SIRF3 or RFMD

[mjvclv]

Guys & Gals,
im looking at the range of products on the market to update an old Sirf2 receiver. Any thoughts between a SIRF3 or the new RFMD inside chipsets?

[StevenGourlay]

I have not physically used the RFMD chipset but done some research and the opinion i am getting is that its not as sensitive as the SiRF STAR III but it will get a faster TTFF from a cold start. I use the Holux 236 which has the SiRF STAR III and have had no problems with it and would recommend that.
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Regards
Steven Gourlay
Bike Pics! Bike Chat! Visit-Ullapool

[Pc-Mobile]

SirfIII is getting so much hype that everyone's opinion is that no one should buy a non-SirfIII GPS now.

I agree if the price difference between SirfIII GPS and previous chips GPS is small. If the price difference is big, many older chips GPS are quite satisfactory in many conditions. The only big difference is the use indoors and where reception is marginal (or impossible) for other chips sets. If you are using it in car and you are always in open roads (not in crowded city), older chips GPS are good enough.

I have tested a Holux 236 and another RFMD BT GPS. There is not much difference in performance. If anything, the BT engine in RFMD seems to be more stable while I occassionall got disconnection with 236 (BT engine and/or software in PDA may have something to do with it). I believe the BT engine is built ino the RFMD chips (?I may be wrong), while with SirfIII, BT engine is external and can be any make.

I have not tested extensively, particularly indoors. That may have some difference, if any.

I also tested an old trusty Mio168 indoors with external antenna, it outperforms the 236 with it placing the same place near the window with the Mio external antenna!
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Pc-Mobile
http://pc-mobile.net/gps.htm

[portman]

I've got a RFMD bluetooth GPS(Qstarz BT-880), had it for 3 months and can't complain. Used it in some fairly deep valleys and still got 6 satellites. Its better than the Garmin I3 for signal strengh/start up speed etc, but then again that should be expected!

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