Holux GPSlim 236B Handheld GPS Receiver
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Similar in GPS Devices
- Form Factor: Handheld
- Receiver Type: 20 Channels
- Enhanced accuracy: WAAS enabled
- GPS Type: Handheld (Outdoor)
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The on-the-go toy for boys and girls
Pros
Slick, slim, compact, powerful, reliable, and compatible with a wide range of devices and software.
Cons
Price is still a bit high, but reasonable for the performances.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If you have PDA/Smartphones/laptop, and on the go, this unit is the prime choice. Forget expensive one function units. Think and see a bigger picture.
If you're a lost boy/girl, who doesn't know how to read a map properly, or even get lost if you have a map in your hand, it's time to turn your life around. No more "Wife, wife, what's the direction to get to your destination." No more, "You're a guy who's too manly to ask your way around, and now we're stuck in the middle of nowhere."
Equipment and software:
- VX6700/PPC6700 PDA phone from Sprint/Verizon
- Dell and Gateway Laptop and mobile custom miniPC
- Holux GPSlim 236 bluetooth receiver
- UK unrated USB-bluetooth receiver
- TomTom 5.21 or 6 Go Navigation for PocketPC , MS Streets and Trips 2007 for PocketPC and PC, Delorome Street Atlas 2007 for PC.
First Impression:
When you look at the Holux GPSlim 236 unit, you go "Nice.." One you open the package up, glance through everything included, and you'll say, "Huh?!"
Critical elements:
* Use SiRF Star III chipset, 20 - channel GPS Receiver for fast acquisition and reacquisition, tracking up to 20 satellites. This is what the real stuff is made of.
* Built-in WAAS/EGNOS Demodulator. Great for high accuracy in some area.
* Compatible with Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP) completely. AMEN! Some GPS units are having major problem pairing up, and functioning properly.
* Support NMEA0183 v2.2 data protocol or SiRF binary code
FLASH based program memory. New software revisions upgradeable through serial interface. Extremely useful to deal with bugs using upgradeable software.
* Provide expand terminal and can contact to other system without Bluetooth device. Awesome to have if you don't believe in wireless technology.
* Update rate: 1 HZ(max)
* Minimum signal tracked: -159dBm
* Dimension: 46.3 ( W ) x 67 ( L ) x 19 ( H ) mm. Very small unit, that fits perfectly into your pocket.
When you open up the box, and attempt to read the manual, you go, "WHAT THE FREAKING CRAP IS THIS?!" The hard copy manual has no detailed instruction on how to make the GPS unit work with PDA/Phone devices, or even a general overview how to make the GPS works with the bluetooth receivers. Then you search through the mini-CD that the box contains, you'll find an electronic document telling you only 50% of what you need to know, that is, the basic information that you already know just looking at the unit. What a pain. What did I pay $70 for and what have I gotten myself into?!
The functions:
The company may not include all the directions along with the unit, either on the company website nor the manuals, but, the unit works flawlessly.
The battery:
10 hours is too high of a claim. If you use it continuously, 8 hours is your limit. If you use on and off, 9 hours will be your limit. If you don't use it at all, you have a standby time of 9 days. After than 9 days, if you want to use it, it will give you about 20 minutes of power before it goes dead. Recharging the unit only takes 2 hours 15 minutes for a full charge.
The battery casing/lid is quite thin and flimsy. I hope the company comes out with a more strengthen lid for the battery cover. The lid has a tactile surface on the bottom to prevent slippage when you place it on the dashboard. Excellent tactile design, even on a surface that had been waxed recently.
The unit:
The unit casing is slick, and very sturdy. I tried to pound it using a light hammer to test its strength, as well as its reliability just in case it falls (and of course, it's still under warrantee). I'm impressed the body and circuits held up. I also dropped it a couple of time on purpose about 4 feet high. Still ticking, and works just like when it came right out of the box.
The LEDs:
Some people have a problem with the LEDs being way too bright in the dark. The LEDs will cause annoyances. Nevertheless, the LEDs is an essential part of the unit. Rather than placing the unit too close to the visual range. The reception of the unit is quite powerful, thus, no need for the dashboard placement to get a good reception.
