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gpspassion
93402 Posts |
 Posted - 23 févr. 2008 : 01:08:41
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REVIEWED - Qstarz BT-Q1000 Platinum Travel Recorder
MTK Bcore 1.1 Firmware - 200,000 points - Multi-Hz logging
Product Page on Qstarz website
Available at LiveViewGPS for $100
Six months after the BT-Q1000 v1, Qstarz are releasing an upgraded "Platinum" model that bumps up the waypoint memory to 200,000 points from 100,000 and has the latest Bcore 1.1/v2 MTK firmware vs the v1.94 used on the BT-Q1000. On the software side, the v2 ships with a much more user friendly v4 software suite to set the logger, view tracks and geocode photos.
I received a test unit earlier this week and here are some first comments :
- As usual with Qstarz, the packaging is excellent and the box contains all you need : manual, cd, usb cable, AC charger, car charger and small case for the logger
- From the outside, the v2 is very similar to the v2 apart from the rubber base that seems to offer improved "anti-skidding"
- The new v4 software is much faster and user friendly than the v3 used on the Q1000/v1...once you've entered the 28 (!) digit key code. Here are my notes about it :
1. Much better interface
2. No advanced settings (altitude/nmea flow/csv options)
3. Can't remove multiple photos
4. Can't choose which photos will be geocoded
5. Track editing, but not on Google Maps overlay and no undo.
The more advanced settings are still available via the v3 software also present on the CD. I wasn't able to run it on my PC, maybe because I had already installed it with the Q1000/v1
  
 
- GPS sensitivity appears to be as good as on the Q1000/v1, thanks to the use of the same large patch antenna, unlike on the solar Q1200
- Logged Data can now be downloaded over Bluetooth in addition to USB. It is quite fast too when set at 115200bps. Conversely the Q1000P can also be configured over Bluetooth.
Transfer speed over UBS is much faster than before, 14,000 points in 26 seconds, this is at least 10x faster than on the original Q1000
- Memory is rated at 200,000 waypoints, but that's without the altitude. If you enable the altitude it drops to about 135,000 waypoints. Still good for 37 hours logging every second !
- Multi-Hz : as with other MTK based GPS receivers, the Q1000P can be switched to a 5Hz update frequency with some special tools (see the MTK Receivers topic for details) and using the time+speed logging modes, the data can be recorded at 5hz by the device above the specified speed
- Addition software :
1. Downloading/Configuring : http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=85368
2. Track editing : http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=106662
PICTURE GALLERY
 
 
Questions, comments ? |
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mdeweerd
798 Posts |
Posted - 23 févr. 2008 : 12:08:04
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Just a small correction. The waypoint memory is doubled. The announced memory for the original Q1000 is 100000, with the new Q1000P that number jumps to 200000. So I would not compare the 70000 with the 200000 waypoints as in the first post.
For info, my program BT747 gives a good upperbound for the number of points you can log in a given configuration. |
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gpspassion
93402 Posts |
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snark
Belgium
6 Posts |
Posted - 24 févr. 2008 : 01:42:15
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Do they include the same case as the Q1000, or another one?
The one I got with my Q1000 is so tight, it's very difficult to put the receiver into it. And when I try, usually the off/nav/log switch moves so it stops the receiver. |
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gpspassion
93402 Posts |
Posted - 24 févr. 2008 : 01:47:19
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| Didn't remember getting a case with the original Q1000 but it could be the same one as it is pretty tight indeed and lacks a whole for the miniUSB connector that would allow it stay on at all times. |
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buteo2
2 Posts |
Posted - 24 févr. 2008 : 14:45:35
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Some observations and questions:
1. BT747 V1.40 reports the Q1000P as a Model:0005 (Holux M-241) - is a 1.41 version planned of this amazing little tool?
2. To fill-in some detail alluded to above: BT747 estimates 126107 records with the default settings; if you leave out valid, height, speed and rcr - leaving just utc,lat, lon - then it estimates 198168.
3. There is a case that's a very tight fit (no chance of it falling out). I've 'modified' it for the USB plug and made the switch hole bigger so I can tell what the switch is set to.
4. I'm impressed by the download time, even over Bluetooth to a Pocket PC. I remember seeing a review saying that the Q1000 took 5 minutes to download. I'm very glad the Q1000P doesn't take 10 minutes.
