Holux GPSlim 236B Handheld GPS Receiver
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- Form Factor: Handheld
- Receiver Type: 20 Channels
- Enhanced accuracy: WAAS enabled
- GPS Type: Handheld (Outdoor)
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Holux GPSlim236 has the best performance at the price point.
Pros
Inexpensive, fast to start, tiny, compatible, long battery life.
Cons
Easily damaged battery cover, not usable as a USB device, unusual LED blinking.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
I recommend the purchase of the Holux GPSlim236. It works very well and has a low price point.
I am pleased with my purchase of the Holux GPSlim236. It is fast to get a satellite lock, it was inexpensive, and it works with all of my bluetooth equipment.
The PROS of the Holux GPSlim236 are:
1. Fast satellite acquisition. The numbers given in the GPSlim 236 marketing literature are accurate. My device usually cold starts in less than 30 seconds.
2. Excellent satellite maintenance. After acquisition, the the GPSlim236 continues to work indoors, through heavy clothing, and with overhead cover.
(The GPSlim236 could be a good time source for an NTP server because it works well indoors.)
3. Long runtime with a lithium-ion battery, which seems to be a standard 3.7V 850mAh li-ion cellphone battery.
4. Recharges from a standard USB b-type plug. Vehicle and mains adapters are bundled with the GPSlim236. Other USB power adapters that I have are also compatible.
5. Tiny and lightweight.
6. Large rubber feet. The GPSlim236 sticks to my vehicle dashboard and does not slide around.
7. Holux Corporation responds to technical support email.
8. SiRF Star III chipset with upgradable firmware. (See point #11 below.)
The CONS of the Holux GPSlim236 are:
9. The default bluetooth password is "0000", which is not clearly documented. This has frustrated many novice users and caused much complaining in the forums.
10. The battery cover is thin plastic that will eventually break and need to be taped shut.
11. The GPSlim236 is not really a USB device, it just charges from a USB port. A cable with a built-in converter, like the Holux GR230, is required to use the GPSlim236 as a USB or regular serial GPS.
12. The LED blinking is annoying and confusing. Most GPS devices blink the LED during satellite acquisition and keep it lit while locked. The GPSlim236 reverses this convention. The bluetooth LED also blinks during normal operation, which is annoying, especially while driving.
13. The GPSlim is not water resistant.
Holux Corporation says that #11 may eventually be fixed in a firmware update. Fixing any of #10, #11, or #12 would would be enough for me to change my rating of GPSlim236 to a full five stars.
The PROS of the Holux GPSlim236 are:
1. Fast satellite acquisition. The numbers given in the GPSlim 236 marketing literature are accurate. My device usually cold starts in less than 30 seconds.
2. Excellent satellite maintenance. After acquisition, the the GPSlim236 continues to work indoors, through heavy clothing, and with overhead cover.
(The GPSlim236 could be a good time source for an NTP server because it works well indoors.)
3. Long runtime with a lithium-ion battery, which seems to be a standard 3.7V 850mAh li-ion cellphone battery.
4. Recharges from a standard USB b-type plug. Vehicle and mains adapters are bundled with the GPSlim236. Other USB power adapters that I have are also compatible.
5. Tiny and lightweight.
6. Large rubber feet. The GPSlim236 sticks to my vehicle dashboard and does not slide around.
7. Holux Corporation responds to technical support email.
8. SiRF Star III chipset with upgradable firmware. (See point #11 below.)
The CONS of the Holux GPSlim236 are:
9. The default bluetooth password is "0000", which is not clearly documented. This has frustrated many novice users and caused much complaining in the forums.
10. The battery cover is thin plastic that will eventually break and need to be taped shut.
11. The GPSlim236 is not really a USB device, it just charges from a USB port. A cable with a built-in converter, like the Holux GR230, is required to use the GPSlim236 as a USB or regular serial GPS.
12. The LED blinking is annoying and confusing. Most GPS devices blink the LED during satellite acquisition and keep it lit while locked. The GPSlim236 reverses this convention. The bluetooth LED also blinks during normal operation, which is annoying, especially while driving.
13. The GPSlim is not water resistant.
Holux Corporation says that #11 may eventually be fixed in a firmware update. Fixing any of #10, #11, or #12 would would be enough for me to change my rating of GPSlim236 to a full five stars.
