- Time to First Fix (TTFF) : < Average 1/33/35 sec. (Hot/Warm/Cold start)
- Antenna : Built-in patch antenna with LNA
- Output Message : NMEA-0183 (V3.01) - GGA, GSA,GSV, RMC(default); VTG, GLL(Optional)
- Accuracy : < 3m CEP (Stand-Alone, S/A off); < 2.5m CEP (DGPS)
- Sensitivity: -165dBm tracking
There are two main uses for this device. You can synchronize the GPS coordinates with your photos, as long as your camera's clock is accurately set up. The Qstarz doesn't require clock adjustments, because it grabs the time from the GPS satellites. I'm using HoudahGPS on my Mac to download the coordinates in a GPX file, and the GPSPhotoLinker program to automatically synchronize that with my photos. All I have to set up is the timezone (GMT+x hours), with the daylight saving time accounted to it. So for example most of Europe is GMT+1 during the winter, and GMT+2 during the summer.
In addition to geotagging photos, I can plot the exact route on Google Earth and other applications. The Windows-only program that comes with the device can track your average and maximum speed, the distance, and calculate the number of calories you burned while running, cycling, etc. The Qstarz can also be used as a GPS receiver attached to your computer, but I've never tried that. The device can be connected to the PC or Mac via a short USB cable (supplied) or wirelessly (bluetooth). Fortunately the USB cable is standard, and I can use it to connect my camera to my computer as well, and you could use the camera's cable to connect the Qstarz as well.
I've extensively used this device during my European vacation. I was able to tag all my photos automatically and accurately. By tagging I mean not only the GPS coordinates, but the name of the city/county/country as well.
The Qstarz acquires GPS signal in less than a minute, and maintains that connection for the entire day. The only time I lost signal was when I went underground, inside the thick walls and ceiling of a medieval castle, or inside a cavern. Within a minute after coming out it automatically reacquired connection. While there's no GPS signal the device automatically stops logging and restarts it as it gets signal.
I recommend that you don't turn off the device during a trip, because if you forget about turning it on, you won't have the data. The BT-Q1300S is capable of running for the entire day (from sunset to sunrise easily). I don't exactly know it limits, though.
The disadvantages are relatively minor to me:
* There's no overcharge protection. You shouldn't leave this connected to your computer for a long time, because you damage the unreplaceable batteries. This is ridiculous, how hard would it have been to add overcharge protection?
* There's only one button. You press that for 4 seconds to turn it on/off, 2 seconds to turn logging on/off, and tap it to log a single entry right now.
* The LEDs that indicate various statuses are extremely hard to see outdoors (almost impossible, unless I shade it with my hands). You also have to memorize their meaning, because it's far from obvious.
* There's no LCD screen, but honestly I never even look at it during my trip.
* The software that comes with it is for Windows only, and if you want to reprogram it to 1-second logging, you must do it from Windows, as far as I know. However, I can do everything else on my Mac using free applications.
The reason I did not subtract 1 star for these issues is because the device just works. I press the button for 4 seconds before I leave in the morning, and can leave it alone all day, knowing it does the job. But you must be careful not to leave it connected to the USB overnight.I purchased this item to track my movements and sync those movements to my photos. I use a Macintosh Pro Laptop and iPhoto with Places enabled. I have not used the PC software included so I can not speak to that. You charge the unit using your USB cable. Holding the button down on the side starts the tracking. The USB rubber cover is ridiculous. I have to have my wife around to open the thing. It is very difficult and I may end of taking it off eventually. I attach it to my keychain and slip it into my pocket. The unit says it will track for 12 hours. I have not gone over that limit. When you get back to the computer, you have to download the data. I use a freeware Mac program called HoudahGPS. You can download the tracking data and the KML version which lets you see your tracks right in Google Earth. I then use HoudahGEO to sync my photos with the tracking information. If the time on the camera is accurate, the photos are tagged with the location Meta Data. It seems very accurate, within a few feet when off, and more often than not, right on. Not having to make notes for my photos had made this worth the price. This summer my wife and I will be driving Route 66 and I am looking forward to posting an electronic photo journal on line. The Geo data also uploads to Flikr and Facebook. When you're done, you just erase the data, charge the unit up and you are ready to go again.I bought this device instead of the AMOD because of the compact size. I was willing to pay a higher price for the smaller size, since I do a lot of business travel and don't have a lot of extra space to be carrying toys around. As it turns out, the software that comes with the BT-Q1300 is FAR superior to what you get with the AMOD (which a friend purchased), plus you can tether the tracker to a PC and track yourself real-time, even while the logger continues to log internally (fun on an airplane).
My primary purpose for this logger is geotagging photos, and it works very well for that. The included Travel Recorder software works perfectly for tagging, viewing, and exporting to share with others.
Also included with the tagger is QSports software that helps you keep track of workouts. I log my exercise (walking the neighborhood and hiking), and QSports lets me know how I'm doing towards my goals. You can set targets for weight, heart rate, total workout time per week, distance traveled, etc.). I like that I can see the pace while I was moving, and it lets me know when I need to push a little harder to reach my goals. I've done more exercise in the past two weeks than I've done in the last two years. Funny how a toy like this can cause changes in behavior that you didn't expect.
The precision isn't quite what I was hoping for. Sometimes it seems excellent, and others it seems off a bit. For example, if I walk up one side of the street and back on the other side...I've had the tracks be reversed. Very odd. But honestly, we're talking about inaccuracies of maybe 15'. No big deal; just the engineer in me wanting the ultimate in precision. It's all good.
I haven't yet tested the battery life. The stated 12 hours seem sufficient for my needs, though.
The key ring came off my tracker on Day 2. The rivet holding the leather strap on came undone, and there's nothing I can do to fix that. I won't be carrying it on a key chain anyway, so this isn't a big deal to me...but I have to admit that it makes me worry about the quality of the device a bit. I'm going to tie a loop of string on here so I can clip it to things as necessary.I spent quite a bit of time researching before choosing the BT-Q1300S. It turned out to be a great choice. The two downsides are the software and battery life. I knew going into it that the software was Windows only, but I have to ding any company releasing consumer hardware without Mac support today. Open Source solutions exist, though, so no worries for my intended usage. I'll also ding the battery life. It's not horrendous, roughly 12 or 13 hours, but I'm sure I'm not the only trekker/photographer that's moving at least that long. I've resorted to trying to remember to shut it off and turn it back on when I get to a location long enough. The problem is that I don't have the best memory and I can easily forget to turn it back on again before moving.
Aside from those two things, this is an outstanding product. I highly recommend it. I would buy one again -no doubt. Cold start times have been low for me. Accuracy has been high. Urban multi-path issues are unavoidable with a product in this price range, but it has been much better than other products I have used (and own). I'm rather amazed as to how well it will hold a lock, even in a fairly decent "natural" Faraday cage.
It was easy to setup, the software included works great, the GPS acquisition time is short and sensitivity is very good.
The little rubber cap covering the UBS plug is difficult to remove at first with your fingers, i had to use a sharp knife. But now it seems to have loosen up a bit.
You can easily export your tracks to Google Earth. There is even a plugin to directly visualize them in their software. Works great.
No comments:
Post a Comment