Holux M-1000 32 channel GPS receiver module

After purchasing a Pocket PC (HP hx4700) mainly for use as a calender assistant and portable web browsing device, I soon discovered that it could also be used as a portable Sat Nav device as well, allowing applications such as Tomtom to be uploaded onto it, and for those who are interested in light aircraft flying, like me, memory map is fantastic aviation GPS program which can be used on using actual CAA aviation maps with GPS data overlay for flight ...
...is needed to allow tomtom and memory map to function is a GPS receiver device. I had previously purchased a Compact Flash card extension GPS receiver which plugged into the Pocket PC's existing ports directly, unfortunately, it was very poor at satellite tracking and position locking, taking several minutes to lock-on to your position.


After failing to be impressed by this Compact flash GPS receiver, I was beginning to loose faith ... more

After purchasing a Pocket PC (HP hx4700) mainly for use as a calender assistant and portable web browsing device, I soon discovered that it could also be used as a portable Sat Nav device as well, allowing applications such as Tomtom to be uploaded onto it, and for those who are interested in light aircraft flying, like me, memory map is fantastic aviation GPS program which can be used on using actual CAA aviation maps with GPS data overlay for flight planning and tracking purposes. The one extra hardware add-on which is needed to allow tomtom and memory map to function is a GPS receiver device. I had previously purchased a Compact Flash card extension GPS receiver which plugged into the Pocket PC's existing ports directly, unfortunately, it was very poor at satellite tracking and position locking, taking several minutes to lock-on to your position.

After failing to be impressed by this Compact flash GPS receiver, I was beginning to loose faith with the whole concept, but thought that I would give one last punt at buying a Bluetooth connecting GPS receiver off Ebay, which praised itself at being all singing and dancing with incredible battery life and super connection speeds. It proved to be just that.

External Features

The receiver itself is a black rectangular box shaped device with 3 LED lights on the top, one orange which flashes once a GPS signal has been achieved, one blue which signals a bluetooth connection to an external device, and one further light to indicate low battery life remaining. It also has a USB connection input for connection to computers without Bluetooth and is also the charging connector. The base of the device has two rubber sections designed to act as a non-slip mat, which are quite effective, but not brilliant.

Connectivity

The GPS signal lock is achieved in a fantastic amount of time, if outside being as quick as 10 seconds! I was amazed when I first bought it that it achieved, somehow, a GPS lock on the ground floor of my house! A weak singal, but a signal all the same. The bluetooth connectivity is very good, I thought that it might easily loose connection to the Pocket Pc but this has never unintentionally happened.

Battery Life

The battery life is superb also, it lasts anything between 10 to 15 hours hours and holds the charge amazingly well when not used, after months of being in the cupboard, I pulled it out and it worked straight away without needing extra charging.

Where to buy

I bought mine from Ebay for around £25 about a year and a half ago, I am not too sure where else you would be able to purchase this device from, but Ebay for me has always been a good option.

Product Summary

Overall, this is a fantastic device which has never let me down, I could not believe how good it was for the price that I payed. If you need one, get one, their worth the money. I will give this device a Dooyoo rating of 5 stars out of 5. 

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