CD-111: GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr for Digital Camera GPS Data Logger with Motion Sensor (51 ch. MTK, Windows and Mac Supported)
by GiSTEQ
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List Price: Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of CD-111: GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr for Digital Camera GPS Data Logger with Motion Sensor (51 ch. MTK, Windows and Mac Supported)
Customer Review: Hardware very good, software so so...
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this to use with my MacBook Pro, running Windows XP.
The hardware is phenomenal. I bought a cell phone belt carrier to fit it. When I am in my pickup, with the device between me and the seat, it still tracks. It tracks from inside the saddle bags on my ATV. Phenomenal...
However, the Windows software is pretty... ah, basic. It records the GPS coordinates and displays them on a Google earth map. When I tried to write the GPS data to the photos, it records something, I don't know what. Unfortunately, in Adobe Bridge, when you try to actually read the GPS data in EXIF, all you get is the altitude, (in meters), and the file hangs up and will just keep trying to read the GPS data. If you export your images to Flickr, directly from the software, GPS data doesn't go with it. So, basically, what you can do with this in Windows with this phenomenal piece of hardware is look at a map with your pictures at the appropriate coordinates. That's pretty much it.
As far as the Mac software they just came out with - it looks like a really great app. Unfortunately, they are only releasing a restricted version of the app and making you pay $25 for the "pro" version. Also, unfortunately, despite multiple attempts, their software won't recognize their own GPS device, so I can't use the Mac software.
Their tech support is pretty weak. No telephone tech support. They do respond to your emails, but they just give generic advice - like "Did you try different USB ports?" The printed manual is one page. The manual on the CD is about 6 pages. There is a website manual for both Mac and Windows versions, which I found equally unhelpful.
I am waiting for the software to catch up with phenomenal hardware...
Customer Review: GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr on a cruise
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this just before we were to leave on a cruise because I wanted to see the "trail" across the Gulf of Mexico. I did a couple of local test trips with photos and the linkage software worked just fine. I tried to put a wrist strap/lanyard onto it and since the lanyard holes have the battery door on one side, I had a problem. The string kept slipping out in the tiny space where the battery door closes. So, I have given up on that idea and bought a very small cell phone carrier and have hooked it onto my camera bag straps. I like the size of the PhotoTrackr but do wish that I could attach a tether and have it not come loose. I may yet try using a wire in the tether holes and see if I could connect a wrist strap to that.
On the cruise, I periodically charged it and placed it into the window of our balcony cabin. The "trail" it recorded was somewhat intermittent, so I need to do some studying. I also have a PhotoTrackr Lite but the battery door is held in place by duct tape. I think that this model is better constructed. It is very user friendly. I have mixed feelings about having a rechargable battery instead of replacable batteries. It announces when the battery charge is low and that is nice. On a 7 day cruise, I charged it 3 times. It is likely that I could space out charging more often but it will take more experience.
Customer Review: Overall good product
Summary: 4 Stars
The good:
- Performs as promised
- Good GPS positioning, also tracks altitude
- Does good job of locking onto and holding GPS signal
- Software (ver 2.1) has a lot of advanced features.
- Compact and lightweight device
- Once you get it set up and figure out the software, its easy to use.
The bad:
- Software installation is confusing. Software, Drivers, and Firmware that ship with device were very outdated and updating all of these was a bit painful.
- Even though the software has a lot of modern and advanced features, it has the look and feel of a program that was designed about 6 to 8 years ago.
- The 1/2 page manual that shipped with the product is pretty bad. There is a PDF manual with the software that is a bit better.
- Some of the sounds the unit makes are right up there with fingernails on a chalkboard (thankfully they can be disabled). The voice prompts the unit gives are a bit cryptic.
Conclusion:
The device and software do not have the polished look and feel of something that would come from a major electronics company. However, I'm pleased with the product and would recommend it. Just give yourself a little extra time for installation and figuring out the software.
Customer Review: Frustrating to use
Summary: 1 Stars
i gave it a solid month to try. My use?: I just started to make a website (blogging) and i'm active in hikes. i've tried all diferent types of scenrios on how to use and operate. the manual is terrible. you kinda have to figure it out as you go along. yeah, it might be like that for all gagets, but then when you think you have it down, a problem would arise and give you a headache. the software is really bad, well, the instructions to use the program. it seems like you can't operate the device as instructed or as it says.
sure, they (Gisteq) has a forum, and it is just filled with problems. They try their best to help you out and trouble shoot. After many attempts of epic fail, i'm sending the product back. trust me when i say that i have a hard time on just giving stuff up and i research for many hours on how to use, troubleshooting, etc... i really had good hopes, but just ended up stressing out.
my advice is just to do good research, and you'll see a lot of negative reviews.
i'd say: if you're not making a website, or don't really care on how it looks on your maps (lines all over the place, eventhough you DID NOT turn it on), than you can get by. If you envision trails and geotagging pics on your route, look else where.
Customer Review: Great for keeping track of photos
Summary: 4 Stars
I did a lot of research into this product before buying, and I'm happy I went ahead with it. I've tested it in a variety of applications:
1) Walking/hiking: accurate within about 10m - works better in rural environments due to less building interference, and allows you to bookmark where you took some really nice shots.
2) Jogging: accuracy really fell off - I imagine it has something to do with it bumping around on the lanyard on my neck - it was as much as a block off sometimes.
3) Driving: stuck to the roads pretty well with the occasional spike off the road (I sure don't remember going 138 mph for 1 second).
I've already taken this thing out on a few geocaching and beach trips (I'm also kind of curious if a few ziplock bags around it would render it waterproof - perhaps I'll add "underwater performance" later), and I'm really looking forward to taking it to China and India this summer.
My favorite website to use with this thing is Picasa, though using the included software to post your pictures is a little buggy - you're better off just using the web album interface directly or downloading the Picasa client if you have a lot of pictures (>5) you want to put up.