Have you ever wondered how fast and far a Raspberry Pi robot runs throughout the day and night? With GPS capabilities and a Linux computer such as Raspberry Pi, you can track a robot or a multirotor and locate these on a map. But in general speaking, with a Raspberry Pi and a GPS unit you can build limitlessness indoor and outdoor applications.
- The BU-353-S4’s MicroPower mode allows the receiver to stay in a hot start-like condition almost continuously while consuming very little power. Compatible with: – Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP – MAC OSX 10.3 and above – Android 3.1 and above – Linux 2.4.31 and above. The BU-353-S4 is suitable for the following applications.
- Detailed information of Cable GPS with USB interface (SiRF Star IV), BU-353S4 offered by GlobalSat WorldCom Corp. Note about cookies This site uses cookies to provide you with a better user experience.
In this article, I explored the most popular GPS systems compatible with Raspberry Pi boards and used in the DIY area. In the list are included GPS add-ons, expansion boards, dongles, shields and other modules such as RasPiGNSS, EM-506, NEO-7M-C, BU-353, the Adafruit Ultimate GPS, 3DR uBlox, and Navigatron v2 – I2C.
If some GPS units cost as much as four cups of coffee at Starbucks, there are also less accessible modules that exceed the price of 100.00€ ($113.00).
I want to use the BU-353 GPS Receiver with Kismet in a Slackware 13 64bit install. I'm holding off on buying it because, even though they have linux drivers, the only distro listed in the linux drivers section is Redhat. Compiling a C program and use of a BU-353: buffdigger: Linux - Newbie: 1: 05:26 AM: Python Parse Code: snowman81: Programming: 3: 10:50 AM: script to parse variables to curl script and execute: morphix: Programming: 17: 01:27 AM: Parse Python through use of.htaccess: Hal: Linux - General: 1: 12:33 AM. The BU-353-S4 is a USB GPS receiver that features a highly sensitive, low power consumption chipset in a ultra compact form factor. The BU-353-S4 is powered by a SiRF Star IV GPS chipset, and will provide you with superior performance in urban canyons, and in dense foliage.
In this collection, I present you 14 GPS units with support for Raspberry Pi Model A+, B or B+. So fire up Raspberry Pi and get ready to get your hands dirty.
01. GPS add-on
The GPS add-on compatible with Raspberry Pi B and B+
The 25.75€ ($29.92) add-on for Raspberry Pi B is based on the NEO-6 GPS module. With an input voltage of 3.3V and UART interface, the module returns information such as the current location and time. The add-on is also compatible with the Raspberry Pi Model B+.
- How to setup the add-on: Raspberry Pi + ITead Studio GPS;
02. RasPiGNSS
If the price is a problem, the 149.00€ ($173.00) RasPiGNSS is an expansion board that certainly is not on the top of the shopping list for any maker. Otherwise, the board is one of the most advanced tracking modules that provide precise positioning for the Pi models A, B, and B+.
- Installation guide here;
03. GPS expansion board
Another tracking expansion board for Pi
Specially designed for Pi Model B+, the GPS board provides general information about the position and time. At a price of 47.00€ ($55.00), the board is based on the low power usage and high-performance positioning module called Ublox MAX-M8Q.
On top of the board can be attached a battery to keep on the settings in the event of power loss.
04. USB GPS Dongle
The easiest way to turn your fruit-named single board computer into a navigation device is to use a USB GPS dongle. At a price of 39.00€ ($46.00), the small piece of hardware supports Linux and ARM architecture. Also, it’s based on the high sensitive GPS chipset called SiRF Star III.
- A tutorial to start working with the USB electronic device: Getting GPS to work on a Raspberry Pi;
05. GPS shield
The stackable GPS shield for Pi
Using the standard NMEA protocol to provide information like speed, position and altitude, the GPS shield works great both inside and outside. It is available at a price of €82.00 ($94.00) and enables the data via serial port. It’s not cheap, but it has great features.
- Step-by-step tutorial to start using the shield: GPS Module for Raspberry Pi Tutorial;
06. EM-506
The €35.00($40) GPS module is another receiver based on the SiRF StarIII chipset. Like the USB GPS dongle described above, the EM-506 provides the position very accurate even in urban canyon and dense foliage environment. The features include a position accuracy of 2.5m, and without any network assistance, it can predict for up to three days the satellite positions.
07. NEO-7M-C
With 56 receive channels and an IPX interface, the NEO-7M-C is easy to use and has a price of €24.00 ($28.00). The receiver is engineered to support a large variety of software like Google Earth, u-center and more.
