GPS data loggers are used by photographers like to go to record the positions of recording images. Not everyone is suited for data loggers alike. In my market observations to me an interesting representative of this genus is encountered.

Equipment is located in my many years of GPS data logger Wintec WBT-201 I am very satisfied with its performance. For a longer trip but my parents turned the requirement to record at least 11 days of continuous data. An interim analysis would not be possible during this time. Since the memory of the Wintec WBT-201 at the back would create a maximum of three days to track-laying, an alternative had to be found.

Gerät “Columbus V-900″ auf dem deutschen Markt vertrieben. For some time now by the company in Columbus, the GPS device GPS Sales Germany expelled "Columbus V-900" on the German market. The nearly 10 millimeter thin enclosure is shown with a polished metal surface below and above a piano black finish, very classy and a little reminiscent of the Apple devices (iPod). The decisive argument, however, was the possibility of the device with a Micro SD card to run up to 2 GB. Thus, the recording is of almost 25 million possible waypoints (about 280 days). The internal battery will keep it around 24 hours through.

Now the device has mentioned the 11 days test behind him and so is the time of evaluation come. While recording a data volume of about 40 MB is met. Used on the 2 GB memory card, then, was still "plenty of air." The recording of the path is a comma-separated list (CSV) and can not therefore without further editing in GPS applications are used. Here at last is the bundled software "time album" was used.

Time album is a Java application and therefore can be run directly without installation on Windows, Mac or Linux computers. The only prerequisite is an installed Java Runtime Environment. This may at http://www.java.com be downloaded and installed. The English software is kept clear but spartan. It offers the possibility of images or recorded voice memos with the recorded distance link and then export to Google Earth. In addition to export the data in NMEA format. Unfortunately, the export can take place but only for a loaded CSV file. Since the device creates after each turn-off or a new file, it is exported without any further editing is not possible for a longer distance.

To link the path with the images I have the free software GeoSetter in connection with the exported used NMEA data. It allowed the maximum use of functions. Against the background of the impressions of the device I want to do a little comparison of the two systems:

Comparison of Columbus V-900 <=> Wintec WBT-201

Columbus V-900

• Pro:
  • Voice Recording
  • Very large data capacity (up to 2 GB)
  • Replaceable disk
  • Long battery life
• Cons:
  • Battery not replaceable
  • To read the data are taken from the memory card and must be read with a card reader
  • Spartan software
  • Very limited configuration options
  • To deactivate Bluetooth after only 15 minutes of operation

Wintec WBT-201

• Pro:
  • Good adaptation to use with detailed configurability
  • Removable battery
  • Use as a GPS receiver for navigation
  • Software for mobile devices, and special applications
• Cons:
  • Limited memory
  • Reduced battery life

Conclusion

Together, the two devices is a very good reception performance even in reduced visibility to the satellites. The resounding argument for the Columbus V-900 is its recording capacity. Its weaknesses lie primarily in the software. During the design award clearly goes to Columbus, the Wintec scores with its compatibility and good software for Windows, Mac, Linux and some mobile platforms.

For more information

• Technical data and descriptions of the importer
• Manufacturers web site with software download

Tags: equipment , geo , geotagging , GPS , hardware , technology , test

Some time ago I had the software RoboGeo presented. I use this to save the recording location of a photo's EXIF information, description of the photos.

Koordinaten aufgezeichnet. Last week I spent a few days in London and as always with my GPS Logger GPS coordinates recorded. schein ein Problem bei interpolierten Koordinaten mit führenden Nullen zu haben. Back home I wanted to link them with the photos, and - there he was, the translucent RoboGeo bug is a problem with interpolated coordinates to have with leading zeros.. Thus, for example, "-0.00926967" (0 ° 0'33 .37 "west) -9.26966700 (9 ° 16'10 .80" West) and we were no longer in London (Canary Wharf), but in Ireland (Drishanebeg ). That, I have not noticed because I was always far enough away from the zero meridian.

