Nikon Gps

isaaus · 29th July 2010, 3:56 PM

So i found this old GPS module lying in the parts bin.

Some research and i was able to find the pin-out and apparently its exactly what Nikon DSLR's need to get GPS data.

After testing the module with serial to usb adapter, i was sure it was working fine. Since I had no cable, I went ghetto style and plugged the wires in 10pin connector using tweezers and secured the cable via vinyl tape.

With Cold start, it took around 5 mins next to window to lock onto the signal.

Will be putting it in a proper case once i get a Nikon 10pin cable

Here are the crappy iphone pics

deepspring · 29th July 2010, 5:07 PM

Wow, nice find.

I bought a YoungNuo GPS + Remote from ebay. Works good, but it takes a while to register.

isaaus · 29th July 2010, 5:28 PM

For anyone else wanting to do this. The Gps module is "Pharos 360". It was also sold by Microsoft. These usually go under $30 on ebay. So fairly cheap.

isaaus · 29th July 2010, 8:25 PM

Just ordered Nikon wired remote to get 10pin connector. Will post once i get it all done

SyN · 30th July 2010, 1:52 AM

Thats ghetto... awesome

but does it swallow battery power like phone gps'?

isaaus · 30th July 2010, 2:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SyN

Thats ghetto... awesome

but does it swallow battery power like phone gps'?

There is auto Off setting in the camera but i got something else lined up.

Once all done, i will do a proper battery test

mr_wrxman · 30th July 2010, 10:00 AM

Wow that's awesome, got any more info as to the pinout of the GPS module and the pin layout on the Nikon?

Wondering if can use an old GPS receiver I have lying around.

Hope you do a write up once you're all done.

isaaus · 30th July 2010, 11:19 AM

Here's the pinout from Peter Miller`s website. This is camera connector not the cable.

This is the Cable pinout (basically reverse of camera).

GPS pinouts depends on individual GPS module/board. Also GPS module/board should have default 4800baud rate, run off 3.3v and need to communicate at ttl level, otherwise you will need serial to ttl converter.

Yea i am going to do a proper write up once done.

j_a_h_2077 · 30th July 2010, 2:07 PM

Bit cheaper than me buying 2x GP-1 modules from Nikon (about $400 each)

isaaus · 28th October 2010, 7:11 PM

Sorry for the delay guys but here is semi-final version of the gps.

This project was supposed to cost me nothing more than what i have in the parts basket.

But i ended up purchasing few different cables on-line for it. Other than the cost of cable, everything came from parts basket.

GPS module is housed inside case of 4gb data cassette and to mount to the camera i super-glued Nikon BS-1 hot shoe protector.

Total cost so far - $29.5 AUD.

It took about 60 seconds from a cold start to get gps fix. At the moment when plugged in GPS keeps on working whether the camera is switched on or off. So far with fully charged d3 battery and camera in switched off position and gps plugged in, it lasted about 4days.

I have 2 more Pharos GPS modules in mail. Once i get them, i plan on making similar GPS but with switchable external/internal power.

If anyone is intending to make similar GPS for your camera, make sure you get the cable from stellardesign on ebay. I tried about 4 different cables before i got this one and was able to use it.

Thanks for reading

mr_wrxman · 28th October 2010, 8:31 PM

Wow, looks good.

I'm curious to know why you can't use a regular cable? Surely if the wires are mixed around or something you could still find out where they lead? Unless they cross over or something.

isaaus · 28th October 2010, 8:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_wrxman

Wow, looks good.

I'm curious to know why you can't use a regular cable? Surely if the wires are mixed around or something you could still find out where they lead? Unless they cross over or something.

Well every other cable i bought didn't had all 10 cables. Some had 9 while others had only 3.

This cable has 10pin header at the end, so attaching it simple.

mr_wrxman · 28th October 2010, 9:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaaus

Well every other cable i bought didn't had all 10 cables. Some had 9 while others had only 3.

This cable has 10pin header at the end, so attaching it simple.

Ah right, that makes sense

So where can we get some cheap GPS receivers from? XD

isaaus · 29th October 2010, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_wrxman

Ah right, that makes sense

So where can we get some cheap GPS receivers from? XD

ebay, pharos i360/360/i360-bt/microsoft all these have same gps module that works perfectly with nikon

mr_wrxman · 8th November 2010, 1:48 PM

Any idea what the chances of blowing your camera up are if you mess it up? =D

I think I've found a GPS unit that's compatible, but I'm not sure if my pinout is correct, any safe way to test?

