GPS Module Comparison

📊 USB GPS Modules - Master Reference

Model	Chipset	GNSS Systems	USB ID	Device	Baud	Sensitivity	Linux Status	Price
VFan UG-353	u-blox 7	GPS + GLO + SBAS + QZSS	1546:01a7	/dev/ttyACM*	9600	-162 dBm	✅ Plug & Play	$15-20
DIYmall G-Mouse VK-162	u-blox 7	GPS + GLO + SBAS + QZSS	1546:01a7	/dev/ttyACM*	9600	-162 dBm	✅ Plug & Play	$13-18
GlobalSat BU-353S4	SiRF Star IV	GPS only	067b:2303	/dev/ttyUSB*	4800	-163 dBm	✅ Works Well	$35-65
GlobalSat BU-353N	MediaTek MT3337	GPS + GLO + BDS + GAL	067b:23a3	/dev/ttyUSB*	9600/38400	-165 dBm	❌ Needs Windows Config	$40-61
SIM7600G-H (Modem GPS)	Qualcomm MDM9x07	GPS + GLO + BDS + GAL	1e0e:9001	/dev/ttyUSB1	115200	-160 dBm	✅ GPS Lock (w/ QGP Antenna)	Built-in

🏆 Recommendation

For Linux/Kismet/Pwnagotchi: Get a u-blox 7 based GPS (VFan UG-353 or DIYmall VK-162). Native cdc_acm driver, no config needed, multi-GNSS support.

🔍 Detailed Module Info [Click to expand]

✅ VFan UG-353 / DIYmall VK-162 (u-blox 7)

Firmware:SW 1.00 (59842)

Protocol:PROTVER 14.00

Channels:56

Cold Start:26 sec

Hot Start:1 sec

Accuracy:2.5m CEP

Update Rate:1-10 Hz

Driver:cdc_acm (native)

# Quick setup: sudo gpsd -n /dev/ttyACM0 && cgps -s

GlobalSat BU-353S4 (SiRF Star IV)

USB Chip:Prolific PL2303

Channels:48

Cold Start:35 sec

Hot Start:1 sec

Accuracy:2.5m CEP

Status:EOL (End of Life)

Reliable but GPS-only. Being phased out - consider u-blox alternatives.

⚠ GlobalSat BU-353N (MediaTek MT3337)

Linux Compatibility Issue

USB ID 067b:23a3 differs from older models. Requires Windows configuration tool to set baud rate to 38400 before working on Linux. Better specs on paper but not worth the hassle.

# Try different baud rates if you already own one:
sudo stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 38400 raw && cat /dev/ttyUSB0

✅ SIM7600G-H Cellular Modem GPS

Built into ClockworkPi uConsole. GPS working with QGP Supply antenna connected to u.FL GNSS port.

# Use ModemManager for GPS:
sudo mmcli -m 0 --location-enable-gps-nmea && sudo mmcli -m 0 --location-get

# Or use gpsd directly:
sudo gpsd -n /dev/ttyUSB1 && cgps -s

💻 gpsd Quick Reference [Click to expand]

