Comments on: Nikon GP-1 GPS review

By: Donald Crowson

Donald Crowson — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:01:28 +0000

First, thanks for the Nikon firmware heads-up. I have been researching these type devices and found a one featured on TWIP, (This Week In Photography iCast) recently. No wires and tiny, Foolography's Unleashed is a bluetooth devices that transmits the GPS data from a receiver. Very cool!

By: John

John — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:11:42 +0000

No new info regarding the Heading field…new firmware just landed for the newer line of Nikon DSLRs but nothing for my D90 unfortunately so I’m not sure if it’s changed at all. You’re right about the cable…should be an easy fix…even a 3rd party could offer something.

By: Kim Sorvig

Kim Sorvig — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:06:48 +0000

Thanks for an excellent review. I’m a landscape architect, and often have to document sites in detail — this looks like a huge help.
Any update on either the Heading field (which for site documentation would be HUGE) or the cable stick-out problem? Seems like Nikon might redesign the cable without otherwise having to alter the unit?

By: alexander Chow

alexander Chow — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:31:42 +0000

Hi John,

I have been seriously thinking about getting this with the Nikon D5000 for my wife for Christmas. Have you tried this with iPhoto? Basically, I don’t want to have to install any special software on my wife’s computer and hoping that the geotagging will simply happen automagically and show up in iphoto.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:27:56 +0000

Actually the GPS depends on the stability of the satellites. But I can make sure Easytag’s after sale service is better than Nikon’s. And their product is more competitive. They add log(trait) in the device too. you may visit their website http://www.e-geotag.com to have a look.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:12:18 +0000

Don’t buy this product. I also experienced the loose port problem mentioned by Glark and V R. after several use. Nikon service rep professed no knowledge of this problem and was totally unhelpful.

By: Moni

Moni — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:03:46 +0000

I like the review of GP-1. I have been looking for this option for a while & did not know that Nikon has the product. I have four Nikon DSLR cameras (2 D300′s, D700 & D3x) which i use interchangably when i’m in the Canadian wilderness. Is it possible to have just one GP-1 unit without having to continously unplug from one camera and plug to the next. (i.e. Can the wireless transmitter be used to pass the gps data to all the cameras?)

By: rick

rick — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:22:32 +0000

Just ordered my GP-1 yesterday.
I would have loved to have had it attached to my camera when my wife and I spent 2 months traveling USA & Canada (NY, DC, Niagara, Grand canyon, Utah & Colorado, Yellowstone, Vancouver Island, Prince Phillip). Still I can now re-visit all of these again !

Also: being a Geologist I know this will be a very useful device when working in the field.

By: John

John — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:43:33 +0000

I’ve had my GP-1 for awhile now and haven’t had any problem with the cable. It would be better if the GPS port on the D90 was located somewhere less protruding or if it was an L-shaped plug, I always unplug it when I put it back in my camera bag. I’ve never banged it either.

I’ve heard that someone had a similar port issue and Nikon fixed it under warranty with no problem.

By: V R

V R — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:58:58 +0000

I recently purchased this item. It works ok, but is overpriced when compared to generic GPS systems that used the exact same chipset.

Now that is not why I am giving this product such a bad review. I am giving it a bad review because the design of this GPS when used with a Nikon D-90 was poorly done. It is not obvious from the stock images, but the cable for this GPS on the D-90 sticks out of the side of the camera at a 90 degree angle to the body. The plug head is about 3 inches long and it plugs into a very small port on the side of the camera. None of this would be a serious issue if you kept your camera on a tripod when you were shooting.

Unfortunately, most people that want to geotag photos want to do so because they are moving around. This means that the plug you need to use for the GPS on a D-90 is protruding from the side of your camera screaming ‘bump me here to damage your camera’. From what I can tell, you don’t even have to bump it. The simple act of plugging it in and taking it out may be all that caused the damage to my camera.

After two weekend trips, this unit is working intermitently and appears to have damaged the plug on my pretty new camera. Contacting Nikon support only succeeded in making me want to let folks know to avoid this product. Its a great idea poorly executed.