Can Someone Educate me on GPS Units?

I don't have an OVERWHELMING desire for a GPS(if I really need it, I'll snap a quick photo in the location on my iPhone and have that as a location reference) but there are times where it would be really handy-including a documentary project I'm planning on starting on in the next few months.

 

I would primarily need/want it for my D800, but would also like to use it on my D600 and D3s(the D600 more so than the D3s).

 

Looking at this page

 

https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/eu/BV_article?articleNo=000006310&configured=1&lang=en_GB

 

It looks like the GP-1 unit is the same for all of these cameras, but they differ in the connection(the D800 and D3s need the 10 pin connector, the D600 needs USB). I've looked at one on Ebay at about 1/3 the new price, and the one I've looked at includes both a 10 pin to USB cable along with what appears to be an extension cable.

 

Am I correct in that such a unit would set me up and do what I need on all three cameras?

 

(unfortunately, sometimes trying to read the Nikon instruction manuals and reference charts leaves my head spinning).

I have both the GP-1 and GP-1A, as well as some Dawn Tech GPS units with the Nikon 10-pin connection.

 

The GP-1 and GP-1A are identical units. If you buy them new, each one comes with two cables. One is for the 10-pin connector on the D800, D3s, etc. and the other one is for the cameras without the 10-pin connector built in, such as your D600 and the D750, D7200, Df, etc.

 

I am sure there are a number of third-party options. Dawn Tech has separate units for the 10-pin connection and the other D600-type connection. If you go that route, you'll need two separate GPS units.

"Am I correct in that such a unit would set me up and do what I need on all three cameras?"

 

- I believe so.

 

The GPS interface on the D800 is a TTL-level RX only asynchronous serial interface (RS-423?). It only requires two connections into the camera - RX data and ground. There's no handshake or two-way communication. In other words a GPS or modem 'dongle' simply pushes the NMEA-0183 datastream into the camera.

 

I think the Baud rate is flexible between 600 and 9600, with the camera auto-detecting it. Don't quote me on that.

 

My solution was to build a low power Bluetooth modem to communicate with the camera via the 10 pin socket, and pair it with a Bluetooth GPS module.

 

I'd originally intended my smartphone to be paired and transmit its GPS location, but that didn't work out due to available GPS-to-Bluetooth apps not choosing a fixed Bluetooth com port channel.

 

I still think the Bluetooth modem solution has potential, in that it consumes less camera battery power. It works for me anyway, since I have several small old Bluetooth GPS modules otherwise doing nothing.

Edited January 22, 2019 by rodeo_joe|1

Thanks guys.

 

I have a bid in now for a complete, boxed, claimed working GP-1 with both the USB and 10 pin cables for about the cost of the generic alternatives I ran across. We'll see if I'm able to win it(and if so how much it will cost me).

 

I have an aversion to buying new in general, and this is no exception :)

I have this one and love it!

product_view

Extremely accurate (within a few feet when I tested) Also works as a wireless remote and has some other nice features.

Thanks guys.

 

I have a bid in now for a complete, boxed, claimed working GP-1 with both the USB and 10 pin cables for about the cost of the generic alternatives I ran across. We'll see if I'm able to win it(and if so how much it will cost me).

 

I have an aversion to buying new in general, and this is no exception :)

Ben, it doesn't matter to me which GPS units you purchase or you prefer new or used, but I wanted to point out that a new GP-1A comes with the GP1-CA10A and the CA90 cables. You need both cables since you have different camera bodies with both types of connectors.

 

The CA10A is an improved version of the older CA10, with a larger wheel to screw it onto the 10-pin connector on the body. IMO that 10-pin connector is a pain to use.

 

Thanks Shun.

 

The one I'm bidding on comes with a CA90 and CA-10.

 

I've dealt with the 10 pin connector both on the Meta 35 and the MC-30, and agree that it's a pain. It looks like the CA10A is available separately, and the cost savings on the used GP-1 vs. a new GP-1A are more than enough to pay for it if I do want it.

 

Unfortunately, though, it looks like I'll need yet another cable release. I use the MC-30(I have a few of them) with my 10-pin(F5, F100, D800, and single digit Ds...and I guess the F6 now too even though I haven't had the occasion yet) and the nifty little ML-L3 with the D600. I know it's a potential source of water/dust entry, but I REALLY wish that cameras other than the Df(of the current line-up) would take a standard screw in type release.

try GPS4CAM for android/iPhone. It tracks your movements with your camera and running a companion app on your computer (mac/pc) it syncs the dates and sets the GPS info on your files. It's that easy. I've been using it for a few years.

 

How it works is camera independent and you can have as many cameras as you can afford, lol.

 

The website is GPS4CAM

 

ps: I'm just a happy customer.

 

I did have issues with the iPhone (evil/stupid Apple problem, not the app). The iPhone will shut down the app if it is not running in the foreground. The Android version (what I currently use) does not suffer from this.

I am the happy user of a Dawn Tech GPS, which however only fit the 10-pin, but where you also can use the MC-30 at the same time. I have previously had Solmeta, which imo has bad to say it mild. The Nikon GP-1 and 1A is no longer available according to B&H, and I did find a replacement. This in case you do not get the one you went for.

I have previously had Solmeta, which imo has bad to say it mild.

 

 

Just curious, what was the problem with your Solmeta? Mine is great!

Edited January 23, 2019 by FPapp

I use a very generic one that I purchased on eBay from a seller in China. I think I paid $19.00, I've only used it a couple of times but it provides the information I need. Now that 've added a D600 I'll have to look for something else since my generic only works with my D700 and D800 and the 10 pin receptacle.

I use a very generic one that I purchased on eBay from a seller in China. I think I paid $19.00, I've only used it a couple of times but it provides the information I need. Now that 've added a D600 I'll have to look for something else since my generic only works with my D700 and D800 and the 10 pin receptacle.

 

Dawn Tech GPS

I bought a couple of Aokatec GPS units for 10-pin (D800) in 2013 and they have worked fine ever since. They are among the least expensive such units. I only use them for certain trips, so most of the year they sit in a box. Don't know how they'd hold up in daily, continous use.