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SiRFIII Data Logger/USB GPS Receiver

User Reviews about SiRFIII Data Logger USB GPS Re

I have very specialized needs in a gps logger due to my job functions, but I thought others might like to know some of the functionality that is NOT mentioned in any of the product documentation:

Most GPS data loggers on the market give you the necessary position and velocity data. I'm only mentioning features that I consider very unique to this device:
1) Non-bluetooth - I can't take transmitting devices into my lab areas for security reasons. This is a rare feature in GPS loggers today.

2) External antenna input: This is far and away my favorite feature. Since I have to frequently troubleshoot GPS acquisiton problems for military applications, both in the lab and out in the field, I need a way rule out antenna cabling as the problem. When you plug in the external antenna, the unit STOPS using the internal antenna for RF. It has helped me diagnose cabling problems on numerous occassions. Other folks pull out their high-dollar spectrum analyzers and spend an hour setting it up when they have problems; I pull the $80 GlobalSat DG-100 out of my pocket and in 30-60 seconds have proof positive that the I can track satellites or not (blinking green LED). The only additional item needed is an antenna adapter (my applications normally use SMA connectors; the DG-100 has an MMCX connector)
-- Great little logger for some applications

This is the first GPS data Logger that I have owned. The product is acceptable for general tracking where a location tolerance of plus/minus 10 feet is acceptable.

I have recorded bicycle rides around the 5 mile block and it sometimes tracks better. With the altitude recording, it is again off by 10 to 20 feet. The 400 feet elevation change of the mountain does not move, but the data indicates different heights up to 20 feet.

Converting the data to excel by the .csv extension is completed only by exporting the selected 60 or 90 second data log. For a 2 hour bicycle ride, you have to export the 120 data files individually then recombine them. This is a tedious task.

Unless you write a program to convert lon. and lat. to feet, it is just enought for general games. I have not tested the extra antenna option.
The limited 1 second sampling rate is fine for walking, but where motorcycle racing and quickly changing bicycle velocities are experienced, there are big changes in velocity in those 1 seconds.

The system has a tendancy to drop data points on occation where it may loose signal or when it is storing data. -- Data Usage

Nice sensitive GPS datalogger. Selectable point logging time works while running. Had to kill gpsd, run globdog-dg100, start GPS-Mouse mode, start gpsd /dev/ttyUSB0.

I'll try geotagging photos soon. -- Works with gpsd on Ubuntu