doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

Does anyone have a suggestion on a handheld GPS device at the $200-$250 price point I could use to track shooting locations then sync with Lightroom?

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

you could use a garmin, then type the data into the metadata in lightroom, but I do not think they make a handheld device that would sync with lightroom or a camera. you could possibly highlight all the photos in one area and add the data at one time, but I have never tried this. I was thinking of doing the same thing, but have not had the opportunity to do so yet.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

I do not know which camera you use, but before the dedicated GPS units became available I used a Garmin etrex hand held unit. It is inexpensive and also very accurate. You can connect it to a Nikon camera using the RS232 interface cable also available from Nikon. The GPS info will be embedded in the picture metadata.

Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

Have you considered a GPS accessory for your camera? Neither of my two Nikon bodies have built in GPS so have found the Nikon accessory beneficial. But, if you want a handheld GPS for other uses as well as geotagging your photos then Garmin, TomTom and Magellan have numerous good units for you to choose from.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

The Nikon and other units I've looked at are either not compatible with my D810 or attach via the 10-pin connector, so I couldn't use my wireless remote which uses the same connector. I have looked at several units but am looking for observations from someone about which Garmin etc they've used and how well it works, particularly in remote areas. Clearly I should have been more specific in my original posting. My bad--apologies to all.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

cabala's has the etrex 10 on sale for 79.99. it will not transfer to lightroom, but you could add the metadata later.

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

You really have a number of options. One is a gps logger which is a device that only captures gps data which you can download and convert to various formats such as the gpx needed for Lightroom. Many will also convert to kml so you can see your tracks in google earth.

You must set your camera clock to sync with gps time. Normally syncing to the second with your computer will do.

There is also a program called GPS Babel available free that will convert most gps formats to gpx as long as the correct data is originally captured.

I got the below logger in 2012. The nice thing is it will hold a charge the whole day. The data is written to a micro SD continuously (you can choose second by second capture). I believe I have a 32GB card in mine and it captured three weeks of data easily. You keep it in your pocket or wherever the camera goes and it captures the track. I have the car charger also so whenever I'm back in the car I plug it in. I turn it off at the end of the day and it ends up saving one track for the day.

I finished geotagging that three weeks of 12,000 photos yesterday using Jeffrey Friedl's Geocoding Support Plugin which gives more functionality that the LR load from tracklog (yep, I'm behind loading photos but I've managed to get 15 years into LR in the last three months fully keyworded and geotagged where available)

http://www.cbgps.com/v900/v900_index_en.htm

I don't like the software that comes with it which is a java based application to convert the data file to either a gpx, klm, cvs, or log file-for nikon. I had to load the full Java SE development kit on my Mac to have it run properly but I think that issue is more the heavy security the Mac is trying to implement with the Java. It's just a download and a few clicks so to really that big of a deal.

There are all kinds of loggers out there. But, of course, if you don't have a gps unit then there is some benefit to getting one outside of the photo gps needs.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've used a Qstarz BT-Q1000XT Travel Recorder ($115 from Amazon). It's a small device, 2" X 1 1/2 X 1/2". It records GPS data and sends it to a receiver. In my case, I used a little Aokatec AK N7000 plugged into my D600. The Qstarz will record the data, so all you have to do is get it out somehow.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_5?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=qstarz&sprefix=qstar%2Caps%2C145

I found this free software that might be useful for doing something with GPS info.
http://www.geosetter.de/en

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Garmin eTrek usually less than $200.
--Bob

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

Geotag Photos Tagger - GPX geotagging for iCloud Photo Library by TappyTaps s.r.o.
https://appsto.re/us/Ghfi6.i

I have been using this app with my iPhone for several years. Works very well and I am pleased with it.

Kobuk Loc: Roseville, CA

I have used Garmin units and they work well. Also have Nikon GP-1 works great but I can't use it when am out in the field away from power because it drains the batteries at a high rate.

Linckinn Loc: Okatie, SC and Edgartown, MA

I use my iPhone, which is right in my pocket. Can go all day without killing battery. There are several free apps that will create GPX files and sync them with Dropbox. From there to Lightroom, and you are all set.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Will that use data while it's running? If you have unlimited data, that's no problem.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Just something to keep in mind - there are numerous free GPS logging apps for your smart phone that may fit your bill. Up side is the price, down side is these apps tend to drain the phone battery much faster than normal. You can help counter the battery drain by adjusting the interval that the app logs your location.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

If you have a smart phone you can save all but a few $ - costs less than $5. Try gps4cam. This is a smart phone app that tracks your gps location. It then produces a QR Code that you photograph and a small piece of software on your pc or mac or laptop runs through and tags all of the images.

So far this has only failed me once.

One nice feature is that it can be paused and restarted and the tracks can be saved and then deleted when you are ready.

Available in the AppStore for Apple.