Customer Reviews

GPS Receiver: Microsoft Pharos GPS-168 GPS Receiver

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I needed a GPS solution that didn't break the bank. After using a Garmin while on vacation, once, I had fallen in love with the concept. I figured I needed to get a solution of my own. After a bit of research I opted to go with this one and I haven't been disappointed yet. The versatility of the chipset allows me to use a variety of F/OSS applications that fulfill most if not all of my GPS needs. The easy integration with Google earth as well as my PDA was an added plus. Thank the Lord I'll never be lost again!

The GPS receiver plugged into a USB port. I tried it on Windows Vista laptop with a free nautical navigation package which required it be on a serial port. The system automatically downloaded a driver which made the USB look like a serial port. Then I had to change the serial port number on the software to match the driver port number. This all took about 5 minutes. The receiver acquired the satellite lock very quickly and even inside the house gave a location with an accuracy of a few feet.

This GPS unit is great! Its a lot smaller than the previous units and its fairly accurate to the current position. The unit is compatible with multiple GPS applications such as Streets and Trips 2006-2010.

When I received this gps device, I hope that some kind of software to manage it was included in the package, but there's no any instruction or software. Installed in a Laptop with Windows 7. It's plug and play, placed the receiver at the roof of my car. At first a little disapointed, because I found on the web that it works only with Microsoft Street and Trips thats is useless for me, because this had only maps for USA and Canada, and I live most of the time in South America. But after trying with Google Earth, I found in the tool menu an option for GPS, open the 'Realtime' folder option, select the NMEA Protocol, mark 'Automatically follow the path' and click the start button, and after 4 or 5 seconds, my position appear in the map. It's simple to use and a cheap solution if you need a GPS to travel. P.D. The Google Earth needs an Internet connection to display constantly the position, in my case, I have a 3G Modem and an Internet Service Provider that's give me an unlimited data download at a flat cost.

Two thumbs up on this product. Very small and compact & works great. I bought three of them and installed them hidden in the upper dash under the windshields of my vehicles. Then ran the cords to the glove box where they are stored when not in use. Then I just pull the cords out when needed for my GPS notebook.

received the product within a few days of ordering. the receiver worked immediately upon connection. No problems nothing to install.

I was quite pleased. I use several different mapping applications on two different operating systems. Both find and communicate easily with this hardware. I use it mainly on a dash mounted laptop and on a small boat. The accuracy is impressive. I have tested it in several known locations and altitudes and it is accurate within 10 feet on each. That's almost good enough for government work. It's perfect for finding that lucky tree stand or that perfect anchorage.

My plug computers (Pogoplug Multimedia Sharing Device, Seagate FreeAgent DockStar Network Adapter STDSA10G-RK (White), Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Net STAK100) do not have a real time clock (except for my NSLU2 Cisco-Linksys Storage Link for USB 2.0 Disk Drives NSLU2) so bought this to turn one of them into a time server in case of internet connection failure. Used optware gpsd in conjunction with ntpd and works great. Occasionally it does say that the plug computer is moving at 4 miles per hour although I'm sure it is pretty much stationary. So now with this, have a great little time server and little blue night light to boot.

Arrived quickly and works well. I was having trouble with my earthmate bluetooth GPS receiver not connecting most of the time so this is nice even tho it is hardwired. It connects quickly and stays connected as we are traveling. I am using it with Streets and Trips 2011.

it works great i have used 6 programs and they all see and connect to it with ease.3 are for driving,2 for war driving,1 for map making.