Polstar igeo-plus pbt-248
3. Installation - Using the Device
Polstar iGeo-Plus PBT-248 - Page 2
- Installation
The installation of the device is very simple. After charging for about 3hours, you can then install it on either your PDA or BT enabled laptop. Remember, that pair key is four zeros (0000). All tests were carried out using an ASUS A6JA laptop. We recorded all data for a pre-selected route with VisualGPSX and later analyzed it with GPSLog.
In order to measure the TTFF ("Time to First Fix" which is the time it takes for a GPS to determine its current position), we used the GPSInfo "Cold Start" function. All tests ran simultaneously, under the same environmental conditions and all installed in an Audi model A4, 2004.
The retail package doesn't come with any kind of testing software. However, if you visit the Polstar Technologies website, you can download two pieces of software, one for PDAs and one for PC platforms.
- Tests Day One
On the first day, we tested the device under a clear daylight sky, with 28°C. There are no TTFF times, since there isn't a utility available to perform this measurement for Sony chipsets.
Globalsat BT-338
|
Polstar i-GeoPlus PBT-248
|
||
Fix
|
Invalid
|
2.1
|
2.7
|
2D
|
14.7
|
20.8
|
|
|
83.2
|
76.5
|
|
Satellites
|
Average (in view)
|
8.16
|
9.19
|
Average (in use)
|
4.47
|
4.45
|
|
Average Signal Level (in dB)
|
Maximum per Satellite
|
31.83
|
47.00
|
Average per Satellite
|
26.19
|
38.00
|
|
The Polstar PBT-248 showed good performance. It had on average about one satellite more in view but the same in use than the BT-338. The average signal levels were also much higher than the BT-338, reaching up to 47 dB.
- Tests Day Two
On the second day, we tested the device with a partly-cloudy daylight sky, 30°C. Again, there are no TTFF times.
Globalsat BT-338
|
Polstar i-GeoPlus
|
||
Fix
|
Invalid
|
0
|
0
|
2D
|
0
|
0
|
|
|
100
|
100
|
|
Satellites
|
Average (in view)
|
8.00
|
9.00
|
Average (in use)
|
6.71
|
5.29
|
|
Average Signal Level (in dB)
|
Maximum per Satellite
|
38.00
|
43.67
|
Average per Satellite
|
32.85
|
36.88
|
|
Again good performance, although the Polstar device's average in use satellites count is much lower than the BT-338, despite having a higher in view satellites count. High average signal levels once more form the i-GeoPlus.
- Tests Day Three ( Indoor Sensitivity)
We placed both receivers inside a house, close to a large window and monitored their performance. The Polstar PBT-248 had a problem getting 3D fix, whereas the Globalsat Globalsat BT-338 had a 3D fix with 7 in view and 5 in use satellites.
- Overall impressions
The Polstar i-Geo Plus PBT-248, powered by Sony's 4th generation chipset, showed very good performance compared to the SiRF III chipset. The device didn't have any problems, obtaining a quick 3D fix quickly with good reception levels, reaching up to 47dB (max). It also seems to be being able to view more satellites but doesn't use more than the BT-338. The only weak area was in our indoor tests, but then you wouldn't be using a device like this indoors.
