GPS connector: bluetooth -> serial port plug -> camera?

[VJ]

Hello,

I'm doing some long term planning here, and am wondering whether the following combination is possible to provide a gps input to a gps compatible camera (i.e. D2x).

1. use a bluetooth-compatible GPS

2. use a bluetooth to serial port plug, such as: http://www.free2move.se/prod_spp.htm (there are numerous others)

3. connect that bluetooth serial port plug to the camera (as one would connect a GPS

The serial port plug mentioned in 2. claims that it just acts as a wireless cable, and that no drivers are needed. As the bluetooth GPS offers a serial port protocol, I would think that this could be used to transmit the data to the port plug, which translates it back to a regular serial data stream and passes it on the the camera.

It would offer 2 advantages:
1. no big GPS connected via cable to the camera (only the small port plug)
2. I could use a Garmin GPS/PocketPC I'm looking at...

So, any idea whether this would work?

Thanks!

Jörg

 

[kaz911]

Hey - I want one of those ;-) -

anybody - does it work?

Hello,

I'm doing some long term planning here, and am wondering whether
the following combination is possible to provide a gps input to a
gps compatible camera (i.e. D2x).

1. use a bluetooth-compatible GPS
2. use a bluetooth to serial port plug, such as:
http://www.free2move.se/prod_spp.htm (there are numerous others)
3. connect that bluetooth serial port plug to the camera (as one
would connect a GPS

The serial port plug mentioned in 2. claims that it just acts as a
wireless cable, and that no drivers are needed. As the bluetooth
GPS offers a serial port protocol, I would think that this could be
used to transmit the data to the port plug, which translates it
back to a regular serial data stream and passes it on the the
camera.

It would offer 2 advantages:
1. no big GPS connected via cable to the camera (only the small
port plug)
2. I could use a Garmin GPS/PocketPC I'm looking at...

So, any idea whether this would work?

Thanks!

Jörg

 

[kaz911]

It seems like all the plugs I can find require power on Pin 9 for it to work - else they require external AC adaptors. .-(

best

Kasper

Hello,

I'm doing some long term planning here, and am wondering whether
the following combination is possible to provide a gps input to a
gps compatible camera (i.e. D2x).

1. use a bluetooth-compatible GPS
2. use a bluetooth to serial port plug, such as:
http://www.free2move.se/prod_spp.htm (there are numerous others)
3. connect that bluetooth serial port plug to the camera (as one
would connect a GPS

The serial port plug mentioned in 2. claims that it just acts as a
wireless cable, and that no drivers are needed. As the bluetooth
GPS offers a serial port protocol, I would think that this could be
used to transmit the data to the port plug, which translates it
back to a regular serial data stream and passes it on the the
camera.

It would offer 2 advantages:
1. no big GPS connected via cable to the camera (only the small
port plug)
2. I could use a Garmin GPS/PocketPC I'm looking at...

So, any idea whether this would work?

Thanks!

Jörg

 

[VJ]

These are battery powered:
http://www.datasoft.se/Batterysolution9V.htm

http://www.inventel.com/fr/product/datasheet/24/Inventel_BlueAirPlug_Port_S érie_RS_232.

Also, I found on some forums that there could be modifications to make the free2move I posted before work with a battery.

So power is not a problem... Although it does remove advantage of the compactness.

Jörg

 

[Thom Hogan]

The serial port plug mentioned in 2.

The D2x/D2hs support GPS through USB, which is not serial. I believe the Nikon GPS cable is required, as it must be doing something to convert serial input to USB. I would assume that if you could present a correct serial stream to the end of the Nikon cable, it would work (and then you could shorten the Nikon cable to make it more "wireless"). But you've got a lot of conversions going on in your chain. I'd think it easier to build a USB bluetooth receiver.

--
Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide & Nikon Flash Guide
editor, Nikon DSLR Report
author, Complete Guides: D70, D100, D1 series, D2h, S2 Pro
http://www.bythom.com

 

[Andreas Berglund]

it says in the specs that the GPS has to be standard NMEA and that means that pretty much all GPS's should work. (in theory)

BTW I have a GPS for my pocket PC, it has the advantage that it can be converted to both USB, serial and Bluetooth with adapters you can buy to it check it out it comes from Pharos ( http://www.pharosgps.com/products/compactflash/PT300.htm ). I bought Microsoft Pocket streets with the basic GPS in it with the software at Fry's for $99, unbelievable deal. The added the bluethooth adapter to it

Withthis setup i can use it wirth both my PC laptop, Paocket PC and I hope with my D2x as well

andreas

Hello,

I'm doing some long term planning here, and am wondering whether
the following combination is possible to provide a gps input to a
gps compatible camera (i.e. D2x).

