GPS data logger recommendations?

[badwabbit]

Anybody using a GPS data logger to geotag their pics?

I currently have modified my TomTom to log, but due to powering the screen it only lasts a few hours when walking around - I really want something small I can switch on and just leave to log GPS data all day.

Reading comments and reviews it seems many of these devices aren't great - just wondering if any of you guys are doing this, and if there are any units you particularly recommend..?

[badwabbit]

Not sure what you mean - do Garmin do GPS data loggers? I couldn't find any on Amazon, or Garmin's website, for instance.

If you mean the type of GPS navigation units with screens, as mentioned I am already using my TomTom for this, and it's fine in the car or on small explores, but I want a small data logger, not a full navigation device, to throw in the backpack and just log position info.

[Treadstone]

My phone has GPS built in and I run some logging software on it. I've never tested it from full charge to dead, but it would I'd guess between 4 and 8 hours. The problem tends to be when I don't start from a full charge - then I find I have no phone or GPS !

GPS_integrated phones are a tad pricey - at the other end of the scale you could make up a lead with a voltage regulator in it and connect what you have to an external battery.

Otherwise it is a question of getting a dedicated logger which doesn't have a screen - for small size and low battery consumption - the problem is often to make the device small the battery is small too.
I had a look at this site (http://www.easydevices.co.uk/scp/GPS_Receivers/GPS_Tracker.html)for a range of devices, but they tend to quote battery capacity in mAh not life in hours :, althoughthis one (http://www.easydevices.co.uk/pp/GPS_Receivers/GPS_Tracker/GiSTEQ_PHOTOTRACKR_LITE_GEO-TAGGING_DEVICE.html)claims a 22+ hours off 1 AA battery !

[mito]

this one (http://www.easydevices.co.uk/pp/GPS_Receivers/GPS_Tracker/GiSTEQ_PHOTOTRACKR_LITE_GEO-TAGGING_DEVICE.html)claims a 22+ hours off 1 AA battery !

That would be nice but of course it depends entirely on the make/spec of the battery so probably a figure they've pulled out the air somehow

[Treadstone]

Also that one seems to have an absolute panning in the comments on Amazon ...

Battery rating are a bit of myth because current & time are measured to a point of the battery makers choosing: the same company might measure one battery to different end voltage than another. Which might be lower than the voltage where your device stops.

[BenCooper]

Sony make a pretty decent one - though I do it sometimes with my iPhone. For urbex, though, the use is limited - there are relatively few explores where the site is so large and open to the sky that it would be any use. Wish I'd had one at Bishopton, but that's about all I can think of...

[Ordnance]

First off - Remember that GPS only works in 'Open Sky' so are useless underground or inside building, but can mark the entry points, and mark 'Way Points' to and from a remote location.

I have a Garmin Etrex which can log up to 500 way-points. Powered by 2 x AA Batteries with a published battery life of around 22 hours. [I have in fact acheved 20 hours with minimum display use] I use this on all my field trips. You can change batteries without losing data. I change mine after 10-12 hours. And of course I carry a spare Mobile Battery plus a AA Battery adaptor for my phone, Its not just your torches you need backup for! (In fact I use my part discharged batteries to power the phone for calls sometimes!)

Example - https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6403&ra=true

This is a basic model which is used with a map, but you can get more modern versions with built-in maps, with the same long life. Its all down to cost.

The buzz word is 'Way Points' not 'Data Logging' Go talk to a specialist shop to see whats available.

You need software & a USB Cable if you want to data dump to your computer, I have a Serial Cable with USB adaptor, but mine is an older model, new versions have direct USB cables.

[muppix]

I have a Garmin Etrex which can log up to 500 way-points. Powered by 2 x AA Batteries with a published battery life of around 22 hours.

+1 for the eTrex - can't beat them. I used to have a hotshoe mounted GPS for my Nikon which used the 10 pin plug, but it halved the battery life and cost twice as much as the eTrex. Of course the downside is that you have to geotag your images manually afterwards (Google "geosetter" for the best bit of software I've found so far) but on the plus side the eTrex has a display and I've got the OSGB mapset loaded for the whole of the UK, which has helped me out many a time.

m.

[badwabbit]

You can see why this whole data logger business is such a mess - it's very hard to find a decent solid unit that just works without too many disadvantages. Thanks for the suggestions though, I'll check them out.

[TommyG]

Personally I use a iBlue 747A+, which is basically just a matchbox size GPS-device with a switch for turning it on(GPS-bluetooth mode or GPS logger mode)/off on the side, and a button on the top for recording waypoints. I just turn it on and pop it in my backpack or a jacket pocket.
A bit flimsy build, but has been working perfectly for me. Has a battery life of about 1.5 days, and is able to record about 100.000 locations (if I recall correctly). Have seen them on ebay for around £35.

[badwabbit]

Hmm, sounds good. Does it require proprietary Windows software to pull the logging data off? Whatever I get has to work with my (Mac) workflow (I geotag in Lightroom)...

Edit: That looks ideal, and a decent price (much better than £80-100) so if it doesn't work out it's not a huge amount of money to throw away. I think I'll give it a try - thanks for the recommendation!

[TommyG]

There is an open source app that at least works perfectly for me on Linux, and supposedly also works on Mac. Have a look at http://www.bt747.org/

[badwabbit]

Just missed out on one on ebay that went for £12... grr... I always forget to be around when auctions end...

[Ordnance]

Not heard of a iBlue 747A+ before but as a simple GPS Logger it seems to do what you want. I have had a eTrex for years since being in the army in fact, and it does for me, but I have to agree for the price it must be worth a go!

Review - http://memoryweaver.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/iblue-747a-gps-data-logger-with-bluetooth-review/

Website - http://www.transystem.com.tw/product.php?b=G With a few even smaller models to loook out for (I may even be interested!)

[Maniac]

You don't necessarily need a data logger if you just want a reference for your own use, I've used google maps on my phone before, scrolled to the location I'm in and just saved locations as favourites. I type the image number on my camera in as the name.

I've only done this a few times where I've specifically wanted to remember where I've taken a photo, ususally if I think I may want to go back there at some point.

Mike.

[ph_zone]

I Have a couple of these,
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=227620
great little units and good battery life.

just press the button and it logs your current position.

[badwabbit]

Just picked up an iBlue for twenty quid, which if it works, will be a nice little result!

Thanks again for the recommendation. I'll post back when it comes and I've used it and have some results to share...

[badwabbit]

Ok, got it in the post today. Seems pretty cool. I've got the BT747 software downloading log files from it to my Mac ok, and the sensitivity seems pretty good - it can pick up a GPS signal in my office, which my TomTom won't do.

Looks like it's going to have a permanent place in my explorer kit...

For the £20-£30 these go for on ebay, it seems a bit of a no-brainer... :thumb

[TommyG]

Yeah, my only issue with it, is that it's got a bit flimsy build quality, but apart from that, it's great. Stick it in a small protective case, and you're good to go.

[badwabbit]

Build quality seems ok to me - no, it's not rugged, but I have seen far cheaper plasticky things. I've been logging stuff and geotagging photos over the past few days, and it's worked brilliantly. Exactly what I was looking for, at about a quarter of the cost.

The bt747 software is a bit geeky and light on documentation, but works well enough and does the job fine.

So all round - a result! :)