08. Dexter Industries GPS
With an accurate position of 2.5 meters and a velocity of 0.1 m/sec, the Dexter Industries GPS is a good solution to build an all-in-one tracking application. The €39.00($45.00) shield can work on Raspberry Pi only with the Arduberry shield. The Arduberry shield is compatible with the Raspberry Pi and allows you to attach the receiver shield.
- An instructables tutorial that shows you how to setup and start receiving the data from the Dexter Industries shield: GPS and the Raspberry Pi;
09. BU-353
The BU-353 USB dongle
Designed to work with any Linux computer, the €29.00 ($33.00) USB GPS receiver has a high sensitivity and an accurate position of 10 meters.
- Short guide to install the BU-353 on a Raspberry Pi: Raspberry BU-353 installation;
10. Adafruit Ultimate GPS
With a position accuracy of 1.8 meters and a velocity of 0.1 m/s, the Adafruit GPS Breakout is a very sensitive device for high speed movements. It has a price of €35.00($40.00) and a power consumption of only 20 mA during navigation.
- A guide to connect the module to Pi board: Adafruit Ultimate GPS on a Raspberry Pi;
11. 3DR uBlox
The 3DR uBlox compatible with with 3DR APM 2.6 autopilot system
Designed for multicopters and rovers, the €79.00($90.00) GPS module is based on the HMC5883L digital compass. And because it’s a system for flying robots, the uBlox supports configuration to work with 3DR APM 2.6 autopilot system.
- Tutorial to connect the uBlox with Pi: How to connect 3DR GPS uBlox to Raspberry Pi;
12. GSM/GPRS & GPS shield
At a price of 11.50€ ($13.00), you have an expansion shield that provides you GSM, GPRS and GPS data. The shield is engineered to expand the Raspberry Pi functionalities for mobile applications, and because our focus is the GPS functionality, the stackable shield is definitely a good device for robot applications.
- Step-by-step tutorial that shows you how to add GSM, GPRS and GPS functionality to Raspberry Pi: A GSM/GPRS & GPS Expansion Shield for Raspberry Pi;
13. 3G/GPRS shield
A 3G and GPRS shield for Pi
The 3G/GPRS shield is a device designed for Internet of Things applications. And because we are talking here about GPS data, the shield also provides the location and stay connected to the 3G network. The price is huge, about €149.00 ($158.00), and it’s compatible with Pi, Intel Galileo and Arduino boards.
- Here is a tutorial to start working with the 3G/GPRS shield: New 3G + GPS shield for Raspberry Pi tutorial;
14. Navigatron v2 – I2C
With v2 – i2c we enter into the open-source area. The module has MultiWii 2.0 support and is a solution for low speed microprocessors. It has a price of €45.00 ($51.00).
- Guide to use the Navigatron with Raspberry Pi: Making an autonomous boat using a Raspberry Pi;
Related posts:
GlobalSat was founded 2000 in Taipei, Taiwan by Prince Cheng and produces many different kinds of GPS devices (e.g. Car Navigators, GPS Engine Boards/Modules, Bluetooth GPS) mainly as an ODM (Original design manufacturer) for different brands. But they also have some products for end-consumers.
BR-304
- RS-232
- Price €50-70 (new), €30-40 (used)
- SiRFstarII
- Channels 12
- No internal memory
- Connectors RS-232 and PS/2
As far as I know this is BR-305 with RS-232 connection instead of the USB. Bad thing about this connector is it doesn't have pins for voltage, so there is another connector (PS/2 or USB) for power, and that connector is in the end of a really short piece of wire, because of which I had to get USB-extension. It may seem stupid to use both RS-232 and USB, but the reason is that when USB is used only for power, the receiver doesn't need any drivers at all, in any OS. Another difference between this and 305 is that this one seems to work well in cold, I got to test it in −27 °C for about half an hour.
BR-305
- USB mouse
- Price €40–60
- Trackpoints: 0 points (no memory)
- Connection: PS/2
- SiRFstarII
- Can't handle cold environment
- Channels 12
Works well with laptops.Stops working on low temperature.Uses serial USB, so it should work with all GPS track programs, loads pl2303 on Linux.
Good buy, but I recommend buying the 353 instead.
