Unlike traditional GPS receivers which require separate antennas or wires, the WAAS enabled BC-337 is an integrated receiver with a built-in patch antenna, designed to fit directly into the Compact Flash or PCMCIA slot. The BC-337 design is based on the SiRF Star III with wireless consumer applications in mind; it will give accurate readings from up to 20 channels.

The BC-337 is truly transportable. Insert it into your PDA and place it in a convenient spot in your car and enjoy the benefits of using your additional mapping software for intelligent route calculation and voice-prompted, turn-by-turn navigation instructions.

- Features

1. CFA compliant. 
2. WAAS Enabled SiRF Star III/LP low power All-in-View high performance 20-parallel channels.
3. Supports Standard NMEA 0183 command: GGA, GSA, GSV, RMC, GLL, VTG.
4. SingleSat updates in reduced visibility.
5. Superior urban canyon performance.
6. FoliageLock for weak signal tracking.
7. Optional external antenna.
8. Built-in Antenna for high sensitivity to satellite signal.
9. LED indicator for GPS fix or not fix.

The embedded Star III 20-channel chipset from SiRF provides a quicker Time-To-Fix (TTF) and higher satellite sensitivity, that can translate into greater accuracy for your software applications. The current price of the product is around US$111.99, as listed on USGlobalsat's website. Additionally, you can buy the external antenna (US$16.99) and the PCMCIA Adapter (US$8.99).

For our testing purposes, GlobalSat sent us the retail package that includes: the BC-337 GPS receiver, the AT-65-MMCX External Antenna, a PCMCIA Adapter Card , a cable suction cup clip and finally a CD-ROM (User Guide, Drivers, Utilities, etc…)

The contents of the retail package are shown below:

On the rear we see the model ID, SN, and place of manufacture.

The device draws power from the PDA and has only one red led (blinking: GPS has a fix, solid light: GPS does not have a fix.)

On the right, you can find a jack for the external antenna, which can be used to increase received signal strength.

The external antenna is long enough, around 5 meters!

Below you can see the BC-337 as installed on a Dell Axim x50V PDA. Due to its size, be careful not to damage the device. The power consumption of the BC-337 is 90mA , while its physical dimensions are 83 mm x 42.8 mm x 13.3 mm.

Please keep in mind that the device is not supported by the WM5 OS, at least according to current information posted on the Globalsat website.

- Installation

The installation process is very easy, since no special drivers are required. Just install the BC-337 in a free CF slot and open the GPSInfo software to check if your GPS is working properly. Note, that the BC-337 will take COM4 and you have to set the communications rate to 4800.

Lastly, we used GPSTweak to check the device firmware: