V1.02
Thom Hogan’s Complete Guide to the Nikon D300
Page 452
GPS are connected. Specifically, you get the following data
points in the EXIF (I’ve added some typical sample data):
GPS Version ID: 2.2.0.0
GPS Latitude Ref: North
GPS Latitude: 39 deg 0’ 0”
GPS Longitude Ref: West
GPS Longitude: 70 deg 0’ 0”
GPS Altitude Ref: Above Sea Level
GPS Altitude: 150 meters
GPS Time Stamp: 20:30:01
GPS Satellites: 08
GPS Map Datum: WGS 84
To make the connection you need:
•
The optional MC-35 GPS Adapter Cable (from Nikon).
•
The standard serial cable for your GPS (from the
manufacturer of your GPS).
•
A GPS unit that follows the NMEA0183 protocol (which
includes most Garmin and Magellan units, including the
popular eTrex and SporTrak models).
If you’re interested in a more elegant, but expensive solution,
check out the D2X-GPS product by Red Hen Systems (see
http://www.redhensystems.com/products/video_collection_ha
rdware/d2x-gps.asp
). This cradle (for the Garmin Geko GPS
units) mounts into the hot shoe on the top of the D300 and
has a short, integrated cable that doesn’t get in the way.
I personally use an even more elegant, lower cost solution:
the di-GPS mini from Dawn Tech
http://www.dawntech.hk/di-
GPS/n2.htm
. But more and more customized options like this
seem to appear each month, so do a search of the Internet for
the latest and greatest before committing.
If you use a traditional handheld GPS as Nikon suggests, you
may have to change your GPS unit’s option settings to turn on
NMEA support.