The satellite sign receptions:
Nothing less than incredible. Inside a two stories home, I can walk around anywhere, under any interference by radio equipments, and yet, retain a minimum of 5 satellite locks, and average of 8. I can map my entire home using the PDA. Outside in the open, the unit detects up to 16 satellites, but only 12 could be used due to the line-of-sight for the satellites. I used the SIRF II model, and only obtain about 9 satellites, with the unit sits on top of the roof. 3 more is quite significant when it comes to accuracy doing field works. If you're in a building, the chance would be slim to get any signal. Tall trees, forests, parks, buildings, evn under the bridge, the signals come through regardless. I'm definitely not dissatisfy with the performance at all whatsoever. Rather than placing it on the dashboard where the LED lights may cause some reflective annoyances, just place it away from direct viewing site, such as the door handle groove, the ash tray, sunglass holder, etc. The reception signal will still be as strong as if you place it directly on the dashboard. The chance of you pickup up additional satellite will be higher if you place it on the dashboard. But all you need is 7 to 8 satellite to have accurate positioning.
The bluetooth:
Nothing short of incredible. Normally, bluetooth signal only good for 20 to 30 feet. I'm actually getting a full blown signal at 50 feet, through 3 walls, and many interferences in between. The bluetooth connects to all the bluetooth ready units without a hitch. From a small phone to the laptops and PCs. Not a problem in broadcasting and receiving information. The bluetooth signal is strong enough to go through bike pack covers, pants, even the roof of the car. 95% signal strength can be observed at any given time.
The good thing about bluetooth is that you can actually have multiple devices latch onto the same GPS unit. I use both the PDA and the laptop to receive the signal from the GPS unit without any delay, or issue, with the signals.
Accuracy:
With just 6 satellites, the accuracy is quite amazing. Since I live in California, we have few DGPS earth stations that gives the unit a chance to grab some data to perform accurate calculation, and give a close to perfect coordinates. The unit indicated that it has 5m-15m error rate. From the compared coordinates with our DGPS unit from work, the error rate is only 3-5 feet. Traveling to Arizona from California, although there's no help with the DGPS stations, the accuracy is anywhere between 5 to 10 feet with only 7 satellites. Excellent! Whether you're using this unit using a car or walking on foot, the unit gives you accurate data at any given time. I use Pocket Streets and Trips 2007, and Pocket TomTom v6.x. Works quite well. The updates of the positions are phenomenal. You may travel up to 500 within a second, and once the refresh reach the end of that second, the position is updated. If you travel 1000 mile per hour, you may not get the updated information quick enough. Traveling at 55 mph, you're in good hand.
If you're in a State that don't have earth station for DGPS correction, the GPSViewer 1.5 software actually have a WAAS/EGNOS option that you can select during equipment testing. This will allows you to have accuracy down to a +/- 10 feet. They say it's 5m to 25m, but that only applies if you only have 3 or 4 satellites to obtain the coordinates from. If you have 7 or more, that's not a problem.
The setup:
The instruction included in the manuals, or at the website, is as bad as some one from another country try to teach you to perform brain surgery. You have to do your own tinkering to get the connectivity to work properly. This is not for the faint of heart. If you know what you're doing, it's quite easy. If not, be ready to perform an open heart surgery. Here's my direction for those who don't know what they're doing:
1. Charge the battery at full strength. You can charge the unit up using any mini-USB cable.
2. Turn the unit on, and let the blue LED flashes once very second before attempting to pair it up.
3. Use the phone, in this case, the PDA, click on Start-Setting-Connection-Bluetooth.
4. Under Mode, make sure the option "Turn on Bluetooth" is selected.
5. Under Devices, click on "New Partnership". The "Holux GPSLim 236" will pop up after the scan. Select it, and click on Next. It will ask for the password. Type in "0000". Now, the GPS unit will be in your list of devices.
6. Click on the COM Ports, and select "New Outgoing Port". Select the Holux unit. You have to find out which port is available for usage, by selecting one at a time. If the port is available, make it will then ask you which device will use the outgoing port. Make sure you remember what port the Holux is on. It will display something like "Holux GPSlim236 (COM4)" under your COM Port list.
7. Activate your PDA software, TomTom. Follow through the procedure in activating the software. If it asks for your GPS unit, select the COM Port that the unit is on, which is COM4, or what ever it may be.
The crucial instruction above is not stated anywhere. You have to look around to find the information. Remember, if you're using the TomTom software, you have to use the TomTom version 5.21 or 6.x. Any lower version will not have the GPS unit support for the PocketPC.
