The lates GPS solution for Nikon DSLR is also the smothest, it is made by GiSTEQ
and is called the PhotoTrackr Plus for Nikon DSLR and contains of two parts a blue
tooth unit for the Camera that are powered from the camera battery and a small
GPS unit "puck" that have its own battery.

This solution give you a less bulky package and it will also draw less current from
the battery in the camera than both my DIY GPS unit and other on camera GPS units
like the Nikon GP-1.

Specifications here.

• 10-pin terminal for GPS adapter
• Connection for remote switch
• Battery Life: Operation Time: 30+ hours in continuous mode
• 44 channels satellite tracking
• Cold/Warm/Hot start time: 29/10/1 seconds (on average)
• DATUM: WGS84
• SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS) support
• Superior sensitivity: -160dBm tracking
• Update Rate: 1 Hz
• Support standard NMEA-0183 at 38400 bps baud rate
• Dimension: 3.03 (L) x 1.81 (W) x 0.77 (H) inch
• Weight: 3 oz including battery
• Accuracy:
  • Position: <3m 2d-RMS; DGPS: 2.5m
  • Velocity: 0.1m/sec
  • Acceleration: 0.1m/s2; DGPS: 0.05m/s2
• Frequency: L1, 1575.42MHz
• C/A Code: 1.023MHz chip rate
• Antenna (internal): Built-in low noise patch antenna
  
  

Acquired data: Latitude, longitude, altitude, time informationTime required for satellite acquisition: Approx. 45 sec. (cold start), approx. 5 sec. (hot start) Power source: Supplied from camera body Receiving indicators: Red blinking (GPS data not recorded) Green blinking (GPS data recorded utilizing three satellites) Green solid(Four or more satellites detected, GPS data are more accurate) Compatible models:D90 (via accessory terminal cable GP1-CA90) D3, D300, D700, D2X, D2Hs, D2Xs and D200 (via 10-pin cable GP1-CA10) Attachment: Attaches to camera’s accessory shoe or a camera strap via strap adapter GP1-CL1 Dimensions: Approx. 2 x 1.8 x 1 inches Street price is about 250 USD (20090208)

How it looks, my camera (Nikon D200) ready for geocoding photos.
I guess it will work with the New D300 and D3 also
(They use the same connector and are GPS enabled)

 

Parts list: 1ea MC-35 + 1ea BR-355 GPS unit (PS 2 model)
1ea plastic box 60x35x15mm   p/n 50-348-14 (Hammond 1551JBK)
1ea toggle switch subminiature on-off-on type  p/n 35-244-10
Part numbers are taken from ELFA www.elfa.se
Plastic box and switch can also be found at www.Digi-Key.com

Get the BR-355 and MC35 from Amazon.com (Links)

GlobalSat BR-355 Serial GPS Receiver (WAAS Enabled)
Nikon MC-35 GPS Adapter Cord for D3, D300, D2HS / D2X DSLR´s

Or use search string "Nikon MC-35" alt "Globalsat BR-356"
inside the E-bay "search here" box below!

Internal view of the hacked Nikon MC-35
Box had to be slightly modified.
I had to remove the screw posts to make it fit in the box so when
everything was tested OK I simply epoxy glued the box together!

How it looks inside the BR-355 cord

 

Wire routing by the use of bicycle tire inner tube!

Simple schematic of the Globalsat BR-355 + Nikon MC-35 hack

On request, an alternative for external GPS power source.

 

[Useful links related to this project]

• Review of the Globalsat BR-355 GPS unit
• Nikon F100 pin out and RS232 interface (Should work)
• GlobalSat BR-355 Serial GPS Receiver (WAAS Enabled) (Amazon.com)
• Nikon MC-35 GPS Adapter Cord (Amazon.com)
• Geomet'r GPS Receiver for Nikon D200 / D300 and Fujifilm S5 Pro
  

 

I have not tried any of the diy RS232 solutions but my guess is that
they should work just as fine as the genuine MC-35  :0)