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, 333-97979, and Form S-3
Nos. 333-76986, 333-86656, 333-103676,  333-106893, pertaining to the 1983 Stock
Option  Plan,  the Trimble  Navigation  Savings and  Retirement  Plan,  the 1990
Director  Stock Option Plan,  the "Position 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, the 2002 Stock Option Plan,
the 1988 Employee Stock  Purchase Plan, and various sales of Trimble  Navigation
Limited common stock, and the related Prospectuses,  of our report dated January
23, 2004 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 2, 2004.



                                                     /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



March 11, 2004
Palo Alto, California