It wasn't long ago that I declared the Solmeta N2 GPS as my choice among Nikon DSLR compatible GPS units. Solmeta has stepped up its game to win my heart over even more with a new "Pro" model. Their NEW Solmeta Geotagger Pro offers the same features as the N2 model that I've come to love, but it adds something that I wasn't even thinking of and that's an LCD to display the information that it's tracking. At first I thought, "do I really need that?" After all, the current model Nikon DSLRs have a great GPS menu display that shows this information whenever you need it. So at first glance I wasn't impressed that this info would be on the GPS itself until I actually got one in to test. I'm totally hooked now! It's soooo much nicer NOT having to navigate to the GPS menu on the back of my Nikon camera and instead concentrate on shooting. I can see at a glance that not only has the GPS unit acquired a signal, but exactly what my Longitude, Latitude, Altitude, Heading, Time, Battery Level, etc. are. Do I need to know what my longitude and latitude are on screen? Nope! I really don't. At that point they might as well just be random numbers. However, it's the other stuff that's helpful like seeing the battery level and the fact that I do have longitude and latitude (even though I don't really care what the numbers themselves are) to let me know that it's functioning properly. Having the heading info is also important to see sometimes. So yes, it's GREAT having an LCD on the GPS itself! Oh and yes, the LCD also has a backlight feature so that you can see it in the dark if need be.
Field Tested in Singapore
I wanted to give this new unit a real world test so i brought it with me to Singapore and India. Satellite acquisition time was great and accuracy seems to be dead on. The shot above was taken in…… why not just Click it to see it on Google Maps?
Any other reason you like this new one?
Like I said, the feature set is pretty much the same as the previous model:
Used with a Nikon camera, the Geotagger Pro provides real time position (latitude, longitude, altitude) and UTC time information to your DSLR camera and records the locations to each digital image files taken by your camera.
- Equipped with 3-axis electronic compass which can record the heading and pitching angle and roll angle. Its magnetic delination is adjustable.
- LCD display to show position information, date & time, moving speed, memory size.
- Built in internal rechargeable battery, lasting up to 10 hours. Automatically switch over to Nikon camera for power source when the device is in low on power.
- "Auto "Power on/off design. The Pro will turn on when the camera is turned on and will turn off when the camera is turned off. Thankfully you can turn this OFF!
- "Indoor Lock"GPS signal fixing ability.
- Built in a 8MB flash memory, can be used as a GPS Data Logger.
- Also for use with other digital cameras with hot shoe, each time the camera takes a picture with the Pro attached ,the device automatically records GPS data in its memory, the GPS data information can later be matched with the photos by software.
- A user-friendly software utility is provided with the following functions:
–Firmware upgradeable.
–Download recored data to PC.
–Erase recorded data.
However, what I do like about this "Pro" model over the previous one besides the LCD is the fact that it seems a little more rugged. It's a more solid build and feels more like a "pro" model than the previous one. Since you're going to be outside with these things more than inside you want one that looks like it would hold up a little better in the elements. Is it waterproof? Absolutely not! However, it seems like it would not be as easily damaged by a splash or occasional rain drop as the previous model would be.
Two Important Things To Note
1) First off this GPS works DIRECTLY with current model Nikon DSLR cameras because Nikon builds GPS support right into their camera operating systems. There's a GPS menu right on my Nikon D5000 and D700. However, since this is also a GPS logger it can be used with ANY CAMERA if you are willing to merge the data from the GPS with your images after the fact in post production.
2) Every time I do one of these reviews someone complains or asks why does it tie up the hotshoe? Or what if I want to use a Flash or something else in the hotshoe and geotag at the same time? Although these units sit right in the hotshoe for best position, they ALL CAN ATTACH TO YOUR CAMERA STRAP. So if you don't want to use it in the hotshoe, just use the supplied camera strap clip and away you go. The only thing that it might throw off is the compass/heading by not being level.
The Bottom Line
You can't go wrong with either model (the N2 or the Pro). So it really comes down to is the Pro worth $105 more than the the N2? That's the question that's not as easily answered. Honestly, having worked with both models I would have to answer it this way: If you're an occasional shooter and you want to have a GREAT GPS for your camera, then go with the N2. It will probably more than meet your needs. If you're a PRO shooter and you spend MOST of your time shooting landscapes or other things outdoors and you want the best GPS you can buy with the most options and functionality (or you're just loose with your money 🙂 ), then go with the Pro model. There isn't another one on the market that offers more! You can buy either model here direct from Solmeta.
