GPS Puck type receivers - comments wanted

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airborne1

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I am about to install a Laptop PC for use as my Nav software, etc centre. I am looking at a couple of Puck type GPS receivers (ie small round, flat disc type with no display - just a USB cable) I have been looking at the Garmin 18 and Fortuna units.
Does anyone have any experience of these or other similar units or know of any other makers. The Laptop will be used as the GPS display. I do have an older Hand-held GPS unit.
Thanks
 
I have both the usb and the older serial version of these devices in use on different laptops. The older serial port one on the older laptop works great with no glitches. The usb one sometimes confuses the newer machine and it sends the pointer all over the screen at random. It seems to be seeing it as a mouse type device. I have to reboot the machine and then it's ok. May just be the gps and the particular laptop incompatability problems. Otherwise they both work fine. Try e-bay if you want one - that seemed to be the cheapest place.
Greeny
 
The mouse jumping over the screen is a XP known problem. It sees the GPS as a serial mouse. Quite often this is solved by only plugging the usb cable in after the laptop has booted. There are rather more rigorous solutions if needed.

I have a USB/GPS/Mouse which I bought on ebay from Hong Kong - works fine!

The good thing about them is their ability to interface easily, however, they are not as easy to secure in place as a proper aerial. Personally I now use this as a back-up, and feed the laptop normally on a hand-held with a fixed external aerial.
 
I use a Zytec GPS via USB and its never done the serial mouse dance that the garmin to serial to usb set up previously did. and of course it is powered from the lappy which is handy. excellent overall.
 
I use a cheap puck gps, make not know (unmarked) cost about £40 I think with an old IBM thinkpad using XP and Tsunamis99 charts. It has been astonishing for its accuracy around the intricate channels of the Menai Straits and nearby drying harbours. I have been able to use unbouyed channels
to cut corners (with the reassurance of my echo-sounder to confirm the chart readings!)

I also use it in the car with Auto-route (for town plans) and Fugawi for digital OS maps. Brilliant gadget, and never had the curse of the cursor dance! Go for it and don't worry about getting a branded name!
Pentland, Conwy N. Wales
 
Good but limited

The GPS Mouse or Puck as you call it is a good idea and many people like them. I prefer to spend a little more and have a small Hand-Held GPS such as an eTrex ..... will connect via USB or Serial - buy suitable cable from 3rd party supplier ..... This then supplies good GPS input + is stand-alone when needed ..... The Puck is not - it needs PC to work.

The jumping cursor problem is common as Talbot says to XP .... if GPS is connected via USB cable when PC is switched on ... XP detects as a Mouse Pointer device and installs such. So unplug and restart PC ........... plug in once all settled down after restart. Microsoft do have a "fix" for it - but it's useless ....
Some people let XP install the mouse and then disable it via Device Manager .... but that is not always successful.
 
I bought what you call a "puck" GPS new through Ebay for £32 + P&P, but a bluetooth version, so no cable connection and SIRF111, which allows it to pick up a signal anywhere on the boat. I can accordingly connect it to Maptech on the laptop PC and on a blue tooth PDA phone- so have an effective handheld at the helm as well, but obviously not fully independent if the GPS goes down or runs out of juice (Approx 20hrs on full charge) but I can also link laptop up to Garmin 128 via serial lead. Works very well and lack of leads is a real boon. I can even have the GPS unit working in my pocket or in a grab bag.
 
Another option that I don't think anyone has mentioned so far: I have a GPS receiver in a CF card format which I can use with my old Jornada PDA. I also use it with a laptop using a CF to PCMCIA adapter sleeve. The receiver has a built in antenna or you can use an external 'puck' type antenna with it. Works well and doesn't require either a USB or a serial port cable.
 
I have recently seen a solar powered bluetooth GPS mouse device it had something like 18 hours usage on one charge and and also the ability to charge its self from its own Solar panel, I thought that that sounded like a neat idea. found it on e bay for around £60:00 i think
 
I bought a 21 channel version off Ebay. Superb piece of kit. The base has a magnet installed. I made a SS bracket and glued a gavanised washer underneath. The reciever sits on this near the window on my fishing vessel.
 
Thanks folks, I knew I could rely on you. Can I just raise one last question on this subject.
Some of you have said they bought a cheap unit from e-bay and some mentioned Zytec, etc
Would you each care to provide a contact, website, manufacturer etc so that i can identitfy them. Have seen some on e-bay but cannot identify a Zytec supplier.
Thanks again
 
Mine was a 32 (don't think that many are actually available!) channel one made by a co called Qstarz, probably Far Eastern manuf. but purchased through a UK Ebay supplier. I think another make is something like Holux, which is also well thought of. Mine has a magnetic fixing, as others and I can & do use it under the sprayhood, but can equally carry it about. Most should come with mains and 12V chargers, which would allow onboard re-charging if necessary. Try an Ebay search on the above makes at least. Even "buy now" prices should be under £50. I would recommend ones with the most up to date chip sets as these have a greater ability to receive signals inside buildings, structures etc- I can pick up a signal readily in internal rooms at home.
 
I have a Globalsat BU-353 usb gps linked to my laptop. Doesn't need siting on deck.......... works perfectly down below on the chart table and is latest sirf III technology(also magnetic if you want it "stuck" somewhere).

IIRC was purchased from www.expansys.com and is currently approx. £40
 
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