Garmin releases receiver with GPS and Glonass for mobile phones

Garmin has announced a mobile receiver that supports both GPS and the Russian alternative Glonass. The device can be connected to mobile phones and should, among other things, make location determination faster.

By supporting Glonass and GPS at the same time can a location determination can be performed on average 20 percent faster than with conventional GPS receivers, according to the manufacturer. Since the device will have access to 24 additional satellites via Glonass, location determination should also be successful in ‘difficult’ circumstances, such as when used indoors or when traveling at high speeds. That should also make the device suitable for pilots, according to Garmin.

The receiver, called GLO by Garmin, can be paired with an Android or iOS smartphone. Bluetooth is required for this, after which you can navigate for a maximum of 12 hours before the battery fails. In addition, Garmin says the device can perform a position determination 10 times per second, significantly faster than most internal GPS receivers in mobile phones.

The GLO will be available in August for a suggested retail price of $99. It is unknown in which countries besides the United States the device will be available. A special version for pilots, GLO for Aviation, will be available immediately for a suggested retail price of $129. In addition, users get six months free access to Pilot, an app that Garmin has developed for navigation in an airplane.