Alternatives to the Nikon GP-1 (GPS attachment)

[Douglas Spaulding]

I find I will need (well...at least would like) some kind of GPS unit to attach to my D5200 for a long-term project. The Nikon GP-1, in addition to be a bit pricey, has not exactly garnered rave reviews in the posts I have read. Of course, your mileage may vary...

Can anyone recommend an alternative unit that is compatible with the D5200, preferably draws power from it's own battery (though this is not a deal breaker), has performed well in the field, and costs less than the GP-1?

With thanks,

Douglas Spaulding

 

[muisejt]

if you have a smart phone you can log the GPS data on the phone then sync it to the photos afterwards

Geotag Photos Pro for iPhone and Android

Add GPS capabilities to your camera for the fraction the cost of dedicated GPX logger.

www.geotagphotos.net

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gps4cam.com

 

[bclaff]

I've had very good luck with DawnTech products.

I suggest the Eco ProSumer M ($144 US) There are other models you might prefer.

Uses very little battery power, works perfectly.

 

[Douglas Spaulding]

Muisejt:

You are certainly correct. However, if you cell phone battery dies, or you are in a "dead signal" region, as I frequently am, this could be problematic. Still, thank you for your response.

 

[Lancaster]

However, if you cell phone battery dies, or you are in a "dead signal" region, as I frequently am, this could be problematic.

I can't speak for all phone makers but the GPS in Android phones and tablets operates separate from the phone so loss of signal is not an issue.

You can work around the short phone battery life by picking up even a cheap handheld hiking GPS unit. They are set up to run much longer than most phones. As long as the unit can export a Track Log (usually in GPX format - but others work) you can easily match locations with photos. Probably the easiest method is in Lightroom.

I work internationally quite a bit in humanitarian disaster areas and I find the hiking unit approach works best for me because it is almost always on when I am out and about and automatically recording a Track Log. The phone works well as long as you remember to launch the GPS tracking software which for me is infuriatingly difficult to remember to do.

 

[Douglas Spaulding]

Rick:

Thanks for information the GPX format. I use Lightroom (v4)so this is a very attractive alternative to a camera-mounted device. I will do some research.

Safe travels.

 

[rlyons]

Muisejt:

You are certainly correct. However, if you cell phone battery dies, or you are in a "dead signal" region, as I frequently am, this could be problematic. Still, thank you for your response.

Seriously, don't discount the smartphone option.

I researched heavily into getting a GPS and ultimately landed on... wait for it... my iPhone.

Syncing the GPX track is dead simple and your iPhone (or whatever smartphone you have) does not require a cell signal or wifi to track your location. I've also found that the free app "Trails" in the app store is also very simple to use and does an excellent job.

Camera mounted GPS receivers are all plagued in one way or another. They either are horribly expensive (Nikon), or take forever to lock a GPS signal (all of them), or drain camera batteries (all of them) or don't work indoors (all of them) or have some other limitation.

Using your phone doesn't require you to add bulk to your camera or pack, is a better GPS tracker than most GPS trackers (since it'll also use wifi and cell towers if GPS can't be locked), works decently indoors and it's something you have with you always, anyways.

You could get a handheld GPS unit and use that, sure. But that's another device that you have to track, turn on/off, keep charged or bring spare batteries for, it also doesn't have cell or wifi as backup if you're indoors or heavily wooded area or..., etc.

I used my phone on my last 9 hour photo outing and started w/ battery at 83% and ended with battery at 71%. The new backgrounding of apps on iOS makes for very gentle use of the battery on your phone while keeping very good track of where you are. I also ended up with a GPS file with over 500 GPS points, more than enough to accurately track my location (usually when taking a photo you're stopped for long enough that there will be a track for that exact spot). Sync the GPX file to the images using any number of ways and done.

Your cost to try the smartphone option is zero if you use "Trails" or similar. There's also free syncing software or Aperture (and Lightroom, I think) will do it.

