Problem with O-GPS1 on K3-3

**longbo** · 08-26-2022, 01:28 AM

I'm on holiday in India - first long trip since the Covid lock-down - so I took my GPS unit with me. When I fitted it to my K3-3 the camera didn't recognise that it was fitted. I've switched things on and off, fitted a new battery in the GPS, but no response. The GPS seems to be working - when I turn it on, the blue light blinks for a while, then goes solid blue.

The GPS menu item under Setup in the camera menu is greyed out.

I can't test the GPS till I get home, but in the meantime, am I missing something simple? Has anyone else had any problem using the GPS with a K3-3? [I'm not sure I've ever used my GPS with my K3-3 before, since Covid stopped me going anywhere with it!]

Any help appreciated.

Last edited by longbo; 08-26-2022 at 03:29 AM.

AfterPentax Mark II · 08-26-2022, 01:53 AM

Originally posted by longbo

I'm on holiday in India - first long trip since the Covid lock-down - so I took my GPS unit with me. When I fitted it to my K3-3 the camera didn't recognise that it was fitted. I've switched things on and off, fitted a new battery in the GPS, but no response. The GPS seems to be working - when I turn it on, the blue light blinks for a while, then goes solid blue.

The GPS menu item under Setup in the camera menu is greyed out.

I can't test the GPS till I get home, but in the meantime, am I missing something simple? Has anyone else had any problem using the GPS with a K3-3? [I'm not sure I've ever used my HPS with my K3-3 before, since Civid stopped me going anywhere with it!]

Any help appreciated.

Did you select Astrotracer in menu 4 to make it work?

Medex · 08-26-2022, 02:27 AM

You can even do not use OGPS-1 because K-3 m3 supports GPS-less astrotracer function after firmware update.

slartibartfast01 · 08-26-2022, 02:55 AM

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

Did you select Astrotracer in menu 4 to make it work?

He might just want to use the GPS function not astrotracer...

**longbo** · 08-26-2022, 03:06 AM

Hi thanks for the replies.

Yes, Slartibartfast01 is right, I just wanted the GPS function so I know the locations of my shots when I get home with hundreds.

The menu does allow me to select any of the astrotracer options, but of course only the final option, which doesn't require GPS, would work. The other options say "enable GPS", so I'm assuming the camera expects to work with GPS if required.

slartibartfast01 · 08-26-2022, 03:11 AM

Originally posted by longbo

Hi thanks for the replies.

Yes, Slartibartfast01 is right, I just wanted the GPS function so I know the locations of my shots when I get home with hundreds.

The menu does allow me to select any of the astrotracer options, but of course only the final option, which doesn't require GPS, would work. The other options say "enable GPS", so I'm assuming the camera expects to work with GPS if required.

Is the GPS unit properly attached to the hot shoe?

**longbo** · 08-26-2022, 03:31 AM

Yes, as far as I can tell. I've taken it on and off and reseated it several times, with no effect.

slartibartfast01 · 08-26-2022, 03:54 AM

Originally posted by longbo

Yes, as far as I can tell. I've taken it on and off and reseated it several times, with no effect.

It should just work. Have you engaged the contacts with the lever? I can't think of anything else.

biz-engineer · 08-26-2022, 05:19 AM - **1 Like**

You have two devices supposed to work together.

Is the GPS unit not working?

Or the camera GPS function not working?
How to know?
- Try GPS with another camera.
- Try camera with another GPS.

**longbo** · 08-26-2022, 05:45 AM

Thanks. I can definitely try the GPS with another camera, but not until I get home. I don't have access to another GPS, so unless I'm lucky enough to meet a fellow Pentaxian on my travels, I'm stuck atm.

I had just hoped there was something daft that I was missing - it would be annoying to get home and I could have had it working, if only!

It begins to look as though there's nothing I can do at the moment. I'm on firmware 1.41 - can anyone confirm that the GPS definitely works with a K3-3 with that firmware version, please?

