Windows Phone Thoughts: Size Matters: Globalsat's BT-328 Bluetooth GPS Receiver

What's In the Box?
Globalsat's small cardboard box includes the BT-328 Bluetooth GPS receiver, a slim 100-240V/5V wall charger, a car charger, and a documentation CD.


Figure 1: The box includes two charging cables - a wall charger (left) and a car charger (right).

Update: I've been informed by the company that the current BT-328 units no longer include the AC wall charger (the car charger is still included). Please bear this in mind when considering a purchase.

The CD includes a user manual for the BT-328, pairing and connection guides for Pocket PCs equipped with either the Microsoft Bluetooth stack or the Broadcom Bluetooth stack, GPS Information (a basic configuration verification utility), and a user manual for GPS Information.

GPS Information is the only software bundled with the receiver. So, the bottom line is, whatever you intend to use the BT-328 for (typically, geocaching, basic moving map navigation, and/or voice guided navigation), you will need to acquire software separately. I will be covering this later in the review.

Looks Good, Feels Great!
In my opinion, the BT-328 is one of the best looking Bluetooth GPS receivers around. Measuring 67.5mm x 45mm x 17mm (2.66" x 1.77" x 0.67") and weighing just 65g (2.29 oz.), the unit is compact, lightweight, and doesn't have any bulges (otherwise present in its older, wiser counterpart, the BT-338). It slips easily in the pocket, and can remain there during those times when you wish to track your walking expeditions.


Figure 2: Sizing things up! Axim X50v vs. BT-328.