GPS Apps For Geotagging?

Leo315 · 10-23-2013, 06:33 AM

I'm traveling to Cuba in Dec and am looking for a way to geotag my photos. Cuba does not permit geotagging devices. I understand that there are smartphone apps that once you sync to the time on your camera, you can then sync up later in Lightroom to geotag your photos. Does anyone have any current experience/recommendations with these apps?

normhead · 10-23-2013, 06:36 AM

So you're saying you can't take a GPS to Cuba?

Leo315 · 10-23-2013, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by normhead

So you're saying you can't take a GPS to Cuba?

That is correct. They will confiscate it at customs if they find it.

p38arover · 10-23-2013, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by Leo315

That is correct. They will confiscate it at customs if they find it.

Won't they confiscate smart phones that have GPS apps?

I just googled geo tagging iPhone and found this immediately. http://www.saltpepper.net/geotag/

For $1, it's worth a try. The iTunes reviews aren't very positive but they are quite old. Try it before you go away.

Last edited by p38arover; 10-23-2013 at 03:48 PM.

markkuk · 10-23-2013, 04:31 PM

I have used SportsTracker and Google MyTracks. Both can create GPX files that work fine with Lightroom's map module, and both are free.

Leo315 · 10-23-2013, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by p38arover

Won't they confiscate smart phones that have GPS apps?

I just googled geo tagging iPhone and found this immediately. GeoTag for iPhone: Tag Your Digital Photos with Location

For $1, it's worth a try. The iTunes reviews aren't very positive but they are quite old. Try it before you go away.

Thanks for the link. I did come across a few geotagging apps for the iPhone. I was just hoping for some recommendations from members of this forum who I trust more than posters at the iTunes store. I also need to make sure it will ultimately sync with DNG.

As to the smartphone issue, the Cuban customs website states that mobile phones are allowed. From what I have read, people have not had problems with iPhones..

kh1234567890 · 10-23-2013, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by Leo315

I'm traveling to Cuba in Dec and am looking for a way to geotag my photos. Cuba does not permit geotagging devices. I understand that there are smartphone apps that once you sync to the time on your camera, you can then sync up later in Lightroom to geotag your photos. Does anyone have any current experience/recommendations with these apps?

Basically you want an app which will write a .gpx file. For Android I use Google My Tracks, but there are many others. Once you've got the time and location data in a gpx file there are many free programs which will synch your photos to the recorded tracks, usually quite intelligently, allowing for the inevitable offset between the camera and GPS clocks. For PC Geosetter is the one that I use - it overlays the photo locations onto Google maps and lets you fine tweak the positioning and lots more. For track editing GPS Track Editor is very good but it uses only Openstreetmap maps. It has some clever filter functions to clean up the inevitable scatter and rogue points.

GPS built into smartphones is usually not as good as a dedicated GPS logger - in my experience smartphones seem to lose lock quite easily and can take a long time to re-acquire. I usually use the Holux M-241 GPS logger in preference.

Leo315 · 10-23-2013, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

Basically you want an app which will write a .gpx file. For Android I use Google My Tracks, but there are many others. Once you've got the time and location data in a gpx file there are many free programs which will synch your photos to the recorded tracks, usually quite intelligently, allowing for the inevitable offset between the camera and GPS clocks. For PC Geosetter is the one that I use - it overlays the photo locations onto Google maps and lets you fine tweak the positioning and lots more. For track editing GPS Track Editor is very good but it uses only Openstreetmap maps. It has some clever filter functions to clean up the inevitable scatter and rogue points.

GPS built into smartphones is usually not as good as a dedicated GPS logger - in my experience smartphones seem to lose lock quite easily and can take a long time to re-acquire. I usually use the Holux M-241 GPS logger in preference.

Thanks for the info. I think I've got it narrowed down to 3 Apps for the iPhone that have the highest number and best reviews. They are each $4 or less. The 3 are MotionX ,
Geotag Photos, and gps4cam Pro. One of the things I'd like to find out in addition to accuracy is if there is a difference in battery draw on the iPhone, as I am likely to be out shooting all day. If anyone has any experience with any of these, please let me know.

vonBaloney · 10-23-2013, 07:51 PM

Originally posted by Leo315

Thanks for the info. I think I've got it narrowed down to 3 Apps for the iPhone that have the highest number and best reviews. They are each $4 or less. The 3 are MotionX ,
Geotag Photos, and gps4cam Pro. One of the things I'd like to find out in addition to accuracy is if there is a difference in battery draw on the iPhone, as I am likely to be out shooting all day. If anyone has any experience with any of these, please let me know.