📊 Component GPS Modules - Master Reference

Model	Chipset	GNSS Systems	Interface	Voltage	Sensitivity	Extras	Best For	Price
u-blox NEO-6M	u-blox 6	GPS only	UART @ 9600	3.3-5V	-161 dBm	50ch, 5Hz max	Arduino Beginner	$3-8
u-blox NEO-7M	u-blox 7	GPS + GLONASS	UART @ 9600	3.3-5V	-162 dBm	56ch, 10Hz max	Best Value	$8-15
u-blox NEO-M8N	u-blox M8	GPS + GLO + BDS + GAL	UART / I2C / SPI	2.7-3.6V	-167 dBm	72ch, 18Hz max	Best Performance	$15-30
u-blox NEO-M9N	u-blox M9	GPS + GLO + BDS + GAL	UART / I2C / SPI	2.7-3.6V	-167 dBm	92ch, 25Hz max	Latest Gen	$25-40
BN-880	u-blox M8N	GPS + GLO + BDS	UART + I2C	3.3-5V	-167 dBm	HMC5883L Compass	Drones + Compass	$12-20
BN-220	u-blox M8N	GPS + GLONASS	UART	3.3-5V	-167 dBm	22x20mm, 6g	Compact Drones	$10-15
Matek M8Q-5883	u-blox SAM-M8Q	GPS + GLO + BDS + GAL	UART + I2C	3.3-5V	-167 dBm	QMC5883L, SAW filter	Premium Drones	$25-35
Adafruit GPS HAT	MediaTek MT3339	GPS only	Pi GPIO UART	3.3V (Pi)	-165 dBm	RTC, PPS, uFL	Raspberry Pi	$45
Waveshare M8T HAT	u-blox NEO-M8T	GPS + GLO + BDS	Pi GPIO UART	3.3V (Pi)	-167 dBm	PPS 30ns, Raw data	NTP / Timing	$50-70
Quectel L80-R	MediaTek MT3339	GPS + QZSS	UART	3.0-4.3V	-165 dBm	Integrated patch	Embedded Systems	$8-12
Quectel L76K	Quectel	GPS + GLO + BDS	UART / I2C	2.8-4.3V	-165 dBm	Ultra low power	Low Power IoT	$10-15
Adafruit Ultimate GPS	MediaTek MT3339	GPS only	UART @ 9600	3.3-5V	-165 dBm	Great docs, PPS	Beginner Friendly	$30
GT-U7	u-blox 7 compatible	GPS + GLONASS	UART @ 9600	3.3-5V	-162 dBm	NEO-6M compatible	Budget ESP32/Arduino	$5-10
ATGM336H	AT6558	GPS + BDS + GLONASS	UART @ 9600	2.7-3.6V	-165 dBm	Tiny 13x16mm, 23+ sats	Ultra Compact	$4-8
GY-NEO6MV2	u-blox 6	GPS only	UART @ 9600	3.3-5V	-161 dBm	EEPROM, LED, common	Most Common Clone	$3-6
Beitian BN-180 / BN-280	u-blox M8030	GPS + GLO + BDS + GAL	UART @ 9600	2.8-4.3V	-167 dBm	Tiny, fast fix	Wearables / Tiny Builds	$12-18
QGP Supply GPS Antenna	Passive/Active Antenna	GPS (L1 Band)	u.FL connector	3.3-5V	-	1575.42 MHz, magnetic	Modem GNSS Port	$10-15

🔧 Wiring Guide [Click to expand]

💻 Platform Connections

📟 Arduino Uno / Nano

# SoftwareSerial (any UART GPS):
VCC → 5V
GND → GND
TX → Pin 4 (SoftSerial RX)
RX → Pin 3 (SoftSerial TX)

# Code:
SoftwareSerial gps(4, 3);
gps.begin(9600);

🖥 Arduino Mega

# Hardware Serial1/2/3:
VCC → 5V
GND → GND
TX → Pin 19 (RX1)
RX → Pin 18 (TX1)

# Code:
Serial1.begin(9600);

🚀 ESP32

# Hardware Serial2:
VCC → 3.3V (NOT 5V!)
GND → GND
TX → GPIO16 (RX2)
RX → GPIO17 (TX2)

# Code:
HardwareSerial GPS(2);
GPS.begin(9600, SERIAL_8N1, 16, 17);

📶 ESP8266

# SoftwareSerial (GPIO conflict):
VCC → 3.3V
GND → GND
TX → D7 (GPIO13)
RX → D8 (GPIO15)

# Code:
SoftwareSerial gps(13, 15);
gps.begin(9600);

🥧 Raspberry Pi (All Models)

# UART on GPIO header:
VCC → Pin 1 (3.3V) or Pin 2 (5V)
GND → Pin 6 (GND)
TX → Pin 10 (GPIO15 / RXD)
RX → Pin 8 (GPIO14 / TXD)

