Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I used this over a 3 week trip through Mexico, Argentina, and Chile in order to geotag my photos. I didn't want a camera specific logged which I'd have to attach to my camera because I didn't want to deal with yet another cable or strap hanging off the camera body. We were planning on doing a lot of hiking in Patagonia so I also didn't want to carry a full size GPS which would weigh me down. So the small size and low weight of the V900 was perfect. I usually just turn it on when I head out, throw it into my camera bag, and turn it off at the end of the day. During my trip, the gps coordinates were accurate enough. Though back in NYC, when surrounded by tall buildings, it can take several minutes to get a gps lock and the accuracy drops off. It will sometimes give a location that is a few blocks away from my true location.
There are a few websites out there that claim 24 hours of battery life in its 'logging only' mode, but I've only gotten about 12 hours at most. I haven't tried it as a bluetooth gps receiver. The logger accepts a micro SD memory card and a 12 hour log takes approximately 4MB. There is no way to adjust how often log points are updated under the 'normal' logging mode. You can select a frequency between 10 and 100 minutes when in 'spy mode.'
Unfortunately, when you connect the logger to a computer through the USB port, the card is not readable. The USB port is there only for charging or powering the device. The only way to read the logging data, is to pull the card out and to access it through a separate memory card reader. The card has to be formatted under the FAT file system, but that's not a problem for Mac users.
The log data files are CSV text files which you can read or copy on a Mac or PC, but they are not in a standard format. The logger comes with a Java app which can read the data log file and tag photos, but it does not support RAW files. This app can export the data log as a .kmz file which is fine for Google Earth, but it doesn't work for some photo geotagging programs. For my work flow, I'll use a program, NMEA2KMZ, to convert the CSV file to .gpx, then use houdageo to geotag my photo RAW files. At that point, I can import the photos into Aperture.
The provided Java application can also be used to configure the device. The only options are:
1) to choose between 'Standard' and 'Professional' modes which basically gives you different logging data points.
2) to set or deactivate the overspeed alert.
3) to set the 'spy mode' timer frequency.
Again, since the computer cannot access the memory card within the V900, it simply writes these configuration options to a text file, which you have to manually copy to the memory card through a card reader. An option to disable beeping when turning the device on or off, or when inserting and ejecting the memory card would also be nice.
Its far from perfect, but if you're willing to deal with the shortcomings, the V900 will work fine.Update: TimeAlbum 1.61 now supports exporting of the CVS data files to the NMEA file format. This is an improvement since houdageo, gpsbabel, and other gps programs will recognize this format. I no longer have to go through the trouble of starting Windows in Parallels just to run the NMEA2KMZ151 program in order to convert it to gpx.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Columbus V-900 Bluetooth GPS Data Logger (microSD , Voice Tag for POI, Driverless, Push to Log, 25 millions waypoints*, XP/Vista/ Linux/Mac OSX Compatible)
Columbus V-900 Bluetooth GPS Data Logger is the world first data logger with Voice-Tag function for adding your personal voice labels to any waypoints. It is easy to use, compact, and provides excellent GPS performance. You name it, the Columbus V-900 data logger records almost all available GPS parameters such as: Date, Time, Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, Speed, Heading, Fix Mode, PDOP, HDOP, VDOP and Voice!. Software compatibility: The Columbus V-900 is compatible with nearly any GPS mapping software available and fully compatible with NMEA standards (all versions). The included Time Album data logger application is compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Vista, Linux, Mac OS and Mac OS X.Hardware compatibility: Works with Windows XP, 2000, Vista, Linux, Mac OS and Mac OS X with a SD Card Reader to download logged data and Bluetooth Radio is required to use the Columbus V-900 as a GPS receiver.
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