EXHIBIT 23.1



            Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm



     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement
(Form S-8)  pertaining to the 1988 Employee  Stock  Purchase Plan and 2002 Stock
Plan of Trimble  Navigation  Limited of our report dated January 23, 2004,  with
respect  to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedule  of  Trimble
Navigation  Limited  included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K), as amended,  for
the year  ended  January  2,  2004,  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Palo Alto, California
August 12, 2004