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Columbus nGPS GPS and Remote Cord Combo - Direct Connect Geotagging GPS Unit for Nikon & Fujifilm Digital SLRs

$129.99

User Reviews about Columbus nGPS GPS and Remote Cord Combo - Direct Connect Geotagging GPS Unit for Nikon & Fujifilm Digital SLRs

1. My goal: I was seeking a GPS unit so I could locate my barn photographs after I had taken them (other than writing down street addresses and photographing mail boxes). My camera is a Nikon D300s.

2. Key issues: I sought an efficient means to locate/geotag my barn photos without a lot of hassle. Focused issues began with how long does it take to "lock on" to a reading. It reportedly takes longer to lock in cloudy weather and inside a building, although the latter was not a major concern for me in my photographing barns. Second was breakage problems noted in reviews. Cost was a third issue since I was not sure how well this technology would work for me. All units I considered draw on the camera battery, requiring more frequent battery changes. The unit also must be turned off separately from the camera or it will be a drain. All units fit on the shoe above the flip up flash, so the flash cannot be used when the GPS is located there. Since the unit does not use an electronic connection on the shoe, it is possible to allow the GPS to dangle or fasten it to the strap in order to use the shoe or flash.

3. Options rejected: My research caused me to reject two options. First was the Nikon GP-1 GPS. Its price is the highest of all the units I considered ($200), and the reviews were very mixed on how well it worked, including "lock on" time, and customer service. The Geometr GPS Receive Nikon DSLR ($146) was the second I decided not to consider further. Several reviewers reported it broke very easily. There were mixed responses about service in the reviews.

4. Final options for decision were two: First was the Promote GPS N-1 ($150). It had none of the breakage reports of the ones I rejected. Its "lock on" time was also faster than the others. It got excellent reviews including for its service. (The first reviewer on the Amazon site for the Promote provides a helpful basic primer on GPS SLR camera units.) The other option was the Columbus nGPS Unit for DSLR. It appears to be most recent on the market. Its price was the lowest ($110), its "lock on" speed was reported to be faster than all the others. There were not as many reviews but they were all rave with some mention of good service.

5. Choice: After much deliberation, I picked the Columbus nGPS, for its fast "lock on," excellent reviews and lower price. I conjectured the fast times might be because it had newer technology.

6. Purchase: I bought the Columbus nGPS unit for DSLR through Amazon for $109.95 plus $7.99 shipping and handling. (It came quickly, although shipped by a different outfit than listed by Amazon.) Included with it is the cord for the GPS unit plus a hand held shutter release that plugs into the GPS (a bonus I had not expected), with another cord and a short strap.

7. Experience:
a. Set-up. This was done almost accidentally. I figured, given other electronic experiences with my camera and computers, it would take a lot of study of the manual plus trail and error. The package arrived just a few minutes before leaving for a trip so I brought it along. While eating lunch on the way I read the first two pages of the manual. (I had already checked my Nikon book and saw the place for GPS menu settings.) While waiting for my food, I went outside in the sun to see how the unit's indicator light functioned after I put the GPS on my camera and plugged it in. The flashing searching light quickly turned constant, indicating "lock on."

b. Field testing. I have just used the Columbus nGPS unit in Vermont in the rain, the type of weather when "lock on" is reported to be much slower. It locked on within 5 seconds, and did this repeatedly even after I turned the unit (and camera) off and started over in other locations. (It "locked on" in 30 seconds inside my office at home.)

c. How it worked: When I downloaded the pictures to Lightroom 2, GPS data appeared at the bottom of the metadata list for each photo. An arrow appears to right of the GPS data. I clicked on the arrow and voila up came a Google map showing an aerial view of where I was standing when the picture was taken, along with street address! I could clearly see the barns I had photographed. I had not expected the whole process to be so simple and to do just what I had wanted it to do.

d. Other reflections. The unit is quite small, smaller than I had expected, and does not impact how I carry and pack my camera. The cord has not proven to be in the way. My battery, which had been in the camera for quite a while, did run low in the day I used it. It seemed easy to remember to turn off the GPS off between locations because the single green "on light" is on the back of the unit right above the off/on switch. Further time will determine more about durability and battery drainage, but everything is off to a very good start.
-- Good experience in GPS research and use

I brought the Columbus nGPS. I have a d300s. The nGPS can find my position even inside a building (only roof is above me). It is simple to use. It includes a remote release. It accepts remote releases that have the 2.5mm jack standard. I believe it is cannon standard for the rebels. I also brought the Phottix Nikos N8 Timer Remote For Nikon d300s ($50) with N8 plug Phottix Nikos N8 Timer Remote For Nikon D200/D300/D700/D2Xs/D3/D3X/Fuji S5 Using N8 Plug, so the timer would work without the gps. The Phottix timer has the 2.5mm jack output. I brought a 2.5 mm stereo male-male cable to plug in the gps ($5-7). They both work really good together. I have position data, and timer works too. So for $30 less then price of the nikon gps, I got a Remote timer, and a camera gps. I didn't really like the interface of the Nikon timer. I think Phottix is easier to use. Two cons of the nGPS. If it losses the satellite link it will not report the last known position, and it may not be as watertight as other camera gps systems. The build quality is still good. It also includes the cable for d90. I have very happy with my gps and timer solution. -- Timer and GPS for less then $200

I have owned this unit for 2 months now. I was skeptical about buying a non brand name product for my nikon D90. I have been very pleasantly surprised.

Pros:
1. After cold start, this locks with the satellite within 10 seconds when I am outdoors. Works even indoors in low rise dwellings.
2. Does not drain that much power from the camera battery (I can get 400+ shots while having GPS unit switched on for 8 hours.
3. Very small. no need for spare battery chargers
4. Has an easy on off switch
5. The remote release cord that comes with it is quite nice.

Cons:
1. Does not capture direction and elevation (i dont care about it)
2. Does not store last available location with the satellite connection is lost (some 250$++ units do that)

Overall, excellent unit! highly recommended! -- Excellent value for money, works very well