GPS for Nikon D850 & American White Pelicans

[Roy]

Hi All, today 40+ American White Pelicans flew over my house in Tucson, AZ. I was able to get some shots off as my camera is always in a "ready" state...as I'm sure yours is as well.
I uploaded some of the photos and information to eBird.org. The sighting, as I thought, was rare. I was happy to get some shots from my yard that shows a Saguaro and Mesquite trees. If someone needs to come out and verify that the landscape is the same as in the photos - that can happen. My sighting as of now is "Unconfirmed". Soooooo.....I know the D850 doesn't have resident GPS and wondered what others do to record their location/GPS. I've read that there is a way to use SnapBridge and a smart device (iPhone/iPad) and it's my understanding that I can purchase an external gadget, Nikon GP-1?....or at least I thought I could. BHphoto doesn't carry it. KEH has a used one. But, I don't see it being available even at Nikon. Sooooo....what do you all do to record your coordinates? Thanks for any help/guidance you can give. (resolution much better with originals)View attachment 39304View attachment 39305

I used a cheaper third party "Aokatec AK-G1s" GPS with my D850.

 

[SonoranDesert]

I used a cheaper third party "Aokatec AK-G1s" GPS with my D850.

Thanks @Roy . I found a DawnTech Eco Pro2 on eBay at about the same price. I’ll see how that goes however, it’s good to know there are other options.

 

[EricBowles]

Hi All, today 40+ American White Pelicans flew over my house in Tucson, AZ. I was able to get some shots off as my camera is always in a "ready" state...as I'm sure yours is as well.
I uploaded some of the photos and information to eBird.org. The sighting, as I thought, was rare. I was happy to get some shots from my yard that shows a Saguaro and Mesquite trees. If someone needs to come out and verify that the landscape is the same as in the photos - that can happen. My sighting as of now is "Unconfirmed". Soooooo.....I know the D850 doesn't have resident GPS and wondered what others do to record their location/GPS. I've read that there is a way to use SnapBridge and a smart device (iPhone/iPad) and it's my understanding that I can purchase an external gadget, Nikon GP-1?....or at least I thought I could. BHphoto doesn't carry it. KEH has a used one. But, I don't see it being available even at Nikon. Sooooo....what do you all do to record your coordinates? Thanks for any help/guidance you can give. (resolution much better with originals)

The D850 can be paired with Snapbridge and it will automatically record GPS data in the file. It's virtually no cost, works reliably, and has minimal battery impact. It's been a while since I have used that approach but it works well once you get them paired. Pairing can be fussy but there are some good videos demonstrating the specific steps.

I'd try that route first. The GPS options have been changing a lot, so your GP-1 will work fine, but your next camera may require updated hardware or software for the GP-1 to continue to work. It uses the 10 pin connector - and the Z5/6/7 cameras don't have a 10 pin connector.

 

[SonoranDesert]

The D850 can be paired with Snapbridge and it will automatically record GPS data in the file. It's virtually no cost, works reliably, and has minimal battery impact. It's been a while since I have used that approach but it works well once you get them paired. Pairing can be fussy but there are some good videos demonstrating the specific steps.

I'd try that route first. The GPS options have been changing a lot, so your GP-1 will work fine, but your next camera may require updated hardware or software for the GP-1 to continue to work. It uses the 10 pin connector - and the Z5/6/7 cameras don't have a 10 pin connector.

Thanks @EricBowles Really appreciate you passing along your knowledge/experience.

 

[Calson]

I disable GPS tracking in my iphone apps as I do not want them shared with the NSA and their underlings. Having a Holux and a Bluetooth adapter (unfortunate that Nikon chose a poor implementation of Bluetooth) allows me to shoot with two cameras and one GPS receiver.

A problem I found with the all in one GPS devices is that every time I turned the camera back on these receivers had to aquire the location again and this could take several minutes. They also tended to drain the battery as a high enough rate to be a concern, in particular with cameras using the EN-EL15 battery.

 

[SonoranDesert]

I disable GPS tracking in my iphone apps as I do not want them shared with the NSA and their underlings. Having a Holux and a Bluetooth adapter (unfortunate that Nikon chose a poor implementation of Bluetooth) allows me to shoot with two cameras and one GPS receiver.

A problem I found with the all in one GPS devices is that every time I turned the camera back on these receivers had to aquire the location again and this could take several minutes. They also tended to drain the battery as a high enough rate to be a concern, in particular with cameras using the EN-EL15 battery.

Good to know @Calson . I understand not wanting to share your info with 3rd parties. Thanks for the addition info.

 

[Roy]

The D850 can be paired with Snapbridge and it will automatically record GPS data in the file. It's virtually no cost, works reliably, and has minimal battery impact. It's been a while since I have used that approach but it works well once you get them paired. Pairing can be fussy but there are some good videos demonstrating the specific steps.

I'd try that route first. The GPS options have been changing a lot, so your GP-1 will work fine, but your next camera may require updated hardware or software for the GP-1 to continue to work. It uses the 10 pin connector - and the Z5/6/7 cameras don't have a 10 pin connector.

Pairing with Snapbridge isnt very effective without any cellphone coverage - whereas GPS works well outside everywhere...

 

[MalcolmP]

Hello Lisa,
Looks like you got lots of good GPS information. I believe you saw American White Pelicans in Arizona. I just bumped my American White Pelican thread in the Wildlife Presentation Forum. I came across them at Gillespie Dam on the Gila River near Arlington, AZ three winters ago and they were there for weeks in January. A little research at the time indicated they were quite rare in AZ. Two winters ago I did not see any there. Over the years have seen isolated pairs behind Horseshoe Dam on the Verde River upstream from Bartlett Lake. Horseshoe is difficult to access and never could get close enough to get a decent shot. I moved from Arizona to Fort Collins and Great American White Pelicans are quite common along the Front Range. I think they are really cool birds and enjoy your shots.