# Enable UART:
sudo raspi-config → Interface → Serial
# Device: /dev/serial0

🧪 Raspberry Pi Pico

# UART0 or UART1:
VCC → 3.3V (Pin 36)
GND → GND (Pin 38)
TX → GP1 (UART0 RX)
RX → GP0 (UART0 TX)

# MicroPython:
from machine import UART
gps = UART(0, 9600)

📡 Module-Specific Wiring Notes

Module	Voltage	Interface	Default Baud	Special Notes
NEO-6M / NEO-7M	3.3-5V tolerant	UART (4 pins)	9600	Most common, VCC/GND/TX/RX only
NEO-M8N / M9N	2.7-3.6V only	UART / I2C / SPI	9600	Use level shifter with 5V boards!
BN-880	3.3-5V tolerant	UART + I2C	9600 (GPS) / 0x0D (Compass)	6 pins: VCC/GND/TX/RX/SDA/SCL
BN-220	3.3-5V tolerant	UART only	9600	4 pins, no compass
Matek M8Q-5883	3.3-5V tolerant	UART + I2C	9600	JST-GH connector, compass on I2C 0x0D
Adafruit Ultimate GPS	3.3-5V tolerant	UART	9600	EN pin for enable, PPS for timing, FIX LED
Adafruit GPS HAT	Pi powered	Pi GPIO UART	9600	Stacks on Pi, uses /dev/serial0
Quectel L76K / L80-R	2.8-4.3V	UART / I2C	9600	1.8V logic option, check datasheet
Waveshare M8T HAT	Pi powered	Pi GPIO UART	9600	PPS on GPIO18, raw data capable

🧭 I2C Compass Wiring (BN-880, Matek)

Arduino I2C

SDA → A4 (Uno) / Pin 20 (Mega)
SCL → A5 (Uno) / Pin 21 (Mega)

# Compass I2C Address: 0x0D (QMC5883L)
# or 0x1E (HMC5883L)

ESP32 I2C

SDA → GPIO21
SCL → GPIO22

# Code:
Wire.begin(21, 22);
# Use QMC5883L library

Raspberry Pi I2C

SDA → Pin 3 (GPIO2)
SCL → Pin 5 (GPIO3)

# Enable I2C:
sudo raspi-config → Interface → I2C
i2cdetect -y 1 # Scan bus

⚠ Voltage Level Warning

NEO-M8N/M9N and Quectel modules are 3.3V ONLY!
Connecting TX directly to 5V Arduino can damage the GPS. Use a voltage divider (10K + 20K resistor) or logic level shifter for the RX line on 5V boards.

💡 Quick gpsd Setup (Linux/Pi)

sudo apt install gpsd gpsd-clients
sudo gpsd -n /dev/serial0 # or /dev/ttyAMA0, /dev/ttyUSB0
cgps -s # Monitor GPS

📦 My GPS Inventory

🔌 USB GPS Modules

Unit #	Model	Chipset	Serial Number	Assigned To	Device Path	Status
1	VFan UG-353	u-blox 7	223600386	Lord-Pwnagotchi	/dev/gps (symlink)	✅ Working
2	VFan UG-353	u-blox 7	233302489	Warmachine	/dev/ttyACM*	✅ Working
3	DIYmall G-Mouse	u-blox 7	-	Personal Laptop (Kali)	/dev/ttyACM0	✅ Working
4	GlobalSat BU-353N	MediaTek MT3337	-	Unassigned (Shelf)	/dev/ttyUSB*	❌ Linux Issues

📡 Component GPS / Antennas

Unit #	Model	Type	Receiver Chipset	Frequency	Assigned To	Connection	Status
1	QGP Supply GPS Antenna	Active Antenna	Qualcomm MDM9x07	1575.42 MHz	ClockworkPi uConsole	u.FL → SIM7600G-H GNSS	✅ GPS Lock Confirmed

📋 Inventory Notes

VFan UG-353 units: Genuine u-blox 7 chipsets despite "clone" branding. Firmware: SW 1.00 (59842), Protocol: PROTVER 14.00
DIYmall G-Mouse: Also a genuine u-blox 7 (USB ID 1546:01a7). Same firmware/protocol as VFan units. Supports GPS + SBAS + GLONASS + QZSS
QGP Supply Antenna: Active GPS antenna connected to the SIM7600G-H cellular modem's GNSS u.FL port on the ClockworkPi uConsole
SIM7600G-H: Cellular modem with built-in GPS. Primary: 4G LTE data. Secondary: GNSS (GPS/GLO/BDS/GAL). Has dedicated u.FL GNSS port separate from cellular antennas. QGP antenna → GPS Lock!

🖥 My Devices

Active

👾

Lord-Pwnagotchi

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

GPSVFan UG-353
S/N223600386
Device/dev/gps
IP10.0.0.213

Active

🤖

Warmachine

Pwnagotchi Unit

GPSVFan UG-353
S/N233302489
Device/dev/ttyACM*

Active

📟

ClockworkPi uConsole

Portable Linux Terminal

GPSSIM7600G-H + QGP Antenna
Frequency1575.42 MHz
Connectionu.FL GNSS Port

Active

💻

Personal Laptop

Kali Linux

GPSDIYmall G-Mouse
Chipsetu-blox 7
Device/dev/ttyACM0

Not Working

⚠

GlobalSat BU-353N

Shelf - Linux Incompatible

ChipsetMediaTek MT3337
USB ID067b:23a3
IssueNeeds Windows config

May work on Windows or after baud rate config to 38400 via Windows tool.

