The TinyGPS module from NamelessRC weighs only 1.6g, and at the size of a fingernail, it’s probably the smallest GPS module for Betaflight and iNav. It’s perfect for light weight long range FPV drones such as the Rekon3 Nano Long Range and Flywoo Nano Hex.
Table of Contents
Where to Buy TinyGPS?
The Smallest and Lightest GPS
I thought the BN180 GPS was tiny, now it looks huge!
Left: BN180; Right: NLRC TinyGPS
Weight confirmed, 1.6g without wires.
Here’s the Nameless GPS specs:
- Input voltage: 5V
- Ceramic Antenna
- Receiving Format: GPS，GLONASS，BDS
- Support Rate: 9600dps
- Output Protocol:
UBLOXNMEA - Size: 13mm x 13mm x 5.5mm
- Weight: 1.6g
There’s no LED indicators, so it’s pretty hard to know whether it’s actually working or not. I guess it’s the lack of physical space.
I wish they dropped the connector and used solder pads instead. That would free up space for the LED’s.
The ceramic antenna is absolutely tiny. Make sure to have it face upward when mounting the Tiny GPS on your quad.
This is the GPS antenna and should be pointing upward
How to Use TinyGPS?
The NLRC Tiny GPS connects to the flight controller via UART (TX and RX), it’s exactly the same as other GPS modules like the BN180 / BN220 and Flywoo GoKu Mini GPS.
- 5V to 5V
- GND to GND
- TX to RX
- RX to TX
To setup Betaflight, follow my tutorial. Note the following settings are different:
- In Ports tab, set baud rate to 9600 (from 57600)
- According to the manual, the protocol should be UBLOX, but it didn’t worked for me (wasted an hour of my life waiting), select NMEA and it worked
Slow to Get 3D Fix
Yes it’s tiny, but the downside is that it’s very slow to get a 3D fix. That’s to be expected due to the small antenna.
I measured the time it took to get a 3D fix in my backyard (with Betaflight) and compared that with other compact GPS modules:
- BN180 – 46 seconds
- Flywoo GoKu GPS – 1:43
- NLRC TinyGPS – 2:49
It certainly takes longer to get a satellite lock, but it’s not a deal breaker if size and weight are the primary concern: the BN180 is 5.1g while the NLRC TinyGPS is only 1.6g.
Get Nameless GPS here: https://oscarliang.com/product-n97f
If you don’t mind the 3.5g weight difference, I’d recommend the BN180, it’s a lot more sensitive and cheaper too!
Get BN180 here: http://bit.ly/2TWrozB
Size comparison to GoPro GPS module (hero 6/7/8).
Left: Nameless TinyGPS, Middle: GoPro GPS, Right: BN180
17 comments
Thanks Oscar, this little review saved me the hour checking wiring ect as mine wasn’t Ublox as per the instructions, a quick change in config to NMEA and it’s up and running!
While I’m here, I often refer to you’re pages and you’ve saved me many times in this hobby.
Thank you
The pinout of this module and the Beitan/Diatone modules aren’t the same. Maybe it was just your 1.6g test version.
5V to 5V
GND to GND
TX to RX
RX to TX
Beitan/Diatone:
VCC
RX
TX
GND
Hi Oscar, thanks for what you do – I’ve referred to your articles many times for assistance in configurations!
To others considering this item: I just received a version of this GPS that seems to have been revised from the one you tested. It has a small battery on it. I have not flown with it yet, but on a new build that powers the GPS with USB power, I am getting a fix using the 9600dps baud and ublox setting in Betaflight. It took over two minutes to reach 6 sats… Over the course of ten more minutes or so, the GPS acquired a max of 19 satellites while sitting on the dashboard of my car. So this is with FC and receiver also powered, no camera/motor interference or anything tested yet.
When buying this one I did not look at the size specifications, so was surprised at just how small it is!
I see this updated version with a battery about what you told in all shops now. Seems it now can hold satellite lock during battery swap. Look like there should be no problems to use it in 3″ freestyle or LR quad.
Just a head’s up for anyone finding this after me.
There is a new version of this unit. With a battery. And a different pinout.
drive.google.com/file/d/1RtBlhy0gln35A2d_2cqlNqKxrI6HkqaR/view
Strange I got one from Banggood and one from a FPV shop in my country and both weight is about 3g. The difference between them to your photos is that the (brown) sensor unit fills the pcb to edge. Maybe you got a prototype or first version.
The ‘brown sensor unit’ is the antenna for the actual gps. They must have increased the antenna size in recent batches, hence higher weight.
Only UBLOX worked for me. Strange. I wonder if you got an early batch or something.
Yea there seems to be mixed reports of protocols. Try both anyway if it’s not working :)
If you put that on a tinywhoop the battery would be dead before it got a lock ?
Reserve a pack just for GPS lock :D haha
Is 9600bps enough for RTH functionality? I was maxing out even 38400 when set to 10hz rate (does this support 10hz?)
Yes, I think so. The Flywoo Explorer uses 9600 and rescue mode works fine.
Thanks, but hmmm. NMEA doesn’t work for me (no gps in betaflight) but when using UBLOX, while the GPS is shown in betaflight there is no activity on it at all ?.
For me it was the opposite, when selecting UBLOX, I couldn’t see any satellite (no activity), but when selecting NMEA, I could see the satellites and eventually get a lock.
What Betaflight Config did you use? I was not able to get a single sat on min…
set it up exactly like the BN180 (https://oscarliang.com/gps-mini-quad/), but change Baud rate to 9600 in the ports tab and make sure you choose NMEA as protocol.