di-GPS Pro

It’s really no secret that I love GPS, been using it since literally it was invented. I just like knowing where I am and looking back, where I’ve been. I first wrote about the di-GPS back in 2007 not too long after they came on the scene. Then I wrote and used the GP-1 since it came out. Well now I’ve got the new (at least to me) di-GPS Pro and I really like the simple things that make it better. The GP-1 and di-GPS both do the same excellent job receiving satellite signals, no advantage to either unit there. But the di-GPS KICKS butt on thinking things through like making the connector into the 10-pin socket so it doesn’t stick out and get stuck on things. The cord is short and out of the way. Making a piece that slips on to the hot shoe foot so you can connect the di-GPS easily to a camera strap. These little things I feel add up to making this a better unit then the GP-1. I love it with companies see our problems and make solutions for them!

di-GPS Mini 3L Released

The folks over at Dawn Technologies have introduced a new GPS, the di_GPS Mini 3L link. Here are the features to note

• Built-in data logger – 8MB flash memory for up to 260,096 data points
• Data can be password protected
• Last Fixed Repeat (Indoor Fix): Repeat the last fixed when lost or no GPS signal. It continual report the last good fixed position to camera in any indoor without GPS coverage.
• Instant Last Fixed Repeat (Instant Indoor Fix): The di-GPS Mini 3L read the last good fixed data in the data logger after each power on. It continual report the last good fixed position even after power reset (data logger enabled). No more reacquisition needed after power reset or reconnected to the cameras.
• Three ways switch (On/Auto/Off).

I haven’t seen or tried this unit and doubt I will, I still like the GP-1. But these are very good units from past models and wanted you to know about the update.

di-GPS & SC cords – 12.31.07

The GPS craze has hit big time, must have been a favorite stocking stuffer this year. That’s cool! I’ve received a number of emails in regards to the di-GPS especially about it just “dangling” when you have something else in the camera’s hot shot. Here’s my solution.

I rarely work with flash on camera, it’s mostly off camera so I’m using an SC cable, either the SC-28 or SC-29. The SC-28 is the cord I use for general photography; the SC-29 I’ve cut down and is used just with the Wimberley F-9 Flash Arm when I’m shooting with the 600f4 on a tripod. I have a number of “hot shoe” receivers lying around in the drawers, so I have attached them to the tops of the SC cable foot that slips into the camera’s hot shoe. You can just Crazy Glue them on, but they tend to snap off. Using Pilot Point drill bits (not pointed tips), I’ve drilled holes into the top of the SC foot and screwed in as well as Crazy glued the hot shoe receiver. They never snap off, but drilling holes into your cords is not for the weak of heart and it most definitely voids the warranty.

What about when I have a SU-800 attached? I’ve not had the nerve to drill into the side of mine yet to attach a hot shoe receiver. That’s where I draw the line. But, I’m still looking for a solution to when it’s attached to the hot shoe. There are times when the SU-800 is in a SC cable and those times, the problem is solved.

One last note. The hot shoe receivers don’t always snuggly hold the di-GPS. I simply used a couple layers of electrical tape in the base of the hot shoe receiver to build it up and hold the di-GPS foot in tight. Hope this helps, have fun!

di-GPS & SC cords – 12.31.07

The GPS craze has hit big time, must have been a favorite stocking stuffer this year. That’s cool! I’ve received a number of emails in regards to the di-GPS especially about it just “dangling” when you have something else in the camera’s hot shot. Here’s my solution.

I rarely work with flash on camera, it’s mostly off camera so I’m using an SC cable, either the SC-28 or SC-29. The SC-28 is the cord I use for general photography; the SC-29 I’ve cut down and is used just with the Wimberley F-9 Flash Arm when I’m shooting with the 600f4 on a tripod. I have a number of “hot shoe” receivers lying around in the drawers, so I have attached them to the tops of the SC cable foot that slips into the camera’s hot shoe. You can just Crazy Glue them on, but they tend to snap off. Using Pilot Point drill bits (not pointed tips), I’ve drilled holes into the top of the SC foot and screwed in as well as Crazy glued the hot shoe receiver. They never snap off, but drilling holes into your cords is not for the weak of heart and it most definitely voids the warranty.