This was the trigger for me again to see what is new software out there to - and I found it. bisher eben nicht konnte, nämlich die Lokationsinformationen zu den GPS Koordinaten abzufragen und in die EXIF beziehungsweise IPTC Felder einzutragen. A fine freeware program by Friedemann Schmidt does exactly what I need, also what RoboGeo just not been able to query the location information that is about the GPS coordinates into the EXIF or IPTC fields entered. To this end, the software uses the GeoNames database on the Internet. GeoSetter offers for one, for a freeware remarkable, feature:

• sowie den RAW -Formaten DNG (Adobe), CRW und CR2 (Canon), NEF (Nikon), MRW (Konica Minolta), PEF (Pentax), ORF (Olympus), ARW , SR2 und SRF (Sony) sowie RAF (Fujifilm) Compatibility with file formats JPEG, TIFF and RAW formats DNG (Adobe), CRW and CR2 (Canon), NEF (Nikon), MRW (Konica Minolta), PEF (Pentax), ORF (Olympus), ARW, SR2 and SRF (Sony) and RAF (Fujifilm)
• Using the program ExifTool from Phil Harvey for writing data.
• Display of existing coordinates and tracks on embedded and Google Maps map (internet connection required)
• Manual setting of coordinates (need Internet connection) via an embedded Google Maps map or direct input of coordinates and elevation values
• Automatic filling of relevant location IPTC fields and altitude values ​​(internet connection required)
• -NAA und XMP ) Change the way most of IPTC (XMP and IPTC-NAA)
• Possibility to change the recording date is not set correctly, eg at the time of the camera
• Synchronization with GPS track files in NMEA, GPX, PLT and other
• -Resultaten) Matching with already geo tagged images with existing copies (eg between RAW files and JPEG developed their results)
• Google Earth export
• Program interface is localized. Currently, the Danish, German, English, French, Dutch, Italian, are Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Czech and Norwegian available.

What I particularly liked is the fact how easy GPS coordinates can be entered manually. The right side of the window shows a map with search function on which the requested information and then simply copied into the images can be.

Conclusion: A brilliant piece of software!

Source and further information: http://www.geosetter.de

Tags: EXIF , geo , geotagging , GPS , Software

Geotagging with RoboGeo

System erfasst wurden direkt in die Metadaten ( EXIF ) von Bildern im JPEG oder TIFF oder RAW Format gespeichert werden können. RoboGeo is a software with the Geopositionierungsdaten which were recorded with a GPS system directly into the metadata (EXIF) images in JPEG or TIFF or RAW format can be saved. The program is shareware and can be thoroughly tested.

How it works:

1. The recording locations with a GPS data logger recorded.
2. The protocol is loaded on the computer
3. The images from the camera will be loaded into the program RoboGeo
4. geladen The tracking information will be loaded into the GPS RoboGeo
5. Log vorhanden ist. RoboGeo links the information by time, which both the image information as is available in the GPS log.
6. The data is stored in the EXIF information

As simple as this sounds, it is also in the practice of the hand. The software runs under Windows and has been tested by me under both XP and Vista. Even the Canon RAW format is supported well.

Who provided their pictures with location recording and archiving would be well served with this software. Personally, I still lack a function of the location information in plain text in the appropriate EXIF fields to write - by the developers but I was assured that this on the "wish list" is.

RoboGeo can visit the website: http://www.robogeo.com be downloaded and purchased.

Tags: EXIF , geo , geotagging , GPS , Software

The Wintec WBT-201

Specifications

• Chipsatz GPS receiver with a new "Atmel / u-blox Antaris ® 4" GPS Chipset
• Position data loggers
• Storage capacity for over 131,000 waypoints
• Photo via PC software "X Time Machine"
• 1-4 Hz technology
• WAAS / EGNOS possible
• Password protection log data
• By cable and Bluetooth available
• Rechargeable, replaceable Li-Ion battery (BL-4C format)
• about 15 hours running time in the GPS mode
• Running time approximately 12 in the log mode
• Mini-USB connector
• Bluetooth interface
• Very small, light and handy

The Wintec WBT-201 or G-Rays 2, a GPS data logger - but what does that do to please with photography? This small and handy device with only 40g including the battery weight is on all of my photo tours in my pocket, so just in case! The GPS satellite receiver is so good that it even without direct line of sight in a bag in the trunk or under the car seat works fine.

The device records the position in configurable parameters (by time, Bewegungsabhänging etc.). oder Bluetooth auf ein PC übertragen werden. These waypoints (GPS coordinates and elevation information) is stored in internal memory and can later be transferred via USB or Bluetooth to a PC.

This way I can for a photo tour of the entire distance on a map to understand (eg Google Earth).

Now the photograph comes into play: With special software, now can create waypoints with the photos are combined. This allows the recording positions of the images could also be adopted later. The geographical information obtained will be directly stored in the extended image information (metadata), known as EXIF information. Thus, these data are always associated with the photo and can be read again with any supporting software.

From my photo blog you have to have the opportunity to visualize the locations of recording images. The data were collected with this little helper.

Which software is best suited for this purpose will be the subject of further articles in this portal.

Tags: EXIF , Geo , GPS , tools , position sensing