Which GPS unit?????

Livewireshock · 11-10-2008, 08:46 PM

I need something to help geotag my photos. I mainly shoot rally photography in the middle of whoop-whoop and I am always being quizzed about the exact locations for this picture or that.

I have used picasa to get a rough idea of location but I want something better. I have been waiting for the arrival of a hotshoe GPS since last year but it seems to be still along way from reality. The Sony GPS unit chews through batteries that make it not worth it from what I have been told.

What are other peoples experiences with there devices?

I spend enough time on the computer playing with pictures than to spend more time scouring over maps and trying to remember exactly where I was.

Lowell Goudge · 11-11-2008, 05:33 AM

I have always used Garmin. I think most new GPS receivers are good, the question should be, what else would you do with it?

If you want the smallest, look at the Garmin Forerunner. Its built into a watch so you can wear it while running. This might be god for you as it has a stop watch. lap counter etc. and could have racing applications.

If you want to load maps etc into it, and use the viewing screen, then something bigger is better.

Loook for something that takes a SIM card, and can be programmed to download to the sim card with all track data. Most GPS units can store between 2000 and 10,000 points in main memory, byt my Garmin 76CSx can also write once per second indefinitely to a gpx file (one file per day) on the sim card. therefore as long as it is recording, it writes the data. Your camera must, obviously be sync'd to the GPS.

ps I have been geotagging photos for several years now. The biggest issue is most software relies on map quest, which requires you be connected to the internet to get the maps. I have asked garmin if they would consider adding GEO Tagging to their GPS softwear as I have maps for most of the world from garmin already. ALso note maps can be expensive.

Livewireshock · 11-11-2008, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by Lowell Goudge

I have always used Garmin. I think most new GPS receivers are good, the question should be, what else would you do with it?

If you want the smallest, look at the Garmin Forerunner. Its built into a watch so you can wear it while running. This might be god for you as it has a stop watch. lap counter etc. and could have racing applications.

If you want to load maps etc into it, and use the viewing screen, then something bigger is better.

Loook for something that takes a SIM card, and can be programmed to download to the sim card with all track data. Most GPS units can store between 2000 and 10,000 points in main memory, byt my Garmin 76CSx can also write once per second indefinitely to a gpx file (one file per day) on the sim card. therefore as long as it is recording, it writes the data. Your camera must, obviously be sync'd to the GPS.

ps I have been geotagging photos for several years now. The biggest issue is most software relies on map quest, which requires you be connected to the internet to get the maps. I have asked garmin if they would consider adding GEO Tagging to their GPS softwear as I have maps for most of the world from garmin already. ALso note maps can be expensive.

Thanks,

I should clarify this point. I have a Garmin Etrex Camo for my regular navigation work and play. I was looking at something more automated and integrated to allow me to sync my pictures and GPS data together.

Have been hoping and waiting for the hotshoe mount Jobo PhotoGPS to become a reality but it is forever being put back in actual delivery dates.

Graeme

Mechan1k · 11-11-2008, 08:17 AM

What Mobile Phone do you use mate????

I have a Nokia 6110 Navigator with built in GPS ... and works surprisingly well.
I haven't tried getting actual co-ordinates from it ... but i might give it a go when out on a break tonight while on nightshift.

Actually asked a workmate who has the same phone ... and it does show co-ordinates.

Livewireshock · 11-11-2008, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

What Mobile Phone do you use mate????

I have a Nokia 6110 Navigator with built in GPS ... and works surprisingly well.
I haven't tried getting actual co-ordinates from it ... but i might give it a go when out on a break tonight while on nightshift.

Actually asked a workmate who has the same phone ... and it does show co-ordinates.

My mobile does not have GPS and I actually work with GPS units of various shapes and sizes with work. What I do not want to do it manually have to log individual lat/long for every pictue.

There are specializeed GPS units dedicated for photo work and integrate the NMEA data into the EXIF automatically. One less headache to deal with.

Lowell Goudge · 11-11-2008, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Livewireshock

Thanks,

I should clarify this point. I have a Garmin Etrex Camo for my regular navigation work and play. I was looking at something more automated and integrated to allow me to sync my pictures and GPS data together.

Have been hoping and waiting for the hotshoe mount Jobo PhotoGPS to become a reality but it is forever being put back in actual delivery dates.

Graeme

The Sync is all done in software no matter who supplies what.

I use GeoSetter which works very well. Untl there is a camera with built in GPS there is nothing that will interact with your camera and add this to the EXIF data

Lowell Goudge · 11-11-2008, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by Livewireshock

My mobile does not have GPS and I actually work with GPS units of various shapes and sizes with work. What I do not want to do it manually have to log individual lat/long for every pictue.

There are specializeed GPS units dedicated for photo work and integrate the NMEA data into the EXIF automatically. One less headache to deal with.

As in my other post, this is all in the post processing software. Once the camera and GPS are sychronized you launch the software and it automatically tags all the files, plus creates a back up of the origonals (depending on software and options)

to-vid · 11-11-2008, 10:09 AM

If you can get log file out from your Garmin GPS, you can use GeoSetter for tagging your files. It is very simple, just start the program and select the photos you want to sync with the gps file.

At he moment I only have a Bluetooth GPS device. When neccessary I connect my mobile phone to this GPS using a java program on the phone for storing position. (GPSEd) Then I have to tansfer this file from my phone and converted to gpx format before sync with Geosetter.

Lowell Goudge · 11-11-2008, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by to-vid

If you can get log file out from your Garmin GPS, you can use GeoSetter for tagging your files. It is very simple, just start the program and select the photos you want to sync with the gps file.

At he moment I only have a Bluetooth GPS device. When neccessary I connect my mobile phone to this GPS using a java program on the phone for storing position. (GPSEd) Then I have to tansfer this file from my phone and converted to gpx format before sync with Geosetter.

Depending on unit, there are 2 ways to generate a log file. Units that write to a sim card can generate, as I indicated an infinite lig file or set of files at a time intercal of your choosing.

Units that ONLT store to normal device memory generate a track log that you need to download using the supplier's software, and tehn export to a log file. Beware, about tracks "saved" to memory. These tracks generally have the time and date data stripped from them, you need the active memory in the GPS with time data for the export, the active memory is a finite number of points, and continually overwrites.

Livewireshock · 11-11-2008, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell Goudge

Units that ONLT store to normal device memory generate a track log that you need to download using the supplier's software, and tehn export to a log file. Beware, about tracks "saved" to memory. These tracks generally have the time and date data stripped from them, you need the active memory in the GPS with time data for the export, the active memory is a finite number of points, and continually overwrites.

I see where I have been going wrong. I was skinning the cat the other way.

Lowell Goudge · 11-11-2008, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Livewireshock

I see where I have been going wrong. I was skinning the cat the other way.

OK no problem, for you, go into Mapsource and download from the GPS the active track, then export/save it as a GPX file.

ALl the software for geo tagging uses GPX format files.

Look for a software package that lets you check the time adjustment between your camera and GPS (assuming you started out with a camera clock that is not perfectly on time).

I goound geosetter works fairly well. It also lets you test the tagging and gives you the decision as to whether you write the data or not.