..since I beileve 264 is stable anyhow...however, i use a pretty cool custom rom that may have been configured just for that
Sadly I dont agree with screen size being good..its small and as small things go, leaves out lots of functionality..the processor is SLOWER than the HTC Magician according to Microsoft Tech Team..which means...the smaller you go, the diff processor you use (to make it look fast) yet the OS WM5 uses a bit more resources (as expected) and so the new processor is still ****..oh well..size vs. speed.
GerdH said:
I tried some of the registry hacks regarding the sound level and up to now I don´t found a sufficient setting. But I will invest a little bit more time for playing around.
My WLAN router operates with B/G setting, the s200 with maximum Wifi power. With one wall in between and perhaps 8m distance i got about 20% signal level. But that may be also a problem of my router or the environment.
Are there tools available which show the signal strength of all WLANs around?
Cheers , Gerd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[/quote]
Hello.
I have a Qtek 9100 and as i have posted in 9100's thread, all HTC new devices and especially 9100 and S200 have crap wifi.
I have tested many many ppc's and ended up that the signal of wifi in S200/9100 is about 50% less than other devices!
S200 - all-in-one
I used to own an AXIM X5 then after 2years X3 with a separate mobile phone, which i carry all the time together.
Yes the S200 is slow but all functionality works fine (wifi,bt,gprs,msoff,,,etc). i cant ask for more for the size of this.
My question is, does anybody here who owns an S200 have tried overclocking it (omapclock), if yes can you please send me the instruction to do this.
thanks in advance.
/gerald
I'm really happy with my S200, contrary to some of you, I have great WiFi reception even trhough walls.
I wardrive a lot and I can connect to hotspots from really far away. I can tell because the SSID broadcast sometimes display the company name and I often realize the building is not near at all.
On the movie watching side, I can see full movies with no OC at all. It really depends on how you encode the movie in the first place.
You'll love it!

GPS on HTC 8525?

Hello all! I am curious if free GPS (no data plan, just free GPS service) is available on the HTC 8525? I am really liking the Tilt [8925] with the full-keyboard, GPS, wi-fi, and 3 Megapixel camera, but I see that the HTC 8525 has a full-keyboard, wi-fi, and a 2 Megapixel camera. I can live with the 2-MP camera, but I really would like the GPS for free, if possible. Is there a GPS freeware software made for the 8525? Could the 8925 GPS software be installed on the 8525 with no issues?
Sorry if this sounds too easy. I am very inexperienced in "modding" a cell phone (my latest is making an old Motorola v120e WAP-enabled -- 4 years ago before cell phone carriers charged for it!). Back to the topic, if the GPS software requires modding the 8525, I would like a "modding for dummies" step-by-step instruction in layman's terms, and hopefully a guarantee that it won't fry the cell.
Lastly, if anyone has the 8525, would you be so kind as to critique it, compared to the 8925 if possible?
Thanks in advance!
Sorry for any confusion here. I overlooked that the 8525 is made for T-mobile. I didn't win it or bid on it yet, though. I don't believe that it's unlocked, but I'm sure there are some unlocking software out there. Point being, is the 8525 really worth the effort in unlocking it to AT&T, or should I just stick with the 8925 Tilt? The biggest difference is the 8525 costs $169.78 (used), where the Tilt starts about $250 (used).
ohpfan said:
Sorry for any confusion here. I overlooked that the 8525 is made for T-mobile. I didn't win it or bid on it yet, though. I don't believe that it's unlocked, but I'm sure there are some unlocking software out there. Point being, is the 8525 really worth the effort in unlocking it to AT&T, or should I just stick with the 8925 Tilt? The biggest difference is the 8525 costs $169.78 (used), where the Tilt starts about $250 (used).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GPS software that you can use on the Tilt can be used on the 8525. That's not really the problem. The issue is that the 8525 has no built in working GPS hardware. So this means you have to use a small bluetooth GPS receiver. It actually works well but you have to carry the bluetooth receiver in your pocket / car.
Mike
Interesting! I never knew that Bluetooth GPS existed! A BT-359 costs $46.95, which isn't too bad.
