• Nikonreseñas
  • Nikonreview
  • Fotoschool
  • Ode to Ugliness
  • Portfolio
  • Contact
  • Log in

“Geotagging” with your Nikon. Review of the Promote GPS N-1

by gerard.prins on Apr 29, 2009 in Accessories for Nikon, Nikon Cameras, GPS & Geo-tagging, Review
“Geotagging” with your Nikon. Review of the Promote GPS N-1
Nikon 10-pin remote terminal.
Portable or dedicated? | Promote GPS N-1 | Cold & hot start | Verdict

What is “Geo-tagging”?
Professional and semi-professional Nikon cameras with a 10-pin remote terminal as well as some mid range models with a dedicated port – like the D90 – are capable of automatically writing geo-referential meta-data into image headers (Exif), popularly known as “geo-tagging”.
When a device records these meta-data in real-time, as is the case here, we refer to it as “instantaneous geo-tagging”.
The meta-tag data consists in latitude, longitude, altitude, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and heading*, which a GPS (Global Positioning System) device connected to the camera stores automatically in the header of every shot - once connected, activated and after acquiring so-called lock-on with the GPS satellites in its range.
* Shown only if the GPS device is equipped with a digital compass.

Geo-tagging is a useful reminder of where & when a picture was taken, and can help you to find a wide variety of online information on its geographical location.
You can also use these data in specialized sites such as Google Earth and Flickr, to locate the image automatically on a map, such as on Google Maps and Wikimapia, or on sites capable of extracting Exif from published images.
For an example click here, on the page that opens, click the camera icon at the top of the image to view the Exif/IPTC information.
After the break: Nikon cameras compatible with instantaneous geo-tagging.



Nikon cameras compatible with geo-tagging:
Nikon D5, D4, D3-series, D2-series, D1X, D800/E, D700, D500, D300(S), D200 (with MC-35+portable device, Nikon GP1+GP1-CA10 or dedicated GPS), D90, D7K series, D600, D5K series, D3100, D3200 (with Nikon GP1+GP1-CA90 or dedicated GPS)
Note 1: The D40(x), D60, D70, D80 and D3000 are not instantaneous geo-tagging capable, while the D5300 features built-in GPS.
Note 2: There are currently some Fuji but no Canon cameras compatible with instantaneous geo-tagging.
Note 3: I'm seeing an increasing number of posts indicating that the newer Etrex models (like the Etrex H) are not compatible with the MC-35. Be sure to check before you buy!!

GPS: portable or dedicated?
There are two alternatives to capture GPS data in a Nikon camera. The first is to connect a portable GPS device via the MC-35 adapter cable to the remote terminal of the camera.
The MC-35 has one (male) 10-pin plug on one end of the connection cable, and an additional 10-pin terminal (female, for the connection of other 10-pin devices) plus a serial D-sub (RS232-female) on the box, allowing you to connect the serial cable from the GPS manufacturer – which, in turn – plugs into your portable device.

Nikon certifies portable devices from Garmin and Magellan for suitable cameras, all of which meet the NMEA 2.1 standard.
It is important to point out that certified cameras are only compatible with portable GPS devices with a serial interface but not USB – even with an adapter – because these have a different signal path.
I have experience with the Garmin eTrex Vista, which worked with no problem whatsoever on my D1X and D200.

The advantages of this configuration are that a portable GPS comes with its own batteries, doubles for mapping, navigation, and does not usurp the flash shoe, unlike the majority of dedicated GPS devices.
The disadvantage, apart from price (a handheld GPS plus MC-35 cost from about $ 300 up) is that it is a little awkward, as both a portable GPS and a (long) serial cable are heavy. The only alternative - if you dare - is to shorten the serial cable considerably.

“Geotagging” with your Nikon. Review of the Promote GPS N-1
Nikon MC-35 cable and serial cable for Garmin GPS (eTrex Vista)

Dedicated GPS.
The second alternative, more economical and much more manageable, are dedicated GPS devices. These are simple GPS receivers, usually in the form of a small, black box that mounts on the flash shoe and connects directly to the remote terminal.
The advantage of these is that they are very light and do not require an additional adapter cable. Their main disadvantage is that they cannot double for mapping and navigation, occupy the external flash hot-shoe and, thus, block the built-in flash (if available), and – usually – get their power from the camera.

