Comments on: Phottix Geo One GPS Review

By: Denis

Denis — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:08:49 +0000

As far as I knew the IR remote won’t allow you to keep the shutter pressed for Bulb mode though. Main reason I am asking.

By: Geofreak

Geofreak — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:23:52 +0000

@Pete
The socket on the camera body waits for serial data. Yopu can not connect USB directly with serial. So forget about your DeLorme on the cam. It is not very handy anyway :o)

@Denis
On Dawntech and Solmeta Geotaggers the remote does support focus on half push. So I guess Phottix will do so, too. (I never tested). Anyway, on the D90 I would prefer to take the IR remote and a Dawntech with L-plug
(see: http://www.gps-camera.eu/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Dawntech_mini_3L_4b62c25bebd7d.jpg)

rather than this stupid straight connector of Phottix/GP-1 (see: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3209869816_e04b191140.jpg)

By: John

John — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:41:54 +0000

I’m not sure I ever tried that with the remote and the Phottix…and my D90 is in the shop at the moment so I couldn’t try it.

By: Denis

Denis — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:30:20 +0000

With the remote, does it do half push for auto focus as well as full push for shutter release?

By: Pete

Pete — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:32:05 +0000

I, too, would like to use my DeLorme GPS on my Nikon. It seems, though, that it is more than just properly connecting the USP output with the 10-pin Nikon input. Is the data stream the same for the DeLorme and camera EDXIF files?

Does anyone have indormation on connection and compatibility issues?

By: Aussie Scott

Aussie Scott — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:21:37 +0000

@ Geofreak
Thanks for the post but there was some fault and it would not work despite getting all the lights. Sent it back & was refunded promptly but lost out with the strengthing Aussie $.
Bought Nikon unit and it worked a treat on my recently completed cycling trip to Thailand & Lao.

By: Geofreak

Geofreak — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:46:54 +0000

@ Aussie Scott

Probably you solved your problem?! To me it sounds like there is a problem with connectivity of the signal in the plugs, sockets or most likely in the cable. The GPS sends the GPS data over different wires to the camera than the cables with which the camera supplies the GPS with electricity.

The “Position” menu will be only active if the connection has worked.

Before you will only see a blinking GPS-symbol on the upper display (Contact from camera to GPS-unit established. No sattelite fix). This GPS-symbol will get solid when the GPS has satellite fix.

Then you will see the positions saved with the pics ….

By: Geofreak

Geofreak — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:59:10 +0000

So, I tested now both, now: Phottix and Nikon GP-1.

THEY DO NOT HAVE AN INDOOR FUNCTION!

They have sensitive receivers so they partly work by getting signals through the windows, … but if they loose signal they will not write any coordinates to the pictures!
Maybe in lightweight US houses made of wood and tin they will work inside in some cases, too. In our houses with concrete ceilings they do fail!

You can even read this from the manuals!
page 15:
“Notes on the GP-1
The GP-1 does not supply the compass heading. [...] The GP-1 may be unable to receive GPS data indoors, underground, or in the vicinity of large structures, trees, or other objects that block or reflect satellite signals. The positions of GPS satellites
are continuously changing, preventing or delaying the acquisition of GPS data at certain hours of the day. [...]

So here what I personally disliked on Nikon and Phottix GPS:
- No Auto-Indoor-Function
- For D90/D5000 the plug will point out perpendicular from the body. (No L-shaped plug)
- For Nikon 10-Pin: The cable is far too long
- no power switch (I like to decide on my own if I want to use GPS and drain battery or not.

By: Scott Crawford

Scott Crawford — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:41:18 +0000

I am in Australia and bought the Phottix from Phottix Europe on line and it is for my D90. It receives power from the Camera and finds Satellites but the Camera will not recognise it so no geotagged photos. Nikon won’t help and Phottix Europe has not responded to my requests for help. It is about to be sent back for a refund.

The “position” menu within GPS does not highlite & I get a “This option is not available with current settings” message when I choose it.

Can anyone help

By: Louis Dallara

Louis Dallara — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:36:10 +0000

Geofreak:
It works indoors for me too… I’m confused… You didn’t test it or you did test, which is it?

