GPS Data Logger - DPChallenge Forums

05/15/2011 11:56:59 PM · #1

Hi. Can anyone offer a decent data logger for GPS tracking? I'm looking for some specific things.

- Small, something that could fit into my pocket or camera bag. It doesn't have to have a display
- Able to selectively set the frequency of data collection. Would prefer the ability to track at least every minute for 24 hours.
- Come with software, or ability to work with 3rd party software to tag photos with the GPS location as well as display the ground track on a map.
- Doesn't rely on online services to get map information.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul

05/16/2011 12:16:26 AM · #2

Have you considered getting an EyeFi card? They can automatically geocode your shots without having to sync with an outside GPS.

05/16/2011 12:24:56 AM · #3

Hmm. Interesting. I need a CF card though and it seems they only have the SD.

fotomann_forever

05/16/2011 12:29:03 AM · #4

If you have a smart phone there are apps for Geologging for both the Android and iPhone... and I'm sure Blackberry and Windows phones.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

05/16/2011 02:42:16 AM · #5

There is a battery grip out for the Mark 1 with GPS included for geo tagging, and the rumor is that both Canon and Nikon will make it standard in the next generation of grips for more humble models. Given that Android phones tag every photograph automatically, it has to become pretty standard too.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS II USM Lens

05/16/2011 07:27:54 AM · #6

Thanks for the information. I don't have any special type of cell phone (I use TracPhone), so I'm looking for something strictly to carry. I know there are hotshoe loggers, which wouldn't work since most of the time there is a flash sitting on top of the camera.

hahn23

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

05/16/2011 07:58:46 AM · #7

For hiking, jogging and biking I use GPS by MotionX. For driving, I use GPS Drive by MotionX. Indispensable apps which I use all the time. //www.motionx.com/ For iPhone or iPad. I use it often to geotag a location where I've photographed.

Message edited by author 2011-05-16 08:00:07.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/16/2011 09:29:52 AM · #8

Originally posted by PGerst:

Hmm. Interesting. I need a CF card though and it seems they only have the SD.

You can get an adapter. That's what I use.

05/16/2011 09:34:48 AM · #9

I assume the card doesn't require a Wi-Fi signal for GPS right?

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by PGerst:
Hmm. Interesting. I need a CF card though and it seems they only have the SD.

You can get an adapter. That's what I use.

05/16/2011 10:35:57 AM · #10

Originally posted by PGerst:

I assume the card doesn't require a Wi-Fi signal for GPS right?

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by PGerst:
Hmm. Interesting. I need a CF card though and it seems they only have the SD.

You can get an adapter. That's what I use.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/16/2011 10:39:19 AM · #11

Thanks. I'll have to look into this. I'll be doing a lot of hiking so I'll have to read to make sure it would still work.

ETA: Hmm...just read it....just curious on how reliable it is since it does require WiFi, and I know the places I go have limited cell phone signal, let alone WiFi. :)

Originally posted by alanfreed:

Adapters are cheap and easy to find... I have one sitting right beside me, and it works perfectly fine with the EyeFi card. You prompted me to go read up on how they identify the position... and they do rely on WiFi signals (you don't need to be connected to the signal, though). There's more info here.

I also use a Geometr GPS, but that's something your camera would have to support. It certainly saves a lot of hassle to be able to code the images the instant you shoot 'em.

Originally posted by PGerst:
I assume the card doesn't require a Wi-Fi signal for GPS right?

Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by PGerst:
Hmm. Interesting. I need a CF card though and it seems they only have the SD.

You can get an adapter. That's what I use.

Message edited by author 2011-05-16 10:40:34.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

05/16/2011 11:33:57 AM · #12

You could also use a simple handheld GPS like an Garmin E-Trex, set it up to log your track and download the data afterward and match the photos to the positions on the log by timestamp.

05/16/2011 12:03:34 PM · #13

My informed answer is: "I don't know." :) If I ever want to geotag things (which I do a lot on trips), I can just hook the GPS right up to the camera. Like Spork99 said, practically any simple GPS will do the job, so long as they save .gpx tracks. There are freeware programs out there you can use to match things up nicely. Once the photos are geocoded, you can use them in virtually any program or online service that supports that tag. I know Flickr does, for example.

Originally posted by PGerst:

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/16/2011 12:24:59 PM · #14

Thanks. Its good to know that they all do it. Now, to find a small one to do the trick. I"m trying not to spend a lot of money...

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/16/2011 01:29:15 PM · #15

Originally posted by PGerst:

I highly recommend you bite the bullet and buy a dedicated hiker's GPS. It will meet all the above requirements.

The solution I use:
1-Garmin Etrex Vista HCx GPS
2-8 Gig MicroSD card that will record more tracking data by date in your GPS than you will ever need to record
3-Jeffrey Friedl's Geoencoding plugin for Lightroom
4-Two sets of rechargeable batteries and a 15 minute car battery charger

There are other more elegant solutions but this one is highly reliable, gets the job done and is reasonably inexpensive.

My mid-range Garmin GPS is pretty accurate(I would not recommend using a cell phone tracker at all) and logs tracking data according to a user specified time interval lasting for about a day on fully charged batteries. I set mine to every 15 seconds to be reasonably sure photographs are geotagged accurately.

The Garmin comes with upload/download software, including uploading tracking files, to your computer.

The Garmin tracking file can easily be imported by Friedl's geocoding plugin into Lightroom to geoencode your photographs with the GPS coordinates of the closest time when your photograph is taken. Obviously your camera clock must be properly synchronized with the GPS for the time zone where the pictures are taken.

A dedicated hiker's GPS has the added benefit that it can be pre-programmed for all the waypoints you need to get to walk to a new photo opportunity you have never visited before but that may not be easy to find, help you find your way back to your car if you wander to far away, help backtrack driving on unfamiliar roads, record hikes for future reference plus many other amenities.

I purchased this solution both to geotag my photographs and to assist me when hiking in remote places.

05/16/2011 01:56:46 PM · #16

Thanks for that information. That was very helpful.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/17/2011 03:49:24 PM · #17

Thanks again. I was looking into that one. How would you say that compares to the Dakota 20 or Oregon 450? Worth the extra?

Artifacts

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/17/2011 04:39:15 PM · #18

Originally posted by PGerst:

Thanks again. I was looking into that one. How would you say that compares to the Dakota 20 or Oregon 450? Worth the extra?

Like anyone, I stopped looking at GPS's after I got mine. :)

However, I'm a resourceful penny pincher and believe that you will get more bang for the buck with the Vista HCx than either of those two.

A caveat, however, is that both those have a better, more sensitive GPS chip and will more accurately record your true GPS points.

I have found, by experimentation, that mine will sometimes be within a foot of the true location and other times up to 20-25 feet off.

That, of course, is under the assumption that Google Earth's satellite images are 100% accurate. That might not be true.

Added Note:
Touch screens are not high on my list of necessities, but if they are to you then either of those choices are good.

Message edited by author 2011-05-17 16:42:27.