32 channels better than 20?

[OM3]

I've seen GPS receiver that have 32 channels.
Are these significantly better than 20 channel units?

Thanks.


OM

[mikealder]

As there are only 24 satellites orbiting the planet that are used for GPS positional data in use at any single time, also you can only theoretically see a maximum of 12 satellites from a ground based position at any single time, so there is little point in having multi channel capable receivers that have more channels than there are satellites in orbit..
In practice the extra channels on the 20 or 32 chnl devices will be used as the receiver will pick up multiple path signals from the same satellite (reflections off buildings etc) - the issue of which is best - there are far more important factors to consider, sensitivity etc.
Personally if its not equipped with a SiRF-III chipset I wouldn’t touch it - Mike

[7andy]

Don't forget, in the near future (c 2008) we shall start to see Gallileo (the European GPS system) coming online, so theoretically, we could see more than twelve satellites.

Cheers, 7&Y

[neil01]

[7andy]

I understand that's the plan :D In fact it's so compatible, that the Americans demanded that they should be able to turn it off should they wish.

Cheers, 7&Y

PS Since when did the Americans own Space??

[portman]

I've got a Qstarz BT-880 (32channel)bought off ebay about 6/8 months ago and its very good, works indoors and out, instant hot start and 30-40 secs cold start, about half the time of my Garmin i3.

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