Dual XGPS160 Navigation

I originally bought this four years ago (just two weeks short of four years) to mount on the hood of my off-road car. The car just turned 8,000 miles this weekend, and XGPS finally died. Those were 8,000 rough miles through heat, dust, rain, and snow--mostly very bumpy miles. This poor little puck has been through a lot and has seen some things.I was bummed when it finally gave out, especially since we were exploring new territory that I would have loved to have recorded. I'm not bitter though. The first thing I did when I got home from the trip is ordered a replacement. It came out to about two-cents per hard mile, which seems worth it to me. That comes out to about $2.50 per long riding day, which is absolutely a bargain.I mounted mine to my CanAm's hood with the MobArmor case. I connect it to the iPad on my dash via Bluetooth and it's been pretty bullet-proof for four years.The only down-side is that the power draw is higher than the MiniUSB connection can support, so I have to remove it from the car every night and fully charge it before the next day's ride. Otherwise it will power down after a few hours of driving. If we're going on a night-ride on the same day, I definitely need to remove it and recharge it, otherwise it will quit and leave us roaming in the dark with very few visible landmarks.It comes with basic software. I definitely recommend adding better aftermarket software to the iPad. I use LeadNav off-road race software and the combo of this puck, the iPad, and LeadNav is a superior setup. Everyone else in my group has something basic in their cars, but mine is the most reliable and informative. The consequence is that I'm the designated leader for 99% of our trips because I have a nav that I can use while we're moving instead of having to stop and figure out what's what.Here's to another four years and another 8,000 miles.

Bought it for our aircraft and it works wonderful. Stays charged for at least 7 hours plus (longest I’ve had it on) and connects easily to the iPads and phones for use. Also, comes with a flat rubber case to put it in for ease of placement.It works in charging mode too. Some GPS’s I have had don’t do that.

** UPDATE after 3 weeks/10 hikes **Unit worked fine during the hike yesterday, I turned it off after the hike, had it begin charging with the cig lighter adapter on the drive home. When I went to turn it on to copy off the hike log, it would not turn on. No power light, no charge light (when connected to supplied USB charger. Completely dead.Based on a closer read of all the reviews as well as the poor state of apps for the device, I'm returning for a refund... I see no point taking a chance on a replacement.=============================Original review below=============================The receiver itself is better than "It's okay" but the apps required leaves a lot to be desired.HARDWARE: The receiver works good but the battery life isn't the best... it claims 10 hours with a 3 hour recharge but appears to fall short on the 10 hours. For me, the 3 hour charge is the bigger issue.Since the SkyPro was to replace my Garmin 62st GPS, which could go 24 hours on a charge with 2 AA NiMh batteries, the inconvenience of the 3 hour charge for the SkyPro compared to the AA's, they never took more than 10 MINUTES to recharge, using my fast charger.The SkyPro is very fast to pick up satellites, but bounces way too far when it loses a signal... going inside a cave for two minutes added over a mile of bouncing and a thousand-foot difference in elevation during that time. (Which means time must be wasted editing the track afterward.)SOFTWARE: (Android version)DUAL SkyPro Status Tool:1. The software is buggy, crashing a full 75% of each time I load it.2. The installation routine fails to ask for permissions, so of course it doesn't set them. The result of which means you cannot "Share" or "Email" the resulting .kml (Google Earth) file.THE FIX:Select: Settings > Applications > Application Manager > Status Tool > PermissionsChange: Contacts, Location & Storage from OFF to ONNOTE: The fix itself only took seconds, but to FIND the fix took over 3 hours of MY time. DUAL SkyPro support did not have an answer, so when I DID figure it out I emailed them recommending they add the issue and fix to their FAQs. (And recommended the installation routine be fixed as well)MOCK GPS SOFTWARE REQUIRED (Android):SkyPro recommended using either of two fee apps, 'Bluetooth GPS' or 'Bluetooth GPS Provider'- Bluetooth GPS: I tried this first but it only worked on half of the GPS/Tracking/Map apps I have so I uninstalled it.- Bluetooth GPS Provider: This worked with every GPS/Tracking/Map app I have so I would recommend this one. (It has ads, but you only visit the app screen long enough to click it to "Play" so they present no issue.The biggest gripe I have about the software is that TWO SEPARATE apps are required. As a software test engineer in a previous life (retired now) I would recommend:1. DUAL SkyPro Status Tool app should be more robust (more testing to stop the crashing)2. DUAL SkyPro Status Tool app should EITHER:2a. Rewrite the app to INCLUDE a seamless 'Mock GPS App' internally<or>2b. Create a separate Mock GPS app to work specifically with the XGPS160, not relying on the 'free' outside app developers.In all fairness, if one were ONLY to use the XGPS160 in conjunction with a mapping app, the SkyPro Status Tool need not be running, only the Mock GPS (Bluetooth) app must be running.Which brings up another point... although this product is sold as a means to provide more accurate GPS coords/elevation than the internal SmartPhone GPS (which it does) as well as lengthen battery charge of the phone (because the internal GPS is turned off) I found that having to have Bluetooth on constantly ran the battery on my phone down twice as fast as previously using the phones GPS alone.

