Microsoft Navigation Gps 168 Model 1372 May 2026
The Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 (Model 1372) is a legacy external USB GPS receiver originally bundled with Microsoft Streets & Trips software packages from the mid-to-late 2000s. Designed to provide real-time positioning for laptop-based navigation, it is now primarily a legacy device used by hobbyists for retro-computing or specialized projects. Product Specifications Model Number: 1372. Hardware Type: USB GPS Receiver (Dongle).
For tech preservationists, the Model 1372 is a perfect example of Windows CE hardware. It can be hacked to run emulators (Doom on a GPS?), serial terminals, or custom Linux builds. microsoft navigation gps 168 model 1372
Navigation Capabilities: Provides real-time data including speed, altitude, latitude, and longitude coordinates. The Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 (Model 1372) is
5. Performance characteristics
- Satellite acquisition: SiRFstar III-era receivers provided reliable cold/warm starts in clear sky conditions (TTFF cold start ~30–90 seconds).
- Accuracy: Typical 3–10 meter horizontal accuracy under good conditions; urban canyon performance degraded.
- Routing speed: Adequate for simple trips; route recalculation could take several seconds on lower-end CPUs.
- Battery life: Short for extended use; primarily intended to run from car power for in-vehicle use.
Windows 10 & 11: The device may appear as a generic "USB Serial Device" initially. For native support in the Windows Maps app, you should install the u-blox GNSS Sensor Device driver. Windows 10 & 11 : The device may
4. User interface and usability
- UI design emphasized big, driver-friendly buttons, large fonts, and simplified menus.
- Touchscreen responsiveness depended on the resistive technology—required firmer presses and less smooth gestures than capacitive screens found later.
- Route entry: Address entry using on-screen keyboard and stepwise entry (city → street → house number); some models allowed searching by intersection.
- Mounting: Dashboard or windshield suction mount included; positioning affected GPS reception.
- Hands-free: Where Bluetooth was present, basic phone call integration allowed making/receiving calls while navigating.
Chipset: Features a high-quality U-Blox GNSS chip for accurate tracking.
Chipset: Features a U-Blox GPS chip (specifically identified in some variations as a UBX-G7020KT).