EXHIBIT 23.1
                           TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8 Nos.  33-37384,  33-39647,  33-45167,  33-45604,  33-46719,  33-50944,
33-57522,  33-62078,  33-78502,   33-84362,  33-91858,   333-04670,   333-28429,
333-53703,  333-84949,  333-38264,  333-65758,  and 333-65760) pertaining to the
1983 Stock Option Plan, the Trimble  Navigation Savings and Retirement Plan, the
1990  Director  Stock Option  Plan,  the  "Position  for Us for  Progress"  1992
Employee Stock Bonus Plan, the 1992  Management  Discount Stock Option Plan, and
the 1993 Stock Option Plan,  and the related  Prospectuses,  of our report dated
January 25,  2002,  except for the  paragraphs  under the caption  "Subordinated
Note" of Note 11 and  Note 23,  as to which  the date is March  20,  2002,  with
respect  to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedule  of  Trimble
Navigation  Limited included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 28, 2001.




                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Palo Alto, California
March 25 2002



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