Customer Reviews

Columbus V-900 Bluetooth GPS Data Logger (microSD , Voice Tag for POI, Driverless, Push to Log, 25 millions waypoints*, XP/Vista/ Linux/Mac OSX Compatible)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I used this over a 3 week trip through Mexico, Argentina, and Chile in order to geotag my photos. I didn't want a camera specific logged which I'd have to attach to my camera because I didn't want to deal with yet another cable or strap hanging off the camera body. We were planning on doing a lot of hiking in Patagonia so I also didn't want to carry a full size GPS which would weigh me down. So the small size and low weight of the V900 was perfect. I usually just turn it on when I head out, throw it into my camera bag, and turn it off at the end of the day. During my trip, the gps coordinates were accurate enough. Though back in NYC, when surrounded by tall buildings, it can take several minutes to get a gps lock and the accuracy drops off. It will sometimes give a location that is a few blocks away from my true location.
There are a few websites out there that claim 24 hours of battery life in its 'logging only' mode, but I've only gotten about 12 hours at most. I haven't tried it as a bluetooth gps receiver. The logger accepts a micro SD memory card and a 12 hour log takes approximately 4MB. There is no way to adjust how often log points are updated under the 'normal' logging mode. You can select a frequency between 10 and 100 minutes when in 'spy mode.'
Unfortunately, when you connect the logger to a computer through the USB port, the card is not readable. The USB port is there only for charging or powering the device. The only way to read the logging data, is to pull the card out and to access it through a separate memory card reader. The card has to be formatted under the FAT file system, but that's not a problem for Mac users.
The log data files are CSV text files which you can read or copy on a Mac or PC, but they are not in a standard format. The logger comes with a Java app which can read the data log file and tag photos, but it does not support RAW files. This app can export the data log as a .kmz file which is fine for Google Earth, but it doesn't work for some photo geotagging programs. For my work flow, I'll use a program, NMEA2KMZ, to convert the CSV file to .gpx, then use houdageo to geotag my photo RAW files. At that point, I can import the photos into Aperture.
The provided Java application can also be used to configure the device. The only options are:
1) to choose between 'Standard' and 'Professional' modes which basically gives you different logging data points.
2) to set or deactivate the overspeed alert.
3) to set the 'spy mode' timer frequency.
Again, since the computer cannot access the memory card within the V900, it simply writes these configuration options to a text file, which you have to manually copy to the memory card through a card reader. An option to disable beeping when turning the device on or off, or when inserting and ejecting the memory card would also be nice.
Its far from perfect, but if you're willing to deal with the shortcomings, the V900 will work fine.


Update: TimeAlbum 1.61 now supports exporting of the CVS data files to the NMEA file format. This is an improvement since houdageo, gpsbabel, and other gps programs will recognize this format. I no longer have to go through the trouble of starting Windows in Parallels just to run the NMEA2KMZ151 program in order to convert it to gpx.

I looked at Bluetooth GPS receivers for six months before I purchased the Columbus V900 to go with my IPAQ 210. I was all settled on a different product when I came across the Columbus 900. I took a chance and purchased the 900 with just a little research.

What got my attention was that
1) In addition to being a receiver (which is all I really wanted), it acted as a logger, which I realized it would be useful not to have my IPAQ continuously joined to the GPS on very long trips
2) It had a removable memory card (was not sure why I cared)
3) There was an audible over speed feature (wish I had that six months ago when I got my first speeding ticket in 40 years)

I was a bit concerned that this receiver is more expensive than most, and the only support is in Chinese. There is an English version, but you quickly realize it is a duplicate of the Chinese website with all the links broken. Also, the company that makes this receiver is a one product company - not reassuring the company will be around.

I have been using the Columbus 900 for about a month. I am real happy with it. It has easy to understand lighted icons, a sleek design, audible sounds, removable memory card, and if connected to a power source it turns on when power is turned on and turns off when power is turned off (such as power in the car).

It is sensitive and locks onto satellites generally in about 30 seconds even indoors within 8 to 10 feet of the windows. It takes less time (as advertised) if turned off for less than two hours. Its reported location matches my Garmin GPS76 almost exactly.

The instructions do not seem to be in a logical order, and read a bit wonky for an American. It is much better than most translated instruction manuals, so don't let this comment get in your way. Just read the whole manual first - then go back through the sections in the order that make sense to you.

Connecting to the IPAQ did not follow the instructions at all. Even through both are written for Windows 6, the actual screens and actions to connect the Bluetooth were different. I managed to get it to work somehow after a couple of minutes of fumbling through the screens. I believe this to be an implementation difference in HP's IPAQs.