📝 GPS Notes & Reminders

📋 Hardware Notes

✅ VFan UG-353 Units

Genuine u-blox 7 chipsets despite "clone" branding.
Firmware: SW 1.00 (59842)
Protocol: PROTVER 14.00
USB ID: 1546:01a7
Driver: cdc_acm (native Linux support)

✅ DIYmall G-Mouse (VK-162)

Also a genuine u-blox 7 (USB ID 1546:01a7).
Same firmware/protocol as VFan units.
Supports: GPS + SBAS + GLONASS + QZSS
Channels: 56
Sensitivity: -162 dBm

📡 QGP Supply GPS Antenna

Active GPS antenna connected to the SIM7600G-H cellular modem's GNSS u.FL port on the ClockworkPi uConsole.
Frequency: 1575.42 MHz (L1 band)
Connection: u.FL to SIM7600G-H GNSS port

📱 SIM7600G-H = Cellular Modem with GPS Built-in

Primary function: 4G LTE cellular data modem
Secondary function: GNSS receiver (GPS / GLONASS / BeiDou / Galileo)
Antenna port: Dedicated u.FL GNSS port separate from cellular antennas
My setup: QGP antenna → GNSS u.FL port → GPS Lock!

🔧 Troubleshooting Tips

❌ GlobalSat BU-353N Linux Issues

USB ID 067b:23a3 differs from older models (067b:2303).
Requires Windows configuration tool to set baud rate to 38400.
Workaround: Try sudo stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 38400 raw && cat /dev/ttyUSB0

🔍 GPS Not Getting Fix?

Cold start can take 5-15 minutes for first fix
Move to window or outdoors with clear sky view
LED: Solid = searching, Blinking = GPS fix acquired
Check gpspipe -w | grep mode - mode:3 = 3D fix

💡 Quick GPS Test Commands

📌 Reminders

Things To Remember

u-blox 7 GPS modules use cdc_acm driver - shows as /dev/ttyACM*
Prolific-based GPS (GlobalSat) uses pl2303 driver - shows as /dev/ttyUSB*
All my u-blox units share same firmware: SW 1.00 (59842), PROTVER 14.00
Default baud rate for most GPS: 9600
Kismet config: gps=gpsd:host=localhost,port=2947

📊 USB GPS Modules - Master Reference

🏆 Recommendation

🔍 Detailed Module Info [Click to expand]

✅ VFan UG-353 / DIYmall VK-162 (u-blox 7)

GlobalSat BU-353S4 (SiRF Star IV)

⚠ GlobalSat BU-353N (MediaTek MT3337)

Linux Compatibility Issue

✅ SIM7600G-H Cellular Modem GPS

💻 gpsd Quick Reference [Click to expand]

Basic Commands

Output Formats

📊 Component GPS Modules - Master Reference

🔧 Wiring Guide [Click to expand]

💻 Platform Connections

📟 Arduino Uno / Nano

🖥 Arduino Mega

🚀 ESP32

📶 ESP8266

🥧 Raspberry Pi (All Models)

🧪 Raspberry Pi Pico

📡 Module-Specific Wiring Notes

🧭 I2C Compass Wiring (BN-880, Matek)

Arduino I2C

ESP32 I2C

Raspberry Pi I2C

⚠ Voltage Level Warning

💡 Quick gpsd Setup (Linux/Pi)

📦 My GPS Inventory

🔌 USB GPS Modules

📡 Component GPS / Antennas

📋 Inventory Notes

🖥 My Devices

Lord-Pwnagotchi

Warmachine

ClockworkPi uConsole

Personal Laptop

GlobalSat BU-353N

📝 GPS Notes & Reminders

📋 Hardware Notes

✅ VFan UG-353 Units

✅ DIYmall G-Mouse (VK-162)

📡 QGP Supply GPS Antenna

📱 SIM7600G-H = Cellular Modem with GPS Built-in

🔧 Troubleshooting Tips

❌ GlobalSat BU-353N Linux Issues

🔍 GPS Not Getting Fix?

💡 Quick GPS Test Commands

📌 Reminders

Things To Remember