For years, GPS devices were standalone pieces of equipment that required their own operating system and had overly complicated interfaces and functions. If someone wanted to collect data using their GPS device in the field, it often meant a lot of configuring, testing and training to collect even the most basic data. If you had a complex form or survey requiring photo collection and were concerned with location, it required that you buy expensive equipment.
Those days are officially over. With Fulcrum, you can build powerful forms and surveys in your web browser, deploy them to your smartphone or tablet and immediately begin collecting data using the GPS on your device. On some occasions, the native GPS on your smartphone isn’t accurate enough, so users must turn to external Bluetooth GPS devices for improved accuracy.
Bluetooth GPS Devices
Jan 10, 2020 The Garmin GLO GPS receivers is a Bluetooth GPS Receiver, known for quality products. They can connect simultaneously with multiple satellites, up to 24 satellites. Also, the connection rate is found out to be 20% faster than the generic connections. GLO GPS Receiver has a rough battery life of 12 hours of use. Download this app from Microsoft Store for Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows Phone 8. See screenshots, read the latest customer reviews, and compare ratings for Bluetooth. Garmin Aera 660. A particularly full-featured model, the Garmin Aera 660 (about $749) is designed. WebUpdater for Mac software version 2.2.1. As of September 29, 2020. Download (13.07 MB) View installation instructions. Notes: WebUpdater guides you through the process of updating the software in your GPS. WebUpdater finds the most appropriate update for your GPS from the Garmin web site and performs the update.
Your smartphone GPS is designed to prioritize getting a location fix quickly, with accuracy of secondary importance. However, the accuracy of smartphone GPS is continually improving, and is by no means “inaccurate”. Most smartphones and tablets made in the last year currently have a 3 - 5 meter accuracy level. On the other hand, an external GPS device is designed for precision. Once it locks onto enough satellites, it can maintain a very high level of accuracy often required in the field.
Increased Battery Life
Best Gps For Mac
Using Bluetooth GPS devices has another added benefit for users; it decreases your smartphone’s battery consumption. Typically, the Bluetooth connection between the smartphone and an external Bluetooth GPS requires little power, so this method can greatly increase your smartphone battery life for outdoor applications. Acquiring multiple satellite signals and calculating the location multiple times a second requires a lot of energy. Using a Bluetooth GPS pushes that workload off the smartphone, giving it a longer battery life in the field.
Comparing Bluetooth Devices
Although I am not a GPS expert, I am frequently asked if Fulcrum can be used with external Bluetooth GPS devices. I compiled this comparison chart for my own use and felt it valuable enough to share with users. External Bluetooth GPS devices work by replacing your smartphone’s native GPS location, and by then making the new location available for apps that need it. Any app that uses the device’s location service will also see accuracy and precision improvement. Many of the higher end GPS devices on the bottom of the list are extremely accurate, more so than others, however they require apps to use their SDK to conduct additional computations and to achieve sub-centimeter accuracy.
The chart below can help you find the best Bluetooth GPS device for your needs. I’ve also left links to the devices we have reviewed in the past.
Here is a link to a more detailed comparison chart. Feel free to add a note if something needs to be updated. I have also included smartphone GPS devices that run Android available on the market as well as Bluetooth barcode scanners.
MakerModelCompatibilityBattery LifeWeightAccuracyCost
DualXGPS150AiOS/Android8h1.8oz (51.03g)+/-2.5 m$89 XGPS Review
GarminGLOiOS/Android12h2.12oz (60.1g)3 m$129
DualXGPS160iOS/Android10h2.6oz (73.1g)+/-2.5 m$149
Bad ElfGPS ProiOS/Android25h+3.2oz (90.7g)+/-2.5 m$149
Bad ElfGPS Pro+iOS/Android25h+3.2oz (90.7g)+/-2.5 m$249
Bad ElfGNSS SurveyoriOS/Android25h+3.2oz (90.7g)1-3 m$599 Bad Elf Review
TrimbleLeapiOS/Android16h9.5oz (269g)2 m$999
SXBlueSXBlueII+Android16h4oz (114g)-1 m$1,695
EOSArrow LiteiOS/Android16h13.1oz (372g)60 cm$1,995
SXBlueBlueIIAndroid10h18.24oz (517g)60 cm$2,195
TrimbleR1 GNSSiOS/Android10h+6.6oz (187g)60 cm$2,495
TrimbleR2 GNSSiOS/Android10h+38.1oz (1.01kgg)50 cm$2,700
SXBlueIIGNSSAndorid10h17.1oz (487g)60 cm$2,895
EOSArrow 100iOS/Android8h13.1oz (372g)60 cm$2,995
![Windows Windows](/uploads/1/1/8/1/118114885/465389702.jpg)
SXBlueIIBAndroid10h18.24oz (517g)60 cm$3,695
SXBlueIII-L GNSSAndroid9h18.24oz (517g)10 cm$6,995
SXBlueIIIGNSSAndroid9h17.1oz (487g)1 cm$6,995
EOSArrow 200iOS/Android8.5h13.1oz (372g)1 cm$6,995
![Mac Mac](/uploads/1/1/8/1/118114885/292181547.jpg)
EOSGoldiOS/Android4h13.1oz (372g)1 cm$7,995Foreign BrandsGlobalSatQstarzCanmoreHolux
- Last Updated: July 15, 2019
How to give apps permission to use your location
Some apps might not work unless you turn on Location Services.1 The first time an app needs to access your Location Services information, you'll get a notification asking for permission. Choose one of these options:
- Tap Allow to let the app use Location Services information as needed.
- Tap Don't Allow to prevent access.2
- Tap Ask Next Time to choose Always While Using App, Allow Once, or Don't Allow.
iOS devices might use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to determine your location. GPS and cellular location are available on iPhone and iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) models.
How to turn Location Services on or off for specific apps
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
- Make sure that Location Services is on.
- Scroll down to find the app.
- Tap the app and select an option:
- Never: Prevents access to Location Services information.
- Ask Next Time: This allows you to choose Always While Using App, Allow Once, or Don't Allow.
- While Using the App: Allows access to Location Services only when the app or one of its features is visible on screen. If an app is set to While Using the App, you might see your status bar turn blue with a message that an app is actively using your location.
- Always: Allows access to your location even when the app is in the background.
From here, apps should provide an explanation of how the app will use your location information. Some apps might offer only two options. Learn more about privacy and Location Services.
Bluetooth Gps Car
- Location Services uses GPS and Bluetooth (where they're available), along with crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspots and cellular towers to determine the approximate location of your device.
- Apps won't use your location until they ask for your permission and you allow permission.