 

[bclaff]

Muisejt:

You are certainly correct. However, if you cell phone battery dies, or you are in a "dead signal" region, as I frequently am, this could be problematic. Still, thank you for your response.

Camera mounted GPS receivers are all plagued in one way or another. They either are horribly expensive (Nikon), or take forever to lock a GPS signal (all of them), or drain camera batteries (all of them) or don't work indoors (all of them) or have some other limitation.

I've never had these issues with either of my units.

 

[Douglas Spaulding]

rlyon:

A very persuasive and cogent response. My major concern was battery life and ability to match location "feedback" I receive (if that makes any sense) with the particular photographs I took at that location. However, your response (and those of others) suggests this is not a problem.

Per your advice, I will look online and see what kind of "trail" apps are available more my Android phone.

Thanks for sharing your expertise and experience!

 

[MHL10]

I have been very happy with the Foolography Unleashed on my Nikon D-90. I have the earlier Holux M-1000C GPS. The Unleashed fits perfectly on the D90. The M-1000C GPS syncs relatively quickly, then I just leave it on all day. The pictures are immediately/automatically tagged in camera with GPS coordinates. The GPS doesn't drain the camera (just charge overnight). The Unleashed drain on the camera battery is insignificant. The GPS is small enough to fit into an outer pocket on a camera bag, or even a shirt/jacket pocket. Pricier than using a phone, but much more convenient. I'm not sure how their newer models fit newer cameras.

 

[Tx63Wolf]

Your cellular signal, data signal and gps signal are three completely different signals that your phone gets. You're probably still getting your gps signal, even when you're not getting your data signal.

 

[NNL]

I was wondering the same thing (though for the D3100)! I like to geotag my photos from vacations, so maybe next time I'll look into using my phone.

 

[Bengt Nyman]

After having tried essentially all alternatives and brands to record GPS data to a Nikon camera, my final choice, and recommendation, is to use the Nikon GP-1 (or an Eco di.GPS with locking nut by Dawn Technology) and set the Nikon custom setting c2 "standby timer" to infinity = No limit, and carry an extra camera battery just in case.

I find this more effective than using third party GPS units with built in batteries requiring separate charging between uses.

 

[djmorgan]

I find this product very good and reliable, camera driven

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www.aokatec.com

 

[Barleyman]

Two of the things that frustrate me about Nikon are the GPS and the WiFi (don't get me started). I have an Olympus TG4 I use for scuba diving, and the GPS works great. Embedded in the camera, and always on. It even remembers where you were so if you go indoors, or underwater, it logs the last GPS coordinate it had. Works great when I need to log my dives, I know exactly where the dive site was.

I wish (Nikon are you listening?), that the Bluetooth, WiFi, or NFC in the camera would just connect to the phone in my pocket and pull the GPS coordinates. No extra expense, just a matter of programming on Nikon's part.

My hesitancy on a GPS unit has really been about bulk, and it getting in the way.

 

[chowdll]

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www.letspinout.com

It is bluetooth based, and works flawlessly on my Df.

 

[kenmo]

Never heard of this GPS. I must do some research. Many thanks...

 

[Barleyman]

https://www.letspinout.com

It is bluetooth based, and works flawlessly on my Df.

I just got mine and It Works!

This device/dongle connects into the GPS plug on your camera, and is pretty small. It uses Bluetooth to communicate with your Phone (Android or Apple). You must install an App, and the app communicates to the camera through Bluetooth. It gives you Remote Shutter, timed release , geo logging, geo tracking, time lapse, distance lapse, star trail, and Long Exposure and even will time sync your camera's clock with the satellite.

Make sure when you order you get the "Pro Kit" or the "Full Kit". The "Basic Kit" does not have GPS tagging.

The only difficulty in the install was finding the serial number for the Pro Upgrade. It's behind a peel back page in the instruction manual. RTFM!!