**UncleVanya** · 08-26-2022, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by longbo

Any help appreciated.

Use your smartphone and image sync app. You can sync the gps data over Bluetooth - at least that’s what has been reported by others.

K3-III and GPS question: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

It’s not without some headaches and complexities but it is a partial solution and maybe the only one you have while on the trip.

**longbo** · 08-26-2022, 06:00 AM

Thanks Uncle Vanya. Yes that definitely does work, I've used it at home and you get the GPS coords when you use Imagesync.

I try to avoid turning my phone on when I'm somewhere like India, to avoid unnecessary roaming charges when I get unwanted calls or texts!

**UncleVanya** · 08-26-2022, 06:21 AM

Originally posted by longbo

Thanks Uncle Vanya. Yes that definitely does work, I've used it at home and you get the GPS coords when you use Imagesync.

I try to avoid turning my phone on when I'm somewhere like India, to avoid unnecessary roaming charges when I get unwanted calls or texts!

You may be able to turn on airplane mode, then enable Bluetooth and cellular data and turn cellular back off after it gets GPS assist. Then disable it, and only enable it again when your in a new location.

**AstroDave** · 08-26-2022, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by longbo

I try to avoid turning my phone on when I'm somewhere like India, to avoid unnecessary roaming charges when I get unwanted calls or texts!

Try aiplane mode. A quick 'net search indicates (unaided) GPS still works if the phone is in airplane mode.

I am a relatively recent user of a smart phone, so I don't know if you will get some kind of charge for call/text attempts even if in airplane mode.

Uncle Vanya beat me to it!

cpobuttons · 08-26-2022, 06:48 AM - **1 Like**

I just mounted the o-gps 1 to my K3-3 and tested it and in the tools menu the gps is also greyed out. But if you mount the gps to your camera turn it on and wait until the camera indicates the gps is tracking take a photo and review it you should see the icon on the left hand middle of the screen indicating gps data recorded...

08-26-2022, 01:28 AM	#1
longbo Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 98	Problem with O-GPS1 on K3-3 I'm on holiday in India - first long trip since the Covid lock-down - so I took my GPS unit with me. When I fitted it to my K3-3 the camera didn't recognise that it was fitted. I've switched things on and off, fitted a new battery in the GPS, but no response. The GPS seems to be working - when I turn it on, the blue light blinks for a while, then goes solid blue. The GPS menu item under Setup in the camera menu is greyed out. I can't test the GPS till I get home, but in the meantime, am I missing something simple? Has anyone else had any problem using the GPS with a K3-3? [I'm not sure I've ever used my GPS with my K3-3 before, since Covid stopped me going anywhere with it!] Any help appreciated. Last edited by longbo; 08-26-2022 at 03:29 AM.

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08-26-2022, 01:53 AM	#2
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,462	Originally posted by longbo I'm on holiday in India - first long trip since the Covid lock-down - so I took my GPS unit with me. When I fitted it to my K3-3 the camera didn't recognise that it was fitted. I've switched things on and off, fitted a new battery in the GPS, but no response. The GPS seems to be working - when I turn it on, the blue light blinks for a while, then goes solid blue. The GPS menu item under Setup in the camera menu is greyed out. I can't test the GPS till I get home, but in the meantime, am I missing something simple? Has anyone else had any problem using the GPS with a K3-3? [I'm not sure I've ever used my HPS with my K3-3 before, since Civid stopped me going anywhere with it!] Any help appreciated. Did you select Astrotracer in menu 4 to make it work?

08-26-2022, 02:27 AM	#3
Medex Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vilnius Posts: 1,020	You can even do not use OGPS-1 because K-3 m3 supports GPS-less astrotracer function after firmware update.

08-26-2022, 02:55 AM	#4
slartibartfast01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,931	Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II Did you select Astrotracer in menu 4 to make it work? He might just want to use the GPS function not astrotracer...

