Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Edited to add:
On 04/06/09 Promote launched their GPS-D90 for the D90 and D5000. See the article here: [...]
What is "Geo-tagging?
Professional and semi-professional* Nikon cameras with a 10-pin remote terminal are capable of automatically writing geo-referential meta-data in image headers (Exif), popularly known as "geo-tagging". When a device records geo-referential meta-data in real-time, as is the case here, we refer to it as "instantaneous geo-tagging".
The meta-tag data consists in latitude, longitude, altitude, and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which a GPS (Global Positioning System) device connected to the camera stores automatically in the header of every shot - once connected, activated and after acquiring lock-on with the GPS satellites in its range.
Geo-tagging is a useful reminder of where & when a picture was taken, and can help you to find a wide variety of online information on its geographical location.
You can also use these data in specialized sites such as Google Earth and Flickr, to locate the image automatically on a map, such as on Google Maps and Wikimapia, or on sites capable of extracting Exif from published images.
Cameras compatible with instantaneous geo-tagging:
Nikon D3X, D3, D2X(s), D2H(s), D1X, D700, D300, D200 (with MC-35+portable device, Nikon GP1+GP1-CA10 or dedicated GPS), *D90 (with Nikon GP1+GP1-CA90), Fuji S5 Pro, S1 Pro.
Note: Canon cameras are not compatible with automatic geo-tagging.
Note 2: Promote Systems have just launched a version of their GPS N-1 for the Nikon D90 and D5000 called GPS-D90: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BV2F90
GPS: portable or dedicated?
There are two alternatives for recording GPS data in a Nikon camera. The first is to connect a portable GPS device via the MC-35 adapter cable to the remote terminal of the camera.
The MC-35 has one (male) 10-pin plug on one end of the connection cable, and an additional 10-pin terminal (female, for the connection of other 10-pin devices) plus a serial D-sub (RS232-female) on the box, allowing you to connect the serial cable from the GPS manufacturer - which, in turn - plugs into your portable device.
Nikon certifies portable devices from Garmin and Magellan for suitable cameras, all of which meet the NMEA 2.1 standard.
It is important to point out that certified cameras are only compatible with portable GPS devices with a serial interface but not USB - even with an adapter - because these have a different signal path.
I have experience with the Garmin eTrex Vista, which worked with no problem whatsoever on my D1X and D200.
The advantages of this configuration are that a portable GPS comes with its own batteries, doubles for mapping, navigation, and does not usurp the flash shoe, unlike the majority of dedicated GPS devices.
The disadvantage, apart from price (a hand held GPS plus MC-35 cost from about $ 300 up) is that it is a little awkward, as both a portable GPS and a (long) serial cable are heavy. The only alternative - if you dare - is to shorten the serial cable considerably.
Dedicated GPS.
The second alternative, more economical and much more manageable, are dedicated GPS devices. These are simple GPS receivers, usually in the form of a small, black box that mounts on the flash shoe and connects directly to the remote terminal.
The advantage of these is, that they are very light and do not require an additional adapter cable. Their main disadvantage is that they cannot double for mapping and navigation, block the built-in flash (if available), occupy the external flash hot-shoe, and - usually - get their power from the camera.
Market.
The category of dedicated GPS is currently quite competitive, starting with Nikon, who launched their GP-1 a little over a year ago.
However, with a price of $ 270 it is a good example of what Nikon can - or pretend - to charge their fans, since any other dedicated GPS costs almost half that.
In addition, Nikon does not reveal details about the GPS chip used in their device, generating at least doubts about whether or not it is last generation.
Competition comes from Garmin and Magellan portable GPS' (from ± $ 180 plus the MC-35), and dedicated GPS' from brands like Wolverine, Geometr and Promote, amongst others (from ± $ 125-150).
I will not go into details on how I arrived at the device more suitable for me; it suffices to say that the people at Promote Systems have a concept of customer service I have rarely witnessed before.
They promptly answered all my questions (by Email), warned that Amazon probably would not dispatch to Chile, assisted in the buying and choice of the most appropriate delivery method, and dispatched just in time for the product to arrive in a very narrow time window between two specific dates.
Promote Systems GPS N-1
Price paid: U.S. $ 147, plus dispatch via U.S. Parcel Post (U.S. $ 25)
Purchase Date: January 2009.
Similar Products Used: Garmin eTrex Vista
Store: Promote Systems online shop.
Description and use of the product.
The Promote GPS Receiver features the last generation SiRF Star III chip, which excels at acquiring and maintaining GPS signal lock, even with poor visibility of the sky (trees, clouds), or even zero visibility.