I use this GPS in combination with track addict for real time telemetry and lap timing. This system works fantastic and provides me the insights I need to track driver and upgrade progression. I recently experience an issue with the unit not holding a charge and customer service responded quickly with getting my unit replaced. Would recommend this product to others based on my experience with the unit and the manufacturers customer service.

The app to use with the product on Android is Bluetooth GNSS. You will also need to enable developer mode to utilize mock GPS (sets the unit to use the external GPS rather than the internal). You can connect and disconnect via the app. Others may work as well but this app works great with the unit. The product instructions, even on their website, are very dated. With this app, the product works great on Android. Product also works (without the need for an app) on iOS (iPads) with an app. It has a stable Bluetooth connection. The charge indicator light is supposed to go green once the unit is charged. My unit has been charging for months and charge indicator never went green. However, I just keep it plugged into a 12 volt plug and no issues. It also works unplugged but haven't tested how long it runs unplugged. I use it to provide GPS data on my tablet based chartplotting apps (Aquamaps and Navionics) on both android tablets and iPads.

Connects to several (~16) satellites very quickly, and stays connected even when the only line-of-sight is horizontal (e.g., out the window of house or car).Seems to handle 2 simultaneous connections well, but... sometimes the utility app freezes if you also have mapping software running. So... perhaps it's best to launch the utility app to make sure everything's working, and then close it when you launch mapping software.Elegant design, and good quality. Battery life seems good, but I haven't totally put it through it's paces.My setup:Have it set up with an iPad (in a RAM Cup-Holder mount with a Tab-Tite docking Cradle; accessorized with some Home Depot tweaks so that it's stable--otherwise it falls over as soon as you take a turn. Hit me up for details) using MotionHD and downloaded custom maps... it doesn't yield "routable" (turn-by-turn directions) solution, but will do just fine out in the middle of nowhere (which is why I bought it! I use my phone for road-mapping.The total Solution cost about the same as a Garmin solution (~$200), but has a WAY bigger/better interface.. and this way I'll be able to upgrade various pieces as desired (mapping software, maps, hardware). I was a Garmin customer for years (first one was Quest 2 -- which was AWESOME -- a modern day version of that would be killer!!!) before I finally got sick of their horrible customer service and arguably "disposable device" strategy (the "you can always upgrade the maps and/or firmware" thing is true... but often the internal memory isn't big enough to load newest maps, so you either have to "downgrade" your coverage area, or buy a new one with more memory so you can have the latest maps).This is turning out to be more of a ramble than planned, but... what do you want--I'm not getting paid to do this. ;)

I am amazed as this worked so much better than my phone and vehicle GPS. We ran an offroad event in a rural area and I never lost a signal with this for my maps, which is extremely important.

