Dual Electronics XGPS160

I originally bought this four years ago (just two weeks short of four years) to mount on the hood of my off-road car. The car just turned 8,000 miles this weekend, and XGPS finally died. Those were 8,000 rough miles through heat, dust, rain, and snow--mostly very bumpy miles. This poor little puck has been through a lot and has seen some things. I was bummed when it finally gave out, especially since we were exploring new territory that I would have loved to have recorded. I'm not bitter though. The first thing I did when I got home from the trip is ordered a replacement. It came out to about two-cents per hard mile, which seems worth it to me. That comes out to about $2.50 per long riding day, which is absolutely a bargain. I mounted mine to my CanAm's hood with the MobArmor case. I connect it to the iPad on my dash via Bluetooth and it's been pretty bullet-proof for four years. The only down-side is that the power draw is higher than the MiniUSB connection can support, so I have to remove it from the car every night and fully charge it before the next day's ride. Otherwise it will power down after a few hours of driving. If we're going on a night-ride on the same day, I definitely need to remove it and recharge it, otherwise it will quit and leave us roaming in the dark with very few visible landmarks. It comes with basic software. I definitely recommend adding better aftermarket software to the iPad. I use LeadNav off-road race software and the combo of this puck, the iPad, and LeadNav is a superior setup. Everyone else in my group has something basic in their cars, but mine is the most reliable and informative. The consequence is that I'm the designated leader for 99% of our trips because I have a nav that I can use while we're moving instead of having to stop and figure out what's what. Here's to another four years and another 8,000 miles.

I use this GPS in combination with track addict for real time telemetry and lap timing. This system works fantastic and provides me the insights I need to track driver and upgrade progression. I recently experience an issue with the unit not holding a charge and customer service responded quickly with getting my unit replaced. Would recommend this product to others based on my experience with the unit and the manufacturers customer service.

** UPDATE after 3 weeks/10 hikes ** Unit worked fine during the hike yesterday, I turned it off after the hike, had it begin charging with the cig lighter adapter on the drive home. When I went to turn it on to copy off the hike log, it would not turn on. No power light, no charge light (when connected to supplied USB charger. Completely dead. Based on a closer read of all the reviews as well as the poor state of apps for the device, I'm returning for a refund... I see no point taking a chance on a replacement. ============================= Original review below ============================= The receiver itself is better than "It's okay" but the apps required leaves a lot to be desired. HARDWARE: The receiver works good but the battery life isn't the best... it claims 10 hours with a 3 hour recharge but appears to fall short on the 10 hours. For me, the 3 hour charge is the bigger issue. Since the SkyPro was to replace my Garmin 62st GPS, which could go 24 hours on a charge with 2 AA NiMh batteries, the inconvenience of the 3 hour charge for the SkyPro compared to the AA's, they never took more than 10 MINUTES to recharge, using my fast charger. The SkyPro is very fast to pick up satellites, but bounces way too far when it loses a signal... going inside a cave for two minutes added over a mile of bouncing and a thousand-foot difference in elevation during that time. (Which means time must be wasted editing the track afterward.) SOFTWARE: (Android version) DUAL SkyPro Status Tool: 1. The software is buggy, crashing a full 75% of each time I load it. 2. The installation routine fails to ask for permissions, so of course it doesn't set them. The result of which means you cannot "Share" or "Email" the resulting .kml (Google Earth) file. THE FIX: Select: Settings > Applications > Application Manager > Status Tool > Permissions Change: Contacts, Location & Storage from OFF to ON NOTE: The fix itself only took seconds, but to FIND the fix took over 3 hours of MY time. DUAL SkyPro support did not have an answer, so when I DID figure it out I emailed them recommending they add the issue and fix to their FAQs. (And recommended the installation routine be fixed as well) MOCK GPS SOFTWARE REQUIRED (Android): SkyPro recommended using either of two fee apps, 'Bluetooth GPS' or 'Bluetooth GPS Provider' - Bluetooth GPS: I tried this first but it only worked on half of the GPS/Tracking/Map apps I have so I uninstalled it. - Bluetooth GPS Provider: This worked with every GPS/Tracking/Map app I have so I would recommend this one. (It has ads, but you only visit the app screen long enough to click it to "Play" so they present no issue. The biggest gripe I have about the software is that TWO SEPARATE apps are required. As a software test engineer in a previous life (retired now) I would recommend: 1. DUAL SkyPro Status Tool app should be more robust (more testing to stop the crashing) 2. DUAL SkyPro Status Tool app should EITHER: 2a. Rewrite the app to INCLUDE a seamless 'Mock GPS App' internally <or> 2b. Create a separate Mock GPS app to work specifically with the XGPS160, not relying on the 'free' outside app developers. In all fairness, if one were ONLY to use the XGPS160 in conjunction with a mapping app, the SkyPro Status Tool need not be running, only the Mock GPS (Bluetooth) app must be running. Which brings up another point... although this product is sold as a means to provide more accurate GPS coords/elevation than the internal SmartPhone GPS (which it does) as well as lengthen battery charge of the phone (because the internal GPS is turned off) I found that having to have Bluetooth on constantly ran the battery on my phone down twice as fast as previously using the phones GPS alone.

