Review: AMOD AGL3080 – Wavering

October 19, 2007 at 10:12 am by Oren · Filed under Tech, Toys

UPDATE

It’s 1.5 years later, and this device is apparently one of the best.  Sounds like they fixed the drunken sailor behaviour.  I’m planning on going for a month long trip, and being able to use AAA is a big plus when in the middle of no-where.  So from a stay away, I’m now seriously considering this guy.

 

I’ve been looking for the perfect device for geotagging, and I can definitively say I’ve found one that ISN’T it. At first glance, the AMOD AGL3080 sounded like the perfect device:

  • SiRF III chipset for best sensitivity and low speed tracking
  • Standard USB 2.0 interface which doubles as an USB Flash Disk
  • Works with Windows, Mac, and Linux based computers
  • Long operating time – 15 hours with 3 x AAA batteries
  • Large data capacity – stores over 256,000 data records

drunken sailor

Too bad it doesn’t work well at all. Takes forever to get a lock, once it has a lock at walking speeds it’s worse than a drunken sailor on $2 rum, it’s huge and heavy. I can’t say anything good for this thing at all – just stay away.  On this map, I walked around the light white path through the green all around – you can see how poorly it tracked.I’m going to get a Wintec WBT-201 instead. It’s not SiRF III, but I know it works.  Semsons has been super cool, and a great vendor.  Definitely a good place to buy your GPS toys from.

UPDATE: Some comments have come up that I should review it again now that they’ve fixed the problems.  While I’d be happy to do so should someone send one my way, the form factor would still be a killer for me.  It’s just plain big compared with the WBT-201, and that’s the most important criteria for me, more important than accuracy.

  • Lyle Gunderson
    One reason I might choose the AMOD device over the other suggestions is the fact that it runs on AAA batteries. I can take a handful of charged NiMH AAAs with me and stay out in the bush for weeks, without needing to plug a charger into the mains.
  • Seems that size is your first concern. Have you ever considered the Columbus V-900? It is at least 4 times slimmer than the Amod and got some really cool features....microSD (supports up to 2GB card size), voice-tag, mtk chipset with 1.5 meters accuracy vs. regular MTK at 2.5 meters or 3.5 meters, etc.

    I am thinking to order one this week. I wonder if anyone here have tested the Columbus v-900?

    This way to the specs of this unit: http://www.buygpsnow.com/Columbus_V900_Bluetoot...
  • Alan
    You've got a picture showing the AGL3080 as inaccurate. Then you decline to test an amended version?

    If the company chose to send me a free one, I'd be happy to give them a review. You, on the other hand, can't even be bothered to change the heading on your blog.

    I'd suggest "AMOD AGL3080 - loses out to Wintec WBT-201"
  • I'd be more than happy to try it out and compare, but I'm not willing to pay $100 just to try it out when I now have a working solution.

    That said, even if it tracks PERFECTLY, that won't change the fact that the AMOD unit is much larger and heavier than the WBT-201, doesn't have bluetooth support as a GPS device, and isn't as nicely finished with all the ports covered, etc.

    The way I use the WBT-201, I mostly walk around with it in my back pocket as I take photos, something that I could never do with the AMOD as it's just so large and heavy in comparison.

    I have no doubt that for a significant market, the AMOD is a fantastic device. But it ain't for me.
  • Jeremy Brooks
    I would think that you would at least give the new unit a try to see if the tracking was better. It would give your readers an idea about 1) the state of current units, and 2) the vendor.
  • Since I returned the unit, I never wanted or received a replacement. Frankly, even if it tracks perfectly, I really didn't like the form factor. It's just plain big compared with the WBT-201.

    I've had the WBT-201 for a few months now, and really do love it. All I can say is it works. What more is there really?
  • Hey, saw this post (first Google result for "Amod AGL3080 review" actually) and the following comment from Semsons. Have you gotten a replacement? How is it treating you? I've seen some other decent reviews of this device, how's it working for you? Otherwise I, too, am headed to WBT-201 town.

    Thanks!
  • Amod has founded your review online and they would like to apologize for the defective unit which you have received. Some units had one bad component which caused RF interference with the GPS module. Thus, the sensitivity is not as good as it should have been. A new updated version will be available next week and Amod would like to offer a replacement for you through us. Please contact us via info@semsons.com with your order number and we will arrange a replacement for you.
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