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INTRODUCTION

    Over the past few years we’ve made a transition from wired, puck-based GPS receivers, through CF/SD card-based receivers, and now, finally, to Bluetooth-based receivers.  Throughout that transition, one difficulty has remained – powering the unit.  With puck-based receivers you generally had 2 cables – one to the serial connector on your PC or PDA and one to your power source.  With CF/SD card-based systems we used the PC/PDA to power the card (via the card slot) but we added the complexity of a driver to allow the card slot to pretend to be a serial port.  Now with Bluetooth devices, BT provides the serial port over the air, but powering is done via a battery that still has to be charged.  In the end we’re still tethered, at least part of the time, to a power cord.  Now we’ve come to the point where we have a solar-powered device.  Do we finally get to cut the cord?  Read on to find out!

IN THE BOX

   When you open the box you’ll find the receiver, an AC charger, a car charger, and a CD with documentation.

   The package includes a CD that contains the manual and PS drivers, as well as other software and tools to help with installation. The disk is a little out of date, however. It doesn’t mention the G55, only the older G50, and it includes ActiveSync 3.8 (we’re up to version 4.2 nowadays) and many of the instructions are for PPC 2002, not for WM 2003/SE or WM5. Much of the information is still valid and applicable, but it really should have been kept up to date.

Figure 1: Here’s a front view of the device.

Figure 2: The right side view where you can see the rubber feet.

Figure 3: The top view showing the power button.

Figure 4: The left side view, with a shot of the signal booster adapter.

    The device, branded as the Solarius V5-Mini (Global Top G55 Mini), but manufactured by Ftech, is an extremely low-power GPS receiver that offers battery support via a built-in solar panel.  My initial impression was that the solar panel would replace the need for plugging in the device, but, even with a lot of sun, that’s not quite true.  Without the solar panel, this device would have a battery life of about 20-23 hours (according to the manufacturer), but with the solar panel, that extends out to about 30 hours. 

COMPARISONS

Figure 5: The V5, Emtac S3, iTrek M5, and Royaltek RBT-2001.

Figure 6: Top to bottom – the Royaltek RBT-2001, the M5, The S3, the V5.

Figure 7: All four devices in another view.

So, although the solar panel doesn’t eliminate the need to plug in, it does dramatically reduce it and extend the overall up cycle by about 50%.  For me, this means I need to plug the device in about once a week or so, compared to every 2nd or 3rd day with most of my BT receivers.  That’s a definite improvement and a step in the right direction!

ABOUT THE RECEIVER

   The V5 MR Mini / G55 is a 32-channel GPS receiver based on the low-power MediaTek chipset (there is also a version based on the SiRF Star III chip set).  This receiver offers WAAS and EGNOS support as well as fast fix times (cold start <37s, hot start <1s).  It also claims an accuracy of 3 meters – much more refined than we saw even a few short years ago.  In my experience with the device, I found it to be very accurate and quick.  I was afraid the solar panel might affect the GPS reception, but this doesn’t seem to be the case.  I did not run into any unexpected situations of signal loss, only the expected ones (like entering into tunnels, etc.). 

   The specifications are as follows:

CONCERNS

   I found the device to be a little larger than I expected.  This is most likely due to the need to accommodate the solar panel. It’s not quite as long as an Emtac S3, but it’s a bit thicker giving it a blocky appearance. Having said that, it’s still smaller than a pack of cigarettes.  It’s maybe about 3/4 of the size of a video iPod (but a little narrower and a little thicker).  It is also definitely not the most attractive receivers out there, but it is solid and it has rubber feet (so it doesn’t slide around on the dashboard).  The lights are unobtrusive (sometimes a little harder to see than I’d like) and don’t blind you at night, unlike some receiver’s whose blinking will distract you with their bright blinking during night time driving. 

   I don’t have any major complaints about this device – it works as advertised, works with all the apps I was able to test, and is very fast and accurate with no unexpected dropouts.  

   I do, however, have a couple minor concerns:  first – the size is a little too large to be convenient or unobtrusive; second – while the device will go to sleep automatically when not in use, it will not automatically wake up when a BT request comes in.  That’s starting to become a common feature, and this device really ought to offer it.  But, again, these are minor concerns.  Overall, the receiver is a good, solid performer.

PURCHASING

    The Ftech Solar GPS Receiver is available from Semsons in the MTK version (as reviewed) or a more traditional (but more power-hungry) SiRF Star III version, both for $84.99USD.

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PROS

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  Extended operating times

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  Very fast fix/reacquisition times

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  Very accurate

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  Works with all major tested navigation apps (so far)

CONS

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  Still requires some plug-in charging

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  Unit is oversized (due to solar panel)

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  No automatic start upon Bluetooth signal

OVERALL IMPRESSION

   I like this unit.  It’s fast, reasonably priced, and it’s a step in the right direction for “cutting the cable” even though it’s not 100% of the way there yet.  I do wish the unit was a little smaller and more attractive, and that it had an automatic start-up feature like some other receivers, but, overall it’s a good unit, and as long as you aren’t looking for a petite or svelte device and you don’t require automatic startup, I highly recommend you take a look at the Solarius V5 – MR Mini with the MTK chipset.