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MC-35 GPS adapter

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sjstremb

sjstremb

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OK, so I have the D2X and I purchase the very pricy Nikon MC-35 GPS adapter, and I also own the Garmin eTrex Legend CX GPS that Nikon mentions, but..

The Nikon MC-35 is a 9 pin serial (male) and the eTrex is a 5 pin mini USB. How do I connect these without four different cable that exceed 20' in length. I just got back from CompUSA and they tried to sell me:

1. a female to female serial cable 10 ft.
2. a serial to USB adapter
3. a USB male to female cord 6 ft.
4. a USB to USB mini cable 3 ft.

There has got to be an easier way to do this, any help out there?

I called Nikon and they said its up to Garmin and they have no plan for a GPS adapter that uses USB.

Stan
Saint Louis
 
You may be out of luck. I don't think there is a way to convert from the Garmin USB port to the MC-35 9-pin serial.

Typically, you need a GPS with a serial port built in. Many of the smaller (less $$$) Garmin GPS units have USB only it seems. The larger (more $$$) Gamin's usually have a round 4-pin serial/power port, along with a mini USB, that you can buy a cable for (4-pin round Garmin connector to standard 9-pin serial port).

For what its worth, I have a GPS 60c, but not the MC-35 cable. I found it cheaper to pick up a Sony GPS-CS1 to carry with me and merge the data after I download and process on my PC (I shoot RAW, then create my JPG and merge the data). You may other needs and require the immediate data to be stored within the captured image.

--
  • Chuck
http://www.pbase.com/csimet
 
sjstremb said:
OK, so I have the D2X and I purchase the very pricy Nikon MC-35 GPS
adapter, and I also own the Garmin eTrex Legend CX GPS that Nikon
mentions
Click to expand...
Nikon mentions Garmin eTrex - but this is a newer one with USB only.

As said before you need a device with a serial RS-232 connector. So if you want a newer one (with far better Sirf III GPS chipset) there is only little choice because usually newer devices have now USB instead of serial connectors. The Garmin GPSMAP 60 or 76 might be the one you should look for - or e.g. one of the older Garmin Legends or Vistas with b&w and not color screen (however not such a good GPS receiver chipset).

An alternative would be to use a so-called GPS-mouse with serial adapter cable. However you need an additional 5 Volt power supply for it.
Werner
 
Chuck, I just ordered it from my local dealer here in STL, it took two months, but I did get it.

Sounds like a need to buy another GPS if I want to do this, any recommendations for a cheap GPS that will work with the MC-35?

Stan
 
If you want to stick to Garmin (my personal preference, Magellan is another option, but I dislike their serial interface connector - too clumsy), try looking here...

http://www.garmin.com/outdoor/products.html#basic

...and make sure it lists the serial cable (I stated above) as an option and that it has a "RS232 with NMEA" interface listed. I think all current Garmin GPS units have the round 4-pin connector when they have the built-in serial interface. Heck, you may even be able to pickup a used one (eBay) - say an old GPS III, IV or V, but the battery life stinks on those and I'm not sure about the NEMA output levels (see next).

You may have to verify that the unit outputs NEMA code to a specific level (as required by your camera), but most do or you can upgrade the firmware.

Hope that helps.

--
  • Chuck
http://www.pbase.com/csimet
 
The cheapest would be a GPS mouse (~$50) plus RS-232 adapter cable and some battery supplying 5 volt. This way you can get a good Sirf III receiver.

Cheapest Garmin would be the eTrex (Garmin part number 010-00190-00; ~$100) plus optional PC Interface Cable (010-10206-00). However (like mentioned before) it's with an old GPS chipset with compared to up-to-date Sirf III chipsets poor performance.
Werner
 
Either this GPS mouse is always on - which drains the camera battery a lot - or it's only turned on only when the camera's metering system is on.However nowadays I would never use the shown GPS receiver! With current Sirf III powering on with the camera metering system works quite well.
But you can also make a setup like I showed here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=21380637

Personally I prefer my wireless RS-232 - but I'm working on a Bluetooth solution too because people unfortunately prefer this more...
Werner
 
csimet said:
See this thread...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=16593800

...interesting, cheap, small and "to the point"! ;-)

Receiver can be had here...

http://www.provantage.com/garmin-010-00321-54~7GRMN038.htm

...for

--
  • Chuck
Click to expand...
I would advise using a stand alone handheld GPS which has its own display and use its own battery.

That way you always know what is going on, e.g. if it is not getting a lock, and you will not drain the camera battery in any way.
 
sjstremb said:
OK, so I have the D2X and I purchase the very pricy Nikon MC-35 GPS
adapter, and I also own the Garmin eTrex Legend CX GPS that Nikon
mentions, but..

The Nikon MC-35 is a 9 pin serial (male) and the eTrex is a 5 pin
mini USB. How do I connect these without four different cable that
exceed 20' in length. I just got back from CompUSA and they tried
to sell me:

1. a female to female serial cable 10 ft.
2. a serial to USB adapter
3. a USB male to female cord 6 ft.
4. a USB to USB mini cable 3 ft.
Click to expand...
The person who even suggested the set up is nuts!
 
d70_europe said:
Either this GPS mouse is always on - which drains the camera
battery a lot - or it's only turned on only when the camera's
metering system is on.However nowadays I would never use the shown
GPS receiver! With current Sirf III powering on with the camera
metering system works quite well.
But you can also make a setup like I showed here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=21380637
Personally I prefer my wireless RS-232 - but I'm working on a
Bluetooth solution too because people unfortunately prefer this
more...
Werner
Click to expand...
I would not use a GPS that is powered by the camera when the metering is on. Remember when GPS is turned off, it will take time to get lock again when you turn it on again, which can be 10-15 seconds or minutes or more. You would have missed the shot!
So the GPS must be on and have lock all the time between shots.
Powering from the camera all the time is not an option either.
So these have to be consdiered when you take that path.
 
Hi,

I've already developed a bluetooth module for GPS via bluetooth for Nikon cameras.

check it out:



it's only 2x2 cm, very light and sits directly on the 10-pin socket.

it normally uses less than 10mA during normal operation (shortly up to 40mA during connection setup)

connecting to a bluetooth GPS normally takes about 1-3 seconds, and it should work with almost any bluetooth GPS receiver (I'm testing with a GR-236)
There is a 2.5mm Jack for remote releases (homebuilt or from Canon)

I have now finalized my tests and my design, so I can start producing in the next few days. The first batch should be ready as early as the end of January.

Anyone interested should contact me...
[email protected]

I also have a very nifty cabled setup for sale, with a modified Holux GR-236 and a custom cable, for those that do not trust fancy wireless protocols such as bluetooth, or of course for those that simply want a cheaper option.

here's an image of it on my D200.



by the way, it does not have to be mounted in the Hot-shoe. I have a piece of velcro underneath the GPS device, and one stuck to a square plastic that sits in the hotshoe. you can of course stick velcro anywhere else, such as the side of a flash, and attach the very light GR-236 there.

many greetings

theFool
 
I am interested in either/both of these adapters (I have a GPSlim236) - duplicate post (apologies - not sure how much you check the board)

If these are available, please private email me.
--
  • wisp
 
theFool

Do you have any anticipated date for the availability of the BT module. The picture looks pretty slick and I am sure that others are anxious to give it a go. If you can post an update we would appreciate it.

Thanks, Aquia33
 
Post occasional update info for future marketable BlueTooth Adapter and Bluetooth GPS related questions.
Pros and cons of GPS Bluetooth ?

Recommended compatible Bluetooth GPS Units for proposed Camera Bluetooth Adapter....basic to deluxe...
 
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