diff --git a/__init__.py b/__init__.py
index 912b4427..b802cf5a 100644
--- a/__init__.py
+++ b/__init__.py
@@ -1 +1 @@
-from .python import Panda, PandaWifiStreaming, PandaDFU, ESPROM, CesantaFlasher, flash_release, BASEDIR, ensure_st_up_to_date, build_st
+from .python import Panda, PandaWifiStreaming, PandaDFU, ESPROM, CesantaFlasher, flash_release, BASEDIR, ensure_st_up_to_date, build_st, PandaSerial
diff --git a/python/__init__.py b/python/__init__.py
index 95a2b89d..48f6bf17 100644
--- a/python/__init__.py
+++ b/python/__init__.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from dfu import PandaDFU
 from esptool import ESPROM, CesantaFlasher
 from flash_release import flash_release
 from update import ensure_st_up_to_date
+from serial import PandaSerial
 
 __version__ = '0.0.6'
 
diff --git a/python/serial.py b/python/serial.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5c60ae7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/serial.py
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+# mimic a python serial port
+class PandaSerial(object):
+  def __init__(self, panda, port, baud):
+    self.panda = panda
+    self.port = port
+    self.panda.set_uart_parity(self.port, 0)
+    self.panda.set_uart_baud(self.port, baud)
+    self.buf = ""
+
+  def read(self, l=1):
+    tt = self.panda.serial_read(self.port)
+    if len(tt) > 0:
+      #print "R: ", tt.encode("hex")
+      self.buf += tt
+    ret = self.buf[0:l]
+    self.buf = self.buf[l:]
+    return ret
+
+  def write(self, dat):
+    #print "W: ", dat.encode("hex")
+    return self.panda.serial_write(self.port, dat)
+
+  def close(self):
+    pass
+
+
diff --git a/tests/location_listener.py b/tests/location_listener.py
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..58ddd5c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/location_listener.py
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+import os
+import time
+import sys
+
+sys.path.append(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)), ".."))
+from panda import Panda, PandaSerial
+
+def add_nmea_checksum(msg):
+  d = msg[1:]
+  cs = 0
+  for i in d:
+    cs ^= ord(i)
+  return msg + "*%02X" % cs
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+  panda = Panda()
+  ser = PandaSerial(panda, 1, 9600)
+
+  # power cycle by toggling reset
+  print "resetting"
+  panda.set_esp_power(0)
+  time.sleep(0.1)
+  panda.set_esp_power(1)
+  time.sleep(0.5)
+  print "done"
+  print ser.read(1024)
+
+  # upping baud rate
+  print "upping baud rate (broken)"
+  msg = add_nmea_checksum("$PUBX,41,1,0007,0003,9600,0")+"\r\n"
+  print msg
+  ser.write(msg)
+
+  # new panda serial
+  ser = PandaSerial(panda, 1, 9600)
+
+  while True:
+    ret = ser.read(1024)
+    if len(ret) > 0:
+      sys.stdout.write(ret)
+      sys.stdout.flush()
+      #print str(ret).encode("hex")
+