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gpspassion
84989 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Jun 2006 : 19:55:06
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UPDATED 20061001 - firmware - new gps testing , R6
WINTEC WBT-100/200 - Bluetooth, USB and Datalogger GPS - REVIEW
   
Can'get much smaller than that, can it ?
  
Compared to the Holux GR-236 and to the Globalsat BT-338
News item on the portal
The Wintec WBT-200 had been in development since last year and is now becoming available in the USA Semsons. A forum member had pointed it out to me last year but I had not been able to obtain a test model at the time. With Semsons now carrying it, that became possible and they sent me a WBT-100 test unit in May, the WBT-100 is the WBT-200 with a built-in compass, but it is not integrated very usefully in the unit yet (only blinks fast when facing North) and requires a connection to a PC for actual readings that don't appear to be accurate.
20061001 : new R6 firmware and new tools, details >> here <<
20060722 : new R4 firmware and new tools, details >> here <<
Here are my observations and measurements :
- Form factor: the WBT is indeed very small, it feel like a small "pebble" and has a nice rubbery feel to it, one of the best designs I've seen
- GPS Performance :
- Fastrax/uNav chipset : I was curious to its performance as it uses a Fastrax chipset, which is a variation of the uNav chipset that did not perform very well on the Emtac S3 GPS in the chipset review last year.
- Good TTFF and Guidance : It had no trouble getting a fix with the standard 45/50 seconds in a good environment for a cold reset and providing some good guidance in the small streets of Paris connected to a JasJar running iGo 2006
- Sensitivity : with its logger feature, it was important for it to have good sensitivity and it disappoints a bit in that area, not reaching the level of a SiRFstarIII unit or of the Nemerix v4 based GPS as seen in the table below. While it remains decent with some margin above the required 3 satelltites it did lose the fix a bit even placed directly under the windshield
- Accuracy : a close inspection of the actual tracks showed that it did not offer tracking as precise as the Nemerix v4 based iBlue that excelled in the challenging environment seen in the picture below or as the SiRFstarIII BT-338 that had some problems as well. This is likely due to less advanced multipath management. Not a problem for casual use, but it you need good accuracy in an urban environment then you should keep this in mind. Repeated the same test run after upgrading to firmware v690 and found the same results.
Blue=BT338, Green=iBlue, Red=WBT100
Battery life : comes in at about 11 hours for continuous GPS use, which is quite a feat considering the size of the battery, of the BL-4C type, previously used on the Royaltek RBT-1000 and 2001, where it was only good for 6 hours of continuous use.
USB GPS : There have been other mixed Bluetooth/USB GPS receivers in the past from Holux and Fortuna, but they required a special USB cable, not so with the WBT-200 that can be used as a mouse GPS with a standard USB cable, a first.
Data Logger : The data logger works as expected and the G-Tool PC software (can be downloaded here if you want to demo it) has a convenient feature to convert a log directly to the Google Earth format on top of .GPX and Papago (MapKing). You can choose automatic modes or record data at a set time or distance and it can log up to 12,680 points. Update : I did some more testing, logging the position every 30 minutes as I was hoping it would go into some kind of "push to fix" mode for extended use, but it only turned off Bluetooth and I was able to log 34 points so that's about 17 hours of battery life, still an improvement over the original 11 hours. No impact switching to one hour logging
Easy firmware upgrades : another first, most likely because there is a "safe" native USB connection, you can upgrade the WBT via the PC app using the latest firmware downloaded from the site of the manufacturer. I easily upgraded the WBT-100 to the v690 version in a few seconds although my first attempt was unsuccessfull following an unrelated problem on my PC.Final words : An interesting unit overall with a very pleasing form factor and some novel features at at a good price (currently $95 before the 10% GpsPasSion Club discount). A bit more sensitivity and accuracy would have been nice for more advanced use, but I understand the Wintec engineers are fine-tuning the firmware so that might come later.
Any questions or comments ?
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maxs
9 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2006 : 10:29:36
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I thought that StarSirf III is the best chipset on the market now. Based on different reviews abd articles this chipset does not have competitors now.
But with your testing Nemerix v4 based iBlue shows better accuracy.
I confused, don't know what to beleive. StarSirf III is not best chipset anymore? |
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gpspassion
84989 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2006 : 23:57:00
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This is OT here, but it depends on what you need, for accuracy, Nemerix certainly seems to have taken the lead based on my testing.
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maxs
9 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2006 : 09:46:06
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Each device has advantages:
Wintec WBT-200 - has very nice feature to log position in stand-alone mode (without PDA) and export log to Google Earth. And USB support.
