


                                  EXHIBIT 23.1

                           TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED



               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


     We consent to the use of our report  dated  January 26, 1999 in this Annual
Report (Form 10-K) of Trimble Navigation Limited
for the year ended January 1, 1999.


         We also consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the Registration
Statement  (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
and 333-53703)  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  26,  1999  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 1, 1999.




                                            /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                
 Palo Alto, California
 March 25, 1999


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