[Pentax Bob]

Anyone have any recommendations for a geotagging unit that works well with a K-x? I checked with Pentax and the new unit only works with the K-5 and K-r cameras not with any of the older models.

I have seen servral units advertized but with mixed reviews. I would like to hear from anyone with first hand experience.

Thanks,

Pentax Bob

[manishved]

Check this out.
Discussions are here

[Pentax Bob]

I did check with pentax and read the dicussion you mentioned. As I said in my first post, this unit only works with K-5 and K-r cameras not with any older models. Iam interested in any experience with a third party unit that will function with a K-x.

Pentax Bob

[satep]

I have been using Qstarz BT-Q1000XT for several trips already and worked great.
It works with any digital camera and the unit has a long battery life (40 hours between
charge) and since it is a location logger, you can easily get a path log also.

The GPS locations are port-trip added to your images by matching the
date/time of your image with that of the GPS log (with the software provided.)
I usually carried the unit on my belt.

[Entropy]

Any GPS datalogger that can provide logs in a standard format (NMEA or GPX) can work with any camera with a reasonably accurate clock that records "time taken" EXIF data (which includes every Pentax digital camera in existence to my knowledge.)

Camera clock accuracy requirements are dependent on how fast you're moving when geotagging - 2-3 minutes off is fine for hiking, not good at 60 mph. A few seconds off is bad if you're taking pictures from an aircraft.

I use an iBlue 747A+ and love it. There are slightly newer iBlue models out now that use the same MTKv2 chipset. I also sometimes just use my Garmin Oregon 300.

The basic workflow is:
Record a GPS track with the logger

Take pictures with the camera

When you get home, download the images from the camera to your PC, and also pull the log from the logger. (Special software is required for the iBlue and other MTKv2 loggers, I use the free and open source BT747 tool - GPS Data Logger Software - BT747 )

Use geotagging software to tag the photos using the log, based on the position the GPS was at at the time the camera says the photo was taken. Most photo management software has this built-in now. I use digiKam as I'm a Linux user, I believe Lightroom and iPhoto support it. There are also free geotagging tools - there's a popular Windows tool, I think it's called Geosetter. BT747 may also have built-in tagging now.

[ManuH]

Camera clock accuracy requirements are dependent on how fast you're moving when geotagging - 2-3 minutes off is fine for hiking,

I found a very simple way to have perfect time accuracy with my iBlue 747+. When I load the track with the Bt747 software, it displays the current GPS time in real time. I just take a picture of the screen with my camera. I can now check what is the exact offset. Most geotagging tools will allow for setting a time offset. In Lightroom it's even easier as you can shift the time on a group of pictures.

[bymy141]

I've bought a Garmin Dakota 20 (€ 239 + 4Gb card) and I use the GeoSetter (freeware) software.
Works great! Cheaper than the Pentax GPS and you can still mount a flash...

I've loaded European and African Navigator and TOPO maps on the Garmin for directions etc.
It can do car traffic routing, track logging, compass, POI search, follow preloaded routes / tracks, geo caching and many many more things.

How it works:
- Start up the GPS.
- Trow it in the camera bag
- @ home: Load pictures on computer
- Connect Garmin by USB
- Start GeoSetter and let it map the track data to pictures. Is simple.

What you get over a simple GPS data logger is numerous:
- Forgot where your car was parked? Done!
- Want to know your way out of a forest, or a city? Done!
- Want to know nearest restaurant, ETA, tank station, your altitude? Done.
- Want to define your trip and locations before you go at home? Done.

There are loads and loads of GPS maps, POI's and tracks available on the Internet.

Ok, a normal GPS cannot do star photography corrections...

Have fun.

Bert

[JenniferLeigh]

I'm looking into the same thing, no geo-love for the KM .

Some Eye-fi cards offer geotagging, but only on JPEG images.

Here is an article I found on geotagging with an Iphone. I have yet to try it out.
http://jamesinjapan.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/geotagging-your-dslr-photos-using-an-iphone/

[JenniferLeigh]

I found some promo codes for the Geotag iphone app that the above article mentions. I just tried them, and apparently they are for the USA store only...

We have 2 free promocodes (please make a review to appstore, if you like our program). If you used promocode make a note which one.
Note: Our program working only with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and iPad 3G (need GPS)
W4KMN439AW47
96H9AWN343TY

- Source

[Pentax Bob]

Thanks everyone for the information. I am curious about the eye fy card. Does anyone have any experience with the 4 GB Geo X-2? They claim it works with the Kx.

[JenniferLeigh]

Hey Bob,

I don't have any comments on the KX - but it is listed on their website as supported. Best Buy in Canada currently has the X2 card for $20 off, if you're thinking of purchasing, see if the US has the same offer.

I am pondering over picking up one myself, mainly to tether to my ipad to preview shots. I just discovered that the Eye-fi cards use WPS, meaning that if you are not in Wifi range - geotagging won't work.

Found this link you might be interested in:
EXIF marks the spot: a guide to geotagging pictures reDesign mobile

[Pentax Bob]

Thanks for the feedback. I too have discovered the WPS limitation. I don't think this will work for me.

[Lowell Goudge]

I too use a garmin gps and geosetter

Tagging is simple and as bymy141 has pointed out a separate gps has other uses

[Adam]

On a side note it would be nice if they could extend the gps support to the kx and k7- but if they've stopped maintaining their firmwares, then the chances are slim.

[Blue]

I think Nikon and Pentax have missed the boat with there clunky add on overpriced gps units. 3rd party GPS units by GPS specialists will begin stomping their guts out.