Microsoft's Navigation GPS 168 (model 1372) is a discontinued dedicated portable GPS navigator that appeared in the mid-to-late 2000s as Microsoft attempted to enter the in-car navigation market with streamlined, map-focused devices. It paired Microsoft-supplied navigation software and map data with modest handheld hardware intended for drivers who wanted a simple point-and-go experience without a smartphone. Below is a focused, structured deep write-up covering history, hardware, software, features, performance, limitations, and legacy.
Before the era of Apple CarPlay, Google Maps, and Waze, the world of personal navigation was a battleground of dedicated devices. Garmin and TomTom were the titans, but in the mid-2000s, an unexpected player entered the ring: Microsoft.
The Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 (Model 1372) remains a fascinating footnote in GPS history. It represents a unique moment when Microsoft tried to translate its Windows operating system dominance into a handheld piece of automotive hardware.
The Microsoft GPS 168 is not a collector's item because it is powerful. It is a collector's item because it represents the "Wild West" of GPS.
Today, you can find these units for $15–$30 on eBay, often with 2008 maps that still think the Twin Towers exist or that a certain stretch of road is a dirt path.
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.
If you provide more specifics (what you want to do with it, which OS, error messages), I can narrow down the troubleshooting.
Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 (Model 1372) compact USB GPS receiver originally bundled with Microsoft Streets & Trips
. Despite its age, it remains a reliable tool for users needing external satellite data for laptops and tablets, provided they have the correct drivers. Key Specifications & Features Form Factor : A small, portable "G-mouse" style dongle with a USB interface for power and data. : Often identified as using or similar hardware, communicating via standard protocols. : Typically operates at
, which is the industry standard for NMEA devices from that era. : Features a magnetic base
, making it easy to secure on a vehicle's dashboard or roof for better satellite reception. Compatibility and Setup
Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 Model 1372 a USB-powered GPS receiver primarily bundled with Microsoft Streets & Trips software in the mid-2000s
. Often referred to as the "GPS Locator," it was manufactured for Microsoft by Pharos Science & Applications
and utilizes a SiRF-based GPS chipset to provide real-time location tracking for laptops. Product History and Purpose
Released during the peak of laptop-based navigation, this device was a cornerstone for Microsoft Streets & Trips
users between 2005 and 2013. It allowed travelers to convert their Windows laptops into full-fledged navigation systems before smartphones and built-in vehicle GPS became ubiquitous. Software Bundle:
It was most famously included with the 2005 and 2006 editions of Streets & Trips.
The receiver is a compact, plastic "puck" or dongle that connects via a standard USB Type-A port. Performance:
In its prime, the device was known for a relatively fast satellite lock (TTFF) when used outdoors. Technical Specifications microsoft navigation gps 168 model 1372
While official spec sheets are rare today, community data and retail listings highlight its core capabilities:
The Microsoft Navation GPS 168 (Model 1372) is a legacy USB GPS receiver famously bundled with Microsoft Streets & Trips software during the mid-to-late 2000s. While primarily a vintage tech piece today, it remains a reliable tool for hobbyists and niche navigation setups. The Legacy of the Model 1372
Before smartphones dominated navigation, the Model 1372 was the go-to for turning a laptop into a real-time GPS unit. Powered by a u-blox GPS chip, this compact USB dongle was designed to lock onto satellite signals quickly and provide precise location data for long-haul road trips. Key Specifications
Interface: USB (Plug-and-play for supported older Windows versions). Chipset: u-blox series GPS module for accurate tracking.
Compatibility: Originally bundled with Microsoft Streets & Trips (2005–2009 editions).
Design: Small, "mouse-style" receiver often featuring a magnetic base for external vehicle mounting. Modern Day Uses and Challenges
If you've found one of these in a drawer, it’s not obsolete just yet. Modern users often repurpose it for:
Retro Computing: Running classic versions of Streets & Trips on older hardware.