1. use a bluetooth-compatible GPS
2. use a bluetooth to serial port plug, such as:
http://www.free2move.se/prod_spp.htm (there are numerous others)
3. connect that bluetooth serial port plug to the camera (as one
would connect a GPS

The serial port plug mentioned in 2. claims that it just acts as a
wireless cable, and that no drivers are needed. As the bluetooth
GPS offers a serial port protocol, I would think that this could be
used to transmit the data to the port plug, which translates it
back to a regular serial data stream and passes it on the the
camera.

It would offer 2 advantages:
1. no big GPS connected via cable to the camera (only the small
port plug)
2. I could use a Garmin GPS/PocketPC I'm looking at...

So, any idea whether this would work?

Thanks!

Jörg

--
Andréas Berglund
delapsus resurgam
(email and equipment in profile)

 

[VJ]

The serial port plug mentioned in 2.

The D2x/D2hs support GPS through USB, which is not serial. I
believe the Nikon GPS cable is required, as it must be doing
something to convert serial input to USB.

Are you sure? I don't mean to question you (I have learnt a lot from you website and postings on the forum), but I mean, this is the MC 35 GPS cable:
http://www.europe-nikon.com/category.aspx?countryid=20&languageid=22&catId=92

It shows a 10-pin connector on one end (camera side), and a serial connector on the other end. The description also references to serial ports, so I would think it requires a GPS with a serial port.
Or is there another way of connecting a gps that I'm missing?

The main reason I'm inquiring about it, is that I'm considering the Garmin ique 3600a, but it lacks a serial port (has a USB port though...?). This GPS would be my first choice, but if connecting it to a D2x is not possible, I might go for the Garmin M5 (to be released), which has bluetooth (if that were a viable alternative).

I would assume that if
you could present a correct serial stream to the end of the Nikon
cable, it would work (and then you could shorten the Nikon cable to
make it more "wireless").

Yes, that would be my idea as well (the "transmission" media wouldn't matter, as long as it digitally is the same).

But you've got a lot of conversions going
on in your chain. I'd think it easier to build a USB bluetooth
receiver.

Could you elaborate on this?
(I'm a bit lost now...)

Jörg

 

[sonyprofessional]

The main reason I'm inquiring about it, is that I'm considering the
Garmin ique 3600a, but it lacks a serial port (has a USB port
though...?).

I'm no GPS expert, but my Magellan Meridian has a serial port and even comes with a cable. Too bad I can't connect it to my D100. One more reason to get a D2X

Unless you have a good reason for choosing Garmin (you probably do), you should also consider Magellan (www.magellangps.com).

Good luck!

Jarle

 

[VJ]

Unless you have a good reason for choosing Garmin (you probably
do), you should also consider Magellan (www.magellangps.com).

Garmin also has models which have a serial port, but I'm specifically looking at models suited for general aviation. I'm currently in PPL (private pilot license) -training, and intend to get a GPS as soon as I get my license. I might as well make sure that that GPS can be connected to a D2x (or similar), as it is high on my wish list.

So the GPS should be rated for aviation and have the ability to display Jeppesen aviation maps. While this limits my choice, I know Garmin has some other models (i.e. the GPSmap 296) that suit these criteria AND have a serial port, but the 3600a (and M5) are less than half the price of the 296 and seem to offer more features for me (I don't need the marine feature of the 296 ).

(but I still keep the 296 in my mind as "plan B", allthough it would be much cheaper to then just go for a 3600a and a simple GPS for camera-use)

Jörg

 

[VJ]

be converted to both USB, serial and Bluetooth with adapters you
can buy to it check it out it comes from Pharos
( http://www.pharosgps.com/products/compactflash/PT300.htm ). I

Euhm, couldn't you just get the serial port adapter?