GPS is definitely a battery draw on any phone. Don't iPhones or any phones geotag anytime you take a picture (if you want)? You could just make a point to take a phone pic at each shooting location, although it would be more work to extract the data later and sync it to your other shots...

p38arover · 10-24-2013, 12:19 AM

Originally posted by Leo315

Thanks for the info. I think I've got it narrowed down to 3 Apps for the iPhone that have the highest number and best reviews. They are each $4 or less. The 3 are MotionX .

Hmm, I have MotionX but didn't realise you could use it for geotagging. I'll have to have a look at it.

**jbinpg** · 10-24-2013, 01:33 PM

Given the current usurious Canadian mobile phone rates for international roaming, there is no way I could afford turning on my cell phone in Cuba let alone using it for GPS tracking.

Jack

normhead · 10-24-2013, 01:34 PM

Originally posted by jbinpg

Given the current usurious Canadian mobile phone rates for international roaming, there is no way I could afford turning on my cell phone in Cuba let alone using it for GPS tracking.

Jack

At least you can buy Cuban cigars.

Leo315 · 10-24-2013, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by jbinpg

Given the current usurious Canadian mobile phone rates for international roaming, there is no way I could afford turning on my cell phone in Cuba let alone using it for GPS tracking.

Jack

From what I understand, the Apps I am considering work as if it's a standalone GPS and therefore there are no roaming charges. They can work in the background with the phone on sleep.

Leo315 · 10-24-2013, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by normhead

At least you can buy Cuban cigars

But I've got to smoke them in Cuba as they can't be brought into the States.

Smeggypants · 10-24-2013, 10:57 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

GPS is definitely a battery draw on any phone. Don't iPhones or any phones geotag anytime you take a picture (if you want)? You could just make a point to take a phone pic at each shooting location, although it would be more work to extract the data later and sync it to your other shots...

No it isn't. I use a freeware GPS Logger II app on an old Blackberry phone and it doesn't drain the battery to any signifianct degree over normal phone usage.

GPSLogger II Homepage - 100% free Software for BlackBerry

10-23-2013, 06:33 AM	#1
Leo315 New Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: New York, NY Posts: 23	GPS Apps For Geotagging? I'm traveling to Cuba in Dec and am looking for a way to geotag my photos. Cuba does not permit geotagging devices. I understand that there are smartphone apps that once you sync to the time on your camera, you can then sync up later in Lightroom to geotag your photos. Does anyone have any current experience/recommendations with these apps?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax O-GPS1 GPS - Faulty k-5 or GPS Unit?	KansasHorizons.com	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	6	01-04-2014 02:34 PM
Geotagging Photos with a third Party GPS Tracking device?	pento57mm	Pentax DSLR Discussion	15	07-02-2013 08:40 AM
Any interest in this? Apps for individual photographers	Buschmaster	General Talk	2	11-17-2012 11:17 AM
Some questions about geotagging and gps tracks	AquaNox	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	02-02-2012 11:28 AM
Apps & Uses for an iPad in the field ?	Frogfish	Photographic Industry and Professionals	12	11-25-2011 06:43 PM

10-23-2013, 06:36 AM	#2
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	So you're saying you can't take a GPS to Cuba?

10-23-2013, 06:47 AM	#3
Leo315 New Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: New York, NY Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead So you're saying you can't take a GPS to Cuba? That is correct. They will confiscate it at customs if they find it.

10-23-2013, 03:40 PM	#4
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084	Originally posted by Leo315 That is correct. They will confiscate it at customs if they find it. Won't they confiscate smart phones that have GPS apps? I just googled geo tagging iPhone and found this immediately. http://www.saltpepper.net/geotag/ For $1, it's worth a try. The iTunes reviews aren't very positive but they are quite old. Try it before you go away. Last edited by p38arover; 10-23-2013 at 03:48 PM.

10-23-2013, 04:31 PM	#5
markkuk Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 51	I have used SportsTracker and Google MyTracks. Both can create GPX files that work fine with Lightroom's map module, and both are free.

10-23-2013, 05:43 PM	#6
Leo315 New Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: New York, NY Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by p38arover Won't they confiscate smart phones that have GPS apps? I just googled geo tagging iPhone and found this immediately. GeoTag for iPhone: Tag Your Digital Photos with Location For $1, it's worth a try. The iTunes reviews aren't very positive but they are quite old. Try it before you go away. Thanks for the link. I did come across a few geotagging apps for the iPhone. I was just hoping for some recommendations from members of this forum who I trust more than posters at the iTunes store. I also need to make sure it will ultimately sync with DNG. As to the smartphone issue, the Cuban customs website states that mobile phones are allowed. From what I have read, people have not had problems with iPhones..

