GlobalSat ND-105C Micro USB GPS Receiver

This GPS module has been used to navigate ocean routes for the last year and a half. It is paired with a $150 Lenovo S31 laptop, with 32G SSD and just 2G of RAM. The navigation program is Coastal Navigator. The processor in the laptop is an Intel N series, which is slow, but draws low power and is still plenty fast enough to run the navigation program. The GPS has an 8 inch USB to micro USB to connect it to the laptop. It velcro attaches to the upper right margin on the screen.The GPS module is very accurate, even below deck. I checked the signal strength of the satellites above deck and found only marginally higher signal strength. The cloud layer and humidity are more important to signal strength than the deck of the boat. Startup is always fast, but I recommend letting it warm up while the boat is being prepared for sailing. When the Speed Over Ground drops to 0.01 knot, the GPS is ready to navigate. Just the size of a large postage stamp, but just as accurate as large dedicated units. While I have not experienced any GPS related problems, I would recommend carrying a spare. For just $30, why not? I also have a dedicated Garmin sounder GPS, but only use that looking for a sandy spot to anchor. Want a larger screen? Just buy a larger laptop. Total cost of the navigation package is only $500. The cost of a 14" screen and a dedicated unit is $5000 !!Cockpit repeaters are connected via Bluetooth, as is the Garmin. With the GPS attached to the screen of the laptop, the laptop is free to move about the boat. With a wireless mouse, the GPS system is much easier to use than any dedicated system. Ideal laptops to use would be an ASUS UX430UA, or a Lenovo 720s, although any low cost, low power (long battery life) laptop would work.UPDATE: Not only is the original device still working just fine, 8/11/2020, just received another one as a backup as the Garmin bluetooth connection has recently failed. MIght be something wrong with the most recent Win10 update.Anyway, very pleased to relay new information on an obviously greatly improved ND-105C GPS module. The original ND-105C, required an hour or more of warmup to reach a low .01 knot Speed over Ground (SOG). This new unit was at .01 knot after only 3 minutes! Quite an improvement!

The unit came in a timely manner. As of this time 02/15/2015, I haven't been able to get it to interface with any navigation software installed on my AT&T SGH-i717 Galaxy Note. I installed the Prolific pl203 usb uart software from the Google play store that I was told is required to make the receiver work. After changing the settings as recommended, and plugging in the GPS unit, it indeed immediately showed that the receiver was sending information. This is as far as I've gotten with the device. I've looked for software to make it work with ANY navigation software (Preferably Google maps), No such luck. Apparently I am expected to make my own app to interface with my chosen navigation software. Well that ain't gonna happen. I dabbled with programming back in the day, I have no time or inclination to do that now.So BEWARE of purchasing this for your smart phone and expecting it to work out of the box.

you install first the Play Stores 1) "Prolific PL2303 USB-Uart" app and 2) search Store for the "USB GPS" app. Then I rebooted and once up again inserted the unit into the included std size usb to usb micro adapter cable and the popup will ask what program you want to use for it and you select the app. To save hassle, select use once unit you know it works. I also went into androids Developers options in Setup (Google that if you don't know how to make that option appear, it's not there by default) and selected "Mock" Locations and the app should show up as a option that you want to use when this is plugged in, select it. If it doesn't show, find and install a app that does. This "mock" location is for developer testing without a gps so they can simulate locations for software testing, but can also be used to redirect this units output to it , making it a real mock location, tricking android into using the external gps rather than the internal. When done, it may seem like it's not working as many gps apps seem to ignore mock locations and show 0 sats being available. Ignore that. I went to google maps and asked it to find my location and it did within 30' using this unit. Make sure this unit is the one being used by unplugging it and it should lose you. If you still show, might have to force stop or clear cache of old gps. I didn't have that problem.They also would like you to install a terminal program app called "Serial Terminal for PL2303HDX" app to confirm the data is being read. I used a different one in Play Store, didn't see that one right off there. I also noticed the regular GPS program's apps will not see satellites from this unit as they seem to be set up for the internal GPS only, so don't despair, test further, it could be working anyway.