Author Topic: SIRF3 chip  (Read 905 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Shooter 250

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 34
SIRF3 chip
« on: November 21, 2008, 01:58:47 AM »
OK! I’m back after a long hiatus. ;D
The last thread I had about GPS units one individual stated to make sure it had a SIRF3 chip which will give you a more precise position.
Does anyone know who has this chip in which units?
I would like to finally get me a new GPS so I can start to get proficient with it

Offline victorcharlie

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3574
Re: SIRF3 chip
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2008, 12:10:50 PM »
Both the Garmin 60 Csx and the 76 Csx have the sirf chipset.  Not sure about the Colorado or Oregon.
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Tolerance in the face of tyranny is no virtue."
Barry Goldwater

Offline Siskiyou

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3417
  • Gender: Male
Re: SIRF3 chip
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2008, 02:04:14 PM »

There are a number of manufactures that are using the SiRF StarIII chip.  My focus is on the manufactures of handheld, recreational grade gps units.

Frankly focusing on the SiRF Star III chipset has become a little foggy because of patent infringement lawsuits against SiRF.  An early clue to the consumer may have been Garmin using a different High Sensitivity chipset in the eTrex H and HCx units reported by different sources. 

The following Magellan handheld units have the SiRF Star III chip.
Triton  200
   300
   400
   500
   1500
   2000
At one time Garmin published what units have the SiRF Star III chipset.  But now days Garmin says High-sensitivity receiver.  This is a list of handhelds that were originally advertised as having the SiRF Star III chipset.

The following had/has the SiRF Star III chipset.  GSPMAP 60Cx/60CSx/76Cx/76CSx,Rino520HCx/530HCx.  The Street Pilot series had the SiRF Star III chipset.

A couple of manufactures have published that they use the SiRF chipset.  But if you check the details it is the old SiRF Star II chipset.

I am not sure about the Colorado, or the Oregon.  You can save about $200 by buying a 60x or 76x series unit.  They are of proven quality.  The Colorado has had serious teething problems.  A number of Colorado owners in their frustration feel that Garmin should exchange their Colorado for an Oregon.


There is a learning process to effectively using a gps.  Do not throw your compass and map away!

Boycott: San Francisco, L.A., Oakland, and City of Sacramento, CA.

Offline str8shooter48

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 353
Re: SIRF3 chip
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2008, 04:32:14 PM »
The Colorado uses a:
MediaTek MTK
M3318

The Oregon uses a:
STM Cartesio
STA2062

I own both the 60csx and The Oregon 300. I basically use them for geocaching.  Accuracy wise I would say they are pretty much equal. In our group of cacher we have a couple 60csx's and a couple Oregons and the all lead to the same spot, but they all can vary from time to time.