GPS Receiver: Microsoft Pharos GPS-500 III GPS Receiver

When I received this gps device, I hope that some kind of software to manage it was included in the package, but there's no any instruction or software. Installed in a Laptop with Windows 7. It's plug and play, placed the receiver at the roof of my car. At first a little disapointed, because I found on the web that it works only with Microsoft Street and Trips thats is useless for me, because this had only maps for USA and Canada, and I live most of the time in South America. But after trying with Google Earth, I found in the tool menu an option for GPS, open the 'Realtime' folder option, select the NMEA Protocol, mark 'Automatically follow the path' and click the start button, and after 4 or 5 seconds, my position appear in the map. It's simple to use and a cheap solution if you need a GPS to travel. P.D. The Google Earth needs an Internet connection to display constantly the position, in my case, I have a 3G Modem and an Internet Service Provider that's give me an unlimited data download at a flat cost.

does not work every time, I have to wiggle it. Must have a bad wiring inside.

Microsoft (as best I can tell) eliminated the function of external gps receivers. The third party driver will not allow recognition. Tech support and directions are either non existent or woefully out of date. Its useless.

This GPS receiver was used with a laptop computer running Microsoft AutoRoute 2013 in Europe (Trial version). It worked flawlessly and without complication. Relatively inexpensive too. Laptops are not good for navigation while walking, and cars in Europe seem relatively small, so Garmin or TomTom seem more practical. AutoRoute 2013 seemed to understand the one-way streets better though.Strongly recommend this product.

I bought this explicitly so I could run open source GPS mapping software on my Linux laptop. It works perfectly. I love it.I could prove that the Amtrak Accela trains really do 100 MPH between Washington and NY. Plus, you can stick the receiver to a window and be stealthy when you are flying.It was inexpensive. Highly recommended.

I was quite pleased. I use several different mapping applications on two different operating systems. Both find and communicate easily with this hardware. I use it mainly on a dash mounted laptop and on a small boat. The accuracy is impressive. I have tested it in several known locations and altitudes and it is accurate within 10 feet on each. That's almost good enough for government work. It's perfect for finding that lucky tree stand or that perfect anchorage.

The GPS receiver plugged into a USB port. I tried it on Windows Vista laptop with a free nautical navigation package which required it be on a serial port. The system automatically downloaded a driver which made the USB look like a serial port. Then I had to change the serial port number on the software to match the driver port number. This all took about 5 minutes. The receiver acquired the satellite lock very quickly and even inside the house gave a location with an accuracy of a few feet.

Very nice GPS receivr for Microsoft Streets and trips. Good Price and easy to set up. I am a trucker and this is a fine accurate receiver for my laptop Streets and Trips program. As for weether resistance, it's not. Don't get it wet. What I did was took one of those roof mount small oval amber lights with the rotating beacon inside apart. Painted the inside of the globe with white plastic based spray paint. Ran a long USB cable through the hole in the base then used spray foam to seal and create a bed for the receiver to rest on. after it dried, I shaped the foam and taped the unit to the bed of foam and placed the cover back on. Now I have a magnetic protective housing with the GPS antenna in it and it works and looks great.