Check out other hiking tripes at:
http://www.everytrail.com/profile.php?user_id=265894

Here are the pictures of a Lshaped C90 cable at work with a Nikon D90 camera.

A video showing how to use MetaGPS unit M2 on a Nikon D9 camera with reference to an iPhone 4

I took a MetaGPS M2 and a Nikon D90 with me for the trip. I also took a Nokia E71 with a GPS logging software called: gpsed (www.gpsed.com).

The hike started at Timpohom gate at 1,860 meter above sea level. I spend 5 hours to reach Laban Rata Guest house at 3,400 meter above sea level. I spent the night there. I had three meals (a dinner, a super at 1:30am the second day and a breakfast, at 9:00am after summit). After a light rest, I started the summit push at 2:30am the second day and reached the summit Low’s Peak at 6:30am.

Here is the picture at the Low’s Peak of Mt. Kinabalu.

Low's Peak of Mt. Kinabalu, 4,095 meter above sea level

These is the GPS information recorded by MetaGPS M2 and embedded in the picture EXIF file:
GPS Latitude 6 deg 4′ 30.22″ N
GPS Longitude 116 deg 33′ 31.25″ E
GPS Altitude Ref Above Sea Level
GPS Altitude 4102 m
GPS Time Stamp 23:02:50
GPS Satellites 10
GPS Img Direction Ref Magnetic North
GPS Img Direction 179
GPS Date Stamp 2011:02:14

For more pictures of this trip, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drnantu/sets/72157626109115254/

Here is the hiking track and photo (geotagged by MetaGPS M2 with Nikon D90)

Since the MetaGPS M2 provides heading capability and can only have the correct heading reading when it is pointed to the came direction as the camera, this little device is a perfect solution for those to want the heading reading from M2 and a clean hot shoe.

P. WILLIAMS (UK) – This review is from: MetaGPS M1 C90 Compact Geotagging Unit for Select Nikon DSLR Cameras

I originally purchased the MetaGPS unit at the end of last year (2009) for my Nikon D90. Having done my homework on the Nikon GPS-1 unit and this alternative, I chose the MetaGPS unit because it was significantly cheaper and seemed to offer pretty much what the Nikon version did at a fraction of the cost. I made an offer on Ebay and the distribution company accepted. The unit arrived promptly and appeared very well manufactured and packaged, with instructions and the relevant lead for my D90.

I used it for a month long trip to Western BC, Canada and the USA as my family are Canadaina, and we visited some pretty remote towns and locations in the Rockies, with the MetaGPS unit recording the dat perfectly every time. On my return to the UK, I uploaded my files and went into Google Earth where my exact location with coordinates was stored, perfect as I need the data for my photographic blog at[...] I’ve self published two books this year on Blurb and the data from this gizmo has been so helpful in exact locations and exif data for reference.

I was so pleased with the unit, that when I sold my D90 and moved up to a professional full frame Nikon D700, I contacted the company and requested a new lead (10 pin fitting) for that camera which was duly despatched for £20 including postage. The unit works just as well on the D700 and I could not be without it.

DOWNERS: Well, it can be as annoying at times as the Nikon GPS-1 unit in locating a good signal from cold and the start up time is way too optimistic, with anything up to three or four minutes on occasions. Once locked on, the warm start is a matter of a few seconds, but occasionally it just won’t lock on (cloudy skies, built up area). The same criticism is levelled at the Nikon unit, so I guess they are similar in that respect. I also have to set my meters to stay on for a minute on camera to allow the unit to connect rather than keep on pressing the shutter button. I always shoot with two batteries, so battery drain has never been an issue for me, and I always fully charge the unit prior to the shoot.

Overall, I’m very happy with this little GPS unit and it cost me less than half that of the Nikon version, so value for money is a no-brainer. Support and service from the manufacturers has been first class. I never leave home without it.

