Does anybody use an external GPS device?

[Dak on cam]

I have a D750 and when I am doing outdoor photography, GPS tagging is nice to have (for example, letting you prepare trip tracks with photographs).

A GPS device connected to the camera will make sure that the time is correct and that location data is being logged.

On the other hand, the time being right is something you can just do yourself every few months, and it is easy to carry my Garmin Forerunner 310XT (an ancient sports tracker where I replaced the periodically breaking silicone wrist strap with a nylon one).

After any trip where I do that, it is a matter of running "Exiftool" with its "-geotag" option (and a few others) on the GPX file and the image directory, and the missing GPS tags are added to all the image files (in my case, raw files).

Yes, you have to remember carrying the watch and preferably keeping it turned on. But it is on your wrist, doesn't get in the way, doesn't get entangled anywhere, has separate utility. Somehow I doubt that a dedicated camera-specific GPS device would not create more handling hassles than it saves me.

Anybody own one of those, whether Nikon's own GP-1A (in my case) or third-party? Did you plan on using it habitually? Did you end up doing so?

--
Dak

 

[afoton]

the GPS stamp was not really useful - my little grey cells work just as well in remembering time. date and location - time and date is always available in the RAW file

I find the location very useful, not because I don't remember it (at least for a short time.) When maintaining my archive, the location in exif make the workflow very much easier, because I don't have to enter the location for every picture. And coordinates in the archive makes it very easy to find the picture later, I just look it up in a map.

I have used an external GPS device since I used D1X over 20 years ago. Back then it was a bulky Garmin device wired (with a DIY wire) to the camera. Now it I have a compact Holux BT device wireless connected to a tiny (now discontinued) Foolography plug https://www.foolography.com/wp-content/uploads/instructions-en-d200+.pdf

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

That's an interesting vessel you have there in #3. To my eye it looks like a kind of hybrid between open Canadian canoe and a touring kayak. How does she handle? Can you fit a spraydeck to the cockpit?

I have done a lot of the rivers and canals in the UK, also many in France. My favourite for touring or canoe/camping was my sea kayak - almost effortless paddling. Of course, really tricky in white water. I had a traditional open Canadian canoe and a 'fun' ultra short kayak as well.

Hi David,

That kayak is Santee 140 Tandem. It's made of ABS Plastic and weighs only 56 lbs, capacity 425 lbs. One of the best paddle craft I've owned. Like all boats, it has its purpose but white water is not one of them. I like it because it's versatile, light weight and very comfortable. Seats can be removed or adjusted fore & aft when transitioning from tandem to solo. Adjustable foot rests add comfort, also with the thigh pads. Extremely stable and wonderfully responsive, like a sports car. I use two piece carbon fiber paddles which are a charm! Many accessories available from snap-in consoles to tight fitting spraydeck. This hybrid is my choice as a mobile kayak for rivers and small lakes when shooting wildlife, with plenty of room for my gear with or without a passenger.

The other canoe atop my car, Mad River 14', is also a hybrid but capable of rougher water and can deal with a bit of rock pounding. The multi-channeled shallow arch hull design provides smooth tracking for impressive stability & tracking, especially in crosswinds. Tough as nails construction. Comfortable and adjustable seats. Fish rod holders, drink consoles, it's the cat's meow, but heavier.

Beyond all the features, at this point in time, I'm 77 y/o, comfort and handling are my top considerations. I've owned them all in the 70 years I've paddled. First time as a young Boy Scout and it was love at first sight. I can still remember the camp counselor saying "J-stroke, J-stroke."

As long as I can hoist my kayak or canoe atop my car and carry it to the water I'll be happy!

Our Klepper XXL (room for three fully grown humans, or two kids and two adults) takes less room when folded, but weighs a lot more! More than double, with all add-ons! But similar folding kayaks have crossed the Atlantic numerous times!

--
tordseriksson (at) gmail.....
Owner of a handful of Nikon cameras. And a few lenses. DxO PhotoLab 8 user.
WSSA #456

 

[David Lal]

Our Klepper XXL (room for three fully grown humans, or two kids and two adults) takes less room when folded, but weighs a lot more! More than double, with all add-ons! But similar folding kayaks have crossed the Atlantic numerous times!

[Vikings!]

I always knew you were a Viking Tord! I have done about 20km of the English Channel in my sea kayak - that was enough for me.

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

Our Klepper XXL (room for three fully grown humans, or two kids and two adults) takes less room when folded, but weighs a lot more! More than double, with all add-ons! But similar folding kayaks have crossed the Atlantic numerous times!

[Vikings!]

I always knew you were a Viking Tord! I have done about 20km of the English Channel in my sea kayak - that was enough for me.

Done something like it around Skye! That was the last time I paddled at sea! My shoulders are pretty shot by now!

