new QSTARZ Q1000XT GPS travel recorder

new QSTARZ Q1000XT GPS travel recorder

QStarz just announced a new GPS travel recorder called Q1000XT. Q1000XT looks similar to some of their previous GPS data loggers but it seems like they’ve upgraded some of the specs and included their newest software with this product - namely QTravel. One of the highlights is of course the 66 channel tracking - more than any other GPS tracking device out there.

Here are some of the hardware specs:

• MTK II latest chipset with high sensitivity -165dBm and 66 channel tracking


• ultra lower power consumption up to 42hrs operation


• less than 15 seconds AGPS fix support: download almanac data to realize faster TTFF and positioning under warm start


• stand alone travel recorder to log up to 400,000 records


• POI button design to record your point of interest immediately


• 3-level Switch for easily switch Travel Recorder to LOG or NAV (Navigation + Log) mode


• integrated vibration sensor for smart power management and waypoint saving


• time schedule function to automatically start logging and stop logging by setting multiple time interval


• speed alarm function to prompt over speed status by beeping sound


• update Rate 1~5Hz changeable by utility provided (receiving 5Hz update rate only, logging only 1Hz maximum)


• G-Mouse + Bluetooth in one: wired and wireless GPS receiver


• Fast Position Fix ,Cold start 35s, Warm start 33s,Hot start 1s

Q1000XT is already available for USD $129 / Euro €129.

(Via NaviGadget.)

QStarz SR-Q2100

QStarz SR-Q2100

QStarz keep coming out with really decent and functional handheld GPS devices. One of these is the QStarz SR-Q2100.

They say this is a ‘10-in-1″ product and list the following:

• Track Logger


• Cycle Computer


• Location Finder


• Digital Compass


• Route Guider


• IPX-7 waterproof


• E-Temperature


• QPlanner software for route pre-planning


• QSports software for health management


• QTravel software for travel logging and geotagging

We don’t really think all of these items count as a separate feature but nonetheless this is a multifunctional device. Even just the cycle computer along with route planner is quite impressive. But of course there’s more. Such as the electronic compass, location finder, or the E-Temperature feature. Don’t ask us how that works, for we have no idea.

Here are some more detailed hardware features for the QStarz SR-2100:

• Large LCD display with backlight support : 38 x 32mm 1.8’ for instant GPS information


• Multi-function handheld GPS with Bike mode / Waypoint mode / Route mode


• Sport GPS mode can display info as Odometer/Distance/Current Speed/Max Speed/Average Speed/Azimuth/Temperature/Calories/8-directional compass/Total Time/Current time.


• Location Back mode can mark 4 waypoints (A/B/C/D point) - the estimate straight line distance measuring of the location back points


• Route Plan mode can support 1 route with 99 turn points, which can advise remaining distance/direction/time to target point


• Support pre-loading 4 Location Back points and pre-planning 99 turn points of route


• Track Log up to 42,496 waypoints


• Smart power saving and support 25 hours usage (22hrs with backlight)


• Adopts latest GPS chipset with high sensitivity -159dBm


• Excellent performance - Cold/Warm/Hot start time: 42/38/1 sec. (average)


• Time zone and distance/speed unit adjustable


• Waterproof design with IPX-7 class


• Download data via mini USB interface


• WAAS and EGNOS support

SR-Q2100 is already available at the price of USD $139 or EURO €129

(Via NaviGadget.)

QStarz BT-Q1000eX GPS Lap Timer

QStarz BT-Q1000eX GPS Lap Timer

QStarz just announced another kick ass GPS data logger called BT-Q1000eX. What makes this GPS data logger so special is that it has update frequency of 5Hz. That means GPS updates 5 times every second!

Some other features/specs of the BT-Q1000eX GPS Lap Timer include MTK II GPS chipset, 42 hour battery life, ability to store 400000 waypoints, 15 second satellite fix time, vibration sensor, and even a beeper.

Software? They included two.

Dual Software Included

QSports

• Personal data setting for calculation calories


• Sports Database management


• 
  For Record and manage your various exercise or sports.


