 With portable GPS receivers increasing in popularity for everyday use, we thought it would be useful to give you a couple of reviews of products we have in stock here at Computer Geeks. Designed for use with laptop computers, the UT-41 and MS-GM-03 are both good selections for geeks who want to know where they are at all times. A USB connection, the small size of the unit and more than 6 feet of USB cable make setup and take down of the UT-41 very easy. The Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface on the MS-GM-03 allows this receiver to work with almost any computer. In addition, the unit is rugged enough for everyday use and accurate enough for most users' needs. Please note that using a GPS receiver with a laptop in a vehicle can be very distracting. Use good judgement and do not attempt to make changes or look at the laptop while driving. Act responsibly when operating and observe all traffic regulations. Read or make selections only when stopped. Prior to actually using it, read the owner’s manual and learn how to operate it properly. Become thoroughly familiar with the gps receiver and do not allow others to use it until they have read and understand the instructions.
UT-41 Portable GPS General Features
- USB interface
- 12 channel GPS receiver
- Standard NMEA-0183 V3.01 GPS protocol
- Onboard patch antenna
- 4100 simultaneous time-frequency search bins
- SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS) support
- -140dBm acquisition sensitivity
- -150dBm tracking sensitivity
- <10 second hot start
- <50 second cold start
- 5m CEP accuracy
- Low power consumption: 90mA
- 6-foot + USB cable
Portable GPS Receiver UT-41 Product Requirements
- Available USB port
- CD-ROM drive
- Software that is able to use a GPS receiver (NMEA-0183 GPS compliant software)
- NMEA-0183 GPS compliant software:
Portable GPS Receiver UT-41 Setup
 Setting up the UT-41 can take less than two minutes even without the printed instructions. For this test, the UT-41 portable GPS was plugged into an IBM ThinkPad. Like any other USB device, just plug it in then load the driver that is provided on the included CD-ROM. Getting the unit to work with Google Earth along with Earth Bridge takes a little longer but the combination of two free applications makes it worth while. Google Earth is a free application for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers that offers satellite views of the Earth. Earth Bridge works as a conduit for Google Earth to interface with a GPS receiver. Earth Bridge will update Goggle Earth with current location data from the GPS allowing real-time navigation.  It is important to mention that some users report the UT-41 may tend to give inaccurate locations such as along the coast of Africa or in the middle of Asia if not used with a USB 2.0 port. Original testing was performed using a USB 1.1 port, and the unit often failed to properly orient itself on Google Earth. However, once connected to a USB 2.0 port, the UT-41 correctly adjusted to the right coordinates.
Portable GPS Receiver UT-41 Usage
While hauling around a laptop for global positioning may not be as practical as a standalone GPS unit or a PDA, the amount of free (or cheap) and handy software can make a laptop more useful than a handheld device. Traveling with a laptop in a car’s passenger seat offers an easy-to-read screen compared with many of the handheld units which have to be held or dash mounted. Remember, do not attempt to make changes or look at the laptop while driving and enable voice activation when available. Also, the low power consumption of the UT-41 does not noticeably affect the runtime of a laptop. The device does well finding latitude, longitude, and altitude and, while driving, it also keeps track of speed very accurately. Working with Google Earth in conjunction with Earth Bridge makes navigation a snap as Earth Bridge constantly updates Google Earth’s map. The UT-41 performs well outdoors and in a car, but has several issues when used indoors. At times the information was inaccurate mostly with altitude, if it even worked at all. Because the unit comes with a six-foot cable, it can be placed next to a window which often helps with most problems it has indoors. This is because a building window will allow the satellite’s signal to pass through to the receiver much like it does in a vehicle.
MS-GM-03 Portable GPS Receiver General Features
- USB interface
- 16 channel GPS receiver
- Standard NMEA-0183 V3.01 GPS protocol
- Onboard patch antenna
- 4800 simultaneous time-frequency search bins
- SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS) support
- Low power consumption
- 6-foot USB cable
MS-GM-03 Portable GPS Receiver Product Requirements
- Available USB port
- CD-ROM drive
- Software that is able to use a GPS receiver
MS-GM-03 Portable GPS Receiver Package Includes:
- MS-GM-03 16-Channel USB NMEA-0183 GPS Receiver
- Drivers CD
- Users manual
MS-GM-03 Portable GPS Receiver Setup
Caution! This is not mentioned on the box. The MS-GM-03 has a fairly powerful internal magnet that can cause damage to sensitive electronic equipment. To prevent damage or data loss, be careful not to place the unit on tapes, hard drives, or flash media. Test runs for the MS-GM-03 used an IBM ThinkPad loaded with Google Earth along with Earth Bridge navigation software.Installation of the MS-GM-03 is quick and as easy as any other USB device. Simply unpack the unit, run the setup utility found on the included CD-ROM, and plug the unit in when requested. Make sure to open the device manager after running the installation to find out what communications port the USB bus has assigned the receiver. You will need this information before configuring any navigation software.To open the device manager in Windows XP, right click on your "My Computer" icon and choose Properties from the menu. Click on the “Hardware” tab, then click the "Device Manager" button. Make note of the port. Once assigned, the MS-GM-03 was very good about releasing this port after being removed, or if the computer was shut down. One downfall is that the CD-ROM does not include drivers for Macintosh or Linux and a quick search on the Internet also did not reveal any.
MS-GM-03 Portable GPS Receiver Usage
The internal magnet of the MS-GM-03 is strong enough to hold the receiver to most metal car roofs, and the rubber padding helps prevent scratches to the car’s finish, but having the receiver on the dash of a car was more than adequate for it to function properly. The receiver has a rugged, three meter cable that allows it to rest in just about any optimal spot and the cable can even withstand minor pinches from car windows when the unit is mounted on the roof. The MS-GM-03 is very efficient on power having minimal impact on the life of the laptop’s battery. When first started, the receiver can have trouble finding enough satellites, even in wide open spaces. But once they are found, traveling under bridges, in high-rise downtown areas, or even indoors, the MS-GM-03 was very good at keeping its location. Also, the MS-GM-03 does a terrific job accurately measuring speed, altitude, and direction.
Wrap Up
The MS-GM-03 is a great GPS receiver for almost any user on the go. Its speedy set up and take down make it a useful gadget. With its durable construction, it can go almost anywhere and keep up with the most demanding of users. While the receiver was tested with Google Earth and Earth Bridge, almost any GPS-compatible navigation software should work. Though both units performed well, however the MS-GM-03 worked better indoors than the UT-41. Overall, both products performed well in most locations and both worked best with laptops that were USB 2.0 enabled. When compared to standalone GPS units, these portable GPS receivers are very affordable and the larger screen of the laptop made following along very easy. Either unit could be a great asset for a major laptop user. With the multitude of GPS software products available for personal computers, low price, and ease of use, this item is a necessity, especially for the directionally challenged! With a price tag of under $40.00 at Geeks.com, either unit is also a great buy for anyone interested in experimenting with GPS technology.
Geeks Humor
Q: How many software engineers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: Sorry, that's a hardware question!
On a more serious note:
If you go to the website LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card that Xerox will print and send to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't choose who gets it, but it will go to a member of the U.S. armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!
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