Today we have the chance to play with the new Globalsat BT-36 GPS receiver. The device comes in a stylish and thin housing and promises to become your best companion.

The GlobalSat BT-368 is a Bluetooth GPS receiver utilizes GlobalSat's mature micro-technology based around SiRF's StarIII GPS chipset, which tracks up to 20 satellites simultaneously. The device comes equipped with a built-in antenna for efficient signal reception. 

Looking at the device we cannot hide that its shape reminds us of the latest iPhone-alike mobile phones. Actually the BT-368 was inspired to accent the recent wave of sleek mobile phones now entering the marketplace, according to the company.

The BT-368 communicates with a host devices such as a PDAs, Laptops or Smartphones using Bluetooth 2.0 Serial Port Profile (SPP) technology and with a powerful built-in antenna, it still remains compact enough to provide accuracy even while driving among downtown high-rises, or hiking under dense foliage without the need for an external antenna. The built-in, rechargeable Li-Ion battery provides up to 10-hours of continuous use from a full charge and with the auto-shut off feature, battery life is extended turning off the GPS when no Bluetooth connectivity with the host is available.

The lightweight BT-368 is also compatible with all NMEA compliant software sold on the market today.

- Features

• SiRF StarIII chipset
• 20 parallel channels
• Extreme fast TTFF at low signal level
• Bluetooth enabled
• High capacity rechargeable battery
• NMEA-0183 compliant protocol (Default: GGA,GSA,GSV,RMC Support: VTG,GLL,ZDA) and SiRF binary protocol
• Support SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS)
• Dimensions : 40 x 70 x 9.2 mm, weight : 30g
• Three LED indicators

- Specifications

GPS standard SiRF Star
GPS Antenna Built-in patch antenna
Operation range 10 meters (33 feet)
Bluetooth Default PIN 0000
Operation time Up to 10 hrs
Charge time 3~4 hrs
Automatically enters Turn-Off When there is no active Bluetooth connection 10 minutes
Charge Connector Mini USB
OFF to ON Press the ON-OFF button for approximately 1s causes the unit to turn ON
ON to OFF Press the ON-OFF button for approximately 1s causes the unit to turn OFF
GPS status Blinking – GPS position is fixed
GPS status Steady on – GPS position is not fixed
Power status Solid Red – Battery Low
Power status Solid Amber – Battery is charging
Bluetooth status Blinking (Once per three seconds) – Not connected to any Bluetooth device
Bluetooth status Blinking(Once per second) –Bluetooth device linked
Operating -10°C ~ 60°C
Storage -20°C ~ 70°C
Humidity 5% to 95% non-condensing
DC supplies 4.5V~5.5V / 0.5A
Battery Cell Type Lithium –ion Rechargeable Battery
Dimension 40.0 mm x 70.0 mm x 9.2 mm
Weight 30g

GPS Specification
GPS Chipset SiRF Star III
Frequency L1, 1575.42 MHz
C/A Code 1.023 MHz chip rate
Channels 20 channel all-in-view tracking

Accuracy
Position 3m / 2.5m with DGPS
Velocity 0.1m/sec
Time 1 micro-second synchronized to GPS time

Acquisition Rate
Hot start 1 sec., average
Warm start 38 sec., average
Cold start 42 sec., average
Reacquisition 0.1 sec. average

Protocol
GPS Protocol Default: NMEA 0183
GPS Output format Default: GGA(1sec), GSA(1sec), GSV(5sec), RMC(1sec) and SiRF binary protocol  

Dynamic Condition
Acceleration Limit Less than 4g
Altitude Limit 18,000 meters (60,000 feet) max.
Velocity Limit 515 meters/sec. (1,000 knots) max.

Bluetooth Specifications:
Bluetooth: 2.0
Bluetooth Chipset CSR BC4
Frequency 2402MHz to 2480MHz
Bluetooth Profile SPP (Serial Port Profile)
Operation Range 10 meters (33 feet)
Output Power 0 dBm (class II)