• Smart training plan and track for personal analysis


• Share your tracks of sports or travel with friends

QTravel

• Built-in Google Map and visualization UI for users to easily manage their travel


• Friendly design, Q-Wizard can make import/export much easier and faster


• Flicker and Locr integration


• Media files synchronization


• Export HTML/MHT/GPX/KMZ/KML/CSV files for sharing -> HTML file can playback

Check out the images below.

(Via NaviGadget.)

QStarz QFinder review

QStarz QFinder review

Back in June we announced QStarz QFinder back tracking device. They shipped us a sample unit and we thought we’d do short review of this little GPS device.

OK, first thing first. What is this QStarz QFinder? Basically It is a handheld GPS device that lets you mark your position so you can come back to it when you need to. It obviously utilises GPS technology, but also features an electronic compass.

Let’s first talk about the hardware: QStarz QFinder uses the very popular SiRF Star III GPS receiver chipset. It can track 20 satellites at once and has a sensitivity of -159dBm. There’s no A-GPS here though so you may wait on average 42 seconds for a satellite fix from a cold start. The first day we got this we had to wait more than that. It weighs about 100 grams without the batteries - so it may not be not the lightest thing in your pocket. Speaking of carrying the device - it comes with a fake leather case and a more useful neck lanyard.

As far as power QStarz QFinder relies on two AAA batteries and claims to last up to 12 hours on a pair. Even though we haven’t tested energy consumption the couple Duracells we put it in still shows 3 bars (full) after several days of testing. The battery compartment can be opened or closed without any tools since it has a metal hook. You can just twist it shut with two fingers or use a coin.

The display is 33x42 mm in size and looks really sharp when the blue backlight comes on. It is also very readable under direct sunglight - however not so much with polarized sunglasses. But that’s your problem.

This GPS back tracker is water resistant (IPX-6 - able to resist powerful water jets from any angle) and feels very sturdy and solid. The front and back are good quality plastic and the sides are rubber - covering the 2 buttons - which feels good to hold. In fact with the lanyard attached it can be converted into a sling club to hunt small mammals.

OK enough with hardware. Let’s talk about features. QStarz QFinder can remember up to 4 locations. All you have to do is switch to one of A, B, C, or D and hold down the left button. Don’t worry, if you don’t have satellite fix it won’t let you mark it. That simple. Want to track back to your location? Just switch whichever location you marked. And the compass will point toward your location and the screen will show your distance to it - getting smaller as you get closer to the marked spot. You really can’t mess up using this device.

There are no settings to confuse you. You’re either tracking back to one of your four spots, using it as a compass, or just checking out the temperature. Oh yes, it shows temperature too. Celcius or fahrenheit. Speaking of units, the distance can be displayed either in meters or miles. To change from metric to imperial units just hold both buttons for 3 seconds.

Setting time is pretty easy too. You just have to enter your time zone. Hours/minutes/seconds - all acquired from GPS data.

Now - pros and cons:

Pros:

• Very very easy to operate


• Built sturdy


• Blue back light looks great

Cons:

• Easy to overwrite your marked location


• Not very light


• directional arrow only has 45 degree resolution (if your marked spot is at NNW QFinder will either point you to N or NW)

See more pics…

(Via NaviGadget.)

QSTARZ GPS Sports Recorder: Explore 2000

QSTARZ GPS Sports Recorder: Explore 2000

Do you know how many miles you jog every morning? How far you biked last summer? QSTARZ; a GPS device maker, just recently introduced the GPS Sports Recorder: Explore 2000. With the Explore 2000, you’ll have easy access to GPS coordinates but more importantly you will be able to manage and analysis various sports activities, such as cycling, jogging, sailing, skiing, etc. The bundle software-Qsports allows you to do track progress and graph all sorts of statistics. The Explore 2000 is available in 4MB memory for 260,000 waypoints and 20 hours operation time for a suggested price of USD $139.

Explore 2000 has a backlit LCD display that can show speed, odometer, time, total moving time, average speed, memory used, elevation, longitude and latitude. The package contains the GPS unit, Li-Ion battery, USB cable, software CD, travel charger, users guide, bike mount, and a sports armband.

(Via NaviGadget.)

qstarz GPS nano

qstarz GPS nano

QStarz just informed us of their new product; the GPS nano series. There’ll be two new models in the nano series: BT-Q1300 Travel Recorder nano, and BT-Q890 GPS Receiver nano.

