Geotagging/trip recording

I want a geotagger type device with a few characteristics.

1. I want it to use google earth, no other crappy software.

2. I want it to be able to easily integrate with my raw files so that I can see where photos were taken on google earth.

3. I would like it to be able to record trips. For example, today I drove around random roads along the coast, I want this thing to record that so I can see exactly which roads I went down, how far I went, where I turned, etc. I would like it to plot this in google earth similarly to how google maps shows you a directions map (that thick red line from one point to another).

I'm looking at this: http://www.buygpsnow.c​om …-of-Free-Mount)__972.aspx and it actually looks like this unit will interface using bluetooth so that I could theoretically bring my laptop and have a real time gps on google earth. If this is correct, then this is a huge feature for me. However, reviews on this device say the software is poor.

I really want solid software, and I want this to be very automated. I don't know exactly how something like this http://www.engadget.co​m …nks-down-adds-mac-and-ra/ differs from the trip recorders I'm looking at.

Is there any geotagger that will simply go straight to/work with google earth, or do they all have some form of crappy software

FWIW I use Downloader Pro and Breezebrowser Pro from Breeze Systems. Downloader Pro can read the .gpx track directly from my Garmin Oregon or nüvi and geotag JPG or CR2 images as I download them; BreezeBrowser Pro lets me use Google Earth to geotag photos for which I don't have a GPS track available, and also can generate a Google Earth track log file from your GPS track file. It also reads GPS .nmea or .log format track files used by other GPS makers. And I wouldn't call either Downloader Pro or BreezeBrowser Pro "crappy software". Just remember that your track is only as good as the GPS signal your receiver gets. With signal obstructions or bad weather, your track file may put you significant distances off any road. Google Earth has real-time and historical display of Garmin track data as an option, too.

I use a Wintec G-Rays II GPS logger.

http://www.amazon.com …ous&qid=1258902​910&sr=8-2

This unit will track your route and record data points on your location at about 1 second intervals. It can communicate with your computer by Bluetooth (assuming your computer has that feature) and download a .gpx file, which you can plug directly into Google Earth. There are other units, of course, and it is merely a question of which one has the features you want. I like the GRays because it is about the size of a matchbox and fits in a pocket easily. Bluetooth connectivity is easy and reliable too.

Although the unit comes with software, it is PC only and I am using a iMac. As you realize, software is crucial for the interface and unfortunately you have to use something to tag the photo files. The software is the key to making geotagging work well. For my use, I like HoudahGeo and HoudahGPS. HoudahGeo is used for tagging your photos. HoudahGPS is freeware and simply downloads the .gpx file from your data logger which you can plug into Google Earth to see your route. It also can convert the .gpx file to a .kml file which is the native file requirement for Google Earth (not necessary though. I use the downloaded .gpx file with Google Earth and it works fine).

http://www.houdah.com/​houdahGeo/

http://www.houdah.com/​houdahGPS/

The HoudahGeo software is quite good and allows you to tag the RAW files with lat/long/altitude data from the data logger (I'm using Apple's Aperture). I do this all the time with my setup. Works great. If you use a Mac, these products are worth a look.

Good luck.

i use a Sony GPS-CS1, and import the data into GPicSync. It will output the data to a kmz file so you can import it into Google Earth.

and, it's one of Google's code projects.

http://code.google.com​/p/gpicsync/