10-23-2013, 05:47 PM	#7
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Leo315 I'm traveling to Cuba in Dec and am looking for a way to geotag my photos. Cuba does not permit geotagging devices. I understand that there are smartphone apps that once you sync to the time on your camera, you can then sync up later in Lightroom to geotag your photos. Does anyone have any current experience/recommendations with these apps? Basically you want an app which will write a .gpx file. For Android I use Google My Tracks, but there are many others. Once you've got the time and location data in a gpx file there are many free programs which will synch your photos to the recorded tracks, usually quite intelligently, allowing for the inevitable offset between the camera and GPS clocks. For PC Geosetter is the one that I use - it overlays the photo locations onto Google maps and lets you fine tweak the positioning and lots more. For track editing GPS Track Editor is very good but it uses only Openstreetmap maps. It has some clever filter functions to clean up the inevitable scatter and rogue points. GPS built into smartphones is usually not as good as a dedicated GPS logger - in my experience smartphones seem to lose lock quite easily and can take a long time to re-acquire. I usually use the Holux M-241 GPS logger in preference.

10-23-2013, 07:39 PM	#8
Leo315 New Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: New York, NY Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by kh1234567890 Basically you want an app which will write a .gpx file. For Android I use Google My Tracks, but there are many others. Once you've got the time and location data in a gpx file there are many free programs which will synch your photos to the recorded tracks, usually quite intelligently, allowing for the inevitable offset between the camera and GPS clocks. For PC Geosetter is the one that I use - it overlays the photo locations onto Google maps and lets you fine tweak the positioning and lots more. For track editing GPS Track Editor is very good but it uses only Openstreetmap maps. It has some clever filter functions to clean up the inevitable scatter and rogue points. GPS built into smartphones is usually not as good as a dedicated GPS logger - in my experience smartphones seem to lose lock quite easily and can take a long time to re-acquire. I usually use the Holux M-241 GPS logger in preference. Thanks for the info. I think I've got it narrowed down to 3 Apps for the iPhone that have the highest number and best reviews. They are each $4 or less. The 3 are MotionX , Geotag Photos, and gps4cam Pro. One of the things I'd like to find out in addition to accuracy is if there is a difference in battery draw on the iPhone, as I am likely to be out shooting all day. If anyone has any experience with any of these, please let me know.

10-23-2013, 07:51 PM	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by Leo315 Thanks for the info. I think I've got it narrowed down to 3 Apps for the iPhone that have the highest number and best reviews. They are each $4 or less. The 3 are MotionX , Geotag Photos, and gps4cam Pro. One of the things I'd like to find out in addition to accuracy is if there is a difference in battery draw on the iPhone, as I am likely to be out shooting all day. If anyone has any experience with any of these, please let me know. GPS is definitely a battery draw on any phone. Don't iPhones or any phones geotag anytime you take a picture (if you want)? You could just make a point to take a phone pic at each shooting location, although it would be more work to extract the data later and sync it to your other shots...

10-24-2013, 12:19 AM	#10
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084	Originally posted by Leo315 Thanks for the info. I think I've got it narrowed down to 3 Apps for the iPhone that have the highest number and best reviews. They are each $4 or less. The 3 are MotionX . Hmm, I have MotionX but didn't realise you could use it for geotagging. I'll have to have a look at it.

10-24-2013, 01:33 PM	#11
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Given the current usurious Canadian mobile phone rates for international roaming, there is no way I could afford turning on my cell phone in Cuba let alone using it for GPS tracking. Jack

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-24-2013, 01:34 PM	#12
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	Originally posted by jbinpg Given the current usurious Canadian mobile phone rates for international roaming, there is no way I could afford turning on my cell phone in Cuba let alone using it for GPS tracking. Jack At least you can buy Cuban cigars.

10-24-2013, 01:44 PM	#13
Leo315 New Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: New York, NY Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by jbinpg Given the current usurious Canadian mobile phone rates for international roaming, there is no way I could afford turning on my cell phone in Cuba let alone using it for GPS tracking. Jack From what I understand, the Apps I am considering work as if it's a standalone GPS and therefore there are no roaming charges. They can work in the background with the phone on sleep.

10-24-2013, 01:46 PM	#14
Leo315 New Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: New York, NY Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead At least you can buy Cuban cigars But I've got to smoke them in Cuba as they can't be brought into the States.

10-24-2013, 10:57 PM	#15
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by vonBaloney GPS is definitely a battery draw on any phone. Don't iPhones or any phones geotag anytime you take a picture (if you want)? You could just make a point to take a phone pic at each shooting location, although it would be more work to extract the data later and sync it to your other shots... No it isn't. I use a freeware GPS Logger II app on an old Blackberry phone and it doesn't drain the battery to any signifianct degree over normal phone usage. GPSLogger II Homepage - 100% free Software for BlackBerry