The nano series will be available starting July 5th. BT-Q1300 will cost $99 and BT-Q890 will cost $69.

Here are some more features:

• super sensitive -165dBm MTK chipset (MTK3329) with 66 channels.


• supports 1-5 Hz update rate for higher accuracy


• can be connected to laptop as USB GPS mouse


• auto on-off function for smart power control


• battery can last upto 12 hours


• Ultra Thin - 38mm x 62mm x 7mm


• Ultra portable - Only 21g


• POI button to record your favorite places


• 4MB memory capacity; enough to record up to 200,000 waypoints

Neither device has bluetooth; so we don’t know why the model name starts with BT… but oh well.

(Via NaviGadget.)

qStarz BT-Q1200 Ultra

qStarz BT-Q1200 Ultra

qStarz this week introduced a new travel recorder and bluetooth GPS receiver with a solar panel big enough to extend its life upto 48 hours. Also called Travel Recorder Solar Ultra version, BT-Q1200 Ultra can pair with your PDA or smartphone to add GPS navigation functionality to these devices.

qStarz BT-Q1200 Ultra has enough memory to record 200,000 waypoints and it also boasts an enhanced GPS antenna to provide higher sensitivity and accuracy.

Other features are as follows:

• Track split and track edit


• Flicker and Google Earth integration


• Photo Preview & Slide Show function


• Analyze speed and altitude

qStarz BT-Q1200 Ultra is expected to hit the market today and sell for $120.

(Via NaviGadget.)

QStarz launch BT-Q818 eXtreme: world’s most powerful Bluetooth GPS

QStarz launch BT-Q818 eXtreme: world’s most powerful Bluetooth GPS

GPS manufacturer QStarz have announced what they’re calling the world’s most powerful Bluetooth GPS receiver.  The BT-Q818 eXtreme uses the 51-channel MTK GPS Module, and boasts adjustable position update rates from between 1 and 5Hz (e.g. between 1 and 5 updates per second).  That makes it particularly useful for high-speed applications in which position changes are rapid.

Battery life is also impressive, with QStarz quoting up to 32hrs of navigation time from a full 3hr charge.  This can be increased by use of the auto-on/off which shuts the receiver off when it’s not moving.  Both Bluetooth and direct USB connection are supported, and QStarz suggest cold start, warm start and hot start acquisition times of 36, 33 and 1 second respectively.

The BT-Q818 measures 72.2 x 46.5 x 20mm.  There’s no detail on release date or estimated price, unfortunately.

(Via SlashGear.)

QStarz BT-Q1000P review

QStarz BT-Q1000P review

QStarz BT-Q1000P was just announced last month and we were lucky enough to receive a sample product for review. The BT-Q1000P is first off a dual function device: It can be a bluetooth GPS receiver to pair with your PDA or smartphone or you can use it as a standalone travel recorder. BT-Q1000P is already available for pickup from Amazon for $100 and it seems to receive good reviews from other users on the internet.

When we first picked up this bluetooth GPS receiver we charged it and put it in our vehicle. That’s all. We decided worry about the software later. We pretty much forgot about it for the rest of the day and were happily surprised to see it still blinking away about 12 hours later. That is actually normal - for it says it can last up to 32 hours on a single charge.

The software installed without any problems on our Windows XP machine and successfully started Google Earth and showed our recorded track very precisely. You configure QStarz BT-Q1000P with this software because the hardware only has two buttons. One to switch it between off, log, and log + navigation mode, and another button to record your immediate position. The software lets you configure the tracking by time, distance, or speed, and you can even set the frequency of each one to record a waypoint.

As far as hardware, the ‘P’ at the end of the BT-Q1000P says it is the ‘platinum’ version which means it can record up to 200,000 waypoints instead of 100,000. It uses a 51 channel MTK GPS receiver chipset which got a satellite position fix in less than half a minute during our review.

BT-Q1000P has a high-friction padding on the bottom so it sits on your dash without the need for a mount which was a nice touch.

Now that we’re done with this bluetooth GPS receiver there’s a good change we’ll give it away to a Navigadget reader ;) Keep reading.

(Via NaviGadget.)