What about when I have a SU-800 attached? I’ve not had the nerve to drill into the side of mine yet to attach a hot shoe receiver. That’s where I draw the line. But, I’m still looking for a solution to when it’s attached to the hot shoe. There are times when the SU-800 is in a SC cable and those times, the problem is solved.

One last note. The hot shoe receivers don’t always snuggly hold the di-GPS. I simply used a couple layers of electrical tape in the base of the hot shoe receiver to build it up and hold the di-GPS foot in tight. Hope this helps, have fun!

di-GPS & SC cords – 12.31.07

The GPS craze has hit big time, must have been a favorite stocking stuffer this year. That’s cool! I’ve received a number of emails in regards to the di-GPS especially about it just “dangling” when you have something else in the camera’s hot shot. Here’s my solution.

I rarely work with flash on camera, it’s mostly off camera so I’m using an SC cable, either the SC-28 or SC-29. The SC-28 is the cord I use for general photography; the SC-29 I’ve cut down and is used just with the Wimberley F-9 Flash Arm when I’m shooting with the 600f4 on a tripod. I have a number of “hot shoe” receivers lying around in the drawers, so I have attached them to the tops of the SC cable foot that slips into the camera’s hot shoe. You can just Crazy Glue them on, but they tend to snap off. Using Pilot Point drill bits (not pointed tips), I’ve drilled holes into the top of the SC foot and screwed in as well as Crazy glued the hot shoe receiver. They never snap off, but drilling holes into your cords is not for the weak of heart and it most definitely voids the warranty.

What about when I have a SU-800 attached? I’ve not had the nerve to drill into the side of mine yet to attach a hot shoe receiver. That’s where I draw the line. But, I’m still looking for a solution to when it’s attached to the hot shoe. There are times when the SU-800 is in a SC cable and those times, the problem is solved.

One last note. The hot shoe receivers don’t always snuggly hold the di-GPS. I simply used a couple layers of electrical tape in the base of the hot shoe receiver to build it up and hold the di-GPS foot in tight. Hope this helps, have fun!

Coolest Tool Ever! – 06.23.07

My family knows me all too well! They got me the coolest toy tool ever for Father’s Day, the N2 di-GPS mini. GPS is a very important part of the projects I do. Being able record GPS data directly into the EXIF data of a image saves tons of time taking notes and is a whole lot more accurate. Up until a week ago, I used a Garmin unit that connected to the D2Xs, D2Hs or D200 via the MC-35. This is all very bulky and really only works when working off a tripod so I can secure the GPS unit and the long, long MC-35. The N2 di-GPS mini as you can see here, slips right into the hot shoe and its very, very short cord plugs into the 10pin socket. It draws its power (what little it uses but it does keep the camera on so you can drain it) from the camera which the Garmin does not. The whole unit weighs no more than two nickels!

You might be asking about running a cable release when using the N2 di-GPS. It has a submini socket that you can tap with a 2.5mm male plug. The di-GPS folks have a MC-30 fitted with a mini that plugs right into the unit. I made a 3.5mm – 2.5mm cable so I can use my Pocket Wizard with the unit. So don’t let the socket being used concern you, plenty of ways around it. Heck, according to this, you can have the folks at di-GPS modify the unit for you to still accept Nikon male plugs..

With its small size, no need for batteries and the ease of mapping using the MapIt feature in DigitalPro, I now have the di-GPS always attached to my camera, always. In fact I’m so hooked on it, I’m thinking of getting a 2nd unit so I don’t have switch the one I have from camera to camera. If there is a hitch to this unit, it takes about a minute to have real accurate readings, slightly longer than the Garmin but is by no means a big deal. It’s a great tool!