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, 333-65760, and 333-97979) 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,
the 1993 Stock Option Plan, C. Trimble  Non-statutory  Option Plan, and the 2002
Stock Option Plan and the related Prospectuses,  of our report dated January 24,
2003 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 January 3, 2003.



                                                     /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



March 4, 2003
Palo Alto, California