BT-338 - long bettery life and better satellite tracking (doesn't loose satellites in bad invirement) thanks to Sirf III.
Nemerix - better accuracy.
Certainly I would like to have all three device capabilities in one :)
By the way what is Nemerix v4 based iBlue in your testing? Could you give a reference to this device? |
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gpspassion
84989 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2006 : 11:24:54
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Well it's the iBlue with the v4 firmware, not sure when it's coming out. The iBlue is reviewed elsewhere on the site.
I did some more testing, logging the position every 30 minutes as I was hoping it would go in some kind of "push to fix" mode for extended use, but it only turned off Bluetooth and I was able to log 34 points so that's about 17 hours of battery life, still an improvement over the original 11 hours.
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rventura
20 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2006 : 08:22:48
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Nice review, it has certainly opened my eyes to the power of Nemerix. The use of google earth in communicating your results is a really nice touch.
I agree maxs, I was just about to order a BT-338 and am now having second thoughts.... Any chance of an in depth review of the Nemerix (including a tete-a-tete with the BT338) please, please, please......
PS Sorry if this is OT.
PSII Perhaps you could include an area in the forum where people could request specific reviews? |
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gpspassion
84989 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2006 : 09:54:12
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Welcome to the forums. Yes Nemerix have certainly come a long way since last year and the terrible multipath problems of the v2 firmware.
Not sure what you mean by "in-depth", I'll certainly update the "chipset comparison" article when the SiRFstarIII v2 (Single chip) becomes available on the BT-359, but this takes a lot of time so these one on one reviews here and there provide more flexibility. You can make suggestions here http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp?id=175 ;-)
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maxs
9 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2006 : 14:48:58
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| And don't forget Datalogger in Wintec WBT-100/200. This is very usefull feature to collect tracks even with PDA and Bluetooth off. Based on my knowledge the Wintec WBT-100/200 is the only BlueTooth GPS device with such function. BT-359 won't have this feature. Also BT-359 doesn't have long operational time? It provides only 11 hours in operational state. |
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gpspassion
84989 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2006 : 02:52:42
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This is a bit OT, but actually you also have the RBT-3000 and Delorme Bluelogger, from the top of my head, I've been bugging Royaltek to come up with a SS3 version since CES in January, they said they were thinking about it.
Tried a firmware upgrade tonight, but my PC crashed...luckily the WBT-100 is unharmed ! Will try again tomorrow.
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maxs
9 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2006 : 08:33:45
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Ok,
at least you will agree that data logger function is not common feature and most GPS receivers don't have it.
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gpspassion
84989 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2006 : 11:31:42
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At least ? I don't think anyone disagrees with that ;-) I switched to the one point every one hour and got 17 points, so no power saving. Hopefully they can implement "push to fix" at some point to really get long loggig periods.
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Moris
87 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2006 : 14:23:41
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Some time ago I almost accidentally discovered WBT-100. Since then I am using it sometimes and I am quite happy with it. The manufacturer quite often upgrade the firmware (point for them). Also I have to say that I really like the size, shape and the cover material.
GPSPASSION wrote:
"(...) the WBT-100 is the WBT-200 with a built-in compass, but it is not integrated very usefully in the unit yet (only blinks fast when facing North) and requires a connection to a PC for actual readings that don't appear to be accurate. (...)"
Actually the light should stop blinking when faces North. You may get not adequate readings of the compass if you do not calibrate it before (should be done quite often if you are using it).
The accuracy and reception. It is quite ok for me. It keeps strong signal while some other have even difficulties to get fix. That’s my 5 cents. 
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soccerholic
2 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2006 : 11:33:48
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i amup late and ttrying to know what gps to get and i like the Wintec logger feature but was unsure of the name and all. but can other GPS units load maps on Google Earth? or can i convert it somehow?
So if i get the i-blue i can import it into google earth? |
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gpspassion
84989 Posts |
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soccerholic
2 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2006 : 22:19:12
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| I have a Palm device and i was wondering if there is anything like Google Earth for it. or just something i can get an arial image as my map? I have access to the images due to my job as a civil engineer but i am unsure what or how to do this. My main perpose for this is cause i go off-roading alot and the tomtom map does not have the dirt trails. this is why i like the WinTec WBT-100 cause i dont even have to have by pda to collect info (like while on my mountain bike)and i can put it into google earth with ease but i would like more accuracy that it gives maybe a Sirf III or the Nemerix v4! i am confused on what to get can you help me ? |
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floepie
86 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2006 : 03:29:41
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Would it be accurate that this is the first consumer grade BT GPS that has a true USB port? Or, is this a serial port in disguise?
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Review - Wintec WBT-1/200 : Bluetooth, USB, Logger
