TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED
                                   EXHIBIT 23


               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


     We consent to the use of our report  dated  January 28, 1997 in this Annual
Report(Form 10-K) of Trimble  Navigation Limited for the year ended December 31,
1996.


     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  and  333-04670)
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 28, 1997 with respect to the  consolidated  financial
statements  and schedule of Trimble  Navigation  Limited  included in the Annual
Report for the year ended December 31, 1996 (Form 10-K).



                                           /s/  Ernst & Young LLP


Palo Alto, California
March 21, 1997


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