Recommended GPS

[Shane Ornelas]

What is the most dependable GPS you guys are using? Looking for useful information on available GPS.

 

[Mark Blue]

I believe it’s the US Globalsat BU353-S4. You can grab the latest drivers from their website as well. Can you tell us what map program you plan to use?

 

[Shane Ornelas]

Honestly I use paper maps, and a Magellan GPS to navigate.

 

[B. Dean Berry]

I use two. I have a Magellan Roadmate standalone, as well as a computer-based GPS receiver. The one for the computer is used primarily for GRLevel3 and Mobile Threat Net.

Currently, I use a Globalsat BU-353 magnetic GPS receiver for the computer. If you prefer holes, I have also used the Globalsat MR-350P/S4 with great results.

 

[Shane Ornelas]

Im thinking about giving the Globalsat GPS a try. Im left with uncertainty at times using the paper maps with the Magellan. Thanks for the info.

 

[Rob Herman]

I use a Qstarz Q1000XT GPS logger. It can be used like a puck and continues to log if your computer crashes, is shut down or goes to sleep. It also has blue tooth.

 

[Mark Blue]

I have an old Delorme BT-20 that still works to this day. It also included a USB cable for charging or connecting that way if preferred. That crazy thing has taken a beating over the years sliding around on the dashboard during the heat of the chase. It’s like the old Timex saying, it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. I have 3 extra lithium ion batteries I purchased back in 2008 from Mouser Electronics, so I always have a full battery no matter what. Bluetooth does have a certain appeal for those who want to go wireless.

 

[B. Dean Berry]

I like the idea of Bluetooth, but I've come to never depend on it. It seems like such a good tool, but there's something off about it. It will connect and work fine for a year or more, then an update comes, or the wind blows, or it's Tuesday, and it stops connecting. Will outright refuse to connect. This stuff has happened with headsets, speaker/mics, GPS units, even with my car stereos.

Just one day, it stops.

 

[Shane Ornelas]

Ya technology is awesome when it works the way you need it to! Bluetooth, GPS ect...

 

[Shawn Camp]

Dear Dean Berry

Does the Global sat-bu-353 have any software that must be put into your laptop first before you can use the puck ?????? how does it keep track of your location while out chasing and does it accurately update so that it updates the roads and streets and stuff like that or does it just keep track of where you are ?????? also what do you use for the roads and streets and back roads and county roads of the different states of lets say Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas so that you know where you are so that let's say you don't wind up in a ditch or on some road with no where to go or run ???????? and does that puck fit on your dash inside or outside on the roof ????????? . please get back to me on answers on these questions as soon as time allows you to do so. Thanks


Shawn C.

" FOX 4-WARN STORMTRACKER"

"FOX4NEWS.COM"


"WEATHER ONLY ON FOX 4- THE NEWS STATION

 

[B. Dean Berry]

The puck is a GPS receiver that connects to your computer. It has a magnetic base for use outside the car. It emulates through a COM Port, and works with software already on your computer. I would recommend GRLevel3 with the road map placefile.

Sent from my Z971 using Tapatalk

 

[J Tyler]

The last time I spoke with Globalsat was a while back, but at that time they were officially telling customers that the company that made the chipset for the BU-353 (which is what I've run for years) was not going to develop a driver for windows 8, 8.1, or 10. I was just at their website, and they still do not show a driver for Windows 10. There was a workaround the last time I checked a year ago, but it was ridiculous IMO.

If you want to use a mapping program like Windows Streets & Trips 2013, or Delorme (and I assume GR3) which use NMEA, you have to purchase:
GlobalSat BU-353S4

It is my understanding that GlobalSat has a puck specifically for Windows 10 Apps (like the Windows Map App) which does NOT use NMEA. If you want to use those mapping apps, you have to buy
GlobalSat 05-BU353-W10

My information may be out of date. If it is, please correct where I am wrong.

 

[Mark Blue]

I looked over their website and indeed this W10 model is what one could potentially use with Windows Maps. The other information you stated is true as well, but to avoid any confusion there are Windows 10 drivers for the S4 variant, but not the standard BU353. The BU353 is the one with the workaround for Windows 8, 8.1, and 10. Thanks for sharing!

 

[B. Dean Berry]

I'm partial to the MR350P/S4 that I had on a past chase vehicle. I had it working with both Windows 7 and Windows 10, and it did an excellent job.

The downside is that it requires a hole in your roof to mount. If you see that as a downside. I don't.

 

[STexan]

What is the most dependable GPS you guys are using? Looking for useful information on available GPS.

Are you talking about a true "GPS device" or a "GPS connect to software" setup? If you just want something that works all the time, data connection or not, and can be situated in the upper windshield corner with easy viewing at all times, and has virtually all roads down to county/city level, a Garmin GPS is hard to beat for number of reasons. I never travel or chase without one. I just never cared for relying on a tablet or laptop to critically navigate with or view current real-world position with.

BTW, the Garmins do have a basic "logging option" but you need to download and retrieve the data within about a week before it's over-written. Also, I recommend the Dezl (trucker versions). They have some simplified destination selection options and you don't have to have a complete address if you just want to target a town center.