Overall:
I'm quite happy with this unit. I've been a fan of many GPS unit, but Holux takes the cake when it comes to GPS devices. Not even the TomTom car unit can out do the PDA/Laptop with GPS unit. TomTom only knows how to do map. PDA/Laptop can go even further with surfing the net on the go, play games, and do quite a bit of things that TomTom or Garmin could ever hope to do.
Equipment and software:
- VX6700/PPC6700 PDA phone from Sprint/Verizon
- Dell and Gateway Laptop and mobile custom miniPC
- Holux GPSlim 236 bluetooth receiver
- UK unrated USB-bluetooth receiver
- TomTom 5.21 or 6 Go Navigation for PocketPC , MS Streets and Trips 2007 for PocketPC and PC, Delorome Street Atlas 2007 for PC.
First Impression:
When you look at the Holux GPSlim 236 unit, you go "Nice.." One you open the package up, glance through everything included, and you'll say, "Huh?!"
Critical elements:
* Use SiRF Star III chipset, 20 - channel GPS Receiver for fast acquisition and reacquisition, tracking up to 20 satellites. This is what the real stuff is made of.
* Built-in WAAS/EGNOS Demodulator. Great for high accuracy in some area.
* Compatible with Bluetooth Serial Port Profile (SPP) completely. AMEN! Some GPS units are having major problem pairing up, and functioning properly.
* Support NMEA0183 v2.2 data protocol or SiRF binary code
FLASH based program memory. New software revisions upgradeable through serial interface. Extremely useful to deal with bugs using upgradeable software.
* Provide expand terminal and can contact to other system without Bluetooth device. Awesome to have if you don't believe in wireless technology.
* Update rate: 1 HZ(max)
* Minimum signal tracked: -159dBm
* Dimension: 46.3 ( W ) x 67 ( L ) x 19 ( H ) mm. Very small unit, that fits perfectly into your pocket.
When you open up the box, and attempt to read the manual, you go, "WHAT THE FREAKING CRAP IS THIS?!" The hard copy manual has no detailed instruction on how to make the GPS unit work with PDA/Phone devices, or even a general overview how to make the GPS works with the bluetooth receivers. Then you search through the mini-CD that the box contains, you'll find an electronic document telling you only 50% of what you need to know, that is, the basic information that you already know just looking at the unit. What a pain. What did I pay $70 for and what have I gotten myself into?!
The functions:
The company may not include all the directions along with the unit, either on the company website nor the manuals, but, the unit works flawlessly.
The battery:
10 hours is too high of a claim. If you use it continuously, 8 hours is your limit. If you use on and off, 9 hours will be your limit. If you don't use it at all, you have a standby time of 9 days. After than 9 days, if you want to use it, it will give you about 20 minutes of power before it goes dead. Recharging the unit only takes 2 hours 15 minutes for a full charge.
The battery casing/lid is quite thin and flimsy. I hope the company comes out with a more strengthen lid for the battery cover. The lid has a tactile surface on the bottom to prevent slippage when you place it on the dashboard. Excellent tactile design, even on a surface that had been waxed recently.
The unit:
The unit casing is slick, and very sturdy. I tried to pound it using a light hammer to test its strength, as well as its reliability just in case it falls (and of course, it's still under warrantee). I'm impressed the body and circuits held up. I also dropped it a couple of time on purpose about 4 feet high. Still ticking, and works just like when it came right out of the box.
The LEDs:
Some people have a problem with the LEDs being way too bright in the dark. The LEDs will cause annoyances. Nevertheless, the LEDs is an essential part of the unit. Rather than placing the unit too close to the visual range. The reception of the unit is quite powerful, thus, no need for the dashboard placement to get a good reception.
The satellite sign receptions:
Nothing less than incredible. Inside a two stories home, I can walk around anywhere, under any interference by radio equipments, and yet, retain a minimum of 5 satellite locks, and average of 8. I can map my entire home using the PDA. Outside in the open, the unit detects up to 16 satellites, but only 12 could be used due to the line-of-sight for the satellites. I used the SIRF II model, and only obtain about 9 satellites, with the unit sits on top of the roof. 3 more is quite significant when it comes to accuracy doing field works. If you're in a building, the chance would be slim to get any signal. Tall trees, forests, parks, buildings, evn under the bridge, the signals come through regardless. I'm definitely not dissatisfy with the performance at all whatsoever. Rather than placing it on the dashboard where the LED lights may cause some reflective annoyances, just place it away from direct viewing site, such as the door handle groove, the ash tray, sunglass holder, etc. The reception signal will still be as strong as if you place it directly on the dashboard. The chance of you pickup up additional satellite will be higher if you place it on the dashboard. But all you need is 7 to 8 satellite to have accurate positioning.
