GlobalSat SD501 SDIO GPS Receiver review

EasyD2 · Regular Visitor Joined: Aug 13, 2004 Posts: 137

Hi Pocket-Man.
Glad you eventually got to the root of the problem.
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Tel: 0871 7000 156
Globalsat UK Distributor

johnshield · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 01, 2005 Posts: 1

As many of you have found out, the SD501 does not appear to be compatible with the PPC4100, eventhough it has a published SDIO interface.

I originally thought that it was a problem with the "GPS Information.exe" program, so I wrote a little test program to open up COM6 (attached to MANF-0501-CARDI), but it behaves exactly the same way: it locks the entire test program on the call to "CreateFile" (which is the WinCE API to open up a comport - I know what you're thinking, but before you comment, remember, this is Microsoft, things don't have to make sense).

I went to the manufacturer's website (http://www.globalsat.com.tw/english/download.php?level_id=3) and re-downloaded the 1-bit driver. The same result, the test program (as well as the "GPS Information.exe" program) locked up again.

I then uninstalled the 1-bit driver and installed the 4-bit driver. The same result, any program trying to open the comport locks up.

I then looked at the difference between the 1-bit and the 4-bit main driver DLL (SD_gps_driver.dll) and actually did a binary comparison: they are the same file. So, I went checking to see if there's a registry setting that tells the "SD_gps_driver.dll" file to use 1-bit or 4-bit SDIO modes. However, I couldn't find any.

This leads me to believe that Globalsat didn't package their drivers properly in the CAB files and used the 4-bit version for both the 1-bit and 4-bit drivers on their website.

Go ahead, install the 1-bit version and then export the SD_gps_driver.dll to your Windows computer using ActiveSync and then do a File->Properties on it and check the file description. It says: SD_gps_driver (4 bit)

At any rate, I am hopeful that the PPC4100 supports 1-bit SDIO transfer modes and that the incompatibility problem can be fixed with the correct driver from GlobalSat.

Can the distributors of this nifty little receiver put some pressure on GlobalSat to finally fix their driver? I've read post after post of this same behaviour on other brands (with published SDIO 1.1 support)

Regards,

John.

BearUK · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2005 Posts: 1

I don't who how much the reviewer was paid, and who paid him - but I think the SD-501 is a pile of rubbish.

Although the installation and setup was fine, that's as far as it goes.

It's deaf and blind and unreliable. It doesn't work anywhere around where I work (London Bridge) and - for example - it was working fine in and outside my home last night, but tonight it won't see a single satellite. Not even the add on 'booster' works.

Do yourself a favour and buy something else.

MikeB · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:31 pm Post subject: Re: Globalsat SD-501

EasyD2 · Regular Visitor Joined: Aug 13, 2004 Posts: 137

Anybody who needs the driver for the Globalsat SD501 can find it here...

http://easydevices.co.uk/main.asp?sitepages=Downloads

Please note that the download contains both drivers (1bit and 4bit).

If you are unsure which version to use then see the following page...

http://www.globalsat.com.tw/english/products_detail.php?main_id=21&p_id=105
_________________
www.easydevices.co.uk

Tel: 0871 7000 156
Globalsat UK Distributor

Rob2791 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 23, 2005 Posts: 2

Does It work with tmobile pocket pc phones??

sprovost · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 1

I just received my new gps receiver. I was able to get the driver working but every time my ipaq goes off or to sleep, the driver fails. I have to perform a soft reset to get the driver working again.

As long as power is connected to my ipaq 5555, the driver works fine and my gps application gets the data from the 501 sdio gps receiver.

If i pull out the gps, the driver fails until a soft reset is performed.

I checked hp's website and did not find any new firmware updates for the SDIO slot.

Any ideas???

thanks
stephen

wiesl · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 04, 2005 Posts: 4

I have the same problem, SD-501 and iPaq 5550.
Wrote to support today.

