GlobalSat BT-821C Bluetooth GPS Receiver

Not the thing for the non-tech-savvy, there are no step by step instructions included to hold your hand. But if you look up model number you will find software to enable you to connect bluetooth GPS to your mobile device. I downloaded "bluetooth GNSS" from the android play store, enabled location spoofing on my Lenovo P11 tablet, and was up in 10 minutes , including a couple of minutes for the initial satellite lock. Installation on my galaxy phone was faster. When I am in an "asphalt canyon" area , the extra precision is much appreciated. My tablet's GPS is useless even among 4 story buildings near downtown boston If you are even a little technically inclined and have 15 minutes , you can do this. Very accurate and necessary for using my Lenovo P11 android tablet, because it's gps is sloppy. I cannot raddress long term battery durability (number of cycles it will take a charge), but the battery life per cycle is well over 8 hours, and the battery is user replaceable. I got this for a great price on amazon but scarcity now brings increased expense.

The ad says this device works with 'Bluetooth enabled smart phones'. That's flat out wrong because it doesn't work with Apple devices. Also, the device only comes with a car charger. Since the device requires a special connector instead of the more universal Micro-USB cable, there is literally nowhere else it can be charged. This makes the BT-821 highly unusable compared to other devices.

This is a nice device, the battery seems to last forever since the receiver goes to sleep automatically. It will help your mobile phone get GPS if you're using it behind a waveproof windshield or inside a Faraday cage. But it won't help you if you suffer from an phone compass showing random directions. To correct that, set your Maps "north up" and use an actual compass to turn your phone the right way and find the street you need to take.

Nice design, foot print not much bigger than a match box. Quickly gets a fix on satellites even indoors as long as there is a window. Bluetooth pairing with all of my devices was no problem. The 4mm (OD) charge port is a relict from the old days that prevents the use of a standard USB cell phone charger. It only comes with a charge cable for the cigarette lighter . The 3 LED lights (2 of them flashing all the time) are absolutely essential for operation and diagnosis but also a huge annoyance in a dark room or in the car at night. The removable Li-Ion battery is 3.7v / 1100mAh. The package comes with diagnostic software on a CD which was of no use to me. I used the device to replace the not functioning onboard GPS on my Galaxy Note 4. The Android app that GlobalSat recommends as GPS mock did not work for me. I had a hard time with many Bluetooth <> GPS apps to get the Note 4 to receive GlobalSat GPS properly. Ended up with "Bluetooth GPS".

This unit arrived via Parcel Post on a Sunday afternoon.... and after charging it in my car, I paired it with my old Lenovo ThinkPad tablet and it was off to the races. The ThinkPad is running CyanogenMod Android 4.1.1 so there was no need for any helper app like GPS Info...I simply selected the GPS source as this BT-821 GPS receiver in Location Settings... and I had 3D lock showing on my GPS test app in 1 second... with 14 foot accuracy indicated and tracking 14 satellites. My Tower app from 3D Robotics found the GPS location instantly, and now I can do the third person view control from the tablet as it moves.... Excellent product... does what it says. A 5 HZ update option would be nice, but its fine as it is out of the box.

The BT821 linked right up with my Blue2Can on my Nikon D850 camera. Very simple to start. The location acquisition was very quick and in the field that became important as I drove from location to location to take photos. The bluetooth connection was very reliable and with the unit in my pocket did not have any trouble with the camera connection or the GPS location acquisition. After 10 hours of continuous use I still had battery left so I don't know how long it will go but it is more than satisfactory for me.

I will say it as accurate and quick as one would come to expect. However it lacks a lot of key features that have me debating a return. 1. No mini usb port/charging. It uses an old round DC Jack and you have to purchase a wall charger separately. I cannot believe in this day in age they elected to limit such an important and common connection. 2. Auto power off after BT disconnected. It powers off to save battery if no device is connected while it's not being charged. There is no option to change this. There are actually no options at all. It cannot be programmed via software or updated due to its lack of usb connection. You cannot change refresh rates or anything. Not what I expected from the maker of the BU353. Going to get a qstarz, that has these options.

I don't know how effective the GPS functions are because the Bluetooth function does not work at all. I tried multiple devices with no luck in pairing. I turned on a wireless keyboard and my iPad found it immediately. I was also disappointed that the only option for charging is an older style 12v plug-in. The instruction CD had minimal instructions and no trouble shooting help. I will be returning the unit.