Click to view detail

Robert to me, Jul 19 (8 days ago)
Hi Mark,

While on vacation, I charged the unit and tried using it with my Nikon D3s. The camera would recognize the unit however the unit never was able to link with the satellites. The Blue LED on the unit would flash very quickly and the GPS status indictor on the camera would flash about 3 times a second. I tried the unit in various locations, but the result was always the same. Have you encountered this problem before and what do you recommend.
Regards,
Bob

Reply to Robert Jul 20 (7 days ago)
Hello Bob:

We are sorry to hear that unit is unable to lock satellites. This could happen in the following two situations: 1: In the Setup menu->GPS, please turn the Auto Meter Off . Please refer to your D3s manual for more detail.
2: The GPS is defective.
Please try #1. If the unit is still unable to lock satellites, we will ship you a replacement.
Best Regards
Mark

Reply Robert to me July 20 (7 days ago)
Mark,

Good news, I tried disabling the Auto Meter Off function as you suggested and the unit then locked satellites. Also by adjusting the Auto Meter Off Delay to 30 seconds, I was able to get the unit to also lock satellites.

Once lock, the unit produced the expected coordinates, however the Heading Output reported remains at 135 degrees regardless of the direction the camera is pointed. I consulted the User Guide, but did not see any instructions for using the Heading Reset button. I tried pressing the Reset Button, however the Heading Results were unchanged. I’m sure I must be doing something wrong, any assistance you can offer would be appreciated. Note, I do have the unit mounted on the cameras Flash Hot shoe so it is always aligned with the direction the camera is pointing.

Also the units mount tab for the Hot Shoe fits so tightly in the shoe, the unit cannot be pushed completely into mount on the camera. I know this will not affect the Heading, however I am concerned that the mounting tab may break with future insert/removal cycles. Is this tight fit normal and is it ok?

Thanks for your help,
Bob

Reply Jul 20 (7 days ago)
Hello Bob:
We are one step closer to resolve your issue. I am sure that I can help you with the Heading Reset.

The heading Reset button is on the front right hand side (if you mount the GPS on the camera and see from the top). We do not include the heading Reset button instruction on the user manual as it is tricky to reset it. However, for your situation, please reset it. Here is how:

1: When you have the GPS unit mounted and connected to the camera and locked to satellites (do this outside so you can test the readings right away), push the Heading Reset Button and hold it down for a few seconds until you see the GPS icon disappear from the LCD panel on your camera.

2: Hold your camera flat (or place on a flat surface such as a table), slowly (15 -20 seconds in 1 rotation) rotate the camera (and the GPS unit) clockwise for about 30 seconds (1-2 rotations), until you see the GPS icon appears again on the LCD panel on your camera. (The GPS unit is actually trying to record the coordinates for every direction and recalculate the correct earth magnetic axis bias)

3: Repeat the above steps if necessary (3-5 times is common, more is often required).

The heading reset is tricky. Please be patient. The key is to have a slow and rather uniform clockwise rotation.

In our factory, we have one person who does heading reset for every M2. We call him Mr. Heading Reset.

Best Regards
Mark

Robert to me July 22 (5 days ago)

Mark,

The Heading reset work the first time, I’m now getting Heading data. At this point everything appears to be working, I’m going to use the unit for the next few days.

Today when I turned it on, it took about 5 minutes for it to lock. Is this to be expect sometimes?

Also do you have any comments regarding the “Hot Shoe” mounting described in my earlier email?

Bob
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Mark to Robert Jul 23 (4 days ago)

Hello Bob:

Glad to hear that you got the heading working in the first time.

In normal situation, such as open sky, clear day, no high buildings blocking the satellites, and you are not moving the GPS can get a fix (more than 4 satellites) between 1-2 minutes. 5 min or longer does happen in not so idea situation, such as under the tree or close to a building, cloudy sky or in a total new location (far away from the last location, ie, you fly to NYC for a vacation and fire up the unit after you land) or you are moving.

The GPS unit is rather small and uses a small antenna. You can expect it to perform similar to a GPS enabled cell phone, not in par with a dedicated GPS unit such as those from Garmin.

We purposely design the hotshoe mount to be very tight to prevent the GPS unit from dropping out from the camera. It appears to be “too tight” when you first use it. Then, like a pair of new leather shoes, it will loosen up upon usage.

Hope you are enjoying the product. Any other recommendations besides the seemly long satellite fix?

Best Regards

Mark