AMOD AGL3080 Mac-compatible driverless GPS logger reviewed

Summary

The AMOD AGL3080 is a "driverless" GPS logger, it shows up on your computer like a USB memory key.  It worked fine on Windows (XP) and Mac (OS X 10.4.10).  It logs to NMEA 0183 format files with a fixed 1 second interval.  Given this logging frequency, and its capacity of approx. 256,000 data points, the total maximum duration for stored tracks is about 70 hours.  It uses the SIRFstarIII GPS chipset.  It takes 3 AAA batteries.

(Disclosure: AMOD provided me with this GPS for evaluation purposes.)

Details

In general concept the AMOD AGL3080 (available from Amazon.com in the USA) is like an improved Sony GPS-CS1.  The CS1 has an older chipset, and for some reason Sony and Apple haven't been able to get it together to get the CS1 to mount as a USB drive on all versions of Mac OS X.

This leaves the AGL3080 in the position of being one of the very few GPS loggers that is easily Mac compatible right out of the box.

As you can see, the AGL3080, the GPS-CS1, and the GiSTEQ DPL700 all have roughly similar designs, with carabiner loops at the top, and compact form factors.  The AGL3080 does have a covered USB port, although the cover is not as elaborate as on the Sony.  Still either one should protect from spraying water e.g. on a boat ride.

AMOD AGL3080 (black), GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr Lite DPL700 (orange), GPS-CS1 (white)

(in case you're wondering, the photo isn't backwards, I changed the orientation of the GPSes and moved the pen for the second photo)

The AGL3080 has a separate waypoint button, it is however almost identical in size, shape and location to the power button, so it's hard to know which one you're pushing without looking.

There are three LEDs: file system full, GPS tracking, and battery low.

What you get in the box (USB cable, CD, carbiner attachment thing):

There are no user-configurable settings for the AGL3080, it logs tracks from its SIRFstarIII chipset every 1 second.  This to me is a rather unfortunate choice, I would rather it log less frequently, perhaps every 10 seconds.  The two consequences of this logging frequency are very large individual log files (NMEA 0183 format), and limited (70 hours) total logging time, even though it has a generous 128MB of file storage.

As an example, just a three hour trip to a ski hill generated a 3.1 MB log file; this is larger than the 3 MB maximum for processing log files on GPS visualizer.com

You can of course still work with them locally using e.g. gpsbabel

The tracks themselves are good; about what you would expect from a SIRFstarIII logger.  Reasonably good in urban canyon. 

Here is the AGL3080 [red] compared against the Qstarz BT-Q1000 [purple] (MTK chipset, 10 second logging interval) and (a partial track from) the Globalsat DG-100 [yellow] (same SIRFstarIII chipset, 30 second logging interval).

They're all about the same when I walk up Gloucester (off by about a block south) and Albert (off by about half a block south).  The GPSes were just in my jacket pockets, so it wasn't exactly ideal sky view.

Download AMOD-Ottawa-20080112-red.kmz

Download Qstarz-Ottawa-20080112.kmz

Download Globalsat-Ottawa-20080112.kmz

For geocoding photos on a Mac, the package includes JetPhoto 2.9.1 on CD.  It's not the Pro version and there is no special AMOD integration - the software is a free download (about 21 MB) for anyone, there is a newer version 2.12, available from http://www.jetphotosoft.com/ (the newer version has improved Leopard compatibility).

I will review JetPhoto in a later posting.

You can of course use other Mac software like HoudahGeo, as the tracks are in a standard format.

On Windows, there is software from AMOD (AMOD GPS Photo Tracker) as well as JetPhoto for Windows.

On the Mac there is some weirdness about the file display - in the Finder, the files show with size, but no date, in a browse window the files all show a date of 18/02/04 and no size - but the files themselves work fine.  The date and time are embedded in the filename anyway.

On Windows XP, the files also don't show a date and time, but still work fine.

I would definitely recommend this unit over the Sony GPS-CS1, which has a less-sensitive chipset and lacks consistent Mac compatibility.  The ease of use of a driverless model is very compelling.  Although the AGL3080 does have a very high logging frequency, this will only create issues if you're on a long trip (longer than one week).  You could deal with file management issues by using a laptop, copying files at an Internet cafe, or using a direct USB-to-USB transfer to a memory stick or other USB storage.

UPDATE 2008-01-28: Unfortunately a test using the Sima Hitch USB transfer device was not successful; it did not recognize the AGL3080.  END UPDATE

TypePad helpfully ate my entire list of suggested improvements, so let me see what I can remember.