08-26-2022, 03:06 AM	#5
longbo Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 98 Original Poster	Hi thanks for the replies. Yes, Slartibartfast01 is right, I just wanted the GPS function so I know the locations of my shots when I get home with hundreds. The menu does allow me to select any of the astrotracer options, but of course only the final option, which doesn't require GPS, would work. The other options say "enable GPS", so I'm assuming the camera expects to work with GPS if required.

08-26-2022, 03:11 AM	#6
slartibartfast01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,931	Originally posted by longbo Hi thanks for the replies. Yes, Slartibartfast01 is right, I just wanted the GPS function so I know the locations of my shots when I get home with hundreds. The menu does allow me to select any of the astrotracer options, but of course only the final option, which doesn't require GPS, would work. The other options say "enable GPS", so I'm assuming the camera expects to work with GPS if required. Is the GPS unit properly attached to the hot shoe?

08-26-2022, 03:31 AM	#7
longbo Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 98 Original Poster	Yes, as far as I can tell. I've taken it on and off and reseated it several times, with no effect.

08-26-2022, 03:54 AM	#8
slartibartfast01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,931	Originally posted by longbo Yes, as far as I can tell. I've taken it on and off and reseated it several times, with no effect. It should just work. Have you engaged the contacts with the lever? I can't think of anything else.

08-26-2022, 05:19 AM - 1 Like	#9
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	You have two devices supposed to work together. Is the GPS unit not working? Or the camera GPS function not working? How to know? - Try GPS with another camera. - Try camera with another GPS.

08-26-2022, 05:45 AM	#10
longbo Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 98 Original Poster	Thanks. I can definitely try the GPS with another camera, but not until I get home. I don't have access to another GPS, so unless I'm lucky enough to meet a fellow Pentaxian on my travels, I'm stuck atm. I had just hoped there was something daft that I was missing - it would be annoying to get home and I could have had it working, if only! It begins to look as though there's nothing I can do at the moment. I'm on firmware 1.41 - can anyone confirm that the GPS definitely works with a K3-3 with that firmware version, please?

08-26-2022, 05:48 AM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by longbo Any help appreciated. Use your smartphone and image sync app. You can sync the gps data over Bluetooth - at least that’s what has been reported by others. K3-III and GPS question: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review It’s not without some headaches and complexities but it is a partial solution and maybe the only one you have while on the trip.

08-26-2022, 06:00 AM	#12
longbo Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 98 Original Poster	Thanks Uncle Vanya. Yes that definitely does work, I've used it at home and you get the GPS coords when you use Imagesync. I try to avoid turning my phone on when I'm somewhere like India, to avoid unnecessary roaming charges when I get unwanted calls or texts!

08-26-2022, 06:21 AM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by longbo Thanks Uncle Vanya. Yes that definitely does work, I've used it at home and you get the GPS coords when you use Imagesync. I try to avoid turning my phone on when I'm somewhere like India, to avoid unnecessary roaming charges when I get unwanted calls or texts! You may be able to turn on airplane mode, then enable Bluetooth and cellular data and turn cellular back off after it gets GPS assist. Then disable it, and only enable it again when your in a new location.

08-26-2022, 06:25 AM	#14
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,637	Originally posted by longbo I try to avoid turning my phone on when I'm somewhere like India, to avoid unnecessary roaming charges when I get unwanted calls or texts! Try aiplane mode. A quick 'net search indicates (unaided) GPS still works if the phone is in airplane mode. I am a relatively recent user of a smart phone, so I don't know if you will get some kind of charge for call/text attempts even if in airplane mode. Uncle Vanya beat me to it!

08-26-2022, 06:48 AM - 1 Like	#15
cpobuttons Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Norwich, Ct Posts: 139	I just mounted the o-gps 1 to my K3-3 and tested it and in the tools menu the gps is also greyed out. But if you mount the gps to your camera turn it on and wait until the camera indicates the gps is tracking take a photo and review it you should see the icon on the left hand middle of the screen indicating gps data recorded...