REVIEW COMMENTS: Holux GR-230 Bluetooth GPS

Dave

We have completed the Holux GR-230 Bluetooth GPS Review, and there's nothing like moving the goal posts. The Holux GR-230 is the only Bluetooth GPS Receiver we can honestly say has outperformed the Emtac BT GPS, and that is quite a statement to make!

The full review is available here.

goran · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:05 pm Post subject:

Hi.
Does this GPS has a possibility to connect an external antenna?
Thank you,
Goran

Dave · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:07 pm Post subject:

Yes it does

goepf · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 13, 2003 Posts: 16

Dave,

I have the GR-230 and use it with a Palm TT. I have connection problems when I turn off the Palm (or even close the program like Fugawi or Mapopolis). Did you observe anything similar with PPC? Do you have an idea if this is a Palm a Holux or a general BT problem? Could it be something with the powersave mode from the Holux (it turns immediately to standby after closing a program or turning off the Palm)?

Thanks for a feed-back

PS: your report is very good. This is the reason why I bought the GR-230...

Goepf

Dave · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 2:13 pm Post subject:

I know very little about the Palm BT infrastructure, but on the Pocket PC there is a way to turn off Bluetooth. The correct way really is to exit an application so it doesn't try to keep requesting a BT connection, if this can be done on a Palm it might resolve the issue, but I'm not 100% sure.

Most of the newer BT GPS's have a bluetooth connection sensor which will sense when the connection dies and not try to talk Bluetooth again until it sees a connection open up. This helps conserve battery power and is usually there by design.

goran · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 4:06 pm Post subject:

Hi.
I have received my new Holux 230 today. I have paired it successfully with Ipaq 2210. Than I have installed GPS viewer but it can not open any port? I am still powering the Holux but it shouldn't be a problem. What am I doing wrong?

Dave · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 5:20 pm Post subject:

Use COM8, NMEA 9600. Be very careful, and do not try to switch it to SiRF, and change the baud rate, if you do you will lose the GPS as there is a bug in the firmware. This is detailed in the review.

If you try to switch between NMEA and SiRF and also change the baud rate, there is a bug in the firmware that will lose connection, and the only way around this is to purchase a data cable and connect it manually to a PC and switch it back, or send it back to Holux to switch it back for you.

andrealoffredo · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 22, 2004 Posts: 1

I have tried to install gr-230 driver on a lap top with xp, and 98 but i never succedeed in having a driver installed and the new usb port was always indicated as not working with an unknowen usb device connected.
I have remarked that the data cable i have is without the blak box in it's middle like in the photos i have seen, while it's a simple cable with the two type of usb terminals.

i don't know if it's a problem of cable or it'' a problem concerning with the driver.

I'm waiting for my hp 2210 so i haven't use the gr 230 as a blutooth terminal.

Please help me

thank-you

xehpuk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 29, 2004 Posts: 1

In reply to previous post.

Or to be exact the GPS is not an USB device. The mini USB connector
on it is a serial port (but not RS232 voltage levels). The black bubble
on the optional USB cable is an USB to serial port converter.

So to use USB you must buy the additional USB cable the one
with a little black bubble in the middle.

But for me that optional cable does not work very well anyway.
I have to retry (unplug/plugin/poweroff/poweron) over and over
again in order to get connected (using Windows XP)

I run linux on my iPAQ and I have to force the iPAQ to redo pairing
in order to get connection over bluetooth every time. Not very
convenient.

Perhaps I do something wrong. Read all about it here someone and
help me out, please...
http://www.eit.se/hb/misc/text/installing_gpe_0.7.2_on_ipaq3970.txt

/henrik

Bloggs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 17, 2004 Posts: 13

I have a new GR230 which is noticeably inferior in sensitivity to my old Emtac. It lost lock twice whilst driving yesterday, something which the Emtac has never done. It always seems to have 1 or 2 sats less locked on, wherever I use it.

I bought it for the dual NMEA feed (BT and wired) for use on a boat. With an external aerial, its performance is good enough.

eDsuB · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 07, 2004 Posts: 36

I am trying to setup my DCONNEX DC-230 (rebadged Holux GR-230) to work with my laptop via USB or serial.
I purchased a generic USB to mini-USB cable (all wired, in fact this cable is the same as the charging cable wich came with the GPS, also fully wired).
BUT: My laptop is not able to identify the GPS.
This might be caused by the fact henrik mentioned (The GPS delivers TTL serial signals on the mini-USB port).

Is there anyone who can give me a clue other than buying the official USB data cable to get this to work??
_________________
eDsuB

T-Mobile MDA Vario IV
TTN7 / iGo8

Bloggs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 17, 2004 Posts: 13

The GR230 cable port puts out NMEA ASCII at TTL voltage levels, not RS232 levels. You need a conversion lead which is available from Holux UK. As for baud rate, see this thread:

http://pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=61137#61137

ACROHUNTER · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2005 Posts: 1

Hi Dave,

Nice review.

I have a palmOne Zire 72 GPS Navigation Pack, it's come with a Bluetooth GPS identical to the Holux GR-230, but with a PLAM logo, do you know if it is the same GPS?.

I would like to know if it is compatible with other PPC, I have used it just with the Zire 72.

You can find it at:

link here

If it's the same product I think I made a good deal.

Thanks

Dave · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 5:29 pm Post subject:

Looking at the pic it looks identical, but I can't really comment about the internals. It could be a cheap knock off, but I doubt it.

esoteric · Occasional Visitor Joined: Aug 12, 2005 Posts: 4

In the specs it states ..

Dynamic Conditions
Jerk: 20 m/sec, max

What exactly does that mean?

Also does this work well with street mapping software and driving around?

Thanks!

-Erik

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