Globalsat BT-338 review

lbendlin · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 12:11 am Post subject:

The chipset is SiRF III. But this chipset can talk different protocols, in this case it's own native protocol SiRF Binary, or the much more common clear text based NMEA protocol.

There is no functional difference between the two (you still get the same sat fix) but SiRF commands are required to setup the receiver. For this you can either switch to SiRF mode (with SiRFDemo) or issue the SiRF commands from within NMEA (the "$PSRF" sequences you may see sometiimes).

So SiRF is binary, and NMEA is clear text (ASCII). That's the main difference. Have a read on the web if you want to get into more detail.
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Saabu · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 20, 2005 Posts: 4

genghisackroyd · Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 10:19 am Post subject:

Just read the review by Simon Catlin http://pocketgpsworld.com/BT338UserReview.php - well done a full and objective review. I now wish two things

1. I have been able to buy one for $168 rather than the $300 we have to pay here in the UK!!
2. I had seen it before buying my Fortuna Clip-on (better price worse performance.

@Simon

Thanks again! (I'm jealous as hell)
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PDA Current: iPAQ hx4700 + Co-Pilot Live/TomTom 2, 3 & 5 + Fortuna Clip-On + 512Mb Ultra ii SD + 256Mb SD + Brodit Active Mount

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Darren · Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:02 pm Post subject:

I've been using the BT338 and TomTom's Bluetooth MKII GPS's for a while now and they really are a revelation in performance terms.

If you're looking for a new receiver even given the price surcharge for a SiRFStarIII unit I guarantee you they are worth every penny.
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Darren Griffin

Lorax · Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject:

Hmmmm, Just read the new review by Simon Catlin. Mine didn't come with a ton of adaptors and a 'Y' shaped thingy!!!

Mine just had a UK plugged charger and a single cable car charger!!!

on a slightly separate matter, I have a TomTom car mount. Does anyone know where i can get a cable to go from the extra socket (a kind of phone socket looking thing) on the tomtom car mount, to my BT 338?

Thanks

lorax

Darren · Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 4:08 pm Post subject:

The socket you refer to is RJ-11, the correct cable can be purchased here:

http://www.handnav.co.uk/product_details.php?id=303

The BT338 will work with this cable.
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Darren Griffin

Lorax · Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 6:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks Darren. perfect.
Now I just need to find a longer cable to connect my tomtom cradle to the lighter socket!!!

Lorax

SimonCatlin · Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 10:12 pm Post subject:

Does anyone if a USB Charging cable for the BT 338 exists? I have tried looking for one, but cannot find one.
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Darren · Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 6:57 am Post subject:

The BT338 will accept standard iPAQ charging accessories so search for an iPAQ - USB charging lead.
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Darren Griffin

SimonCatlin · Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:35 am Post subject:

mixer25 · Regular Visitor Joined: Jan 10, 2004 Posts: 102

I am really keen on getting one of these...

Just one question if I do hardwire a power lead, when the power lead is in does it just re-charge over and over the battery or does it directly power the unit?

The old Tomtom BT unit was very bad for this, battery destoryed in a year.

If this is the case, is it just best to use the battery up, recharge and then use again rather than hardwire it?

My old wired GPS is the TOMTOM, just for record when I updated to 3.07 this had a massive impact on speed of picking up sats, used to take 30 seconds min sometimes 5 mins!!!, now it takes about 15-20 secs.

Cheers

Darren

lbendlin · Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 3:14 pm Post subject:

Or - take out the battery and let it run exclusively on switched power.
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shotton_axeman · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 5

richie14771 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 27, 2005 Posts: 2

Hi Pocket GPS World People.

I have just joined the ranks and wondered if anyone could help me in my moment of desperation.

I recently obtained the GlobalSat BT-333 SiRF Star III Bluetooth GPS. I loaded the software onto my HP iPaq 6340 Pocket PC and followed the instructions to load the Device through the iPaq Wireless Bluetooth Manager which all went according to the plan.

When I tried to activate the GPS through my Sat Nav Programme, TOMTOM Navigator 3.00 (402) I am getting no response at all .

Is there anyone out there that can give me a step by step answer to the problem.

I am only a novice in this game but did not think it would be this complicated.

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