Sorry to get slightly off-topic, but what are the requirements for a handset to have, to be able to use that Bluetooth GPS device? I have the Samsung A707 Sync currently, would it be compatible with that handset? If so, would I need to get on an unlimited data rate plan [$30/month], or just by buying the GPS device, it covers all costs to using it? Is the software to put into the Sync included, or do I have to pay for it? I just use the Sync for voice calls (no texting/data messaging), but a hand-held GPS is pretty cool, especially when it's built-in to the cellular phone!
Thanks for your help!
Sorry, can't say about your Samsung A707 but if you connect via bluetooth there are NO charges to use the GPS software (apart from getting the sodftware and maps) as long as its not something that constantly requires updating through the GPRS system. But thats just crazy to do... Better to get a standalone GPS program, I've got Tomtom, and purchase maps.
Cheers....
mikechannon said:
But the advantage of having a program that you can buy a map/s for is that it will operate more smoothly in my experience as the map is held in your device.
The GPS Sirf III receiver I use is:
http://www.blueunplugged.com/p.aspx?p=120534
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all the info! This is still all new to me, so forgive any stupid questions. Is there a difference between different Bluetooth models, besides the obvious rechargeable battery or included AC or DC power adapter?
I'm still unsure how this all works. What exactly does the Bluetooth adapter do, if the maps are stored on the cell phone? Like does it have up-to-date POI (points-of-interest) or are those required to be downloaded?
By the way, I have decided not to go with the 8525 at this point. I am still considering buying a Tilt (8925) if the Bluetooth adapter sounds too difficult to match up to my cell phone. (I understand that neither of you know for a fact if the Sync can get the maps loaded into it.)
Thanks again for any new info!
As stated, I use a STANDALONE program... It has maps loaded onto an sd card and can be purchased from off Tomtom(if I wish to update to the latest).
As for the bluetooth adaptor, EASY to sync. Like a bluetooth headset with 1 or 2 more steps. I prefer my hermes to the tilt as /8925/variio III( the names go on 4ever) as it has EXCELLANT graphics drivers the other model doesn't, apparently there have been issues about this and it doesn't look like HTC give a damn about fixing it.
If the GPS is all you're after the bluetooth option is a good way to go but make sure you have at least 25 channels on your GPS receiver as I had a 16 channel receiver and it took up to and over 10 minutes to lock sometimes. Got a 52 channel receiver and it makes a HUGE difference. People say it shouldn't as there are only 25(?) GPS satellites but it makes a HUGE difference in lock time(< 1 minute) and signal strength...
Cheers...
Just to clarify a little for the Original Poster.
Because the Hermes does not have a built in GPS receiver you need an external one. So the Bluetooth receiver receives the satellite data and then uses bluetooth to beam the data to the phone. (it is not using bluetooth to receive satellite info, but using it to send the info to the phone).
Mike
ultramag69 said:
As stated, I use a STANDALONE program... It has maps loaded onto an sd card and can be purchased from off Tomtom(if I wish to update to the latest).
As for the bluetooth adaptor, EASY to sync. Like a bluetooth headset with 1 or 2 more steps. I prefer my hermes to the tilt as /8925/variio III( the names go on 4ever) as it has EXCELLANT graphics drivers the other model doesn't, apparently there have been issues about this and it doesn't look like HTC give a damn about fixing it.
If the GPS is all you're after the bluetooth option is a good way to go but make sure you have at least 25 channels on your GPS receiver as I had a 16 channel receiver and it took up to and over 10 minutes to lock sometimes. Got a 52 channel receiver and it makes a HUGE difference. People say it shouldn't as there are only 25(?) GPS satellites but it makes a HUGE difference in lock time(< 1 minute) and signal strength...
Cheers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the detailed reply! I don't currently own the Hermes 8525; I seen it on eBay for the price I mentioned earlier and was considering buying it. About 15 minutes later, I realized it's intended for T-mobile service, which I know can be unlocked to any SIM-card compatible company (i.e. AT&T/Cingular in the States) for a fee.