Market.
The category of dedicated GPS is currently quite competitive, starting with Nikon, who launched their GP-1 a little over a year ago.
However, with a price of $ 270 it is a good example of what Nikon can – or pretend to – charge their fans, since any other dedicated GPS costs almost half that.
In addition, Nikon does not reveal details about the GPS chip used in their device, generating at least doubts about whether or not it is last generation.

Competition comes from Garmin and Magellan portable GPS’ (from ± $ 180 plus the MC-35), and dedicated GPS’ from brands like Wolverine, Geometr and Promote, among others (from ± $ 125-150).
I will not go into details on how I arrived at the device more suitable for me; it suffices to say that the people at Promote Systems have a concept of customer service I have rarely witnessed before.
They promptly answered all my questions (by Email), warned that Amazon probably would not dispatch to Chile, assisted in the buying and choice of the most appropriate delivery method, and dispatched just in time for the product to arrive in a very narrow time window between two specific dates.

“Geotagging” with your Nikon. Review of the Promote GPS N-1

Promote Systems GPS N-1
Price paid: U.S. $ 147, plus dispatch via U.S. Parcel Post (U.S. $ 25)
Purchase Date: January 2009.
Similar Products Used: Garmin eTrex Vista
Store: Promote Systems online store.


Description and use of the product.
The Promote GPS Receiver features the last generation SiRF Star III chip, which excels at acquiring and maintaining GPS signal lock, even with poor visibility of the sky (trees, clouds), or even zero visibility.
It includes latitude, longitude, altitude and UTC (dd-mm-yyyy, hh:mm:ss AM/PM) in the image header (Exif), meta-data which can be displayed in processing software from Nikon and Adobe, among others.
It consumes less than 55 mA directly from the camera, and turns off in parallel with the exposure meter – depending on its configuration – in models posterior to the D2X, D200. However, with the latter you should turn off the camera or GPS manually to save power, since it does not power down with the meters.

Other features:
20-channel GPS receiver with support for WAAS / EGNOS / MSAS.
Instantaneous geo-tagging. You do not need a computer to import the data in Exif.
Saves its satellite registry in memory for a quick hot start.
Made in the USA.
Compatible with: Nikon D5, D4, D3-series, D2-series, D800/E, D700, D500, D300(S), D200, Fuji S5 Pro, IS Pro.

Promote Systems offers as an additional benefit a free software called “Geo tagging Suite”, which can “fill-in” GPS data in pictures without.
If at least the first and last of a series taken at a specific location contain GPS meta-data, you can geo-reference the whole series, even those without GPS Exif.

“Geotagging” with your Nikon. Review of the Promote GPS N-1
Icon indicating that the GPS is connected (top screen of the D200).
“Geotagging” with your Nikon. Review of the Promote GPS N-1

Cold & hot start.
Cold start refers to the time that it takes a GPS device to capture signals from satellites in a new location, or after having been turned off for a long time.
The GPS icon on the top panel of the camera blinks until the so-called “lock-on” is acquired, which means the device has established and locked communication with the satellites needed to fix its position (at least 3). After lock-on, the camera icon goes steady.
The GPS N-1 may take between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, depending on the location and visibility of the sky.
With an unobstructed view and a clear sky, this delay is rarely more than 45 seconds, in my experience.
On certain cameras it may be necessary to keep a button pressed in order to keep the meters activated (Shutter, AE-L/AF-L), which avoids the GPS to power down before acquiring lock-on (e.g.: D4, D300, D700, D7100).

Hot start refers to the time it takes a device to re-establish its position in a location previously acquired and/or after a short shutdown period.
With a clear, unobstructed sky, the Promote GPS N-1 rarely takes more than 5 to 10 seconds.
Moreover, even entering a space with zero visibility of the sky and without turning the camera off, it generally manages to maintain lock-on. In case of signal loss, it suffices to go near an unobstructed window to re-lock position quickly, in most cases.

