Thursday, October 21, 2010

Nikon GP-1 GPS Unit for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review


Purchased the GP-1 to help organize photos with the "Places" feature in iPhoto. I've used the product for three weeks and used it on a cruise ship and while touring Bermuda, both on land and ferries. I am very pleased with it.
I would have given the unit 5 stars but the interface on the D90 is a problem. Although I list more Cons than Pros, the GPS works great and gets the job done.
Pros: The GPS may take from 5 to 90 seconds to determine its current location, it depends on its last known position and any obstacles. Once established, it maintains commo even when shadowed by buildings, trees, inside a bus, etc. If the camera is turned off and the position hasn't changed considerably, the GPS reestablishes position usually within 5 seconds of powering on.
Cons: Specific to the D90 interface.
First and foremost, the interface cable is awkward and without certain precautions will lead to damaging the D90 input connector. The cable connector comes straight out of the camera connection located on the bottom left side of the D90. When cradling the camera from the left side, for stability, the user needs to be cautious not to apply any pressure to the cable/connector. Over the long term, damage to the camera's connector could result in a costly repair. This needs to be addressed by Nikon, but until then, the owner is on the hook for any damage and repair costs.
Second, the hot shoe mount isn't very practical. When you look through the view finder with the GP-1 mounted in this position you might bump the unit with your forehead. In addition, the GP-1 interferes with the pop-up flash unit! Also, the cable dangles and is in the way of your fingers. I used the supplied adapter to mount the GP-1 to the strap and had the excess cable held in position with a small velcro strap. This worked very well during my travels. As an added precaution against causing damage to the camera connector, I disconnected the camera connection whenever the camera wasn't in use.
Finally, battery life is shortened when using the GP-1. The unit uses the camera's battery for power. To ensure that the unit remains locked on to the satellite, especially when you're moving about or with potential obstructions (between tall buildings, inside a moving bus, on stateroom balcony, etc.), the camera should be left powered on. Not a big problem, just keep a fully charged battery handy if you're going to be out for the entire day.Get more detail about Nikon GP-1 GPS Unit for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

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