I am a bit unsure what you mean by "Standalone" though. I presume you don't have a "ready out of the box" GPS system with viewing screen, but the only other option I can think of is you put the memory card into the cell phone (or a PDA / laptop PC).
My Bluetooth-compatible cell phone has a MicroSD memory card slot on it, and I have the SD card adapter where I can put songs, pictures, and text files onto my cell phone via the memory card. Therefore,all that is needed is a memory-card compatible cell phone, and then download maps to the memory card and insert it into the cell phone. If that's the case, then I should be set! I would only need to find a Bluetooth GPS adapter (with 25 channels for best results). Am I correct on this understanding?
I heard that there are a few free map sites online, do they offer POIs for free too? I am going on my honeymoon in Los Angeles, CA and would really like to just use my cell phone with the above features on it with the Bluetooth adapter for convenience as well as not having to carry a full-size GPS with me.]
Another silly question, if you don't mind. Do the Bluetooth adapters work on more than one device at a time? For instance, my Sync A707 cell phone and my fiancee's Blackberry Pearl could each have a copy of the maps. Would the receiver work on both cells at the same time; or is it only pairable to one at a time? For the above scenario, we would have to both be within the amount of feet required to receive the Bluetooth signal, of course. [Since we're on our honeymoon on the other side of the U.S., I doubt we'd be separated that far away.]
ultramag69 said:
Just to clarify a little for the Original Poster.
Because the Hermes does not have a built in GPS receiver you need an external one. So the Bluetooth receiver receives the satellite data and then uses bluetooth to beam the data to the phone. (it is not using bluetooth to receive satellite info, but using it to send the info to the phone).
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that helped me understand it much better than before. Not to belittle ultra, but I was thinking the cellular phone had to have 25 channels, but he meant the Bluetooth adapter should have 25 channels for best results.
I am considering a Hermes and probably will be getting one shortly within a week. I am not the OP, but either way thanks for the info. Which TomTom version is best on the Hermes - and which reciever is best with TomTom. Or is there a better GPS software for the hermes. Thanks again for all the info. I have been active on the Excalibur section, but have been interested in getting a Hermes as my next phone.
To the OP, the 8525 is actually an AT&T/Cingular phone here in the US, not a T-Mobile. The Wing is the only PPC on T-Mobile. If it says T-Mobile -then it is unlocked as it already comes Cingular/AT&T capable.
es_bih said:
To the OP, the 8525 is actually an AT&T/Cingular phone here in the US, not a T-Mobile. The Wing is the only PPC on T-Mobile. If it says T-Mobile -then it is unlocked as it already comes Cingular/AT&T capable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that info! I read that on the eBay listing, I just presumed it was accurate on the listing.
If I can get the Bluetooth adapter to work on my current cell phone I won't need the Hermes (as I would have to buy that adapter anyways). My current Samsung Sync has a 2-MP camera and music player, so the only thing I would be adding is the full QWERTY keyboard with the Hermes. I don't really think the Hermes is worth the $170 or more to me just for the keyboard (for text messaging).
I do like the Wi-Fi on the Tilt, so that the keyboard would be useful, to type online. That's why I am still leaning toward the Tilt, not the Hermes, if I do upgrade my cellular phone.
ohpfan, is your mobile a windows os phone?
Thats why we are using GPS on ours. We can load the software on easily. You need to do a google search and find out if you can use the GPS software on your current phone. All phones are not the same and can't do everything another can. Nokia N-series has GPS, HTC too. You will have to check to see if yours is capable.
Cheers...
ohpfan said:
Thanks for that info! I read that on the eBay listing, I just presumed it was accurate on the listing.
If I can get the Bluetooth adapter to work on my current cell phone I won't need the Hermes (as I would have to buy that adapter anyways). My current Samsung Sync has a 2-MP camera and music player, so the only thing I would be adding is the full QWERTY keyboard with the Hermes. I don't really think the Hermes is worth the $170 or more to me just for the keyboard (for text messaging).