The bluetooth:
Nothing short of incredible. Normally, bluetooth signal only good for 20 to 30 feet. I'm actually getting a full blown signal at 50 feet, through 3 walls, and many interferences in between. The bluetooth connects to all the bluetooth ready units without a hitch. From a small phone to the laptops and PCs. Not a problem in broadcasting and receiving information. The bluetooth signal is strong enough to go through bike pack covers, pants, even the roof of the car. 95% signal strength can be observed at any given time.
The good thing about bluetooth is that you can actually have multiple devices latch onto the same GPS unit. I use both the PDA and the laptop to receive the signal from the GPS unit without any delay, or issue, with the signals.
Accuracy:
With just 6 satellites, the accuracy is quite amazing. Since I live in California, we have few DGPS earth stations that gives the unit a chance to grab some data to perform accurate calculation, and give a close to perfect coordinates. The unit indicated that it has 5m-15m error rate. From the compared coordinates with our DGPS unit from work, the error rate is only 3-5 feet. Traveling to Arizona from California, although there's no help with the DGPS stations, the accuracy is anywhere between 5 to 10 feet with only 7 satellites. Excellent! Whether you're using this unit using a car or walking on foot, the unit gives you accurate data at any given time. I use Pocket Streets and Trips 2007, and Pocket TomTom v6.x. Works quite well. The updates of the positions are phenomenal. You may travel up to 500 within a second, and once the refresh reach the end of that second, the position is updated. If you travel 1000 mile per hour, you may not get the updated information quick enough. Traveling at 55 mph, you're in good hand.
If you're in a State that don't have earth station for DGPS correction, the GPSViewer 1.5 software actually have a WAAS/EGNOS option that you can select during equipment testing. This will allows you to have accuracy down to a +/- 10 feet. They say it's 5m to 25m, but that only applies if you only have 3 or 4 satellites to obtain the coordinates from. If you have 7 or more, that's not a problem.
The setup:
The instruction included in the manuals, or at the website, is as bad as some one from another country try to teach you to perform brain surgery. You have to do your own tinkering to get the connectivity to work properly. This is not for the faint of heart. If you know what you're doing, it's quite easy. If not, be ready to perform an open heart surgery. Here's my direction for those who don't know what they're doing:
1. Charge the battery at full strength. You can charge the unit up using any mini-USB cable.
2. Turn the unit on, and let the blue LED flashes once very second before attempting to pair it up.
3. Use the phone, in this case, the PDA, click on Start-Setting-Connection-Bluetooth.
4. Under Mode, make sure the option "Turn on Bluetooth" is selected.
5. Under Devices, click on "New Partnership". The "Holux GPSLim 236" will pop up after the scan. Select it, and click on Next. It will ask for the password. Type in "0000". Now, the GPS unit will be in your list of devices.
6. Click on the COM Ports, and select "New Outgoing Port". Select the Holux unit. You have to find out which port is available for usage, by selecting one at a time. If the port is available, make it will then ask you which device will use the outgoing port. Make sure you remember what port the Holux is on. It will display something like "Holux GPSlim236 (COM4)" under your COM Port list.
7. Activate your PDA software, TomTom. Follow through the procedure in activating the software. If it asks for your GPS unit, select the COM Port that the unit is on, which is COM4, or what ever it may be.
The crucial instruction above is not stated anywhere. You have to look around to find the information. Remember, if you're using the TomTom software, you have to use the TomTom version 5.21 or 6.x. Any lower version will not have the GPS unit support for the PocketPC.
Overall:
I'm quite happy with this unit. I've been a fan of many GPS unit, but Holux takes the cake when it comes to GPS devices. Not even the TomTom car unit can out do the PDA/Laptop with GPS unit. TomTom only knows how to do map. PDA/Laptop can go even further with surfing the net on the go, play games, and do quite a bit of things that TomTom or Garmin could ever hope to do.
