For comparison, we put the new Qstarz Q1000P and the Globalsat BT-338 side by side. Both GPS receivers were installed on an Asus A6JA laptop, via BT protocol. Each device has its own Serial port mapping under Windows. We placed the two GPS receivers side by side at the dashboard of an Audi A4 2004 model. The tests were done under the same environmental conditions (night, clear skies, 25° C ).

We recorded the data for a pre-selected route with VisualGPS and then we analyzed it with GPSLog. We couldn't measure the TTFF tests ("Time to First Fix" which is the time it takes for a GPS to determine its current position), since there is not such software available compatible with Windows.

The Qstarz Q1000P had a very good performance in this test, almost as good as the Globalsat BT-338. While we couldn't measure the TTFF times, we did notice that the BT GPS was able to quickly get a 3D Fix. The Average Signal levels are slightly higher than those we got with the BT-338, by 0.5dB. The device was also strong in constantly tracking 10.78 satellites, using 7.70 of them (average values). Lastly, it never lost its 3D fix getting a perfect 100% score.

Passing both roots at Google Earth, we can notice that darker line (Qstarz Q1000P) is smoother in the turns (corners) while the light blue line (BT-338) has sharper.

- Indoor Sensitivity

We placed both receivers inside a house close to a big window. The Qstarz Q1000p had a 3D fix, using 8 satellites, whereas the Globalsat BT-338 had also 3D fix with 5 satellites in use.

- Overall impressions

The Qstarz Q1000P proved to be a very capable BT GPS receiver with very good performance in either indoors or outdoors tests. The reception levels were more or less the same as the Globalsat's BT-338, and some times even better. It seems that the Qstarz Q1000P is more sensitive for indoor use. Too bad there isn't an option for connecting an external antenna and further boosts the device's abilities.