Fortuna Clip-on Bluetooth GPS vs Belkin F8T051 Bluetooth GPS

Diogenes · 03-03-04, 12:30 AM

I have a Dell Axim X5 and am going Bluetooth. Decided the Fortuna Clip-on Bluetooth GPR receiver was the way to go. Then noted the "newer?" Belkin F8T051 Bluetooth GPS appears in photos to be exactly the same configuration, down to appearance of buttons, switches, sockets, case angles, dents and even the little image icoms over the LEDs. Both use a removable lithium battery. The Belkin comes with routing software for about the same price as the Foutuna, which has a clear plactic case but no software. Can anyone definatively state they have exactly the same interior/specs. They are both dual mode. I think the Fortuna claims accuracy better than 3 meter to Belkin's 10 meter, but I could be misled by the better info available for the Fortuna. Are there any techs out there familiar with both of these products. I don't seem to ever find them for sale at the same retail website.

03-03-04, 07:59 AM

i have the fortuna, it's nice... i would say that 3 meter accuracy is about right... i've only had very few problems with it... It's two pieces pretty much... the gps and then the battery cover... after heavy use, the plastic trim around the joint that connects these chips off. but that would happen with both... so far i've only had a very small piece chip off and it doesn't seem to affect the water resistance. also, i've been using mine outside a lot below the listed operating temp... when it's very cold, the thing has problems finding a signal, or it'll find a signal but drop every 5 seconds, you really need to heat it up a bit, but since it's getting warmer out, no problem. the only annoying feature is that since it's a BT, it doesn't have built in direction sense. it gives you the direction of travel, which is good because then you can attach it to yourself or your car any way you want and not get a skewed reading. when you stand still, it will give you the direction or last travel, but if you have a weak signal it will bounce around and think you're changing directions. overall it's a great unit... the plastic case comes in handy to clip it to the top of a backpack or something and then hold the axim in your hand (which is what i do), or stick it on a window sill in the car. i love it. make sure to check the warranties on both, that's usually how they get you. i'm willing to bet fortuna has a better warranty.

PS- the great thing about the fortuna and probably the belkin is that 1st off, the battery lasts about 8 hours, and second it comes with a usb power charger... with a wall and car adapter tip... it's the same plug, voltage, everything as the axim charger... so free car charger if you don't have one. i just switch off on long trips, a few hours charging the ax, a few hours charging the gps.