29th July 2010, 3:56 PM	#1
isaaus Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,091	Nikon Gps So i found this old GPS module lying in the parts bin. Some research and i was able to find the pin-out and apparently its exactly what Nikon DSLR's need to get GPS data. After testing the module with serial to usb adapter, i was sure it was working fine. Since I had no cable, I went ghetto style and plugged the wires in 10pin connector using tweezers and secured the cable via vinyl tape. With Cold start, it took around 5 mins next to window to lock onto the signal. Will be putting it in a proper case once i get a Nikon 10pin cable Here are the crappy iphone pics

30th July 2010, 1:52 AM	#5
SyN Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 6,977	Thats ghetto... awesome but does it swallow battery power like phone gps'? __________________ You are now conscious of your breathing pattern. The one hundredth member of OCAU Camera Club Mark II Non-existant Fujifilm Finepix X100 club member #100

30th July 2010, 10:00 AM	#7
mr_wrxman Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney 2176 Posts: 2,171	Wow that's awesome, got any more info as to the pinout of the GPS module and the pin layout on the Nikon? Wondering if can use an old GPS receiver I have lying around. Hope you do a write up once you're all done. __________________ Core i7 930 \| Asus P6T \| 3x2GB Patroit G Series DDR3 1600 \| 2GB ATi 6970 \| 3x320GB RAID0 \| Antec TP 750W \| Antec P160W Over 180 Sales/Trades/Buys totalling over $22,000 ntrancedphotography.com.au

30th July 2010, 2:07 PM	#9
j_a_h_2077 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Augustine Heights, QLD Posts: 599	Bit cheaper than me buying 2x GP-1 modules from Nikon (about $400 each) __________________ Visual Clarity Photography Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jashil

28th October 2010, 8:31 PM	#11
mr_wrxman Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney 2176 Posts: 2,171	Wow, looks good. I'm curious to know why you can't use a regular cable? Surely if the wires are mixed around or something you could still find out where they lead? Unless they cross over or something. __________________ Core i7 930 \| Asus P6T \| 3x2GB Patroit G Series DDR3 1600 \| 2GB ATi 6970 \| 3x320GB RAID0 \| Antec TP 750W \| Antec P160W Over 180 Sales/Trades/Buys totalling over $22,000 ntrancedphotography.com.au

29th July 2010, 5:07 PM	#2
deepspring Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: No Where Posts: 3,244	Wow, nice find. I bought a YoungNuo GPS + Remote from ebay. Works good, but it takes a while to register.

29th July 2010, 5:28 PM	#3
isaaus Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,091	For anyone else wanting to do this. The Gps module is "Pharos 360". It was also sold by Microsoft. These usually go under $30 on ebay. So fairly cheap.

29th July 2010, 8:25 PM	#4
isaaus Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,091	Just ordered Nikon wired remote to get 10pin connector. Will post once i get it all done

30th July 2010, 11:19 AM	#8
isaaus Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,091	Here's the pinout from Peter Miller`s website. This is camera connector not the cable. This is the Cable pinout (basically reverse of camera). GPS pinouts depends on individual GPS module/board. Also GPS module/board should have default 4800baud rate, run off 3.3v and need to communicate at ttl level, otherwise you will need serial to ttl converter. Yea i am going to do a proper write up once done.

28th October 2010, 7:11 PM	#10
isaaus Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,091	Sorry for the delay guys but here is semi-final version of the gps. This project was supposed to cost me nothing more than what i have in the parts basket. But i ended up purchasing few different cables on-line for it. Other than the cost of cable, everything came from parts basket. GPS module is housed inside case of 4gb data cassette and to mount to the camera i super-glued Nikon BS-1 hot shoe protector. Total cost so far - $29.5 AUD. It took about 60 seconds from a cold start to get gps fix. At the moment when plugged in GPS keeps on working whether the camera is switched on or off. So far with fully charged d3 battery and camera in switched off position and gps plugged in, it lasted about 4days. I have 2 more Pharos GPS modules in mail. Once i get them, i plan on making similar GPS but with switchable external/internal power. If anyone is intending to make similar GPS for your camera, make sure you get the cable from stellardesign on ebay. I tried about 4 different cables before i got this one and was able to use it. Thanks for reading

8th November 2010, 1:48 PM	#15
mr_wrxman Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney 2176 Posts: 2,171	Any idea what the chances of blowing your camera up are if you mess it up? =D I think I've found a GPS unit that's compatible, but I'm not sure if my pinout is correct, any safe way to test? __________________ Core i7 930 \| Asus P6T \| 3x2GB Patroit G Series DDR3 1600 \| 2GB ATi 6970 \| 3x320GB RAID0 \| Antec TP 750W \| Antec P160W Over 180 Sales/Trades/Buys totalling over $22,000 ntrancedphotography.com.au