Nikon GP-1 GPS unit

Nikon has introduced an official GPS accessory for some Dx models, the Nikon GP-1.
It includes cables to connect to the new D90, as well as to the 10-pin connector on other models like the D200 and D300.

The tech specs don't give any information about the GPS sensor used.  The main info available is:

Time required for satellite acquisition: Approx. 45 sec. (cold start), approx. 5 sec. (hot start)

Power source: Supplied from camera body

http://nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Photography-Accessories/Miscellaneous/25396/GP-1-GPS-Unit.html

The geocoding is done in-camera, and links to maps will be is provided by ViewNX version 1.2 software.  The download is available from Current Versions of Nikon Software.

via Geotagging Flickr

UPDATE 2008-09-26: I have been working to get additional information from Nikon, I asked them a number of questions.  I do have an answer from them on how the GP-1 (and the P6000) will handle the issue of lost GPS fix (e.g. inside a building).

My Question #3. How are you managing the positioning in either challenging environments (urban canyon) or zero-GPS environments (inside buildings)?  Does it use the last good position fix?

Nikon Answer: Like the COOLPIX 6000, the GP-1 GPS Unit has the ability to offer to the customer the choice (via menu settings) how long the GPS will hold the last position in the event satellite reception is lost.

ENDUPDATE

UPDATE 2008-12-09: CNet Underexposed blog reports on December 3, 2008 that the GP-1 has finally showed up in some online store listings, at a price of U$210, but not in stock for ordering yet.  (No sign of it in Amazon.com at all so far.)

UPDATE 2008-12-11: Further digging at Amazon.com uncovers a listing, but it says Currently unavailable. In case it helps you with your searching, the Nikon part number they're showing is VWD-100-01

UPDATE: 2009-01-26: Amazon is now showing GP-1 units available for purchase.  At U$238 it's still more than twice the price of an average stand-alone GPS logger, but it has a huge convenience factor by providing in-device geotagging.

Comments

[Max]

Here is a review and pricing information of the GP-1.

http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Nikon-GP1-D90-GPS-Accessory.shtml

Max

[xtemujin]

The Nikon GP-1 is officially out on 281108(Fri) at a price of ¥22,050

http://www.nikon-image.com/jpn/products/camera/slr/accessory/others/index.htm#gp-1

[susy]

I just received my GP-1 from Amazon and it doesn't work! The red light flashes but never turns green, as if the unit doesn't get satellite signal. Any suggestions?

[Richard Akerman]

@susy Time to first fix can be extremely long. And generally speaking you can't get a fix indoors (right next to a window with good sky view can be an exception). What a GPS receiver needs to establish an initial fix is a long, stationary, unobstructed sky view. Although it may sound funny, the ideal situation for GPS is standing in the middle of an open field. The more the sky is blocked, the longer it will take, so in a downtown with tall buildings (so-called "urban canyon") it can take extremely long to establish a first fix, if you can get one at all. Now, this is not about sky conditions, it doesn't matter if it's cloudy, rainy, foggy etc. It's about how much sky is in view of the GPS, because that is a proxy for how many GPS satellites it can see, and how strong their signals will be. Even under ideal conditions a first fix may take 15 minutes. Once it has a first fix (establishing all the initial parameters it needs), then subsequent fixes should be better, a couple minutes at most when starting from no satellites. Hope this helps.

[Sheila Tofflemire]

I bought the GP-1 as a Christmas present for my husband - for his D90. It didn't work at all - no lights - red, green or otherwise. We returned to the camera store; they tried it on their D90s - same story. The store sent for a new GP-1; we went to pick it up, but brought our camera with us to try it in the store. Same story - no lights, period! It wouldn't work on the store's D90s either. We gave up - got out refund - and we won't be wasting time on this product ever again.

[Russ Bockstedt]

I have had the same problem with GP-1. When I connect it to my D90 and turn camera power switch on, neither the camera or the GP-1 power up. I need to shut off the D90, disconnect the GP-1 and then I can power up the D90 normally.

[Chris]

You have to enable it in the menu of the camera I believe.

[Alfred Taylor]

Can you use the GP-1 and the attachable shuttle release at the same time?

[Jonathan Crowe]

Alfred Taylor: The GP-1 has a pass-through for the MC-DC2 remote, so you can use both of them at the same time.

[Alfred Taylor]

Based on the comments above -- it seems as if nobody has had a good experience with the GP-1.. Why should I buy one? Does anyone have a good report?

[Raj]

Hi.. i have the GP-1 and love it. Make sure you aren't trying it for the first time indoors. Its wont find a signal. I even went into my back yard and no signal (because of the house).. so i went out front and in about 30 seconds i had a solid green. Now in subsequent uses, it even works inside.

I took it out to the mountains last weekend and it plotted my position perfectly. When i open the photos on the new iPhoto 09 which has the 'places' feature, all of my photos are automatically plotted on the map and even the location name is assigned automatically. I'm going to leave it on my camera all the time, its my favourite feature. Oh i'm using it with the d300.

Here's what i suggest. when you use it for the first time, make sure you've set it up properly in the menu. Then go to a park or somewhere outdoors with no obstructions and let it register with the satellites for the first time. you should have no problems after that (if it works in doors, great, but dont get upset if it doesnt). If you are indoors, go outside, snap a photo, then take all the rest you need to indoors. You can simply copy all the location information from the outdoor pic later (if you were at a house or something).

Good Luck!

[George Chandler]

Anybody know if it works with the D-200? The Nikon web site does not list it as a compatible cmera but your review above suggests it would work.

[Mauvis]

I just ordered by second GP-1 from Amazon and same problem as others. Doesn't light up or do anything on my Nikon D90. I noticed that if I plug in a usb cable from my Mac to the back USB port of the unit it will light up - but won't light up on it's own.

On a positive note Amazon's service is pretty great. They next-dayed a second unit to me when I reported the first didn't work. Sucks that both fail though. Perhaps the port on my D90 is damaged. Nikon makes them way too fragile.

[Jaye Jones]

The problem with it not lighting up is often that the cable is not pushed in all the way into the GP-1. You will actually feel two clicks when inserting it. You have to put some ooomph on it. The problem I am having is getting it to sync with the GPS satellites. I tried to take pictures of my children in an open field with no obstructions for at least 300 yards and it wouldn't go green the entire time. I was so frustrated by the last shot I swore I would send the thing back to Nikon. For over $200, I figured that it would work a little more consistently.