GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr image geotagging system review.

MikeB

The GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr system allows digital pictures to have the location that the image was taken embedded in the image file. This is a complete package which includes a GPS datalogger and the software to match the date and time an image was taken to the recorded trip log. This process is known as geotagging or georeferencing.

This year I have reviewed a number of digital image geotagging systems all of which have been very much focused on the hardware with the supporting software an (often poor) afterthought. Not so with the GiSTEQ PhotoTrackr. This is a software package that just happens to use a GPS datalogger. This is very apparent when you install the software and look at the workflow.

Click here to find out how I got on with the image geotagging system.
_________________
Mike Barrett

alan_sh · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 4:33 pm Post subject:

Mike, one question? Does the s/w only update JPG files or does it understand RAW files?

Cheers

Alan

MikeB · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject:

jonandmarkuk · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:38 pm Post subject:

Do you know the difference with this device to the 'lite' version should on the website. I like the sound of the lite version as it sounds to be smaller and runs on a AA battery

MikeB · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:19 am Post subject:

jonandmarkuk · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:07 am Post subject:

ianchapp · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 28, 2006 Posts: 7

Can this do anything that a tracklogging GPS and www.robogeo.com can't?

I've used RoboGeo for a few years now, and it is an EXCELLENT low-cost programme. One of those rare bits of software which seems almost bug-free. You can geo-tag the JPG's, and/or create Google Earth, Google Maps, and Flickr outputs, together with many other useful features, such as writing the co-ordinates onto the picture (visibly). I'd give it 10/10 with no hesitation!

simontdc · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

I use GPSPhotoLinker for the Mac - have been using it with my Garmin for a while, but about to try it out with the LR9553D data logger. - http://www.tdc.co.uk/index.php?key=lr9553d

I'll let you know how it works.
_________________
G1NTX AFRIN LRPS

simontdc · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:46 am Post subject:

Update - it's all working fine, in fact Leadtek supply some useful software with the device for a change! - logging is simple, it just saves a text file with all the RMC messages at whatever interval you like, when you plug the device into a PC, the file appears there.

It can be easily converted to a KML file and overlaid on Google Earth.

Going to be using it a lot to geotag my pictures.
_________________
G1NTX AFRIN LRPS

jonandmarkuk · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:54 pm Post subject:

My question about these devices is what happens if the battery runs out while on holiday. Do you loose all your data and how does it deal with different time zones. Say I set the camera time in the UK on the PC then go to the states will all the pictures come out in the wrong place?

MikeB · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:44 am Post subject:

jonandmarkuk · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:

Cheers, so would the datalogger be even better than the Phototrackr? Obviously the better and quicker the fix on GPS the better. I don't want to have to spend ages waiting to take a picture.

I have also been looking at the ATP Photofinder, not sure if it's much larger than the Phototrackr but think being able to pop the SD card in at the end of the day and transfer the data over could be handy.

http://photofinder.atpinc.com/

MikeB · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:45 am Post subject:

jonandmarkuk · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:59 am Post subject:

No problem. I was thinking about the Lite version anyway as it looks a little smaller and I love the idea of being able to just pop in AA batteries if they run out. Unless your in the middle of nowhere you can always get batteries from somewhere.

Hope you get one of the ATP ones soon to have a play with.

sgrimshaw · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 19, 2004 Posts: 5

The Gisteq website claims that the PhotoTrackr Lite can be carried inside a backpack without loss of satellite reception.

Is that possible?

	PocketGPS
	Web