Christoph

EasyD2 · Regular Visitor Joined: Aug 13, 2004 Posts: 137

Not sure if I can help with this one. It does sound like an issue with the PDA.
I know that the driver will only usually appear when the device is plugged in. So, if for example you are using tomtom software and go into the GPS settings, the virtual com port will only display when you have the device fitted.

wiesl · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 04, 2005 Posts: 4

I tested the SD-501 with a second 5550. Same problem here. I tested it with a 2210, here the receiver works fine after Suspend/Resume. So it's not a hardware issue with the SD-501
I searched again the HP support and found a Firmware update (HP iPAQ Pocket PC h5500 Series Firmware Update for ROM Version 1.10 (23 Aug 04) SP28220.exe).
It should fix some problems (Corrects issue where some SDIO cards were not recognized after Suspend/Resume or soft reset.).
Unfortunally it does NOT fix it.
Seems that the SD-501 is NOT compatible with the iPaq 5550.

Christoph

studsr · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 8

Well, I bought one of these Globstat SD501 GPS cards for my Ipaq 5500 (it got such a great review on here!), and am distinctly unimpressed so far.

Installation went fine, but GPS Info would not show it up on any COM port (my Ipaq is fully updated, with all available patches from HP website).

Eventually, after several reinstalls, its shows up in GPS Info, on COM 4, and wandering around outside for a few minutes gives me a good fix on 5 or 6 sats in GPS Info.

Now the problems start - TomTom just refused to recognise it. I had TomTom GPS on "simulator", so I take the tick out of here, select NMEA 0183v2 4800, and select SDCARD from second drop down menu......when this is done, it is impossible to put a "tick" in blue box to activate GPS.

After much web searching, I found TomTom have released an update to TomTom 3 GPS driver, so uninstalled present one, and installed new one.......I can now enable GPS in TomTom, although signal is weak (2 or 3 sats) and position can be erattic.

I've also tried Pocket Streets 2005, in GPS Setup I pick COM4 (as I know from GPS Info that this is what the card is grabbing), but Pocket Streets just reports "the com port is available, but no data is being received).

The Globstat website is absolutely useless, no recent driver updates, no support forum etc.

Anyone got it working well on a Ipaq 5500, or Pocket Streets?.....any advice at all would be most welcome.

Cheers,

Andy.

wiesl · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 04, 2005 Posts: 4

hello all unlucky owner of SD-501 and iPaq 5550.

I got an answer form the support (it was the Navilock.de support as I bought the Receiver in Austria and here the SD-501 is distributed as NL-207S).
They told me that the SD-501/NL-207S is NOT COMPATIBLE with the 5550. Evil or Very Mad

I shall hope that HP releases a firmware upate.
That's it!!
I will return my SD-501 as it is useless for me.

Christoph

studsr · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 8

Really!? - then why does it state on Globstat website, and reviews/specs on sellers websites:

Compatible Device
Acer n30
Dell Axim X3 Pocket PC
HP iPAQ h1930 series Pocket PC
HP iPAQ h1940 series Pocket PC
HP iPAQ h2210 series Pocket PC
HP iPAQ h3970 series Pocket PC
HP iPAQ h4150 series Pocket PC
HP iPAQ h5550 series Pocket PC
O2 XdaII Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC, phone edition

I agree there is definately a problem, and Globstat/HP should be addressing this......lets hope they do soon.

wiesl · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 04, 2005 Posts: 4

I asked Navilock to remove the compatibility note on their webpage. I will inform you about their reaction.

I noticed that every webshop and reviewer copies the specs from the globalstat website. Test's were normaly done with devices with SD and CF slot (therfore they can use the full maps of the navigation software) and not with the 5550

An SD-501 is in some way compatible to the 5550 - after some soft resets and without power off the device. But that is not the way I want to use a SD-GPS. I want to use it off road, then walking in cities and there need to power off often because of power consumption.
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santhosh · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 09, 2005 Posts: 1

Hi, I had problems finding the COM7 port on the XDA 2 when i initially started out a couple of months back. I did some experimenting and all of a sudden the port appeared and all was well. after a hard reset i am facing the problem again and cant seem to figure out why the com7 port is occupied or how to even access it. i'm stuck in the middle of a vacation without navigation. this problem has been faced by many and the solutions are not clear in the forum discussions or the reviews... please help
santhosh

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