GPS for Nikon

[pnodrog]

I need to replace an old cheap and broken GPS unit I have for my Nikon D800. At the moment I am leaning towards the Solmeta GMAX unit which can also be used as a shutter release/timer via a blue tooth connection to a mobile phone but it is US $230.

Has anyone tried one or is happy with another cheaper GPS unit?

[Manfred M]

I've been using the Nikon GP-1 for years. I got it shortly after I got my D90 (~2009) and it is still going strong on the D800.

Yes, it drains the camera battery, but I have plenty of those, so no big deal. It embeds the data into the image files, so no fiddling trying to synch things up later on.

[pnodrog]

I've been using the Nikon GP-1 for years. I got it shortly after I got my D90 (~2009) and it is still going strong on the D800.

Yes, it drains the camera battery, but I have plenty of those, so no big deal. It embeds the data into the image files, so no fiddling trying to synch things up later on.

The newer Nikon GP-1a is about the same price as the Solmeta but with much fewer features apart from reliability. Reliability versus features is the big question.

For what you get the Nikon GP-1a is considered very over priced but it does work which is a bit of a plus.....

[Manfred M]

I value reliability. I stick the GP-1 onto my hot shot, plug it in to my remote receptacle on the camera.

Is it overpriced? I suppose, but I like the no maintenance side of things and if it ever dies, I feel it doesn't owe me a thing. As with any GPS, satellite acquisition is a variable. Terrible in downtown areas, great in open country.

[pnodrog]

I value reliability. I stick the GP-1 onto my hot shot, plug it in to my remote receptacle on the camera.

Is it overpriced? I suppose, but I like the no maintenance side of things and if it ever dies, I feel it doesn't owe me a thing. As with any GPS, satellite acquisition is a variable. Terrible in downtown areas, great in open country.

Thanks Manfred, you have more or less confirmed what I understand about the Nikon unit - reliable and works. However I would find it useful to have the display, remote trigger, timing and other options that are available with the Solmeta unit provided it is as reliable as the Nikon.

[Manfred M]

Solmeta looks like an interesting unit. The GP-1(a) downside is that you have to unplug it to use the cable release.

If you end up going with it, I would be interested in what you think of it.

[pnodrog]

Solmeta looks like an interesting unit. The GP-1(a) downside is that you have to unplug it to use the cable release.

If you end up going with it, I would be interested in what you think of it.

Would you like to go halves and I'll use it for the first 5 years?....

My photography wants and my Scottish ancestry is pushing me towards the Solmeta but my engineering/electronics background is tugging at me to play it safe.

If I do get the Solmeta I will certainly report back.

[PeterjmTim]

Hi everyone

I ordered one of these through the internet for my D3300:

http://www.aokatec.com/

The English is a bit clumsy in their manual, but the device actually works very well once you understand what the manual says :-). The price is very affordable too, far cheaper than Nikons offerings. And not too big a strain on the battery. Pretty happy with it so far.

[pnodrog]

Hi everyone

I ordered one of these through the internet for my D3300:

http://www.aokatec.com/

The English is a bit clumsy in their manual, but the device actually works very well once you understand what the manual says :-). The price is very affordable too, far cheaper than Nikons offerings. And not too big a strain on the battery. Pretty happy with it so far.

Thanks for the link.

[knotmirai]

Hi everyone,

I have used my D800E with this product:
http://di-gps.com/shop/di-GPS-Eco-ProFessional-M-PF1-M

They said that it consumes power lower than Nikon one. However, I have never tried Nikon GPS so I cannot confirm this point. I have used it for a year and I am ok with it.

Hope this help.

[pnodrog]

Hi everyone,

I have used my D800E with this product:
http://di-gps.com/shop/di-GPS-Eco-ProFessional-M-PF1-M

They said that it consumes power lower than Nikon one. However, I have never tried Nikon GPS so I cannot confirm this point. I have used it for a year and I am ok with it.

Hope this help.

Thank you. Does it get in the way when changing lenses?

[knotmirai]

Thank you. Does it get in the way when changing lenses?

I have no problem with that. However, if you use more device on it such as 10 pin cable release or Nikon WR-10, you might not be able to access AF/M focus switch of some lenses such as fix focus one.

[pnodrog]

I have no problem with that. However, if you use more device on it such as 10 pin cable release or Nikon WR-10, you might not be able to access AF/M focus switch of some lenses such as fix focus one.

Thanks Knot, I can live with that.

[motordrive]

Hi everyone

I ordered one of these through the internet for my D3300:

http://www.aokatec.com/

The English is a bit clumsy in their manual, but the device actually works very well once you understand what the manual says :-). The price is very affordable too, far cheaper than Nikons offerings. And not too big a strain on the battery. Pretty happy with it so far.

I have been using one of these on my D700 for about 3 or 4 years now. It is small so I leave it on the camera all the time plus it has a shutter release connection which works just fine. One day I was shooting and I felt my foot kick something. I stopped and looked down. Half of the GPS unit was laying there. The GPS itself is in a small case that is snapped together. The front half was laying there. I picked it up and snapped it back into place and it worked fine. That one time is the only time I had that happen to me. Now I always check to make sure the case is tight. By the way the unit embeds the GPS into into EXIF. It uses the camera battery for power but it's not a power hungry beast.
John