Worked ok in tests. but unable to use in field. Battery would not charge to 100%, but would immediately go down to 93% after unplugging charger. Upon second charge/discharge to 50%, left overnight to charge. During second charge testing, 4-hours of use consumed ~ 50% battery capacity. Third cycle, unit was charged for over 5-hours and battery went up to 98% after checking. Unit was powered off and left overnight. Found 0% charge the next day. Battery/unit appears to be bad. Returning unit and ordering a replacement.Skypro App on iPhone IOS 7.1.2 crashes. It appears that when scrolling down slowly, I could consistently make the Skypro app crash(specific app for XGPS160 and unit was upgraded to firmware 1.3). Will do further testing with replacement using Harry's Lap Timer and Street Pilot. 3-Stars due to bad unit and buggy app.UPDATE 08/15/2014:2nd unit doesn't hold charge. Battery dropped 100% to 77% after a 2-3 hours off. Under 60% after ~ 5 hours. Called Dual support and reported issue. CS will escalate to corporate. Ordered 3rd replacement that should arrive early next week. Only buying from Dual listed authorized resellers. Check your unit if purchased recently.UPDATE 08/19/2014:3rd unit working ok and holds charge overnight. I left the unit at firmware v1.2. Dual tech support said v1.3 supposedly helps performance when tracking at slow speed like walking. For example, walking an Auto-Cross course prior to the runs. Think I will leave it at v1.2 until it is confirmed that v1.3 doesn't cause problems. May have gotten bad units from different vendors... Dual support says they have received daily calls regarding battery problems. The battery issue has been escalated and may have more info within a week or two.UPDATE 08/22/2014:3rd unit arrived and work well with shipped firmware v1.2. 10Hz polling stable. Dual released IOS app update and firmware v1.3.5 today. App still crashes when scrolling up/down very slowly. Since I was within my Amazon return period, I just updated the unit with 79% battery after two days of idle. Update completed. I powered cycled another time and that's when everything went to h3ll. All LED lights dimmed, when on, Battery light dim 'green' supposedly OFF. Unit got extremely warm after 45 minutes of charging. With unit on and paired with iPhone 5 (7.1.2), 'GPS Battery' indicator in IOS app cycles between battery level and 'charging'. The app never says connected, however, it is paired with the phone. Just processed my 3rd Amazon RMA. Dual should send me a free unit to do QC testing for them. I don't mind the risk of new firmware since I was within the Amazon return period. (Note for the 'operator error' skeptics, I integrate and support Enterprise grade network equipment)Keeping the bad unit in a lipo safe bag until I can ship it out tomorrow. May have been a hosed firmware update. I will notify Dual support about my recent situation. I will not attempt another firmware update with my 4th unit until multiple confirmations of success. Update at your own risk.Update 08/28/2014:4th unit arrived w/v1.2. Works fine and holds charge overnight. Updated to v1.3.5 on first try. Held charge for 2 days. No problems so far. Finally, a keeper.

I have been using the XGPS160 in my plane for the past 6 months and it works flawlessly, as advertised. Highly recommend this little gem.

Ich habe mir das Gerät für off-road Navigation gekauft, weil mit iphone und ipad der Empfang zu schlecht ist (und somit auch die Genauigkeit).Auf einer Islandreise hat sich das GPS 160 sehr gut bewährt - sehr schnelle Positions updates mit hoher Genauigkeit. Zusammenarbeit mit iphone und ipad klappt problemlos. Ein kleiner Wermutstropfen ist die Bedienbarkeit des Datenloggers - die Aufzeichnungsfrequenz ist fix (und sehr hoch). Bei einem mehrstündigen Fussmarsch hat man tausende von Datenpunkten, wo es ein paar Dutzend auch täten. Verbesserungsvorschlag - Aufzeichnungsfrequenz einstellbar, Aufzeichnung vom Gerät aus Starten/Stoppen können, wäre hilfreich.Insgesamt ein sehr gutes und funktionelles Gerät. Preis/Leistungsverhältnis stimmt.

Tecnicamente, come GPS è grandioso! Fixa tanti satelliti, velocemente. La possibilta' di agganciare via BT 5 diversi apparecchi e' comodissima.2 difetti:1) app di gestione solo per Iphone, quindi con android e PC non si riesce a gestire al meglio l'apparecchio ma si può solo usare come antenna.2) servizio di assistenza della casa produttrice scandaloso. Ho mandato diverse mail al servizio assistenza del produttore [ ... ] senza ottenere alcuna risposta. Ho provato a contattarli anche tramite la pagina facebook, senza risultato. Sinceramente la questione e' seccante.

The Skypro XGPS160 is a cracking and well-made bit of kit. I wanted to boost the 1ghz GPS signal on my Iphone 5 when using the IOS version of Harry''s LapTimer, on track. (Background data recording only)Initial set up and pairing, via Bluetooth, took about 30 seconds and when required, the SkyPro's power-on connection to the phone was immediate, with bright lights clearly indicating the device and satellite connection status. Satellites were found very quickly and retained an 'excellent' positional signal all day. (Download the free Skypro GPS app from the App Store for detailed real-time connection info) And as required, my GPS signal was boosted to 10ghz. Lasted a full day, as well, on a single USB charge.A tad expensive maybe but just worked, with no issues, so worth it in my opinion.

以前使用していたXGPS150より受信感度が良く、Bluetoothとの接続にかかる時間も短縮されています。Batteryの持ちも長くなりました。問題は1つ、Amazonに出品されている金額は市販の倍しております。今回必要に迫られ高額でも購入しましたが、今後は予め前もって代理店からの購入をします。