Hi, I'm shopping around for a Bluetooth GPS Receiver that's compatible with the BB 8320 and software such as BB Maps and Google maps. I've done some searches on Google and other forums and ended up more confused than before. It seems that most of the Bluetooth GPS receivers just don't work well period.

So I need a little help choosing a decent one, my budget is somewhere around 80 dollars. Mostly importantly, it must be compatible with the BB software. Any input is much appreciated.

I like this one:

Review: Freedom Input Keychain GPS 2000 Bluetooth Receiver

I've been using it for quite a while now. Small and powerful.

Thanks for the fast reply =) It does seem like a very nice piece of hardware indeed, can you turn it on and off manually?

Also, I found this Holux GPSlim 240. Seems pretty good too, does anyone have any experiece with this? I'm not a tech person, so I can't tell which is better by looking at the specs =\.

Yes, it can be turned on and off with the switch on the side of it. It's the best GPS I've owned to date.

Just a quick offtopic question, in that review you linked me, you have a clear case for your curve, which is it? From the picture it seems that it has a screen cover too.

That's the Seidio Hybrid Hard Case. You can get it from Seidioonline.com. Highly recommend. The screen cover in that shot was just the plastic that came on the device when new. I've since installed a screen protector from invisibleSHIELD | Case, Screen Protector, Cover, Shield, Skin, Invisible Shield.

Sweet, I'm definitely getting those. Now one last question. If I get the GPS receiver, will it work still if I don't have any kind of data plan?

The GPS receiver will work great! However, you won't be able to get any map data. All the map data comes over the network. You need a data plan to get anything useful out of GPS.

I really appreciate the quick and informative answers John, and sorry for all these noob questions. Now while I was browsing t-mobile checking out the different data services, I came across the $5.99 t-mobileweb plan. But I couldn't find any details on it.

I know this might not be the right place to ask this question, but John you seem like a very knowledgable guy. So my question is, what do I get out of the 6 buck t-mobileweb plan exactly? Will applications like gps map softwares and JiveTalk work with this plan without incurring additional charges?

You'll get very little. You need the $19.99 Blackberry data plan in order for the BB to function properly for data.

I have used the Holux240 for over a year now and it work flawlessly everytime!

guys, i just bought a bluetooth GPS for my curve 8320......but now im reading that i need to get a service plan ... im in the UK..any idea? Will this work without me getting the extra plan? I mean i downloaded google earth and maps but the gps only ever received 8 sat's in BBMaps but no maps actualy ever come up... please help!

So, if I understand well everithing what didi you write, is it imposible find any software (offline maps) for BB 8320? I am sad...if this is true, my location is Slovakia, so do you have any ideas?

This is Chris from Freedom Input. Apart from any other product, we supply the Freedom Keychain GPS 2000.
So I read with interest the last couple of posts. Why?

Well, we are considering supplying country specific mapping for Blackberry users either by a download from our website to the PC ( the file would be too big for an OTA download) or by a media card which you can insert directly into your Blackberry.

With either method, you would NOT need to take out a data plan provided you had either a GPS enabled Blackberry or an external GPS receiver (like ours obviously!).

We would very much like to hear the opinions of forum members on this issue.
Are there enough people who would prefer to buy a one off mapping solution in preference to taking out a data plan?

I will be very pleased to hear back from you on this.

That would be great! Please make it a file you can simply put on the memory card. Rim makes use too many annoying special programs as it is, esp if you dont use windows.

If you can convince google/rim etc to use these maps maybe you can get them to have thier software install updates/patches from the media cards too.

Are you in contact with the google maps people?

if your taking requests, Id like public transportation info (subway / rail stops etc) thanks.