Linux Projects: Getting it to work on modern Linux distros (though drivers can be finicky).
Warwalking/IoT: Some tech enthusiasts use it for Pwnagotchi or other wardriving projects to log GPS coordinates.
Troubleshooting Tip: If you're having trouble on Windows 7 or 10, check the JustAnswer forum for specific 64-bit driver workarounds, as the legacy drivers weren't always natively compatible with newer 64-bit architectures.
Are you trying to get this running on a modern OS or using it for a specific project like a Pwnagotchi?
Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 (Model 1372) is a compact USB GPS receiver primarily bundled with Microsoft Streets & Trips
software during the mid-to-late 2000s and early 2010s. It was designed to provide real-time location data to laptops and PCs for turn-by-turn navigation. Key Specifications & Features
GPS Module Guide Working, Pinout, & Location Tracking using Arduino
The Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 (Model 1372) is a legacy USB GPS receiver originally bundled with Microsoft's Streets & Trips software . It was designed to turn a laptop into a real-time navigation system by providing GPS coordinates via a USB connection. Key Specifications & Features Device Type: USB GPS Receiver (Dongle).
Chipset: Features a U-Blox GPS chip (specifically identified in some variations as a UBX-G7020KT).
Connectivity: Standard USB-A port; it is recommended to connect directly to the computer rather than through a hub to avoid hardware conflicts. Microsoft's Navigation GPS 168 (model 1372) is a
Protocol: Communicates using the NMEA 0183 standard, making it compatible with various third-party navigation software beyond the original Microsoft suite.
Performance: Users report it is generally reliable and provides a relatively fast satellite lock once outdoors. Compatibility & Setup Street&Trip 2013 with GPS on Windows 8.1 - Microsoft Q&A
Note: This article assumes a vintage/retro technology context, as this device is not a modern smartphone or current in-car system.
If you have a Model 1372 sitting in a box, you might be tempted to fire it up. Technically, it still receives satellite signals. The NMEA data stream it outputs over Bluetooth is a standard protocol.
However, the maps are the issue. Microsoft discontinued Streets & Trips years ago. Without the accompanying software ecosystem, the GPS 168 is essentially a high-quality dumb terminal. It will tell you your latitude, longitude, altitude, and speed, but it won't tell you where the nearest Starbucks is.
Microsoft has traditionally focused on software rather than hardware for consumer GPS markets. Devices like the Microsoft Band (a wearable with location tracking) or cloud-based tools (e.g., Bing Maps) are closer to the company’s actual offerings. If a “Model 1372” ever materializes, it would likely be part of a partnership with hardware makers or integrated into existing platforms.
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.
It wasn't the flashiest gadget of the 2000s, and it certainly didn't survive the iPhone revolution. But for a brief, shining moment, that little black box was the best co-pilot a Windows enthusiast could ask for.
Do you have a memory of using Streets & Trips or the GPS 168? Let me know in the comments below.
It looks like you’re referencing a specific product: “Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 model 1372.”
However, after checking available records, this exact model number combination does not appear in standard Microsoft product catalogs or major GPS archives. It’s possible there’s a mix-up with the brand, model number, or that this was a very obscure OEM device (perhaps from the early 2000s, when Microsoft licensed its mapping software to third-party hardware makers).
To help you get the right post, here’s what you can do:
Example post (retro tech / help request):
“I found an old GPS unit labeled ‘Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 model 1372.’ Can’t find any info on it. It has a compact flash or serial connector? Anyone remember using this with Microsoft Streets & Trips? Looking for software or drivers — Windows XP era. Works with Bluetooth? Photos attached.”
Let me know how you want to use the post, and I’ll write a precise version for you.
The small, silver Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 sat on the dashboard of Elias’s vintage sedan like a relic from another era. Model 1372 was a sturdy piece of tech, designed for a time when people still trusted satellite signals more than cell towers. For Elias, it was a lucky charm, the same device his father had used to cross the country twenty years ago.
