Unique to a select range of Nikon and Fujifilm digital SLR users is the ability to apply geospatial data in the form of latitude and longitude coordinates to the metadata header of an image file at the time of exposure. This functionality is only realized with the addition of a tethered GPS (Global Positioning System) signal receiver.
GPS satellites have been freely accessible to the world through the "public good" policy of the United States Air Force and their NAVSTAR Global Position System (GPS.) It is a system of satellites that broadcast a specific radio signal to connect to a receiver like this one. If four or more of the NAVSTAR satellites are in transmission range of the GPS unit, through simple mathematical calculations based on the distances between each orbiting satellite and the receiver, a 3-dimensional position on the X/Y/Z axes is determined. This in turn translates into latitude, longitude and altitude co-ordinates on a GPS receiver.
Paired with a compatible digital SLR camera from Fuji or Nikon, the Custom Idea GeoPic II presents a user with the ability to embed in images geospatial data in the form of GPS coordinates. Using the GeoPic II, GPS data is saved to an image's metadata during exposure. This system of geotagging is inherently more accurate and consistent when compared to GPS dataloggers that match the time stamp on an image with the closest approximation of location based on a time stamp on the GPS tracklog. Furthermore, there are three primary modes of functionality that gives GPS data to the camera, even when not in GPS satellite range.
The GeoPic II has three modes of operation that each posses their own advantages. The Continuous mode keeps the GPS receiver active and constantly sends data to the camera. Low Power mode puts the GeoPic II into a standby mode when idle, thereby preserving the camera's battery power. The receiver is "woken-up" with a half-press of the camera's shutter release button. Finally, the Freeze mode is useful indoors, in large cities, deep canyons or anywhere else where a clear signal of the sky for the purposes of satellite signal reception is difficult or impossible to obtain. This mode will save a specific location to the GeoPic II's internal memory in order to have coordinates at the ready when subsequent images are shot.
When the GeoPic II is connected to a camera, the GPS module can nestle in the camera's hotshoe, or alternatively, on the camera's neckstrap if a shoe-mounted flash or off-camera cord is needed. Additionally, this device permits customization of its operation though a series of options accessed through its onboard menu. A user's needs may be tailored to with a choice indicators and power management settings. Ultimately, the GeoPic II allows photographers to geotag their photographs in nearly any situation without requiring a great drain on the camera's battery, an active GPS signal, a multi-staged geotagging process or any significant weight or bulky additions.