Jörg

 

[Gary Ratay]

The iQue 3600 does not have a GPS out. I don't know if they changed this in the M5.

Gary

 

[Web Begole]

Just adding a little bit of hope (I hope)...

I use a SocketBlue connector for the tuning module in my car. Basically the same idea, converts serial to bluetooth so I dont have wires everywhere while I'm trying to drive. It works very well the only problem is that its slower than a direct wired connection -- however if I remember correctly GPS's NMEA(maybe differnt letters) output is only like 4 lines at a time and so you might be alright still. One possible limitation is that if the USB stuff is correct and if Nikon isn't using the NMEA input then the bluetooth adapters might not work. Mine is only for plain-text terminal connections which NMEA is, but other protocols from newer GPS's are not. So just a little bit of info and hope for you, that I use the system and I love it.

Hello,

I'm doing some long term planning here, and am wondering whether
the following combination is possible to provide a gps input to a
gps compatible camera (i.e. D2x).

1. use a bluetooth-compatible GPS
2. use a bluetooth to serial port plug, such as:
http://www.free2move.se/prod_spp.htm (there are numerous others)
3. connect that bluetooth serial port plug to the camera (as one
would connect a GPS

The serial port plug mentioned in 2. claims that it just acts as a
wireless cable, and that no drivers are needed. As the bluetooth
GPS offers a serial port protocol, I would think that this could be
used to transmit the data to the port plug, which translates it
back to a regular serial data stream and passes it on the the
camera.

It would offer 2 advantages:
1. no big GPS connected via cable to the camera (only the small
port plug)
2. I could use a Garmin GPS/PocketPC I'm looking at...

So, any idea whether this would work?

Thanks!

Jörg

--
Web Begole
Proscenium Photography
Capturing the Performing Arts
http://www.prosceniumphoto.com
E-mail: [email protected]

 

[Rick L]

I have a Bluetooth GPS that I bought with my bluetooth capable pda. I think there might be a problem. To connect my pda to my gps, I tell the gps to look for bluetooth signals, then tell it which I want. There is no way that I know to do that with the camera (at least with my D1x, I would also guess with the D2x). So I don't think the camera would know to pick up the gps signal as opposed to any other bluetooth in the area, you need an interface to tell it.

Am I missing something here? I hope so.

Rick

Hello,

I'm doing some long term planning here, and am wondering whether
the following combination is possible to provide a gps input to a
gps compatible camera (i.e. D2x).

1. use a bluetooth-compatible GPS
2. use a bluetooth to serial port plug, such as:
http://www.free2move.se/prod_spp.htm (there are numerous others)
3. connect that bluetooth serial port plug to the camera (as one
would connect a GPS

The serial port plug mentioned in 2. claims that it just acts as a
wireless cable, and that no drivers are needed. As the bluetooth
GPS offers a serial port protocol, I would think that this could be
used to transmit the data to the port plug, which translates it
back to a regular serial data stream and passes it on the the
camera.

It would offer 2 advantages:
1. no big GPS connected via cable to the camera (only the small
port plug)
2. I could use a Garmin GPS/PocketPC I'm looking at...

So, any idea whether this would work?

Thanks!

Jörg

--
Rick L
http://www.pbase.com/ricklawrence/ricksfavorites

 

[bp_968]

Just so you know, when I was working on my VFR rating (PPL) using a GPS unit for navigation was illegal (USA). You can use it, but only after you have your instrument rating. That didn't stop us from playing with them all the time though

Bp

Garmin also has models which have a serial port, but I'm
specifically looking at models suited for general aviation. I'm
currently in PPL (private pilot license) -training, and intend to
get a GPS as soon as I get my license. I might as well make sure
that that GPS can be connected to a D2x (or similar), as it is high
on my wish list.

So the GPS should be rated for aviation and have the ability to
display Jeppesen aviation maps. While this limits my choice, I know
Garmin has some other models (i.e. the GPSmap 296) that suit these
criteria AND have a serial port, but the 3600a (and M5) are less
than half the price of the 296 and seem to offer more features for
me (I don't need the marine feature of the 296 ).
(but I still keep the 296 in my mind as "plan B", allthough it
would be much cheaper to then just go for a 3600a and a simple GPS
for camera-use)

Jörg

 

[Thom Hogan]

Are you sure?

