Inexpensive USB GPS Receiver

[TrickyT]

I went to MacWorld last month and one of the vendors was demonstrating a low cost USB GPS receiver, the USGlobalSat BU-353-RB. Here's the URL: USGlobalSat Incorporated

The receiver is based on the SiRF III chipset, and so has fast satellite acquisition time and tracking for up to 20 sats. It's in a waterproof plastic case with a magnetic on the bottom. List price is $60, but if you use the coupon code "MACWORLD2008" when you're checking out, you get a 25% discount (good to the end of February), which brings it down to $45, plus S&H. For Mac users, you also get the demo version of software called "Route Buddy": RouteBuddy › GPS Mapping For Your Mac

I bought one and have been playing around with it; stuck it to the roof of my 80 and ran the cable in the sunroof. So far it works as advertised. Haven't yet tried to use it with other mapping software, but since the receiver uses standard NMEA 0183 protocol it's shouldn't be a problem. At any rate, I thought I'd pass this information along in case others are interested.

Note: Standard disclaimers apply: I'm not affiliated with USGlobalSat nor do I receive any income from purchase of this product.

Here's a picture of the receiver: