Usb gps

Have any of you folks used one of these with your laptop below decks? How is reception? Thinking of getting one so I can leave the Garmin 478 at the helm.


Zenstar III GPS with USB Connector

This USB GPS works with Maptech's Terrain Navigator (Pro), Chart Navigator Pro, and Offshore Navigator (Lite) software programs. Plug it to your laptop's USB port, and you'll see your position right on the laptop screen.

3 meter cable that connects to standard USB ports
Antenna draws power from the USB port
Compact size: 1 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 3/4"
Waterproof integrated antenna/receiver
20 Channel
1 – 5 meter accuracy, typical
Quick satellite acquisition time

To not answer your question ... but still give possibly useful input ...

We have a couple of Bluetooth GPSlim receivers and have been very happy with them: http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/gr236.php

We use them with our Treo phones and TomTom software for travel and with Mac Powerbooks using any number of charting applications. The advantage of the bluetooth connection is that you can find a place for good reception and leave it there while being free to move the computer around anywhere within bluetooth range. There are newer models that are even smaller but I'm not sure smaller is better as the only problem we've had is that they have been lost a few times because they are so small


-Sven