No, I'm not. But USB isn't "serial," so I'm curious as to how the serial NMEA signal from the GPS is getting to the camera in a usable way. The D1 series had a simple RS-232C port and Nikon provided pin-outs for connection. With the D2x we're now entering the camera through the USB and I'd be a little surprised if it was as simple as wiring particular RS-232C pins to particular USB pins. But perhaps it is--perhaps the camera is "reconfiguring" the USB port as serial when set to GPS. Seems strange. There's plenty of room for the old the D1 connector under that second rubber hood.

--
Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide & Nikon Flash Guide
editor, Nikon DSLR Report
author, Complete Guides: D70, D100, D1 series, D2h, S2 Pro
http://www.bythom.com

 

[kaz911]

Hi Thom,

as far as I can see the Connector on the MC-35 connects to the 10 pin connector for the "remote release" port thingy on the front of the camera - and not to an USB port. The 10 pin connector is then "mirrored" on the MC-35 cable for remote release connections. That is actually smart in some ways - since use of GPS is mostly outside - since outdoors we need the rubber flabs for USB and Power connectors CLOSED ;-) The MC-35 then pin's out to a standard RS-232 - so that any RS-232 GPS will work.

Btw. USB can run in serial compatability mode - that is how many old IPAQ and Palm PDA's communicate. That seriously limits data transfers speeds. Its a pretty simple "conversion" but needs to be supported by the "host" hardware - but is usually done with a very very cheap chip.

best

Kasper

Are you sure?

No, I'm not. But USB isn't "serial," so I'm curious as to how the
serial NMEA signal from the GPS is getting to the camera in a
usable way. The D1 series had a simple RS-232C port and Nikon
provided pin-outs for connection. With the D2x we're now entering
the camera through the USB and I'd be a little surprised if it was
as simple as wiring particular RS-232C pins to particular USB pins.
But perhaps it is--perhaps the camera is "reconfiguring" the USB
port as serial when set to GPS. Seems strange. There's plenty of
room for the old the D1 connector under that second rubber hood.

--
Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide & Nikon Flash Guide
editor, Nikon DSLR Report
author, Complete Guides: D70, D100, D1 series, D2h, S2 Pro
http://www.bythom.com

 

[Joe Nieters]

Thom,

If I am not mistaken, USB is in fact serial. After all it is "Universal Serial Bus".

I seem to recall, in the early days of USB, seeing devices that treated the connection very much like an RS-232 link. I tend to compare the protocol to multi-drop (RS-485) rather than RS-232 but it is more complex.

In then end though, it is still serial.

Joe

Are you sure?

No, I'm not. But USB isn't "serial,"......> --

Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide & Nikon Flash Guide
editor, Nikon DSLR Report
author, Complete Guides: D70, D100, D1 series, D2h, S2 Pro
http://www.bythom.com

--
Joe

The Way I See It...

 

[Andreas Berglund]

for me it would be interesting to be able to use one GPS for all my needs, GPS on the boat with the laptop, in the car and hiking with the pocket PC, and then also use it with my D2X

Makes more sense?

be converted to both USB, serial and Bluetooth with adapters you
can buy to it check it out it comes from Pharos
( http://www.pharosgps.com/products/compactflash/PT300.htm ). I

Euhm, couldn't you just get the serial port adapter?


Jörg

--
Andréas Berglund
delapsus resurgam
(email and equipment in profile)

 

[VJ]

as far as I can see the Connector on the MC-35 connects to the 10
pin connector for the "remote release" port thingy on the front of
the camera - and not to an USB port. The 10 pin connector is then
"mirrored" on the MC-35 cable for remote release connections.

Yes, that is also my interpretation of how the MC-35 cable works. So in a way, the RS232 port is combined in the 10 pin connector.

Jörg

 

[VJ]

Just so you know, when I was working on my VFR rating (PPL) using a
GPS unit for navigation was illegal (USA). You can use it, but
only after you have your instrument rating. That didn't stop us
from playing with them all the time though

Hmm, I don't think that is the case here...

To get a VFR rating a GPS cannot be used, but once you have the rating you are free to use one.

But I suspect this should be interpreted as 'use a GPS for backup purposes', so that you still navigate the traditional way, but use a GPS to help you find features in the landscape.

Jörg