Microsoft Navigation Gps 168 Model 1372 » < ULTIMATE >
Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 (Model 1372) is a legacy USB GPS receiver originally bundled with Microsoft Streets & Trips software during the mid-to-late 2000s. Microsoft Source Hardware & Accessories
Part 3: Technical Specifications (Based on the GPS-168)
If you have a "Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 Model 1372" in hand, here are the specs you are dealing with: microsoft navigation gps 168 model 1372
- Sync with Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive to prioritize routes based on calendar events. Imagine your GPS automatically suggesting a faster route to a meeting if delays are anticipated.
- Voice commands via Cortana for hands-free navigation (though Cortana’s future is uncertain; a potential integration with Windows 365 could make this a cloud-based feature).
Although originally bundled with Microsoft software, the device is highly versatile today. Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 (Model 1372) is a
Operating Compatibility: Originally designed for older Windows versions (XP, Vista); however, users have successfully implemented it on newer systems using specific 64-bit drivers. Sync with Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive to prioritize
Conclusion
The Microsoft GPS 168 (Model 1372) is a fossil from a bygone era. It reminds us of a time when "Connectivity" was a struggle, when setting up a Bluetooth pairing was an adventure in itself, and when having GPS in your car felt like you were driving a spaceship.
The receiver is a compact, plastic "puck" or dongle that connects via a standard USB Type-A port. Performance:
- GPS Week Rollover (April 6, 2019): The SiRFstarII chipset was not built for the 2019 week number rollover. These units often report the date as 1999 or 2000 and have erratic navigation behavior. There is no firmware update for a Model 1372.
- WAAS Limitations: Early 12-channel receivers have poor sensitivity. In urban canyons or tree cover, the Model 1372 drops signal constantly. Modern smartphones use A-GPS (Assisted GPS) with cell towers; this device does not.
- USB Legacy: You cannot plug a PS/2 GPS into a USB-C port easily. The adapters required cost more than a modern ($20) Bluetooth GPS receiver.
Released as a companion to "Streets & Trips" (specifically around the 2005–2009 editions), the Model 1372 was a key component of Microsoft’s foray into consumer-level GPS hardware. At the time, dedicated in-car navigation systems were prohibitively expensive. Microsoft provided a "bargain alternative" by bundling the GPS 168 receiver with its mapping software for a fraction of the cost.