It includes latitude, longitude, altitude and UTC (dd-mm-yyyy, hh:mm:ss AM/PM) in the image header (Exif), meta-data which can be displayed in processing software from Nikon and Adobe, amongst others.
It consumes less than 55 mA directly from the camera, and turns off in parallel with the exposure meter - depending on its configuration - in models posterior to the D2X, D200. However, with the latter you should turn off the camera or GPS manually to save power, since it does not power down with the meters.
Other features:
20-channel GPS receiver with support for WAAS / EGNOS / MSAS.
Instantaneous geo-tagging. You do not need a computer to import the data in Exif.
Saves its satellite registry in memory for a quick hot start.
Made in the USA.
Compatible with: Nikon D3X, D3, D2X(s), D2H(s), D700, D300, D200, Fuji S5 Pro, IS Pro.
Promote Systems offers as an additional benefit a free software called "Geo tagging Suite", which can "fill-in" GPS data in pictures without.
If at least the first and last of a series taken at a specific location contain GPS meta-data, you can geo-reference the whole series, even those without GPS Exif.
Cold & hot start.
Cold start refers to the time that it takes a GPS device to capture signals from satellites in a new location, or after having been turned off for a long time.
The GPS icon on the top panel of the camera blinks until the so-called "lock-on" is acquired, which means the device has established and locked communication with the satellites needed to fix its position (at least 3). After lock-on, the camera icon goes steady.
The GPS N-1 may take between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, depending on the location and visibility of the sky.
With an unobstructed view and a clear sky, this delay is rarely more than 45 seconds, in my experience.
On certain cameras it may be necessary to keep a button pressed in order to keep the meters activated (Shutter, AE-L/AF-L), which avoids the GPS to power down before acquiring lock-on (e.g.: D3, D300, D700).
Hot start refers to the time it takes a device to re-establish its position in a location previously acquired and/or after a short shutdown period.
With a clear, unobstructed sky, the GPS N-1 rarely takes more than 5 to 10 seconds.
Moreover, even entering a space with zero visibility of the sky and without turning the camera off, it generally manages to maintain lock-on. In case of signal loss, it suffices to go near an unobstructed window to re-lock position quickly, in most cases.
Comments and conclusion:
The Promote GPS N-1 is small and lightweight: measuring 4,5x4,5x2,5 cm. and weighing only 68 g..
In my experience, it is generally faster than the eTrex Vista to acquire lock-on, in both cold and hot start, and is definitely superior in maintaining signal, even with zero visibility of the sky.
It has a shoe with a tightening ring to fit it securely on the flash shoe, and does not extend over the back of the camera, thus avoiding hitting your head when looking through the viewfinder.
However, because of its forward extension, it does obstruct the built-in flash, while also taking over the optional flash shoe.
When in need of flash, the only solution is coming up with a DIY trick to fix it to the camera strap, or just leave it dangling from the remote terminal, which - although it does not seem to affect operation - is not exactly elegant.
Plugging it into the remote terminal can be a bit scary the first time, because there is no alignment mark on the plug.
Moreover, its fit is pretty tight, and one must feel comfortable that it is properly aligned before daring to exert the necessary pressure to assure it is properly seated.
Unlike later cameras, on the D200 it will not turn off with the meters, and while its power consumption may be considered minimal, it will contribute to the depletion of the camera battery in about 3 to 5 hours of continuous use.
Verdict:
This dedicated GPS does what it promises, is lightweight and - compared to a portable GPS set-up - cheap. Akin its direct competitors, it blocks the pop-up flash and takes over the external flash shoe.
To users who consider this a critical flaw and are not prepared to invent an alternative fixation, I suggest reviewing the Wolverine, which comes with a Velcro attachment...Read more›
Click Here to see more reviews about: Promote Systems GPS Receiver GPS-N-1 for Nikon D300, D700, D3, D2X, D2Xs, D2Hs, D200 and Fuji S5 Pro, IS Pro, DSLR Digital SLR Cameras
Go where photography is headed with the Promote GPS! Now photographers can harness GPS technology to pinpoint the precise location from which a photograph is taken. Called "geotagging", this new technology embeds geographic information into a photograph along with the time and date stamp.The Promote GPS Receiver features the SiRF Star III chip, which excels at acquiring and maintaining a GPS signal lock. The GPS unit consumes less than 55mA from the camera, making it one of the most power-efficient GPS receivers available for Nikon and Fuji DSLR cameras. It will automatically power up and down along with camera exposure meter, allowing for further saving of the camera batterypower.Promote GPS is compatible with the following DSLR cameras: Nikon D300, D700, D3, D2X, D2Xs, D2Hs, D200 Fuji S5 Pro, IS Pro
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