GPS joy

Dammit it all, Kate, I was trying to let everyone think I was a Jock. Oh well, now the cat's out of the bag, no point in holding back. Have I got a gadget for you!

Okay, you all know Kate and I are fond of cameras. it makes sense that camera gadgets are popular too.

The other day, one of my work colleagues showed me an article (on paper, would you believe) about a Sony logging GPS. A GPS-CS1KA. (review here)

Maybe a little explanation is in order. Apologies if you nod off.

Normally, a GPS displays your location, by triangulating signals from satellites (thanks, Arthur C Clarke. You're right. Satellites are a good idea). Generally, they have a display that shows where you currently are on the planet, within a few metres. Good ones also display maps, and tell you which corner to take to get to your favourite cafe. Metres, by the way, are kinda like yards. :-)

A logging GPS doesn't do that. At least, this one doesn't. It's about the size of a small torch (flashlight). Somewhat chubby, like me, but still cute. :-)

It has a power switch, somewhere for a battery, and a very small green LED. That's it.

The idea is that once you turn it on, it tracks your location every 15 seconds. If it loses its lock on the satellites, it just tries again and again until it works. The location info is stored in a log file, and the unit can store a few days' worth. The battery, however, will have gone flat after about 10 hours, so you might need some spares.

Now here's the magic part.

You leave the house, which means you have your camera. Or is that just me? Anyway, you turn the GPS on, and take it with you. You take a few hundred shots wherever you go, and then return home. Hopefully, you got a good shot or two. Best of luck.



Upload the images to your computer of choice, as always, and then load up the software that comes with the GPS. Plug the GPS unit in a USB port, and show it where you put the photos.

It will run over the folder of photos, adding latitude and longitude information from the GPS to each image, based on the time you took it.

The software also has the capability to fire up a Google Maps page, and show you where you took the pictures.

There's one more bit. With a couple of settings in place, you can upload the images to flickr, and the location information (geotags) will be automatically added, and all your images mapped on flickr.

Okay, now I know that's not for everyone. My wife yawns and stares into space (where, ironically enough, the satellites are) at the mention of this thing, but I think it's wonderful. It's also only about $150 in the US.

How's that for geeky? :-)