5. Is this observation correct: it always downloads all the log memory even if only 1% of it is used? |
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mdeweerd
798 Posts |
Posted - 24 févr. 2008 : 15:03:19
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1. I 'permanently' update the application and I am waiting for some confirmations to call it V1.41. You could try V1.40_beta to see if it has a better estimate of the device model.
5. The application only downloads memory blocks that are (partially) filled and it does an 'intelligent' incremental download. |
Edited by - mdeweerd on 24 févr. 2008 21:01:50 |
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gpspassion
93402 Posts |
Posted - 24 févr. 2008 : 18:58:16
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I'll give it another try then, java problems in the past !
Just came back from a day's skiiing with 14,000 data points (set to 5hz above 30kph), used the v3 tool to download the data over USB and was amazed by the speed, 26 seconds, this is 10x (at least) faster than on the previous model ! |
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malch
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - 27 févr. 2008 : 22:40:56
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I am desperate to replace a stolen Gisteq PhotoTrackr. This new BT-Q1000 Platinum looks like a strong contender.
Sadly it doesn't have a motion sensor -- one thing I really liked about the PhotoTrackr.
How is the build quality on the new Q1000? The Gisteq was terrible; the lanyard broke as soon as I tried to install it and the battery cover came off the back of the PhotoTrackr every five minutes until I taped it on <sigh>.
I'm guessing the system is a little more open -- Gisteq are very controlling and there appear to be way more tools for tinkering with SIRFStar and MTK based devices compared with the Nemerix chipset. Would you agree?
Any additional comments/experiences with this new little guy on the block would be much appreciated.
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rakerman
Canada
30 Posts |
Posted - 01 mars 2008 : 03:40:27
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| I think it's quite solid, there's no lanyard/carabiner attachment so there's only the battery door, it's quite well built - I don't think it would come off accidentally. There's also a slide switch and button, I find they both have good hand feel and action. The new software is very nice. I will have a full review after I gather some more tracks skiing tomorrow. |
Richard's Tech Reviews - GPS Loggers and Geotagging Photos |
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gpspassion
93402 Posts |
Posted - 01 mars 2008 : 09:37:29
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While the new software is nice, the shortcomings I point out in the review make me stick to my previous geotagging workflow with free tools especially since it doesn't work at 5hz.
It's certainly hard to beat it's feature set and the triggered 5hz logging is great for sports, particularly skiing. If they added a movement sensor it would be perfect. It seems wondeproud have an exclusivity on this though. |
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NaviGer
Germany
56 Posts |
Posted - 02 mars 2008 : 21:22:35
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Hi gpspassion,
yesterday I got the BT-Q1000 Platinum and made a comparison with the Holux GPSLIM 236 (FW GDSW3.2.4_3.1.00.12-SDK003P1.00a.
Both receivers had SBAS Test-Mode enabled and saw PRN120.
BT-Q1000 showed the DGPS in the RMC Sentence, Holux not. I had to switch the Holux back to normal mode.
Conditions: Extreme bad weather (Emma).
Here some results:
PS: Legend: SRF is in magenta, MTK has the colour blue.
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Regards, Gerhard |
Edited by - NaviGer on 03 mars 2008 21:43:59 |
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gpspassion
93402 Posts |
Posted - 03 mars 2008 : 18:35:41
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Nice to see you around NaviGer ;-)
Interesting gaphs, quite a lot of variations in the MTK, could you maybe do the same test with SBAS off? Where were the GPS receivers located, outside with a good view of the sky ?
Do you know if SN is activated on the Holux SS3? |
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malch
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - 03 mars 2008 : 18:48:28
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quote:
Originally posted by gpspassion
Interesting gaphs, quite a lot of variations in the MTK,
The legends on those graphs are pretty much impossible to read. But after some pixel peeking, I thought the SRF lines were the ones with the noise? Perhaps NaviGer will be so kind as to confirm.
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gpspassion
93402 Posts |
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malch
USA
56 Posts |
Posted - 03 mars 2008 : 18:57:49
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quote:
Originally posted by gpspassion
It's certainly hard to beat it's feature set and the triggered 5hz logging is great for sports, particularly skiing. If they added a movement sensor it would be perfect.
Yes, the wondeproud motion sensor/power management is really excellent. It would be a great addition to this and any other device.
But for "perfect", I'd also like to see more rugged construction and waterproofing to IPX7 (like the Garmin GPSMAP 60/76 devices).
In the meantime, we'll have to be grateful for Ziploc bags ;-)
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Qstarz BT-Q1000 Platinum Data logger - Reviewed
