Can anyone recommend a GPS unit with USB that definitely works with MapPoint.

I cant say definitely but I would check out the one that comes bundled with Streets and Trips 2005. (I think the bundle was $125 at Compusa?) I did goto there website and I see they have a bluetooth adapter for the gps and it will work with pocket streets etc...

I would like to re-awaken the original poster's question.

Can anyone recommend a USB GPS DEVICE that DEFINATELY works with MS Mappoint 2004?

Thanks in advance...

The one that comes with Streets and Trips does work.

Hi,

Almost every GPS deice that I know (it is a lot, but not all of course) follwow the NMEA0183 standard. So it is that standard that mappoint take to get the info out of the GPS data from the receive.

The only exception that I know is a chineese GPS receiver (forgot the brand) that has a baudrate of 9600,n,8,1 instead of 4800,e,7,1 but I think this can be set in mappoint (never looked at this setting).

Simple USB is not going to work...

I think the GPS receiver should also support an RS-232 (serial port) interface, native or by emulating. Otherwise MapPoint is not going to recognise.

The NMEA standard only lists serial (RS-232). This is why MapPoint requires a serial interface.

However, most GPSs support NMEA and a lot are USB. So I think they come with suitable drivers to make it appear as if it is coming in on a COM port. I haven't tried a USB GPS yet - probably will be doing in the next month or so.

Note that the Pharos GPS that is packaged with Streets&Trips is a USB one.

Richard

you can try something like a cell phone with a data cable connected to your laptop via a serial port. Nextel has alot of great services and phones that will provide GPS information. Try www.comettracker.com

I have never managed to get a USB (or PS2 for that matter) GPS Receiver to work with MP 2004. However....

Last week however I managed to acquire an EMTAC BTGPS II Receiver (6hrs battery life) which works via a simple (£8.00/$13.00) USB Blutooth Dongle.

Paired the Laptop with the BTGPS and MapPoint received the signal - all set up within 5 minutes. Works VERY reliably and couldn't have been easier to set up.

There is also an upgraded EMTAC BTGPS III model available (up to 20hrs battery life) for about £100 ($160)

The EMTAC unit is normally used to record waypoints and has been found to be frighteningly reliable and extremely accurate compared with other GPS units we have tried.

Cheers

I.T.

PS I have no link with EMTAC whatsoever - just really impressed with their products.