The software supplied is not up to par with more advance systems, but better than most and is still useful. Forget about the free version of VisualGPS. If you like the tool, go for the professional version BeeLineGPS (especially with higher resolution devices like the IPAQ 210). The manufacture is at VisualGPS.Net. My Copilot software saw the GPS right away. Other software required a bit of work to figure out the actual serial port - again more of an IPAQ issue.

Somewhere in the literature, Columbus 900 claims to have a replaceable battery - not very likely. Okay, I took it apart to see how it would be done since the instructions give you no indication that you can change the battery. (Don't do this yourself - I was an electrical mechanical engineer specializing in tiny devices in my day). I see no easy way for a consumer to replace the battery. A battery specialist (or watchmaker) that can deal with microscopic screws may be able to do it.

I have not fully tested the battery life. I did get 12 hours in logging mode before I recharged it. I have used it for an hour or two per day over many different days without running low. By the way, these types of batteries do better if you keep them charged and do not completely discharge frequently.

The log writes to a comma delimited file that I easily imported into Excel. It was said that this was not a standard format; I am not sure what was meant by the statement. I found the information readily useable with all the standard values that GPSs provide although some accuracy measures were defaulted to zero and never seemed to be updated.

I had no expectations that the standard USB port is for power and charging only. This is common now among many devices.

If you are looking for a smarter GPS receiver/logger - this is probably is as advance as they come right now. For its designed purpose, it does very well.

Recently received my Columbis V-900. Before that I bought Garmin Nivi 650 at Amazon, but I missed that it has no track logging feature which is really important for me.
Therefore I decided to buy quality data logger, and found this unit...

First view:
- It is really small.
- Nice, stylish design.
- Material is very high quality (plastic, metal back,...).

Nice features:
- It can be used as logger and as receiver simultaneously (most bluetooth data loggers can't do that).
- POI button can be used to start new track as well.
- Logging can be started/stoped by short press on power button.
- Has beep confirmations on events/actions.
- Voice tagging is really useful feature, it helps a lot when you have many POIs. (recorded voice quality is poor, but is enough to recognize speech)

Signal reception is quite good as on other MTK chipset GPSes.
I compared/tested with iBlue-747 - accuracy is same.

Conclusion:
- This device has justified my expectations.
- Not cheap, but that's ok, if we take into account it's quality and useful features.

Received this unit 4 days ago from buy GPS now store. So far, I have used it to track more than 700 miles and geo-tagged 40 plus photos and 5 voice-tags.

I really like this unit in terms of the design, which is slim, stainless steel casing on the back and most button operations are confirm by a beep sound (either long or short beep).

The included Java application is actually quite easy to use and runs directly from the CD / Disc included.

The accuracy is excellent compare to AMOD I was using. Accuracy is so good that it tracks me down to the actual parking slot that I parked my car and even track me down to the exact lane on a 5-lane freeway. I have also checked the geo-tagged photo and the EXIF headers correctly show the latitude, longtitude, altitude, speed and even heading. I have also confirmed that the geotagged photos are regonized and placed on the correct position on Picasa Web Album.

I also like the Speed Alarm feature, which I currently set it to 80 mph and everytime I try to pass cars on a freeway, I will get a loud noise as soon as I passed the 80 mph speed limit and the noise starts to go away as soon as my speed drops below 80 mph.

Cons 1: The geo-tagged photos are actually placed under a special folder called "GPSed". This was not mentioned in the user's manual.

Cons 2: The Time Album application is currently capable of doing KM/h and the manufacturer is working on a new version to support MPH, and allows us to switch between these 2 standards.

I highly recommend the Columbus V-900, especially to Mac OSX or Linux users (also compatible with windows XP / Vista)

I just bought the Columbus V900 a week ago. I have an iMAC and the software was easy to install, and I'm using a Canon PowerShot SD600. The unit came essentially fully charged. I had to tweak the UTC (GMT) a bit to see the photos I'd taken;i.e., to compensate for DST, I guess. I generated the .kmz file and then double cliked on it to get the path and photos in Google Earth; but you must remember to adjust the time line(upper left) in Google Earth to see the photos. This is great! so that when I travel I know exactly where the photos were taken

Pros:
+It's usually fairly accurate for its size, there is drift but it's not as bad as some other similar devices when it's working.

~~See my uploaded images for specifics regarding its accuracy.
Sometimes it's very accurate, and has no trouble connecting to satellites. Other times it's impossible to connect to satellites, maybe only can connect to 1 (this happened last in the middle of the night, my other MTK device (usually less accurate) had NO problem getting sats at the same time)~~~

+Almost unlimited storage with 2gb microsd. (needs to be formattedin FAT though... not a big deal if you want to dedicate a card to this device, but I had to give up my cell phone card. I was expecting the device to come with a 1gb microsd but it wasn't in the package)

+Long battery life and USB charging, very neat for a trip where you plan to take photos and also view places you've traveled. Good way to remember your trips.