Comments and conclusion:
The Promote GPS N-1 is small and lightweight: it measures 4,5x4,5x2,5 cm. (including shoe) and weighs only 68 g..
In my experience, it is generally faster than the eTrex Vista to acquire lock-on, in both cold and hot start, and is definitely superior in maintaining signal, even with zero visibility of the sky.
It has a shoe with a tightening ring to fit it securely on the flash shoe, and does not extend over the back of the camera, thus avoiding hitting your head when looking through the viewfinder.
However, because of its forward extension, it does obstruct the built-in flash, while also taking over the optional flash shoe.
When in need of flash, the solution is to fix it to the camera strap, for which Promote includes a strap adapter. Plugging it into the 10-pin remote terminal can be a bit scary the first time, because the plug fits pretty tight, and one must feel comfortable that it is properly aligned before daring to exert the necessary pressure to assure it is properly seated.
Keep in mind that, unlike later cameras, on the D200 and D2 it will not turn off with the meters. While its power consumption may be considered minimal, it will contribute to the depletion of the camera battery in about 3 to 5 hours of continuous use.

Verdict:
This dedicated GPS does what it promises, is lightweight and – compared to a Nikon GP-1 or portable GPS set-up – cheap. Akin its direct competitors, it blocks the pop-up flash and takes over the external flash shoe.
To users who consider this a critical flaw and are not prepared to invent an alternative fixation, I suggest reviewing the Wolverine, which comes with a Velcro attachment between the shoe and “box”, allowing to take it off and fixing it directly on the camera strap.
The disadvantage of this system is – according to some users – that it tends to come off of the shoe too easily.

Promote Systems GPS N-1, notes:
Operation: 5. (Fast cold & hot start, accurate measurement).
Build Quality: 5.
Design: 4. (No alignment indication on the plug, blocks the pop-up flash).
Value for money: 4. (Slightly more expensive than its direct competition, considerably cheaper than a Nikon GP-1 or portable GPS + MC-35).
1 = poor, 5 = excellent.
Conclusion: Highly Recommended.

See also:
Geo-tagging Flickr images: the coolest game on (Google) Earth.
Competition for the Nikon GP-1. Promote Systems launch their GPS-D90 for the D90, D7K and D5K series


Top

Want to help?

I'm a freelancer!
If this article is useful to you, you might want to consider a small contribution. Thank you!

Tags: adobe af alternatives battery built-in flash cable camera canon chile color competition customer service d2 series d200 d3 series d300 series d3000 series d5 d500 d5000 series d5k series d60 d700 series d7000 series d7100 d7K series d7k d80 d90 dedicated gps digital economical etrex vista exposure external flash flash flickr free fuji garmin geo-tagging google google earth google maps gp-1 gps gps n-1 is pro launch location magellan mapping mc-35 new nikon php pictures portable problem products professional promote review s5 pro semi-professional serial service software standard
  • « Adobe now officially WORSE than MS. Sell by NOT doing, rather than doing.
  • Review: Nikon D40 + AF-S DX 18-55 mm. f/3.5-5.6GII ED kit. Maybe the best Nikon ever? »

No feedback yet


Form is loading...

Comment feed for this post

Want to help?

I'm a freelancer!
If my work is useful to you, please consider a small contribution. Thank you!

Search

Translate


Who's Online?

