Monday, September 16, 2013

Q-1000XT : Qstarz BT-Q1000XT Bluetooth Data Logger GPS Receiver (66 ch, AGPS, Vibration sensor, 400

Q-1000XT : Qstarz BT-Q1000XT Bluetooth Data Logger GPS ReceiverI didn't agree with previous review which gave BT-Q1000 only 1 star. Based on my experience the product works pretty good, however I only give 4 stars because the product has a few small issues. But for the price I think its still pretty good.

The good part is that the unit can used as a gps logger and blue tooth external gps unit. I paired up my Sprint Mogul PDA phone with no issues. I use PDA apps google maps and MS live search. GPS accuracy seems pretty good although I am new to gps so I dont have any previous experiences. Mainly use in my car and its picks up sat even in the glove compartment. The blue tooth range is very good. I usually leave the unit on and keep it plugged into the supplied car charger.

I also experimented using the logger feature. I am able to download the logger data into csv, nmea, or kml formats. The mapping button on the utility app doesn't work unless you install google earth. The program simply starts google earth and sends kml data to it to map. There are many logging options that can be set on the device. Its best to setup the logging intervals and kind of data you want to store before using the logging feature. Also there is a button called set default for google that set all the options so that it can create KML data that works with google earth.

The application crashes with some meaningless error message if you press the map button without google earth installed. The manual does explain how download it, but for those people like me who dont read the manual its can be misleading to crash without any good error messages.

I emailed the qstarz technical support about feature improvements and got a next day response that they will looked into it. Its nice to know they respond to email support. Since I have not had any real major issues I have no idea if they will really provide good technical support, but its nice to know they at least respond which is not always the case.

One gripe I have is the logging utility is limited in some ways. You can download data and erase the entire log. However, as you use it, you will find it would be nice to be able to selective save parts of the log, and selectively erase parts of the log. For example, if you log an entire days worth of movement, then later download the log you most likely will want to split the log into many separate events or paths. However the tool will not allow this. You can try to separate the data afterwards but the kml format its very hard to do because they send a single gps stream data into separate XML sections.

Additional gripe. The unit and utility is needs to be in LOG mode, but its not obvious. Again I know its in the manual, but its just not obvious. If switch on the unit to NAV mode and start the window utility some of the functions actually work, but most do not work. I know RTM.

Anyways despite the issues, I am happy with this unit.

Other than accuracy, my Qstarz BT-Q1000P worked pretty well. After a year locations started jumping and the unit lost sensitivity. Then it wouldn't log points until about an hour after it was turned on. Finally, it stopped logging altogether. Convenient but not a high quality product.

Buy Q-1000XT : Qstarz BT-Q1000XT Bluetooth Data Logger GPS Receiver (66 ch, AGPS, Vibration sensor, 400 Now

I own many GPSs but was attracted to this becuase of excellent review, its size, battery life and its dual log/nav function.

So, got and try for about a week!

1. Tracking accuracy and sensitivity! This is the best i ever had (compared to Garmin forerunner 310, foretrex210, 60GPSSCx,of course the older models). Tracking in thick canopy is very good, and correct when even my forerunner 310, used to be my best portable in sensitivity, started to drift. (I did a crude experiment of putting the unit in my pocket while driving, and it tracked correctly! amazing)

2 Bluetooth connectivity no problem but I cannot to get to work with my Mobile PC nav prog. (maybe it is user fault will report back here later)

3 Accompany delicated software simple and work (window environment) just plain vanilla.

4 Geotagging with the delicated software is so-so. As reported by some others, it sometimes hit-n-miss, photo can be tag some distance away though the track log is accurate. Spend sometime figuring and playing with this it is likely the software tag algorithm issue! Disappointed with this (there are ways around with other program but that is not the point here).

5. Connection/communication with PC, someimes units not detectable. I just have to switch off and on again!

For me the tracking accuracy, sensitivity and long battery life is much more important than the rest. For these 3 attributes, it can get 5.5 star. But as a product, i can only rate it as 4 star because of the imperfection as listed. The errors in geotagging (not all the photos) can make the picky users, who are not so familiar with computer stuff, irritated.

I will play with it for awhile and come back with more detail and actual experience.

Read Best Reviews of Q-1000XT : Qstarz BT-Q1000XT Bluetooth Data Logger GPS Receiver (66 ch, AGPS, Vibration sensor, 400 Here

Refuse to do any software upgrade. Ask you to buy a new one to get a newer version software. Your product will not be supported within just few months.

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Works as billed. Very sensitive receiver works on my desk in the house where my Garmin 60CS will not. Data logger is huge (100,000) points newer version doubles that. Doesn't slide around on the car dash, setup is simple, AND it runs forever on a charge (well 30 hours, but I haven't been able to run it that long to test it. I keep recharging after every use just because I only have one battery, though I can plug the USB cable in and charge that way while I use it if and when the battery gets low.

Software utility is a little crude and there could be more information RE the options.

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