+Comes with software and a cool non friction case along with other accessories


Cons:
-It is possible to brick this device, I've only had it for 1 day and it completely froze. The power button would not even turn the unit off. THERE IS NO RESET BUTTON. I had to wait for the battery to die...

-The battery is a lithium polymer battery (Li-Po), and the leads are soldered DIRECTLY to the board only 1mm apart. Meaning it's impossible to disconnect the power even if you take the device apart. Also, it would be very easy if any moisture or screw falls into the device to short the battery and cause catastrophic damage.

-If the device freezes, you have to wait till the battery dies. Which can take FOREVER if you've recently charged it. At least the battery lasts a while. 12+ hours with constant blue tooth connection.

-Sometimes it can't acquire satellites, and has problems connecting to blue-tooth, draining the power seems to fix this. The device never actually turns off until it runs out of power.

-The elevation is useless on this device. I think it has something to do with the firmware, because it's always 100+ feet underground, while my other similar small MTK device reads an average of 20 feet above ground. Other people have noticed this problem as well.

-Early firmware versions made this device not work in the southern hemisphere, meaning it couldn't acquire the satellites. Because I had problems getting satellites sometimes, I wonder if my firmware is outdated as well. I'm not sure if it's possible to update the firmware yourself, but there is no firmware provided on their website (why?). Also no way to know which version of the firmware you have. If they provided regular firmware updates on their website, I would feel much better about this device.


The breakdown:
The device has the potential to be very useful for photo and travel logging. However, you would expect firmware updates at this price, and the quality of construction to be better (esp. regarding the battery). No updatability or support is the biggest downside to this. It's only slightly better than most unbranded Chinese electronics. I sent a support email to the company regarding the problems and will update this review depending on the response I receive.

You have to consider, the latest Garmen will only cost 20 dollars more, and be far higher quality, better supported, and with higher reliability and accuracy. However, although the Garmen can also help you navigate, the Garmen can't give you the same awesome long tracks and caching functions this device will. Now that I bought this device I'm not sure it was the best possible value for the money.

It has a lot of potential and does what it does fairly well, and not many other products do that. If the company decides to provide downloadable firmware updates to fix the satellite acquisition, crashing and latitude problems. I would have a lot more confidence in the device and I'd probably give it 5 stars, for now it's 3 stars, I love this device but can't ignore its flaws.

Note: This seems to be the same exact device as visiontac v900, no idea if the firmware is the same.

I bought this thing because I was hoping that it would work miracles to produce accurate track logs for creating trail maps. I was sadly disappointed. It was no better than my old Garmin GPS, and perhaps worse because it doesn't have any screen to continuously monitor the signal strength, and adjust the position of the GPS accordingly. You can't download data off it; you must remove the tiny SD card. Then you need very odd Java-based program to read the data, which is in a proprietary format as well. Most information on the website is in Chinese, or in English so poorly translated that you can't figure out what it means. I eventually bought a Gilsson antenna for my existing GPS, and it was the solution I needed.

We bought this for academic research application with the main purpose of tracking vehicle speeds. Not good for our purpose but might be good enough for general consumers.

The good:
- car charger
- small size
- SD card capability (big plus)

The bad
- only the integer part of speed data is recorded ( huge minus); we needed speed readings with at least 1 decimal digit
- no vibration sensor (many of the competition have such capability)
- non-removable batteries (again, many of the competition have such capability)
- only records data at 1Hz frequency - some of the competitor units have the option of recording at 5Hz

I bought this device because of its capacity to maintain many week worth of data. I tested its geotracking with a few days of skiing and then its photo tagging after a couple of hikes. The supplied software is reasonable (I'm a Mac user) but I have been using myTracks ([..]) instead. I have imported geotagged photos into Aperture and generated tracks for viewing on Google Earth. To date I am happy and consider this device to be a good value.

I received my columbus logger last week and took it out for a test drive this weekend. I was pleasantly surprised at how fast it acquired the GPS signal.
When I got home, I checked out the software and found the application to be a bit confusing at first, but once I figured it out, it wasn't hard to use. The fact that it was Java based was odd, but I guess its the easiest way to do something cross-platform.

Once I pointed the app at my photos, it successfully tagged each photo without problems. (make sure you set the clock on your camera before taking pictures).

I am very happy with my purchase.

Conclusions:
Pros:
+ Small form factor fits easily in pocket, or hanging from my backpack.
+ Simultaneous logging and bluetooth gps
+ POI button
+ Long lasting battery
+ audible beep confirmation
+ removable memory card
+ voice tagging

Cons:
- no removable battery (internal)
- no USB connection to device (usb charges only)
- software isn't perfect, but does the job
- file format is non-standard, but software can export kml or nmea