the only real way you are going to get a high accuracy GPS altitude is
1- standing in place for about 10-15 minutes (probable about a +/-25ft accuracy depending on how many satellites are inputting and that is terrain and geometry related
2- standing in place for about 10-15 minutes with the WAAS component in your signal (then see above)
3- an L2 signal input (and you are not getting that)
4- a built in topo reference
GPS altitude is less accurate in a moving object due to constant variations and relatively slow update rate. on my current handheld my home can vary from 236 ft to 274 ft at any given time when used in a moving vehicle on approach and even then when stopped.
in commercial aviation we do not use GPS altitude component due to the variations and RVSM accuracy requirements its pretty much just fun stuff to play with.
in short w/o a topo reference source (aka: maps either internal or external), L2 signal component or higher speed updating your altitude is going to be far from perfect. being that it is within say 50-100 ft vertical axis on a planetery level i really wouldn't complain too much. it is not a precision altimeter.
Well, I tried calibrating the compass several times now with limited (no) success.
First, I tried the simple calibration, using my Silva Ranger compass (compensated for true north) to align the camera to true north. This gave ne a correct reading for north, but nowhere else.
I reset the N2, then performed the self-calibration and the field calibration--still no luck. I reset it again, then tried doing the field calibration and then the self calibration.
BTW--the batteries in the N2 perform at least as well as advertised. I used it all day yesterday, then forgot to turn it off overnight. It was still running this morning (internal battery)!
Honestly, I don't much need the compass, it's just that I'm a gadgeteer and like to have my gadgets working as well as possible!
I really like the remote release! The cable stays flexible below freezing--the Nikon release cables become stiff as re-bar much below 30 F. The ergonomics of the button are much better, also, IMO. No problems there.
I'll try to calibrate the compass again as soon as I get done working up 75 finals from the last wedding and the passel from the big party this weekend....
Looking forward to being able to put the Wilderness Golf images on a map!
I just purchased the N2 device and BOY is it easy to use. Charge it up, plug it in and within a minute the GPS is locked in and ready to go. The build is pretty good and the two mounting options are very convenient. One is the flash hot shoe and two is on the strap. The strap mount is very sturdy and the unit even comes with handy tie clips to tie off excess cable.
I haven't yet tried the remote cable release.
So far I've only had time to check out the mapping via Lightroom. Does anybody have any advice as to how to automatically have an image map itself in flickr? By "map itself" I mean to automatically put itself on the map.
