GiSTEQ PhotoTracker brings GPS phototagging to the masses

We've been seeing a bunch of GPS camera-trackers pop up lately, but the implementations have all seemed a bit silly, like Jelbert's big honkin' GeoTagger. GiSTEQ is looking to change all that with the introduction of the PhotoTracker, a $99 GPS receiver that's designed to unobtrusively work with virtually all digital cameras. Like Sony's GPS-CS1, you sync the unit to your cam's built-in clock and then toss it in your bag or pocket, where it can record location data for the next 3-4 weeks. The included software then takes this info and adds the appropriate geotags to your photos as you're pulling them off your memory card. It's a simple (and great) idea, we just wish the software didn't look like it's going to insist on being your primary photo manager.

[Philip Chung @ Apr 25th 2007 8:38AM]

Now this gadget really would be handy, but I can find no mention of the software adding the location information to the EXIF data of the photo. It looks as if all it does is compare photo time stamps with the GPS log data on the device. This means you ARE tied to their own software to organise your photos.

[spam_from_engadget @ Apr 25th 2007 8:48AM]

They have a comparison table comparing their product with the Sony GPS-CS1, here:

http://www.gisteq.com/Comparison.pdf

Unfortunately, the very first line is wrong: they claim that their product supports all digital cameras while the Sony supports "only certain Sony models that support CyberShot 'Picture Motion Browser' function". This is rubbish; I am happily using my Sony GPS-CS1 with my Canon camera, and since all it does is record a GPS track in the standard NMEA format there is no reason why it shouldn't work with every camera.

Much of the rest of the table is also inaccurate. (No status LED? What? Did they even look at the Sony product?)

GiSTEQ claims a battery life of 22 hours from its built-in 1100 mAh Li-ion battery. That's pretty impressive, compared to the Sony which manages about 10 hours from an AA NiMH cell. However, using an AA cell means that you can replace it immediately when it is discharged; with this product's built-in battery, after 22 hours, you have to charge it for 3 hours. You can charge it over USB from a car charger, but still I think it's the wrong choice, and it makes it pretty much useless for things like hiking trips.

[Mojo_Yugen @ Apr 25th 2007 8:58AM]

Kinda doubt it supports anything but jpg.
Good idea. Atrocious implementation.
Pass.

[Kyle @ Apr 25th 2007 9:11AM]

I haven't done alot of background research, but if all that is happening is a GPS track is being recorded and later syncronized with the pictures based on timestamp, what is special about the hardware? Could the same result be accomplished by logging a NMEA GPS track with any device and using software to syncronize?

[software_t @ Apr 25th 2007 2:59PM]

Looks like this one comes with a camera time synchronization tool that reads the GPS time from the logger right at the moment and let you synchronize your camera's time. http://www.gisteq.com/index-mappingprog.html

[Khaytsus @ Apr 25th 2007 10:57AM]

http://freefoote.dview.net/linux_gpscorr.html

That software will correlate photo timestamps and a normal NMEA GPS track log. Linux-only, but there are probably alternatives.

What would really be neat/geeky is a dongle like this which can record a full 18 hours or so (recharge nightly) and be able to see where you were at any given moment of the day, assuming you're not indoors where the signal doesn't reach.

[Unomi @ Apr 25th 2007 11:53AM]

I second your dongle idea... I've been on the lookout for a GPS datalogger just under the 100 EUR, but can't find it anywhere. All it has to do is just log where I've been. I don't need no maps or anything fancy. At least with a USB-interface and that's it. I know they are out there, but they are 150 EUR and up.

- Unomi -

[Stan @ Apr 25th 2007 10:12AM]

Kyle - Yes, you can do this with any GPS that can log lat, long and timestamp.
I will be interested in buying a dedicated GPS just for geotagging when it:
- Has a very long battery life
- Has a very sensitive chipset so it could be used in a backpack, pants pocket, etc.
- Is small enough to fit in my pants pocket or backback without getting in the way.
- I'd really like it to have bluetooth also so I can use it with my PDA/laptop.

[Andir3.0 @ Apr 25th 2007 10:21AM]

How do you pronounce that? Jiz-tech? Giz-tech?