  • Guest Users: 4

Articles

  • Astro photography for beginners
  • Upgrade or deal-breaker? Seven reasons not to buy the Nikon D7500 and get a D7200 instead
  • Your telescope as a super-tele lens: methods, tools, pros & cons of eyepiece projection and prime focus astrophotography
  • DIY heavy duty woodshop Crayford-type focuser with building plans
  • Is my camera motorized or motor-less, compatible with NAI, AI, AI-S, AI-P, AF-D, AF-I, AF-S lenses and GPS or not? Answers.
  • The Nikon F-mount. Manual focus NAI, AI, AI-S, AI-P, Series E and auto-focus AF-D, AF-I, AF-S, D- and G-Type lenses. A compatibility inventory
  • Why DxO Mark's lens “tests” are utter nonsense
  • Got a new camera? Problems with Photoshop or Camera RAW? Check out Nikon Capture NX-D. FREE!
  • Autofocus reloaded. AF-S, AF-C, AF-A, AF-F. 11, 39 and 51 point AF systems. Dynamic area AF, focus areas and 3D
  • When and how to use fill-in flash, high speed sync and slow sync flash
  • Adobe adds support for the Nikon Df, D610, D5300, D4S, D3300 and D810 in ACR 8.x (CS6 and CC ONLY)
  • Compatibility chart for Nikon DSLR and Adobe Camera RAW & DNG Converter (Updated 2016-06-12)
  • 25-02-2014: Nikon launches the top-of-the-line 16.2 Mp. D4S
  • Cool Stuff V. Godox Witstro AD-180 & AD-360 portable bare-tube flashes
  • Good news for wildlife and sports shooters: Tamron launches the Di SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 VC USD
  • The Quick & Dirty Focus Test
  • Back Focus, Front Focus or Spot-on? Do the Domino Test
  • October 17, 2013. Nikon replace the D5200 with the D5300
  • October 8, 2013. Nikon launches the D610 to replace the 13 month-old D600
  • Nikon's numbers are dropping. Why?
  • Geotagging test of the Nikon D7100 and the Promote GPS N-90
  • How the DNG Converter makes your RAW files compatible with any version of ACR
  • Some very useful tips for shooting Video with your DSLR
  • Nikon announces to have produced the 80 millionth Nikkor
  • Adobe surveys potential CC customers. Mostly address the right issues, except the single most essential.
  • Flickr make a mayor change to their interface. Just in time or just too late?
  • Adobe Creative Cloud or CC. Cash Cows for Creative Criminals
  • Adobe adds support for the D5200 in ACR 7.3 and D7100 in 7.4 (CS6 Only)
  • Promote GPS 10-pin CA10 to D90-type CA90 connector conversion.
  • The D5200: Nikon’s most unnecessary launch ever.
  • Nikon's Premium Pricing and Pixel Overkill: A New Dead End Street?
  • Adobe adds support for the Nikon D600 in ACR 7.2 (CS6 only).
  • Adobe adds support for the D3200 in ACR 7.1 (CS6 only). D600 not yet supported.
  • Nikon D600 vs. D800. For what it offers, the D600 should cost $500 less.
  • EN-EL15 battery recall
  • To Goog Almighty: how do I get my search traffic back?
  • Adobe publishes Camera RAW and DNG Converter 6.7 final releases. The last for CS5.
  • Nikon launches the long overdue AF-S 28 mm f/1.8G Nikkor
  • Nikon launches the D3200, the WU-1a wireless mobile adapter and the 28mm f/1.8G prime lens
  • Flickr is dead. Long live Facebook
  • XQD vs. Compact Flash on the Nikon D4. Which is the fastest?
  • Adobe ACR 6.7 RC (CS5 only) and Nikon updates add support for the D4, D800/800E. Nikon software now also x64 native.
  • The new Nikon D800. Medium Format akin or not? A spec comparison with the Pentax 645D
  • January 2012. Nikon launches the D4. Time for a review of its product strategy.
  • That's it for Nikon in 2011
  • October 5, 2011. A farewell to Steve Jobs.
  • September 21, 2011. Nikon launches Nikon One: 2 mirror-less cameras, 4 lenses, and a host of accessories.
  • August 24, 2011. Nikon may finally give us the launches we have been waiting for. (Edited) Well, I guess not.
  • Sigma discontinues the 100-300mm f/4. Time to call upon Nikon for an affordable 400 and 500 mm
  • EN-EL3 rechargeable battery recall (D50, D70, D70s, D100)
  • Nikon launches the D5100 and the ME-1 stereo microphone for digital SLR
  • Cool Stuff IV. The Strobies XS bracket: turn your hot-shoe flash into a studio flash.
  • New software releases from Nikon, Adobe and Apple
  • Mac OS X 10.6 Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update. Support for the Nikon D7000 and CP7000, among others.
  • Cool stuff III. The Superclamp: don't leave home without one (or two)
  • Adobe launches Camera RAW (CS5 ONLY) and DNG converter 6.3 RC. Support for the Nikon D7000 and D3100, among others.
