Doug Raeburn
03-29-2004, 06:30 PM
<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-mar04-bluegps-0.jpg" /> <br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> GPS hardware<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <a href="http://www.royaltek.com">RoyalTek Company Ltd.</a> <br /><b>Where to Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.buygpsnow.com/item.aspx?itemid=263">buyGPSnow.com</a><br /><b>Price:</b> $209.95 USD<br /><b>System Specifications:</b> Bluetooth-capable Pocket PC; Pocket PC 2002 or Windows Mobile 2003; Windows 98 or greater for PC version.<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b><ul><li>Easy setup and connection to Pocket PC;<li>Satellites are acquired quickly;<li>Bluetooth and satellite connections are strong and reliable.</ul><b>Cons:</b><ul><li>AC adapter not included;<li>No case provided.</ul><b>Summary:</b> One class of device that's riding the wave of Bluetooth popularity is the GPS receiver. RoyalTek has weighed in with their BlueGPS, a device that combines standard GPS receiver functionality with data logging capabilities. Data logging records routes and events while driving, a very useful aid for managing fleets of vehicles and other transportation monitoring needs. Overall, I found the BlueGPS to be a strong performer that’s among the more affordable Bluetooth GPS receivers. <br /><br />Read on for the full review!<!><br /><PAGEBREAK><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-mar04-bluegps-1.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: Say hello to the BlueGPS!</i><br /><br /><span><b>What's In The Box?</b></span><br />The version of the BlueGPS that I received came in a package that contained the receiver, a power cable for your car and some software to support the data logging function. Since it was recommended that the lithium ion battery in the unit be fully charged, the fact that an AC charger was not included immediately became an issue. I happen to own a converter that allows me to plug a car adaptor into an AC outlet, so I wasn't inconvenienced too greatly. For those of you without such an adapter, it may have been a bigger issue. However, I see on the reseller's site that the AC adapter is now included, so be aware of this if you decide to order one.<br /><br />Compared to the piece of glowing lucite eye candy from Pharos that I reviewed recently, the BlueGPS is a bit understated. But since I don't buy a GPS unit to make a fashion statement, I won't hold a lack of flashiness against it. The BlueGPS is a simple yet attractive unit with a rounded rectangular shape. Featured on the outside of the unit are the following: a power switch, adapter connection, external antenna connection, power/charging light, GPS status light and Bluetooth light. Plastic feet on the bottom of the unit help prevent it from sliding around on your dashboard.<br /><br />Connecting the BlueGPS to my iPAQ 5455 was simple. I turned on the GPS and the Bluetooth on the iPAQ and then fired up Destinator 3. I used Destinator's "Find GPS" function, which automatically activated the Bluetooth Manager. The Bluetooth Manager found the BlueGPS, I selected it and I was taken back into Destinator, with the BlueGPS connected and ready for action.<br /><br /><span><b>Using the BlueGPS for Navigation</b></span><br />After the BlueGPS and iPAQ were communicating, I was impressed with the speed at which satellites were acquired. The BlueGPS would typically lock on to four or more satellites in about 10 seconds, which is more than twice as fast as my trusty NavMan sleeve. In over three hours of driving, the BlueGPS always stayed in contact with enough satellites to support navigation, and the Bluetooth connection to the iPAQ never dropped. RoyalTek claims that the BlueGPS will go for 10-12 hours on a single charge. <PAGEBREAK> <br /><br /><span><b>Data Logging</b></span><br />The BlueGPS’s data logging capabilities are targeted towards commercial applications. Companies that have fleets of cars or trucks can use this feature for such things as tracking the use of their vehicles and monitoring safe driving.<br /><br />How does it work? The data logger takes a snapshot of certain characteristics when one of several events occurs. The characteristics include the date, time, location (using longitude and latitude), heading and speed. The snapshots can be set to occur at a set time interval (every five seconds, for example) or after a certain distance is traveled (every 20 meters, for example). Another event that can trigger a log entry is when the vehicle exceeds a certain speed threshold, as when one of your fleet vehicles is driven over 75 mph.<br /><br />The BlueGPS comes with software to configure the data logging and download the results. Versions are included for the Pocket PC and for the PC.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-mar04-bluegps-2.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 2: Configure your data log.</i><br /><br />To configure the data logging function, you simply connect the BlueGPS to your Pocket PC using Bluetooth. Figure 2 shows the configuration tab. As stated earlier, you can set the device to log a snapshot by distance, time and/or speed limit. A connection to a Pocket PC or PC is not required for the data logging to occur… the BlueGPS does that all by itself once you configure it and enable the function.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-mar04-bluegps-3.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 3: It’s playback time!</i><br /><br />When you wish to review the data in the data log, connect the BlueGPS to your Pocket PC once again, download the data that it has collected and save it to a text file. You can then play the route through a “virtual” COM port. <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-mar04-bluegps-4.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 4: Big Brother is watching…</i><br /><br />Set your navigation software to the same COM port and speed, and it treats the data log playback as if it’s receiving live data from a GPS. Figure 4 shows Destinator 3 replaying a route using the data in the log. <PAGEBREAK> <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-mar04-bluegps-5.jpg" /> <br /><i>Figure 5: The PC playback screen.</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-mar04-bluegps-6.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 6: The display for the PC route replay.</i><br /><br />As stated previously, PC compatible software for the data logger is also included. The route replay screen from the PC is seen in Figure 5, while Figure 6 shows the same intersection displayed in Figure 4 on the Pocket PC, but this time it’s being displayed by MS Streets and Trips for the desktop.<br /><br />This description covers the basics of the data logging functionality. Much more detail is available on the RoyalTek site.<br /><br /><span><b>Conclusion</b></span><br />The BlueGPS provides all of the functionality that you'd expect in a Bluetooth GPS receiver. It's portable, it connects easily to your Pocket PC, and connections are fast and reliable. Unlike proprietary GPS units for Pocket PCs that were popular in the past, a Bluetooth receiver like the BlueGPS remains a viable solution even as you upgrade your Pocket PC. As long as you have Bluetooth, you're good to go. The data logging functionality, while of limited utility to a consumer, has many useful commercial applications. And an affordable price for its class makes it all the more attractive. It may be time for me to retire the old NavMan...