Thanks for the timely post! I am planning to buy the Pro model, as I am interested in retaking photos points and matching up the orientation as closely as possible. I’m curious as to the sensitivity of the electronic compass. Since I will be taking photos in rugged terrain, and occasionally with different orientations (ground shots), that feature seems potentially useful. Do I have it correctly that it will save the heading information with the image file, and the additional information (e.g. 3D orientation) will save within the log file? I think it also records temperature information–a few folks might make use of that information!
Hello John,
I get a solmeta geotagger Pro. And I love the 3 axis compass . The big advantage of a 3 axis compass is that the heading information will remain accurate in a certain range with about +-50degree tilt .and the altitude is accurate when it fix more than 3 satellites. You can view the number of the fix satellites on the LCD! Once i saw it fixed 8 statellites!!!!
I am happy with that GPS. 😀
You may check them on ebay .com
It is also available on there 😀
I’ve enjoyed using the Solmeta unit so far–no problems getting everything to plot out using Picasa software. I see that GPS-Photo Link Express Series software lets you stamp compass direction on the photos–has anyone else figured out convenient ways to keep the compass direction and other data that the Solmeta Pro records with the photo, since the EXIF format doesn’t do that?
Hi Terry!
I was wondering if you knew any good GPS data logging units for Canon cameras? It seems like most of the ones geared towards DSLR are mostly for Nikon only. I’ve been looking at the AGL3080, but it seems like it just records where I am in 5 seconds intervals, and it syncs with the time stamps of my pictures when I sync them back onto my computer. You have any recommendations?
Tanya =D
Hi Tanya,
The reason you’re not seeing any ones made for Canon is because Canon doesn’t build GPS support into their DSLRs like Nikon does. So you have no choice but to merge the data from a GPS logger in post.
I’m still amazed that GPS units themselves aren’t either built-in to the DSLRs by now or at least offered as an add in module (GPS compartment – just buy the module).
Hey, Terry, interesting post. When are you going to Nikon’s GP-1?
I’m considering buying either the Solmeta N2 or the di-GPS Mini 3L by DawnTech. Both are in the same price range (152$ vs 145$) and seem quite similar, except for the fact that the DawnTech device logs the GPS data and doesn’t have a remote trigger (which I won’t be using anyway). Can anyone recommend one over the other? And why? I’m using a Nikon D5000.
Hi Terry,
Do you know what interface type it is going into the GPS unit? The USB charging cable they provided has a broken pin so I’m trying to find a replacement (quicker than getting them to send one) but I think its sa non standard connector type.
Any ideas?
Ian.
As far as I can tell it’s custom to them. I mistakenly took the wrong cable on my last trip (one from their other model) and it didn’t work with their newest Pro model. So you’ll likely need to get them to send you one.
Hi Terry
I saw your review of the Pro and was very impressed with the features offered, and decided to order one. It arrived last week.
there is one problem that i can’t figure out.
with the camera off and the Pro in auto is stays on all day. When I switch the D90 on the pro comes to life andI have about 45 seconds to take a photo before the pro switches completely off. This also happens when not in auto.
the D90 timers are all set to Maximum and regardless if the D90 GPS “Auto meter off” is set to enabled or disable.
What am I doing wrong? or is this a faulty unit.
I emailed solmeta a week ago,but they have not bothered to reply. To courier the unit back to them makes this a very expensive item.
A very promot relply from Iris at Solmeta to perform a firmware upgrade rectified the problem and the unit is now working 100 %
Bless you for this series of reviews, Terry. I wish more people spent the time doing this sort of thing rather than the usual regurgitation of press releases.
One thing to note about the Solmeta Pro model: There’s no remote, unlike the N2. I just verified this with Solmeta. So, if you want to use your own remote you need to get the splitter, at 50 smackeroos, or stick with the N2. That said, I’d love to get the Pro model but hooking up my remote (Phottix Cleon) seems unbearably kludgy, cabely, and inelegant. Same problem for the di-GPS (though I do like the look of the pass-through), for that matter.
Do you (or does anyone else here) have any clever ways around this? Is having what is essentially an extra 10-pin connection worth carrying around a D300 which is festooned with cables and gizmos that need to be tucked out of the way? I’d be happy to hear any ideas on this.
The Pro model have all the features, that I want, however, the battery is of very poor quality. After a couple of months it is completely dead and I have never experienced that it turns to the camera’s battery, when no power is left. It has been returned to Solmeta previously, however, their after-sales service could be improved considerably. Ms. Iris is the only one, who is service-minded -:)