Navin miniHomer Waterproof GPS Position Finder / Data Logger with built-in Compass

I have been searching for a GPS logger to use for Geo tagging with my new Canon Rebel T2i. I researched the Amod AGL3080, I-GotU GT-120, GiSTEQ Phototracker and the USGlobalSat SiRFIII Data logger. A co-worker had the Navin Minihomer and let me borrow it to try out.

Comparison Chart(forgive the formatting)

---------------------Price--GPS-Chipset---------------Compass-Display-Battery--Battery-Life---Rec.-Len.-PC-Conn

Navin-MiniHomer------$55----"Latest-66-Channel-GPS"--Yes-----LCD-----Builtin---8-12 Hours-----165K------Mini-USB

Amod-AGL3080--------$65----SiRFIII-------------------No------LED-----3-AAA---15-Hours-------256K------USB

i-GotU-GT-120--------$70----SiRFIII-------------------No------LED-----Builtin---?--------------64K-------Custom-USB

GiSTEQ-PhotoTracker--$73----"Latest-66-Channel-GPS"-No-----LED-----Builtin----32-Hours-------250K------Mini-USB

USGlobalSat-SiRFIII---$70----SiRFIII-------------------No------LED-----2-AAA---20-Hours-------60K-------USB

Contrary to the another review here, the MiniHomer DOES perform GPS location logging natively along with direction finding due to the LCD display and digital compass. It also will give you approximate speed and altitude. The software provided online gives you the ability to Google map routes, setup the MiniHomer, analyze GPS data, and export into multiple formats. Unlike the single or dual LED displays on the other units, the Mini Homer has a superior backlit LCD display that includes the ability to display text in different modes and a battery "fuel gage" indicator along with compass arrows and distance.

I was not really interested in the ability to find your way back to a marked waypoint, but this seems very functional giving you both an indication of the direction and distance left to go to your marked destination.

I have not yet had a chance to test the battery life of the unit, but if it proves to be reasonable the MiniHomer seems like a better option than the others on the list due to the LCD display and standard USB connection/charging. A quick test shows that the MiniHomer gave very accurate GPS data while being worn around my neck driving in a car.

UPDATE 9-15-10:

Used this on a long trip and was happy with the results. Battery life was useful but not great, probably 8-12 hours, but when we were driving I left this connected to power port in the car and placed it on the dashboard. During the 9 days that I recorded GPS locations the only time it didn't record was when I forgot to take it with me.

I used the export features of the Navin software for GPX files, then used Microsoft Pro Photo Tools to embed the GPS data into the EXIF data for each photo. This combo worked perfectly.

I bought this item for hiking Camino Santiago on September 2010, I was completely pleased with its functionality and on more than six occasions I was stopped and asked about it.

Is a Hiker/Walker cheap response to having a full blown GPS of $300. I wanted the item to trace my daily routes in Spain, but I got more than that,It creates a file that you download to the PC software, its interactive on a Google Map, the software lets you convert the daily files to GPX or KMZ, the software is compatible with Google Earth, so this means I was able to create a kmz file and send as 3D movie or normal track to any Google Earth user.

Also, it lets you see the elevation graphic and the speed graphic of your travels, I walked over 8 hours daily under heavy foliage and I never lost a signal or battery power. When I got to my Alberge I was able to see all my route and speed data. Like if this was not enough, I was able to set my Cheap Sony Cybershot Camera to Sync the daily Pictures with the Data, and the program lets you export directly to Flicr, Picasa or Locr. Last but not least, from the software I was able to Pre-Program 5 Points of interests with GPS coords the night prior to my next walk. There was no way I could miss an Important landmark or my Hotel..Man...I don't really know why are people giving bad reviews for a $54 dollar item that does all this. In Galicia it rains hard, and I had it on my day pack soaking wet, It does resist water. I love this item, it should be praised, if not spend $500 on a Garmin Oregon

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Small and convenient; tested as follows:

1Local parking lot; guide back to car = Okay

2Guide back to Hotel in Athens after walking streets = Okay

3Guide back to Hotel in Rome after walking streets = Okay

a) Takes less than a minute to lock on to satellite (usually less than 30 seconds if in open space)

b) Accurate distance indicator upon returning to set location.

Read Best Reviews of Navin miniHomer Waterproof GPS Position Finder / Data Logger with built-in Compass Here

I bought this to do geotagging of photos. Out of the box it does not have this feature but there is a firmware update that adds it. After applying firmware I was able to use device to record locations and then use the nTrip software to export the GPS data to a file which I then use in Aperture to assign locations. This is a little complex but worked well.

One nice thing about the GPS track is it was consistent, no odd data points where the device lost satellite. The compass feature also turned out to be handy but it does require calibration.

The nTrip software and drivers are Windows only as far as i can tell but worked fine on Window 7 64bit. The unit easily lasted several days on a charge; has a auto off feature based on lack of movement but once you enable the tracking mode it seems to record as long as there is a charge.

One issue importing to Aperture is of 4 tracks (1 per day) one of them I had to adjust the time zone of the track in Aperture, after that is was able to assign locations to photos.

Did not use the way point feature but the software provided allows you to set the way points from a map instead of through the device. The device controls are simple, only 2 buttons, but to get to each function you need the cheat sheet till you get used to it. Navin site has the manual and the firmware zip includes a new manual showing the new features.

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The miniHomer is small and very well built making it an ideal instrument to geotag images out in the field. The nTrip software which is included with the unit works exceptionally well to import the GPS datalog data, and then use it to update the GPS EXIF fields of your photos. The nTrip software is only available for Microsoft Windows, and hence there's no Apple software support for the miniHomer.

The basic procedure to geotag photos with the miniHomer is to:

1) Using the nTrip software, initialize the miniHomer by clearing its data log memory and set the sampling rate (a 10 second sampling rate is normally used for this)

2) Synchronize the clocks in your camera and the miniHomer. Note: I prefer to do this, but it's not necessary since the nTrip software is able adjust for any delta time between your camera's clock and the miniHomer clock.

3) Start the data logger in the miniHomer

4) Put the miniHomer in your pocket, and then go out and take your photos

5) When done, stop the data logger in the miniHomer

6) Using the nTrip software, download the datalog from the miniHomer

7) Using the nTrip software, select the photos files to be geotagged

8) Using the nTrip software, write back the geotag EXIF data into the photo files

9) Using the nTrip software, export to either a GPX file for use by GPS units such as Garmin nuvi, or to a KMZ file for use by Google Earth