The app to use with the product on Android is Bluetooth GNSS. You will also need to enable developer mode to utilize mock GPS (sets the unit to use the external GPS rather than the internal). You can connect and disconnect via the app. Others may work as well but this app works great with the unit. The product instructions, even on their website, are very dated. With this app, the product works great on Android. Product also works (without the need for an app) on iOS (iPads) with an app. It has a stable Bluetooth connection. The charge indicator light is supposed to go green once the unit is charged. My unit has been charging for months and charge indicator never went green. However, I just keep it plugged into a 12 volt plug and no issues. It also works unplugged but haven't tested how long it runs unplugged. I use it to provide GPS data on my tablet based chartplotting apps (Aquamaps and Navionics) on both android tablets and iPads.

I am amazed as this worked so much better than my phone and vehicle GPS. We ran an offroad event in a rural area and I never lost a signal with this for my maps, which is extremely important.

Connects to several (~16) satellites very quickly, and stays connected even when the only line-of-sight is horizontal (e.g., out the window of house or car). Seems to handle 2 simultaneous connections well, but... sometimes the utility app freezes if you also have mapping software running. So... perhaps it's best to launch the utility app to make sure everything's working, and then close it when you launch mapping software. Elegant design, and good quality. Battery life seems good, but I haven't totally put it through it's paces. My setup: Have it set up with an iPad (in a RAM Cup-Holder mount with a Tab-Tite docking Cradle; accessorized with some Home Depot tweaks so that it's stable--otherwise it falls over as soon as you take a turn. Hit me up for details) using MotionHD and downloaded custom maps... it doesn't yield "routable" (turn-by-turn directions) solution, but will do just fine out in the middle of nowhere (which is why I bought it! I use my phone for road-mapping. The total Solution cost about the same as a Garmin solution (~$200), but has a WAY bigger/better interface.. and this way I'll be able to upgrade various pieces as desired (mapping software, maps, hardware). I was a Garmin customer for years (first one was Quest 2 -- which was AWESOME -- a modern day version of that would be killer!!!) before I finally got sick of their horrible customer service and arguably "disposable device" strategy (the "you can always upgrade the maps and/or firmware" thing is true... but often the internal memory isn't big enough to load newest maps, so you either have to "downgrade" your coverage area, or buy a new one with more memory so you can have the latest maps). This is turning out to be more of a ramble than planned, but... what do you want--I'm not getting paid to do this. ;)

Super easy to setup. Charge it up, turn it on with the single button, find it on your device’s Bluetooth menu and pair it. Done! A nice feature is that Dual offers an app for your phone or tablet so you can verify that the device is actually connected and see the real-time GPS data. Once I paired this to my iPhone the TrackAddict app recognized that I was using an external GPS received and began using the signal from the XGPS160 instead of the internal iPhone GPS receiver. The 10Hz update rate on the XGPS160 provides far greater car tracking resolution than the 1Hz that a typical phone receiver provides. The unit comes with a rubberized surround that is supposed to be used on your dash to keep the unit in place, but for racing applications that’s not an ideal solution. I ended up using some 3M Dual Lock fastener tape on the bottom of the unit. It holds the unit in place securely in my car but also allows me to pop it out when not in use. The only slight negative item with this unit is that it uses a mini-USB connection for charging. This is a bit of an outdated connector. I wish they would update it to use a USB-C connection so I don’t have to keep track of a separate cable just for charging this one thing. Overall an easy solution for adding 10Hz GPS to your phone or tablet. Perfect for racing applications.