[Taylor @ Apr 25th 2007 1:08PM]

I'm betting this is all pretty useless if you're a Mac user. Sony support on Macs suck, and anything 3rd party, like this new product, has a low likelyhood. However, if it does have Mac support, usually it's going to be steller. Unlike a big company where if they do have Mac support, there's a good chance it's not even fully compatible and full of bugs.

Just a generality, but curious if anyone knows the Mac status of these products.

[spam_from_engadget @ Apr 25th 2007 12:44PM]

Taylor,

The Sony GPS-CS1 bundled software is Windows-only. However when you plug the device into your Mac or Linux box it appears as a normal USB storage device (like a flash drive) containing GPS log files in standard NMEA format. So you can read them with any software of your choice. There are free Linux programs that will match the timestamps with your photos and add the position coordinates as EXIF attributes. I presume that these could be made to work on a Mac, or maybe something similar already exists. Whether this is good enough for you depends on whether you want the whizzy GUI.

We don't yet know whether this GiSTEX device appears as a USB storage device in the same way as the Sony, or whether they have their own USB protocol that only works with their own software.

[Matt @ Apr 25th 2007 11:51AM]

Still requires you to do the match-up post shooting when you're back at the computer. Nikon was on the right track where you could connect a camera to a GPS device and it would attach the geo metadata to the image file on board when you took the shot.

[Nobuyuki Idei @ Apr 25th 2007 1:38PM]

You can get the Sony for less than USD 100, which with the current USD-EUR conversion rates should about EUR 100 with shipping and your odd European taxes.

[software_t @ Apr 25th 2007 1:48PM]

I believe it does have the ability to write the EXIF meta data into the photo so you can use other photo management software. The integrated Flickr photo feature seems interesting.

[gateway @ Apr 25th 2007 2:00PM]

I have been playing around alot with geo photo tagging and posted an article on my site about my setup, im always looking for new gps logging devices, the main thing for me is to be able to stick it in the pocket or bag and have it work, the Stand alone sony one is pretty crap at that and you have to have it outside your bag and the device has to point in the right direction in order to get stat data.. ill give this one a shot. here is a brief article http://ibareitall.com/geo-photos-gps-plus-camera-geolocation-photographs/ , check out my hikes as well i use this in combination with gps waypoints, photos and google earth and maps.

[spam_from_engadget @ Apr 25th 2007 3:53PM]

> sony one is pretty crap at that and you have to have it
> outside your bag and the device has to point in the right
> direction in order to get sat data

I have found that it works OK inside the top pocket of my backpack. But I wish that they had made it in a more flat shape so that it would stay the right way up. This GiSTEQ one (and also the Wintec ones) look like they have got that right. The Sony's tubular shape means that it will roll around. I think I need to stitch some velcro into my backpack pocket to hold it in the right place.

I have also noticed that there are some Wintec loggers which include a compass. Has anyone used those?

[BloodyGerman @ Apr 25th 2007 2:36PM]

What is new about this? With the right software you can use any GPS logger. I bought WBT-201 for this. It was cheaper ($74,99 with $20 pre-order rebate), is smaller, can be used with bluetooth, and software seems to have some photo-tagging capabilities as well.

What i can't understand, that it was cheaper to order it from usa, than buying it in germany, even with shipping and those "odd" taxes.

[Mark Hu @ Apr 26th 2007 8:32PM]

Gistek Data logger had the build in more power capability for the battery 1100mA , and the more data logger recording point up to 250K , and they build in the sensor to control the power auto On/Off , and more stable the multi path issue compare with Wintec's Data logger , and Another unique feature is that it "talks", actually voice messages or sounds can be associated to certain actions, when it wakes it up it will say "searching for satellite signal", "found gps signal", etc...it can be muted if need be.

[jens @ Apr 25th 2007 5:09PM]

nice, but why pay money if you can synchronize with any gps log from a gps device that you already own! take your garmin forerunner and our free software called grazer... http://www.grazer.de

for viewing the gps tags we use "exifer"

[Steve @ Apr 26th 2007 1:23PM]

Being not so familiar with the whole GPS Photo idea, all the tools and programs required for the GPS Photo workflow is a bit complicated for me. This package maybe worth a shot, for me to get started without having to worry about all the "moving parts".

[ean @ May 2nd 2007 9:16AM]

Or do it VIA your PHONE: http://www.vodafonebetavine.com/web/SunsetGPSLogger/