Record your routes then share them or even use it as an emergency navigation device.
Holux
M-241 GPS Data logger - Initial Review
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Price:
£43.44
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Weight:
39gm (without battery)
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Features:
32 channel, MTK receiver, 128x32 pixel display screen, USB and
Bluetooth connectivity, small and lightweight, takes standard AA
batteries, NMEA compatible, multi-format output.
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What's It
For?
It's a bit of a Jack-of -all- trades really, with several functions.
The main purpose is to record your journeys in an exportable log using
GPS, but you can also; use it to share routes over Google Earth, geotag
your photos and even use it as an emergency navigation device.
The
Techy
Bits
The M-241 uses the MTK GPS chipset, which is pretty much on a par with
the SiRF III chipset that dominates the market. Although the two
chipsets are pretty much identical in terms of recption and reliability
the SiRF III tends to work slightly better at slow speeds but in
practice you won't notice much difference at all.
Unlike many data
loggers, and GPS receivers, power comes from a single AA battery -
which adds to the weight but does make battery supply easy for longer
trips. A single AA battery lasts around 12 hours of continuous use, and
it's worth remembering that although there's some energy saving
features built in the M-241 has an automatic function that starts
logging the moment satellites are accessible. If you lose signal it
switches off, but it will automatically restart the moment you pick up
enough satellites again.
The M-241 is unusual in combining both USB and Bluetooth connectivity
in a single data logger, giving a wider range of compatible devices to
connect to. The Bluetooth connection also means you can link the device
to a mobile phone for either navigation or geotagging photos - well a
form of geotagging at least. The feature for attaching photos to logs
does it non destructively without adding anything to the EXIF data and
only works fully for attaching pics to Google Earth routes using the
supplied software..
The
single line display shows useful
information
What makes the M-241 special is the inclusion of a small LCD display -
which gives access to vital information including your present position
in latitude and longitude, along with time, elevation and speed. The
downside is that there doesn't seem to be a way of changing from
lat/long to the more manageable OSGB grid reference system used for UK
maps. The display does, however, give instant reference to whether
you're connected to satellites/bluetooth/PC.
How
It
Performed
One good thing about the Holux
M-241 is you can use it straight from the box. As it uses AA batteries
rather than the more commonly used lithium or internal rechargeable you
can simply installl the supplied power source and fire it up. First fix
will take you a couple of minutes as the device has to download the
ephemeris data of where the satellites are, but unlike most dataloggers
at least you know when you're ready to move as the display shows a nice
little satellite icon to confirm satisfactory satellite connection.
Once it's locked on to the satellites logging will start automatically
- providing you've got the latest firmware installed. You get the
option to turn autostart off through the supplied mini-GPS software,
but by default autostart is enabled - and to be honest there's not much
point in having it turned on and connected if you're not actually going
to log your route.
The
choice of information to display
is limited
You
get a choice of logging methods,
with a handy icon on the small
display to show what you're connected to and battery levels. You also
get a continuously updated storage capacity readout and the option to
overwrite or create a new log.
The M-242 comes with a basic, Windows only, software package for
exporting routes and connecting the device as a traditional GPS
receiver. As with many dataloggers the preffered, and pre-set, format
is for export to Google Earth and Google maps, but you can choose the
more universally useful .GPX format for export to digital mapping
applications like Memory Map, Anquet and Quo. Interestingly the
software also gives you additional control over features like
WAAS/EGNOS use and Power Saving feautres.
You
can link your M-241 to other
devices by Bluetooth
We
haven't tested the geotagging yet,
but if this is one of the main
reasons for purchasing it you should be aware that it's a very limited
function that's only optimised for use with Google Earth - and even
then puts waypoints, marks and photos in a single directory.
As a data logger the M-241 works well, picking up a satellite fix in
comparable times to a SiRF III based receiver. The autostart is a great
feature, meaning you can simply turn the device on and set off within
seconds - but don't forget to turn it off at the end of the day (and
carry a spare battery just in case).
Unfortunately the M-241 is only
splashproof, so not really designed for outdoor use on a regular basis
- but beyond the occassional glance at the display there's no real
reason to subject it to the elements anyway. The idea of displaying
your position on screen would make this the perfect device for people
wanting to log their route but not bother with a full GPS receiver
except for emergency use to double check your location, but longitute
and latitude are a pain to work with for users used to the simple OS GB
system.
Buy
if you want a data logger for recording your routes and exporting to
Google Earth or digital mapping apllications with the advantage of
using widely available batteries for long trips.
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 Uses
AA battery, autostart eliminates forgetting to start
logging process, price, reliability, accuracy.
 Not
waterproof, position display in long/lat.
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Performance
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Value
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Know more or want to?
If you'd like to add your own
experiences of this
product check out our user review system and post your opinions to
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Richard Gear or try
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