I review only those things I buy for myself. I do not accept free products hanging off some vine in exchange for reviews. If I review it that means I use it myself. I am not a professional reviewer, if the product s good I say so, same goes if it's not. 3 stars, why not 5? The case design so scroll down to see why. It works, on Android too. I don't use Apple stuff so no comments on that. Some hints before the review because Bluetooth on Android isn't always as simple as pair and use for high data rate devices like external GPS: Often, the Bluetooth receivers in tablets and phones are using a protocol that requires you use a "Helper" app. While the Android phone or tablet will pair that doesn't mean it will connect and be ready to use. That isn't the fault of either device, just the way it is. If your SkyPro pairs but doesn't connect (shows in saved devices in Bluetooth) 1. In developer mode on your Android device, turn on MOCK GPS. Do not turn on MOCK MODEM. 2. Set GNSS to maximum refresh to take advantage of the faster refresh of the SkyPro. This is not mandatory but doing so gives you higher refresh rates than almost all internal GPS receivers built into phones or tablets. 3. In the SkyPro Helper app set the MOCK GPS with a checkmark. Its simple and right there on the right side. 4. Turn off WiFI and Bluetooth scanning. Ok to leave on for data but that is different setting Now your SkyPro will work with Android and your phone or tablet will actually run better. Also, remember, if you are using any nav app off-line you need to download the maps. If you try to run Google Maps without downloading off-line maps you will think the GPS isn't working. It is working but Google Maps has no maps to display because usually it needs WiFi or Cellular Data to get the maps. You could use cellular data to use the maps on-line but then battery endurance of your device is impacted. I bring this up because you might think the GPS isn't working when it really is but the NAV app needs off-line maps if you aren't using wifi or cell data to connect to the maps. The GPS is only serving up coordinates, time and some other data and not the maps themselves. What this SkyPro does do is take the processing of GPS data from the tablet or phone reducing the resources needed so it run faster and better. It also refreshes about 10 time faster than the GPS built into your tablet or phone. Does it work? YES! The linkup is very fast and reliable. There is zero lag even when traveling at higher speeds or when you want to detect small changes in distance traveled. You won't miss turns or exists because your internal GPS refreshes slowly. The Maps aren't the problem, the refresh rate on internal GPS sensors is the bottle neck and SkyPro eliminates that. Your internal GPS refreshes once a second. What is a second? 88' of distance at 60mph. at 75 mph it's 110 feet. Enough to pass an exit or miss a transition on freeways near cities. At 10 refreshes per second you aren't going to miss anything. Battery endurance seems to be in line with what they say although I need more time than I've had with it to make sure. Remember, the bluetooth connection uses less battery power on your device than using the internal GPS sensor and wifi scanning. It also means your tablet or phone will run faster. I haven't yet tried using more than one device connected to the SkyPro at the same time so no comments on that yet, I'll update my review later. The GPS appears to be well built and the dash mat is pretty nice and should keep it from sliding around. It charges decently fast although I doubt it is fast charging. It is not an EASY button although it looks like the office depot easy button in ads. The smaller on/off button is recessed so you won't turn it on/off by mistake. The case is plastic so no soft feel which considering how gummy soft feel plastics get after a while is probably a good thing. There is one thing that is a glaring fault in the case design and how the company neglected it is astounding. There is no standard 1/4-20 threaded insert so you can mount this on things like RAM, camera or other mounting systems. I mean come on, that is standard on almost everything that needs to be mounted these days. With a 1/4-20 threaded insert the GPS could be mounted using almost limitless options and not making that part of the design shows a pretty serious lack of attention. While the doesn't affect how it works it does affect ease of use. SkyPro - Fix that. That lack of a simple thing is enough to get 3 instead of 5 stars. Instead of being able to use quick detachable mounts like Swiss Arca no doubt there is something else to buy and then it's not standard. I will use 3M VHB tape to attach a small pate to the bottom that has a 1/4-20 threaded insert. That said, the GPS functionality is very good, accurate when compared to sub-centimeter GPS/Glonass systems and as it allows up to 5 devices to connect and use it's data at the same time, great of you need that functionality, not many external GPS units can offer that. The case itself seems like it is weather resistant. A rubber boot covers the USB port. There are 4 tiny rubber feet on the bottom of the case but they aren't really going to keep the thing from sliding around, use the pad that comes in the box. If there was one other thing besides the lack of the 1/4-20 insert that would be Beido sat access. I have found that while GPS and Glonass is perfectly good for almost any location system being able to link to those sats can be helpful. If they really wanted to one up everyone else, include sat system selection in the helper app. Does it work? Yes and very well. It meets the marketing promises. I'll keep it as I need to link more than one device to it but mostly I need the higher refresh rate it offers. I now turn off the internal GPS on phones and tablets and save a bit of power and also get a small performance boost on devices using the external GPS. Would I buy another one? IF and only if they include a 1/4-20 threaded insert for easy mounting. Fix that and it's 5 stars. If you can do without that insert it's a 5 star device and it should do everything you need from an external bluetooth GPS.