 

[Star Geezer]

That's an interesting vessel you have there in #3. To my eye it looks like a kind of hybrid between open Canadian canoe and a touring kayak. How does she handle? Can you fit a spraydeck to the cockpit?

I have done a lot of the rivers and canals in the UK, also many in France. My favourite for touring or canoe/camping was my sea kayak - almost effortless paddling. Of course, really tricky in white water. I had a traditional open Canadian canoe and a 'fun' ultra short kayak as well.

Hi David,

That kayak is Santee 140 Tandem. It's made of ABS Plastic and weighs only 56 lbs, capacity 425 lbs. One of the best paddle craft I've owned. Like all boats, it has its purpose but white water is not one of them. I like it because it's versatile, light weight and very comfortable. Seats can be removed or adjusted fore & aft when transitioning from tandem to solo. Adjustable foot rests add comfort, also with the thigh pads. Extremely stable and wonderfully responsive, like a sports car. I use two piece carbon fiber paddles which are a charm! Many accessories available from snap-in consoles to tight fitting spraydeck. This hybrid is my choice as a mobile kayak for rivers and small lakes when shooting wildlife, with plenty of room for my gear with or without a passenger.

The other canoe atop my car, Mad River 14', is also a hybrid but capable of rougher water and can deal with a bit of rock pounding. The multi-channeled shallow arch hull design provides smooth tracking for impressive stability & tracking, especially in crosswinds. Tough as nails construction. Comfortable and adjustable seats. Fish rod holders, drink consoles, it's the cat's meow, but heavier.

Beyond all the features, at this point in time, I'm 77 y/o, comfort and handling are my top considerations. I've owned them all in the 70 years I've paddled. First time as a young Boy Scout and it was love at first sight. I can still remember the camp counselor saying "J-stroke, J-stroke."

As long as I can hoist my kayak or canoe atop my car and carry it to the water I'll be happy!

Our Klepper XXL (room for three fully grown humans, or two kids and two adults) takes less room when folded, but weighs a lot more! More than double, with all add-ons! But similar folding kayaks have crossed the Atlantic numerous times!

I've seen those types of kayaks, however, I've never seen one assembled until I found a Youtube video. Quite an interesting design using a wooden skeleton frame.

 

[Tord S Eriksson]

That's an interesting vessel you have there in #3. To my eye it looks like a kind of hybrid between open Canadian canoe and a touring kayak. How does she handle? Can you fit a spraydeck to the cockpit?

I have done a lot of the rivers and canals in the UK, also many in France. My favourite for touring or canoe/camping was my sea kayak - almost effortless paddling. Of course, really tricky in white water. I had a traditional open Canadian canoe and a 'fun' ultra short kayak as well.

Hi David,

That kayak is Santee 140 Tandem. It's made of ABS Plastic and weighs only 56 lbs, capacity 425 lbs. One of the best paddle craft I've owned. Like all boats, it has its purpose but white water is not one of them. I like it because it's versatile, light weight and very comfortable. Seats can be removed or adjusted fore & aft when transitioning from tandem to solo. Adjustable foot rests add comfort, also with the thigh pads. Extremely stable and wonderfully responsive, like a sports car. I use two piece carbon fiber paddles which are a charm! Many accessories available from snap-in consoles to tight fitting spraydeck. This hybrid is my choice as a mobile kayak for rivers and small lakes when shooting wildlife, with plenty of room for my gear with or without a passenger.

The other canoe atop my car, Mad River 14', is also a hybrid but capable of rougher water and can deal with a bit of rock pounding. The multi-channeled shallow arch hull design provides smooth tracking for impressive stability & tracking, especially in crosswinds. Tough as nails construction. Comfortable and adjustable seats. Fish rod holders, drink consoles, it's the cat's meow, but heavier.

Beyond all the features, at this point in time, I'm 77 y/o, comfort and handling are my top considerations. I've owned them all in the 70 years I've paddled. First time as a young Boy Scout and it was love at first sight. I can still remember the camp counselor saying "J-stroke, J-stroke."

As long as I can hoist my kayak or canoe atop my car and carry it to the water I'll be happy!

Our Klepper XXL (room for three fully grown humans, or two kids and two adults) takes less room when folded, but weighs a lot more! More than double, with all add-ons! But similar folding kayaks have crossed the Atlantic numerous times!

I've seen those types of kayaks, however, I've never seen one assembled until I found a Youtube video. Quite an interesting design using a wooden skeleton frame.

Very popular in Germany since they were invented (numerous copies even today, many used by special forces around the world), the US version was the result of Klepper itself going bust in the '70s, so the importer started to make parts and then released their own version. There are French and Russian versions (aka copies), too, and similar crafts made by Pakboats in the US.

This is a German site covering some old folding kayaks:

Faltbootbasteln: Startseite

--
tordseriksson (at) gmail.....
Owner of a handful of Nikon cameras. And a few lenses. DxO PhotoLab 8 user.
WSSA #456