By: Geofreak

Geofreak — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:55:12 +0000

David: Sorry, but I have tested GP-1 myself and it has no indoor function! If I loose the GPS-fix NO data is written into the pictures until I get a new fix!
Yes, I did not test Photix myself. So maybe I am wrong here. But there is no single word about indoor function in the description.
BTW I do geotagging on Nikon since years. I started with the mc-35 cable and Garmin, then Dawntech and today Solmeta and Dawntech, … I think I know what I talk about with Geotaggers!

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:57:04 +0000

I would love to find a way to get a DeLorme Earthmate LT-40 to work with the D90 for geotagging. Has anyone experimented with this and had sucess?

Since LT-40’s are pretty dirt cheap ($40 /- all over Ebay) and have a USB out, they’d seem to be a perfect solution. …if they worked together.

By: David

David — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:58:09 +0000

Geofreak: Both the GP-1 and guess the Phottix both geotag the last known position if they are unable to get a fix so next time you go bad mouthing a review maybe you should learn the features of what you are talking about!

By: Geofreak

Geofreak — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:50:46 +0000

I used the Dawntech Pro (not Pro L Logger) and it’s predecessor di-GPS N2 (Not Solmeta Geotagger N2 Kompass). E.g. I am using Geotaggers on Nikon for almost 3 years before Nikon GP-1 was on the market .

I had a look at the phottix. Not interessting to me. Why? It has no Indoor-Funktion. Same crap as the GP-1.

THis means: If you loose the GPS signal in a deep gorges, between two buildings, in Buildings, … you will have no geotag in the pics.

I am very happy with Solmeta and Dawntech. At the moment I am more on the Dawntech side :o)

By: John

John — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:49:56 +0000

Raffaele: It can pop up almost the whole way but not completely….you can simply move the GPS to the strap – it comes with a clip for the strap.

By: Raffaele

Raffaele — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:39:00 +0000

Hi,
when the GPS module is installed on the flash shoe can the integrated flash still pop out?
Thanks
Raffaele

By: Giovas

Giovas — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:12:43 +0000

Hi.
Does anybody know if I can use both the Phottix Geo One and the Phottix Plato remote together? I have a D300 and I’m looking for a way to have GPS capability as well as an remote shutter, at the same time. I’, confused about the ports, and I don’t understand if the Plato can be connected through the Geo One.
If this is not possible, is there a hardware combination able to do this?
Thanks.

By: John

John — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:53:12 +0000

Seb: I haven’t tried the Solmeta so I can’t comment. I personally don’t like the idea of another battery to worry about which is why either the Nikon or Phottix units are great. I already have a grip with 2 batteries on my D90 so I can go a long time without even thinking about batteries.

Louis: There is no switch, you simply unplug the Phottix to turn it off. I can’t really speak to VR battery life as I tend to use primes 99% of the time and only use live view for shooting video (which isn’t geotagged). I don’t have any experience with the Phottix batteries, sorry.

By: Louis Thomas Dallara

Louis Thomas Dallara — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:44:12 +0000

WOW;
Thanks for a great review, I’ve just upgraded to the Phottix GPS waiting for it to arrive, when I found your great review, now I feel better about my choice. I have tried several GPS’s and was all ways annoyed at Nikon for the price of the MC-35 cable. I had been using a AyAy Sir GPS with my D300/D200 which I liked because external battery pack ( iup1800) which can be used as a universal power source.
Question:
Is there a switch to turn the Phottix off?
What’s battery life like with a VR len and using live view?
I might have to use my grip and the bigger battery Nikon EN-EL4a. or maybe use the Phottix equivent it’s cheaper way to go? You thoughts on the Phottix EN-EL4a battery plugin.
Thanks
Lou

By: Seb

Seb — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:05:50 +0000

The Solmeta N2 is quite appealing, it has its own battery and also records direction of the shot (integrated compass). I have a cheap Phottix wireless remote for my D300 and I’m quite happy with it. Phottix seems to be a good brand, but for geotaggers, Solmeta (with a higher price, ~200$) is going to be my way to go :)