Holux GR-230 Bluetooth

The Holux GR-230 Bluetooth receiver does a convincing job. Its SIRF chip is good at getting the most out of the available satellites. The built-in battery loses its capacity when the Holux is used mostly with external power on, and should be replacable, but isn't.

Tested hardware and software

The test was done using a Holux GR-230 Bluetooth receiver off the shelf. The GPS software it was tested with was Mapsource Roads And Recreation PC software and maps and the Visual GPS XP utility.

The Basics

The Holux GR-230 Bluetooth Receiver has a SIRF chip. It can use both Bluetooth and a USB cable to communicate with a PC or PDA, and has a built-in rechargeable battery. There is an on/off switch next to the mini-USB plug. There are 2 soft rubber pads on the bottom, to ensure that it doesn't slide around on the dashboard.

Pros

The SIRF chip gives it a better location precision than previous products could.

Although it is not marketed as a weather resistant unit, it has been successfully tested for outdoor use, both in rain and freezing temperatures. Just don't pull out the power/USB cable or operate the power switch while the unit is wet.

Cons

The built-in rechargeable battery is not replaceable, and loses its capacity over time.

The bluetooth connection has a tendency to die after several hours of connection.

The time from power on till you have a location is a bit long.

Conclusion

The Holux GR-230 Bluetooth receiver is very durable and does a good job on location precision. The built-in rechargeable battery is somewhat of a minus, but if you generally have the gps receiver connected to a power source, then it's good choice as part of an automotive navigation solution.

Written by Hans-Henrik T. Ohlsen
April 2006