I do like the Wi-Fi on the Tilt, so that the keyboard would be useful, to type online. That's why I am still leaning toward the Tilt, not the Hermes, if I do upgrade my cellular phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you know that the
8525 has wifi
abc12345 said:
I hope you know that the
8525 has wifi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, geez that eBay member sure didn't do his research then! Thanks for that info too!! I even looked on CNet to compare models and it didn't mention the 8525 has Wi-fi in it.
To ultra: I will check tonight about if my cell can support GPS. Been a busy weekend here, so not much time online.
ultramag69 said:
ohpfan, is your mobile a windows os phone?
Thats why we are using GPS on ours. We can load the software on easily. You need to do a google search and find out if you can use the GPS software on your current phone. All phones are not the same and can't do everything another can. Nokia N-series has GPS, HTC too. You will have to check to see if yours is capable.
Cheers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just found out that the Sync uses a proprietary firmware, so I would say no to Windows OS . From my understanding, the Java in my Sync phone doesn't accept Bluetooth is why the GPS isn't able to work. Unless there's an updated Java that supports Bluetooth, I am not able to use my current cell. Which leads to the question: Is there a "universal" Java update for Bluetooth support, or is it cell phone specific?
OK, I found a nice price for a 8525 on eBay, only $115 (including shipping) for one that is sold "as-is," but it doesn't sound like anything other than a battery or charger is wrong with it. I purchased it, and should be shipped on Wednesday. I will keep you all informed on what happens with it when I get it! Once I get it working, I'll go for the Bluetooth adapter later on.
Just a little update ... there is another Sync user who is trying to get the Samsung u600 firmware "altered" so that the Sync can use the Bluetooth GPS adapter.
Hi, I'm back again, with an AT&T-replaced reconditioned 8525. It's really strange, that I've made a full circle once again, after about a month of asking this question! I am now a bit wiser, and hopefully not as naive, as before!
As mentioned in other threads, I've updated to WM6 already. I am back on eBay looking for Bluetooth GPS adapters. Ultra mentioned earlier to look for a 25+ channel model, which I found two that meet or exceed that data.
My research has found the lowest price [shipping/handling-included] at $39.90 for a BT-5 (12 channels); the next one up at $44.48 for a Sirf-3 (12 to 16 channels); and the last at $44.99 for a BT5721 (44 channels).
The obvious choice is the BT5721 for only $5.09 more than the cheaper BT-5 model, but has anyone had experience with any of the 3 models mentioned? Also, it seems that the TomTom brand is predominant in the U.S., but how reliable is the software -- does it hang, lock up, etc.? I don't want to first experiment with it on my honeymoon and get the other half upset for being lost in the 'hood.
I will consider any suggestions for what models to buy, be it from any of the 3 above, or other ones. I would like to spend no more than $45, as the BT5721 seems the best deal right now!
I sincerely recommend the one with the highest amount of channels. I know people will say that there are only 24 gps satellites BUT I had a 16 channel receiver and got BAD signal coverage (around urban environments especially). At one point my GPS software was telling me I was in the middle of Sydney Harbour (but to take the next right - don't ask me Tomtom did it...).
I updated to a 52 channel reciever and have had no problems since.
Others may have a different opinion but I believe the one with the most channels is money well spent, and the petrol you save running around in circles trying to get a GPS fix & trying to work out WHERE THE HELL YOU ARE (not to mention the high blood pressure and hair replacement costs) more than make up for the "extra" $$$$$...
Cheers...
ultramag69 said:
I sincerely recommend the one with the highest amount of channels. I know people will say that there are only 24 gps satellites
. . .
I updated to a 52 channel reciever and have had no problems since.
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Thanks for the reply! After I posted on here, I located a 51-channel solar Bluetooth GPS -- the BT2.3MR (not available "Buy it Now" but first one I monitored sold for $56). To see the item I'm talking about, go to: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Solar-Bluetooth-GPS-Receiver-51-Channels-free-ship_W0QQitemZ300246493051. Are there any issues with solar-powered GPS devices? Or are they too new to even get feedback on?
I will keep looking for a 52-channel GPS receiver, as I'm pretty frugal with my money on eBay. Thanks again!

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