Canon GP-E2 GPS Receiver for Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera

This was cool to get, set up and track our journey. They now have perfected the software and it was easy to use. It tracks your trip, whether on your camera or not (as long as it can lock on to a satellite), and will show you where you took the pictures, right down to the direction you were pointing the camera, when you upload it and check the map and track line. It is reasonably easy to use and well worth the expense. I am looking forward to using it on a cruise.One down side to the equipment. If you get into your vehicle, as an example, after walking a trail or getting out to photograph a lake or mountain range, you need to have the GPS in a place where the thing can continue to (hear) be locked onto satellites. What we found was we needed to take the unit off the camera and then set it onto the dash where it can "hear" the satellite pings. In other words, be locked on to a satellite to continue following your track. Unless you have a non-standard dash on your car or other vehicle, you will need something to keep it from sliding around up there, such as some kind of a little sandbag or other weight, or a hook to a wire to hold it in place (perhaps even hook and loop to attach it temporarily to the dash). If you don't put it somewhere in the vehicle where it can "see" the sky and continue to keep the satellite lock, you will lose the lock and it won't maintain your track. I you are out walking without the camera, you can clip it to your belt with the cute little leather pouch that comes with it. Or, if you have the camera, it will probably be attached. It isn't all that big, barely the size of a pack of regular cigarettes if you smoke or used to smoke. We don't but you get the comparison. Also, it uses a single AA battery, so we would recommend a lithium AA for extended time of operation.More Positives: When I took a little trip and then downloaded the pictures, I activated the software (and don't forget to do the download of the updated software, which is very easy), and then downloaded it to Google Earth Pro (which is now free and is also 3D if you don't know it yet), and it came up just like their regular maps...with all my pictures shown at the points where they were taken. I took a screen shot and sent it to several friends. To a one, they responded with comments like, "That is so cool...", and "How cool is that technology...", etc...Yes, a couple of hundred bucks is not cheap, but if you have it to spare this is worth your consideration. I put mine on the new Canon T6s when I got it about a month ago, and it worked and performed flawlessly. Just don't forget to go into the camera menu and turn on the GPS. The rest is really easy. I highly recommend it if you can swing the price of it. Make a great Father's Day Gift.

As an outdoor photographer, I've wanted to add GPS logging capabilities. After looking at the EOS 6D (new to EOS lineup) and the EOS 5D Mark III I was hard pressed to make a decision based on the specs and although the EOS 6D comes with GPS built in I ultimately opted for the 5D Mark IIi and added the GP-E2 to supplement the GPS tracking. I wasn't disappointed.This is a solid little GPS that connected and installed with ease. Although I installed it for the first time indoors, it immediately found the satellite signal and functioned flawlessly. In addition to the GPS coordinates it also adds a compass grid to the visual leveler that comes with the EOS 5D Mark III. Overall, I've been really impressed.

Changes this review to three stars because of the inconsistencies in the GPS points that this records. Works on my Canon Rebel T5 with the cable connection and hotshoe. Works on my Canon 5D Mark iii with the hotshoe alone.Pros:Better than nothingDirection data on the Canon 5dmkiii is usefulBattery life is better than previous reviews. I found I could use it for a week or more during the day with a logging frequency of 5 seconds without changing the battery.Cons:Seems like every import I did, there would always be one or two photo that were tagged in the complete wrong location. I have been taking clusters of photos for work about every 1000 feet, and I need the location data on each photo taken there. I found myself checking the time stamp to make sure photos were taken in the location this device said they were.Bulky on top of an already large camera.Conclusion:I switched to using a Garmin handheld GPS and tracking my position as I take photos. I then import the tracklog into Lightroom and autotag the photos. This method has been 100% accurate and easy..

I bought a Canon GP-E2 about 2 years ago. It failed after 18 months. Called the Canon support line. The technician did not even know Canon sold a GPS receiver. It could not be fixed. In September I bought another GP-E2. It quit working after ONE week. I sent it back to the dealer asking for a replacement. They would gladly send a replacement - but the units are backordered. Canon website is also out of stock. I finally found one and made a 3 hour trip to pick it up so I could use it on an overseas trip. Great, but it also failed after ONE week. I cannot get an email response from Canon.My Nikon Underwater camera has a GPS that continues to work fine after more than 5 years.I wish I could give the GP-E2 a zero star rating. I can heartily recommend not buying this product.