Bu 353 Linux Download
BT-308
GlobalSat BT-308 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | receiver | ||||
GNSS | 20 channels chipset: SiRF Star II e/LP augmentation: waas | ||||
Memory | Internal: no. External: ? no. | ||||
Integrated equipment | magnetic external antenna | ||||
Connectivity | bluetooth | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Price | 110$ | ||||
Notes |
BT-335
GlobalSat BT-335 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | receiver | ||||
GNSS | 20 channels chipset: SiRFstar III augmentation: waas;egnos;msas | ||||
Memory | Internal: (60.000 max logging). | ||||
Connectivity | bluetooth | ||||
Batteries | internal Li-ion (>24hrs lifetime) | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Price | 80€ | ||||
Notes |
|
BT-338
GlobalSat BT-338 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | receiver | ||||
GNSS | 20 channels chipset: SiRFstar III augmentation: waas;egnos | ||||
Memory | Internal: (60.000 max logging). | ||||
Connectivity | bluetooth | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Notes |
|
BT-359
GlobalSat BT-359 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | receiver | ||||
GNSS | 20 channels chipset: SiRFstar III augmentation: waas;egnos | ||||
Memory | Internal: (15hrs max logging). | ||||
Connectivity | bluetooth | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Price | 80$ | ||||
Notes | Full review,Battery from Nokia 3310/3330 fits and works, but too thick, cannot close lid. Should be slimmed versions of these somewhere. |
BT-368
GlobalSat BT-368
GlobalSat BT-368 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | receiver | ||||
GNSS | 20 channels chipset: SiRFstar III augmentation: waas;egnos;msas | ||||
Memory | Internal: . | ||||
Connectivity | bluetooth | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Price | 47£ |
![Bu 353 Linux Bu 353 Linux](/uploads/1/2/9/4/129450295/340658742.jpg)
BR-303
GlobalSat BR-303 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | receiver | ||||
GNSS | 12 channels chipset: SiRF Star II e/LP augmentation: no | ||||
Memory | Internal: . | ||||
Connectivity | usb | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Price | 50€ |
BR-305
GlobalSat BR-305 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | receiver | ||||
GNSS | 12 channels chipset: SiRF Star II e/LP augmentation: no | ||||
Memory | Internal: . | ||||
Connectivity | ps2 | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Price | 50$ |
BR-355
GlobalSat BR-355 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | receiver | ||||
GNSS | 20 channels chipset: SiRFstar III e/LP augmentation: waas;egnos | ||||
Memory | Internal: . | ||||
Connectivity | usb;rs232 | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Price | 60$ |
BU-353
GlobalSat BU-353 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | receiver | ||||
GNSS | 20 channels chipset: SiRFstar III e/LP augmentation: waas;egnos | ||||
Memory | Internal: . | ||||
Connectivity | usb | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Price | 28£ |
Works well with laptops.Stops working on low temperature.Uses serial USB, so it should work with all GPS track programs, loads pl2303 on Linux.
Bu 353 Driver Download
Good buy, this unit will almost always get a lock directly, and I really recommend it over BU-303. The sad part is that the lock usually isn't that good. I've experienced very strange behaviour where it will lose GPS lock and get a new bad lock positioning it self 50 m from the right position and then drift back to the right position. I'm not sure why this is, or exactly what is happening. It also has issues when you are stopped or moving slowly where the position jumps around by a few metres. Once it as been running for a 5–10 minutes this problem goes away.
DG-100
Globalsat DG-100 with washer
Bu-353 Linux Driver
GlobalSat DG-100
GlobalSat DG-100 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | logger,receiver | ||||
GNSS | 12 channels chipset: SiRFstar III augmentation: waas | ||||
Memory | Internal: (60.000 max logging). | ||||
Integrated equipment | wapoint button | ||||
Connectivity | usb | ||||
Batteries | 2AA (20hrs lifetime) | ||||
Features |
| ||||
Price | 110$ | ||||
Website | http://www.globalsat.com.tw/products-page.php?menu=2&gs_en_product_id=6&gs_en_product_cnt_id=55 Globalsat |
- alternative, open source managing software on sourceforge (a must!)
- dg100utils open source download and configuration software
- JOSM-Plugin to download data directly into josm, where it could be saved as a .gpx file
- dg100ctl setting utility for the DG-100, includes a graphical interface with Qt, works on Ubuntu
- Supported by gpsbabel on linux:
gpsbabel -i dg-100,erase=0 -f /dev/ttyUSB0 -o gpx -F 'track.gpx'
Tip: Glueing a washer around the on/off button prevents accidental switch off when carried in a backpack
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