Bluetooth GPS can be used in an automobile or for hiking and they are powered by their own batteries

Bluetooth GPS receivers became available in late 2002. They can be used in an automobile or for hiking, among other uses. Because they are wireless, they are powered by their own batteries. This is an advantage for PDA users due to the GPS receiver not being an additional load on an already power-hungry PDA.

Bluetooth technology can be used for many applications. Pairing Bluetooth enabled keyboards and mice with personal computers allows for greater flexibility and efficiency. A Bluetooth-enabled personal computer can communicate with a printer as long as they're within 10 meters of each other.

Pairing a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone and headset means hands-free mobile communications without wires. Your phone doesn't even need to be within your reach. With your Bluetooth enabled headset the phone can be in your bag or in another room. An example of a Bluetooth GPS application is using a Bluetooth receiver on the dashboard of your car transmitting to the laptop PC on the seat. Combining a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone and a handheld PC means you can use your phone as a wireless modem. You can also share a calendar, a "to-do" list and a single address book between your desktop PC, handheld PC, and mobile phone.

Eliminating the need for wired connections between electronic products and accessories allows for transfer and synchronization of files between devices and devices can be used as remote controls, keys, and tickets.

Working with the Bluetooth GPS Receiver

You must first charge the Bluetooth GPS Receiver using the included in-vehicle power adapter. Socket does offer an AC power adapter for an additional cost. Make sure that you fully charge the receiver before using it for the first time. On top of the GPS receiver, you will find three LEDs, the power jack and the on/off switch. The LEDs indicate Bluetooth status, GPS status and Battery status, marked with little icons. There is also an external antenna port on the right hand side of the receiver where you can plug in an external antenna for maximum signal strength.

Turn on the Bluetooth GPS receiver to get a fix before connecting to your Pocket PC. The cold start takes about 25-30 seconds and warm start only a few second. I usually can track 5-6 satellites in full signal strength with 7-8 satellites in-sight. Once you have a fix, you can pair up your Pocket PC with your GPS by performing a Bluetooth device discovery on your Pocket PC. You’ll bond the two devices, making sure that you use “0183” as the Passkey.

The Bluetooth connection was very easy to create and the process is fairly simple. You don’t need to be Bluetooth savvy to use the Bluetooth GPS. The only small issue I’ve encountered with this Bluetooth receiver is the LEDs were a bit hard to see in strong sunlight.

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