GPS receiver, how many channels?

[RHCP]

What do the channels do on GPS receivers.

Whats the Difference between a 12 channel and a 32 channels receiver?

And where can i buy a good reasonably priced one?

Cheers

[ram33]

a 32 channel one should get a quicker sat fix and should hold it better.
some of the better ones even work while in your glove box
ive found ebay is as cheap as anywhere (unless someone on here has one for sale?)

[Autopilot]

32 channels just means it can pick up UP TO 32 birds at any one time, it does not relate to acquisition time or sensitivity of the reciever.

Of course there will never be anything like 32 visible birds (you will be luck to get more than 9) in the sky at any one time, it a marketing ploy more than anything else.

Dont worry about it, just make sure you get one with a Sirf Star III chipset.

http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/

[nitram_tpr]

I have one of these I paid just over £35 including shipping. It is a 32 channel one, most of the time it hooks up to 4 or 5. It takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute to get a lock and create a working signal for the SatNav software (TomTom). I can heartily recommend it. It's got a reasonable battery life, dead easy to bluetooth up with my phone (SPV600).

[RHCP]

I bought this one but i'm not completely happy with it.


http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/8...tm_medium=8590

What is the usual bluetooth range from the PDA to the GPS receiver? I lose connection after about 2 metres away and have to switch the GPS off and on again to connect.

Should i send it back?

[marcparker]

I've just bought the BT-Q818 by QStarz from good old ebay. It set me back just over £40 (that included next day delivery) and I must say, I'm extremely impressed by it.

It uses the new MTK GPS chipset, and picks up a great signal in under a minute. It doesnt find all 32 satellites, but generally i found it to lock onto 10-11 at any time. Its so small that it can also be hidden away in your glovebox for example where it is still fully operatable, with signals dropping only slightly. Battery life is also really good on it. Using the usual nokia battery that quite a lot of GPS receivers use i got a few days worth of usage out of it before the need to charge it up.

You can find a review for the unit (well...its the 810 rather than the newer 818...but uses the same hardware) here

[Autopilot]

Originally Posted by marcparker

It doesnt find all 32 satellites, but generally i found it to lock onto 10-11 at any time.

there is'nt 32 satellites to find, 10-11 is pretty much all you will ever get with any decent reciever. a mate of mine is looking for one to use with his n73 so thanks for the link i will take a look. btw, what device/software are you using it with?

[hufartd]

As far as I know there are only 24 satellites up there.

http://gps.faa.gov/FAQ/faq-gps.htm#1

[Autopilot]

Originally Posted by hufartd

As far as I know there are only 24 satellites up there.

http://gps.faa.gov/FAQ/faq-gps.htm#1

Indeed, and only about half of them will be 'visible' to a GPS receiver at any one time (i.e. on the other side of the earth).

[KeithO]

Exactly! I can't believe people fall for this rubbish