The screen flickered to life with a soft, green glow. Elias punched in the coordinates for a ghost town in the Nevada desert—a place his father had mentioned in his old journals but that didn't appear on any modern smartphone map. The GPS beeped, a nostalgic, digital chirp, and began its calculations.
As he drove, the voice of the 168 was calm and mechanical, guiding him away from the bustling interstates and onto cracked, forgotten asphalt. The world outside became a blur of sagebrush and heat waves. Modern phones would have lost their signal miles ago, but the Model 1372 held tight to its orbital tether, its tiny internal antenna pulsing with determination. If you provide more specifics (what you want
Suddenly, the screen glitched. The map didn't show a road, but a straight line cutting across the salt flats. "Turn left in five hundred feet," the device commanded. Elias looked out at the empty expanse. There was no road, only the shimmering horizon. He hesitated, then pulled the wheel.
The sedan bounced over the hard-packed sand. For an hour, he drove into the nothingness, guided only by the steady arrow on the small screen. Just as the sun began to dip, a silhouette emerged from the haze. It was a cluster of wooden buildings, preserved by the dry air and hidden by the curvature of the hills.
Elias stopped the car. The GPS gave one final, satisfied chime: "You have arrived at your destination." He looked at the device, then at the town his father had loved. The old 168 had done more than provide directions; it had bridged two decades, proving that sometimes, the old ways are the only ways to find what is lost.
The Microsoft Navigation GPS 168 (Model 1372) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
is a legacy USB GPS receiver primarily bundled with Microsoft Streets & Trips software packages in the mid-to-late 2000s. It was designed to provide real-time location tracking for laptops and vehicle-based computing systems. Technical Overview
Hardware Core: Features a U-Blox GPS chipset, known for reliability in civilian-grade navigation during its production era.
Connectivity: Uses a standard USB interface for power and data transmission.
Operating Compatibility: Originally designed for older Windows versions (XP, Vista); however, users have successfully implemented it on newer systems using specific 64-bit drivers.
Performance: Typically tracks multiple satellites simultaneously to provide position accuracy within approximately 15 meters under clear sky conditions. Historical Context & Usage
Product Bundle: This model was a successor or alternative to the Pharos-branded receivers often found in Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007 and later editions.
Durability: User reviews suggest a functional lifespan of roughly five years, with performance degradation typically manifesting as longer satellite acquisition times (TTFF).
Modern Applications: While the official software it supported (Streets & Trips) is discontinued, the device remains popular in the hobbyist community for projects like Pwnagotchi or as a low-cost GPS logger for Linux-based systems. Acquisition & Support
Availability: As a legacy "OEM" product, it is no longer sold at major retailers but is frequently available on secondary markets like eBay and Bonanza for approximately $18.00 to $32.00.
Troubleshooting: Common issues involve driver recognition on Windows 10/11. Experts recommend manually updating drivers through the Device Manager and avoiding USB hubs to ensure stable power delivery.
It sounds like you’re referring to a Microsoft GPS receiver from the mid-2000s, often sold under names like “Microsoft GPS 168” or labeled with model number 1372. These were commonly part of Microsoft Streets & Trips (or AutoRoute in Europe) GPS bundles.
Here’s a concise guide to understanding and (potentially) using this legacy device.
To understand the GPS 168, you first have to understand the landscape of the time. Microsoft didn’t manufacture the internals of this device themselves; it was a rebranding of hardware produced by Pharos Science & Applications, a company known for pioneering GPS technology.
Model 1372 is a compact, pocket-sized unit. Unlike modern GPS that rely on massive touchscreens, the 168 was a "receiver" at heart. It featured a small, non-touch LCD screen—monochromatic and utilitarian. Its primary job wasn't to dazzle you with 3D maps, but to tell you where you were with cold, hard coordinates.
The Specs (By 2005 Standards):