  • Missed the D7000 launch, but went to Amsterdam, played the tourist, met my grandson and “tested” the D7000, Pentax 645D at Photokina
  • Nikon launch their own on-line store in the US. Unfortunately, it's outrageously expensive.
  • Nikon & NASA. Almost 40 years together in space.
  • Cool Stuff II: lenta.ru. Probably the coolest portal on the planet, right now.
  • Cool Stuff I: GoPro HERO wearable, waterproof 1080p HD digital video and still “sports” camera
  • The rumors were not too far off: Nikon launch the D3100 with the 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G VR.
  • Nikon View: could it get any worse? A crash test review of View NX2.
  • The rumors are no longer rumors. Nikon launch their new Coolpixes S1100 Pj and S5100.
  • NEW! Nikon View NX 2 now available for download.
  • Adobe Labs publishes the Camera RAW ACR 6.2 release candidate (CS5 Only) and DNG Converter v.6.2.
  • It's that time of the year again. Rumors about new Nikon DSLR cameras: D3100 and D7000 (D95).
  • JPG vs. RAW, 8-bits vs. 16-bits, sRGB vs. wide-gamut RGB. Which to choose, when and why
  • Shot befittingly with a Nikon: my grandson
  • Nikon EN-EL3e false low-battery warning problem. Possible solutions.
  • Swamped in comment Spam
  • Geo-tagging Flickr images: the coolest game on (Google) Earth.
  • Adobe releases Camera RAW ACR 5.7, probably the last update for CS4.
  • The earthquake in Chile and the power of photography.
  • Nikon updates software. Now compatible with Apple Snow Leopard (OS 10.6.x) and Windows 7, Vista 32/64 bits.
  • I'm not the only one who thinks Adobe is Lazy...
  • Nikon introduce 7 new Coolpix cameras. Finally move their butt, um, sensor. Launch their first BSI-CMOS in the P100.
  • Can I use Nikkor AI and AI-S manual focus lenses on my Nikon DSLR? Yes, you can!
  • Nikon's greatest hits, 1999-2009
  • Adobe Camera RAW ACR 5.6 RC (CS4 only) now available for download. Support for the Nikon D3S, among others
  • Green pictures in Nikon View?
  • Nikon View NX does not work on Snow Leopard (OS 10.6)
  • 14-10-2009. Nikon launch the D3S with 12.800 standard ISO plus the DX 85mm f/3.5 micro-Nikkor
  • RIP: the Nikon D300, officially discontinued
  • Which is the best RAW converter: Camera RAW, Nikon View, Capture or Phase One Capture One?
  • Adobe Camera RAW 5.5 Release Candidate (Free, CS4 ONLY). Support for the Nikon D300S and D3000
  • New Nikon camera? Photoshop or Camera RAW Trouble? Check out Nikon View NX! (Updated)
  • 30-07-2009: Nikon Launch the D300s and D3000 cameras. Specs here.
  • Nikon service advisory for a power related problem with the D5000 (certain serial numbers only)
  • The rumors confirmed: launch date for the Nikon D300s and D3000.
  • A good laugh for our Dutch friends...
  • My Nikon wish list. Some of it I can afford, some not (yet).
  • D5000 & 18-55, 55-200 Outfit for the price of a D90 (Body alone)
  • In depth D5000 review on DPreview
  • Competition for the Nikon GP-1(a). Promote Systems GPS N-90 for the D90, D6x0, D7K and D5K series, the D3100 and D3200
  • Nikon D300, D90 & D80 EN-EL3e false low-battery warning problem.
  • Let's stick it to Adobe and Nikon! 3 Alternatives to upgrading RAW software every time you get a new camera
  • Plausible rumors about the specs of the new Nikon D300s and more...
  • Adobe Camera RAW 5.4 Release Candidate (CS4 ONLY). Support for the Nikon D5000 and other cameras.
  • Teaser Campaign for the D400? More rumors: D400, D750.
  • Nikon D300, out of stock or discounted in stores in the US, France and Sweden. D40 and D80 discontinued in Europe.
  • Adobe now officially WORSE than MS. Sell by NOT doing, rather than doing.
  • “Geotagging” with your Nikon. Review of the Promote GPS N-1
  • Review: Nikon D40 + AF-S DX 18-55 mm. f/3.5-5.6GII ED kit. Maybe the best Nikon ever?
  • My Nikon cameras, the ones to come and why.
  • Review: 18-200 mm. f/3.5-6.3D IF DC Sigma. You can't have it All.
  • Review: APO 100-300mm f/4D EX HSM Sigma. Sharpness on a Shoestring
  • Review: AT-X PRO 12-24mm f/4G DX Tokina. Big Bang for your Buck
  • Dictionary of (digital) photography terms and abbreviations

©2019 by Gerard Prins All content of this blog is copyrighted. Articles may be reproduced only when providing a byline and a link to the original article. Images may not be reproduced without previous, written permission of their author(s). • Contact • Help • multiblog • b2evolution hosting