Review by Dave Burrows

We had previously reviewed the RoyalTek Sapphire GPS Mouse back in late 2002, but recently RoyalTek re-released this great GPS Mouse still as the RGM-2000 but with a newly designed cable set.  There really aren't any noticeable differences in the tests we performed, but the new cables are much better. 

The design of the RoyalTek Sapphire GPS Receiver has quite a radical look.  You either like it or you hate it.  I'm definitely in the like it camp.  I'm not overly sure what makes it look nice, whether it's the size of the receiver being so small, or the nice blackish purple dome, but the name says it all!

It also looks like a trackball mouse which I've adored and used for a number of years, so that's probably why I like it.  Mystery I think is what

RoyalTek Sapphire GPS Receiver

shrouds this receiver.  It could even be a car alarm or tracker in disguise sitting on the dashboard and no one would be the wiser.

The old Sapphire had a PS/2 Plug/Socket combination, where as the new one has a specialised groove plug which creates a much stronger bond between cables.

The newly designed Y cable set for the Sapphire RGM-2000 is much better in my opinion.  PDA's supported include:-

- iPAQ 36/37/38/39/54 series

- Casio E125/E200/E500

- Jornada 540/560

- Fujitsu Siemens Loox

- Dell Axim

- Yakumo delta

- NEC E200/300

- ViewSonic V35

- Toshiba e740

- Palm 5xx Series

- O2 XDA! 

The good news is that any cable sets for the new Sapphire RGM-2000 will also fit the Onyx RFG-1000 making it very easy to interchange cables across models. 

RoyalTek have quite an impressive set of cables for the new Sapphire.  RoyalTek sent us a 3800 connector cable set.  You can also purchase a serial or USB connector allowing you to connect the Sapphire direct to your laptop if you desire a larger screen.

The sapphire is pretty small, only 5cm in diameter which must make this one of the smaller and more desirable and attractive looking GPS receivers around.

In our tests we found the sapphire to perform flawlessly.  In our tests the Sapphire didn't come out as the fastest receiver in the form of Time To First Fixes, but it's not far off.  We found our average TTFF with the Sapphire RGM-2000 to be around 44 seconds.  Once it received it's lock, there were very few times where it would lose a fix altogether.  For several days I stashed the Sapphire under the passenger seat, and although TTFF's were extended slightly, it worked quite well considering what was above it!

The bottom of the receiver is magnetic so if you wanted to fit this to the exterior of the car and pass the cable inside, then you can.  The only thing the receiver is really lacking is a felt type backing for the base.  One thing we did find due to it's size and light weight, it did seem quite quick to slide across the dashboard of the car.  A small square of double sided sticky tape should soon put a fix to that.

We have taken a high intensity fill-in flash photo from the top of the receiver so you could take a look inside the darkened sapphire's glass.  The receiver itself is really quite small, with the circuit board lying underneath. 

The RoyalTek Sapphire sports the following features:-

• Compact size

• Twelve parallel channels

• Built-in active antenna

• Super-cohesive magnetic for installation

• High sensitivity to satellite signal

• Low power consumption

Technical Specifications

• Twelve parallel channels in GPS.

• Built-in active antenna.

• Super-cohesive magnetic for installation.

• High sensitivity to satellite signal.

• Low power consumption.

• Apply to any devices with nine-pin COM port & PS2 ,USB and some specific PDA.

• NMEA 2.2 GGA, GSA, GSV and RMC, Baud rate 4800bps.

• Navigation update rate: 1Hz.

GPS Hardware TTFF (Time To First Fix)

Conclusion

The RoyalTek Sapphire is attractive, small and lightweight and performs very well under varying conditions.  It's Time To First Fix although not the fastest on the block in our tests, does perform very well, re-acquisition time we found to be pretty good at around a couple of seconds.  The only thing it really lacks is a felt backing or a suction cup through the cable to keep it in one place on the dashboard.  A great little GPS receiver, a pleasure to use and comes in a few pennies short of £110!

References

Manufacturers Website

http://www.royaltek.com

Pocket GPS Reviewer

Dave Burrows

Pocket GPS Reviewer Website

Dave Burrows.com

Rating

Durability

Windscreen Suction Mount Strength

not supplied

Air Vent Mount Strength

not supplied

Car Power Cable Quality

Overall Rating 95%

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