Suggested improvements:

• Increase logging interval from 1 second to 10 seconds; this will increase total track time that can be stored from 70 hours to 700.
• Provide several logging interval options (e.g. using a switch like the DG-100).
• Since the logging interval is so short, add a motion sensor like the GiSTEQ models, so that it doesn't log when you're not moving.
• Change the position and shape of the waypoint button so that you can find and press it without having to look at the GPS.
• Fix the minor Mac Finder display issues.
• Support USB charging of rechargable batteries, like the DG-100.
• Show an indication when the device is connected as a USB drive, and when it is transferring files (currently there is no indication that it is connected).
• UPDATE 2008-01-28: Support the Sima Hitch and other USB / USB OTG transfer devices.

You can see my GPS logger comparison chart for how it stacks up against other models.

Comments

[Richard Akerman]

@Alan as Thom said, you don't need to sync the *AGL3080* time (GPS loggers get their timestamp directly from the GPS satellites. You do need to set your *camera* to very accurate time. See my posting "about time" for more information on good sources http://scilib.typepad.com/science_library_pad/2007/05/about_time.html or if you're in the USA, just go to http://www.time.gov/

[natevw]

Actually, the AMOD AGL3080 does support varying trackpoint recording frequencies. The manual explains a sequence of keypresses that will change the amount of data recorded. This is a little unclear, I may try to post a better translated instructions, but it is possible to record every 10 seconds.

[Jay]

Great review! Now that you can set different recording frequencies, does battery life improve substantially if for example you select mode 3 (every 5 seconds) or mode 5 (every 10 seconds)? I am going on a 2 week trip to a remote area and don't want to have to bring enough batteries to change every day... I plan to keep the unit on for about 15-16 hours per day. Thanks!

[Lukas]

Thank you for your review! The suspiciously straight AMOD AGL3080-Track on Albert St (between Bank and Kent St) seems to be filtered by the Static Navigation Filter (all movement below 5km/h removed) - while MTK seems so jittery (SN off?). The trail on Bank St seems more suitable for comparison. (However, there is new firmware available SN on/of).

[FancyLady]

Great review. This helped me make my decision to purchase one and I'm happy with it. I had a GISTEQ but it stopped working and the support was bad.

Support for the AMOD has been great. I exchanged a number of emails with support about the device and they replied very quickly.

[Scott]

Purely on specs between the Gisteq CD111 and the AGL3080, isn't the battery life difference--32 hours for a rechargeable built-in vs 15 hours for 3 AAAs--rather compelling? I think recharging an in-device battery is easier than swapping batteries, especially three at a time (and having to remember to bring those batteries, as well as a charger if using rechargeables).

[bone]

thank you for this review!
I have question regarding to tracking information: during my Prague trip where I am testing Amod, i noticed that green led (in the middle) diode is constantly on, even it should blinking. when it is constantly on, it means that the signal is poor on no signal. So i am always not sure if it gains information or not. is it ok that in big city it cannot reach signal? also i noticed that information is not very accurate. thank you. bone

[Collin]

It's been about two years since this article was originally posted. Have there been any new gps loggers that work with the Mac without drivers? I know there are conversion utilities but I'd like as seamless a process as possible. I'd also like a unit with a screen for easier matching of the time and setting modes.

I'm looking into this because the new Aperture 3 has GPS track log support (one of the videos mentions "GPX" or "NMEA" formats).

[Allen Braun]

You say: "There are no user-configurable settings for the AGL3080, it logs tracks from its SIRFstarIII chipset every 1 second. This to me is a rather unfortunate choice, I would rather it log less frequently, perhaps every 10 seconds. The two consequences of this logging frequency are very large individual log files (NMEA 0183 format), and limited (70 hours) total logging time, even though it has a generous 128MB of file storage."

However that is plain wrong. The 3080 has 6 recording modes including one for every 10 seconds and different string lengths. Read the manual (online) for how to set it up.

[Stu Harris]

Great review and still very much relevant today, even though it was written back in Jan 2008. I use the AMOD AGL3080 with Aperture 3 and it works beautifully with the new "Import GPS Track" feature in Places. Just plug it in via USB and it will mount as an external USB drive.

Feedback regarding use in the city... I'm stating the obvious, but this is always going to be a challenge for any GPS device to gather sufficient satellites and give an accurate reading.

I've found that the AMOD does consume batteries rather rapidly, I'd like to see a battery indicator on the unit, but aside from that it's a great companion product for every travelling photographer.

[Lionel]

Hello,

I just bought the AGL3080 and updated the firmeware with version 2.3 and experiencing connectivity problem.
On the same track(my leaving place to my work) on 2 different days it doesn't find the signal from 1 day to the other.

I tried to reinitialise and clean the file and still not working
PS: I am leaving in Belgium.....

Thanks for your help !