After using the microSD card for data...

Columbus V-900 Multifunction GPS Data Logger

By: Neal Stublen | Date: 15-Dec-08

Key features:

• Simultaneous navigation and data logging
• microSD card for storage
• Geotagging software
• Voice note recording
• Audible and visual feedback

After using the microSD card for data logging, the V-900 has made me aware of a number of additional features that could be added to a mobile GPS device.

The Columbus V-900 supports the Bluetooth Serial Port Profile for transferring GPS location information. However, if the device also supported the Bluetooth File Transfer Profile, you could use the microSD card for generic data storage as well. This would allow you to update the configuration using your mobile phone or you could pull data log information from the V-900 to a laptop or mobile phone without the need to remove the microSD card.

Similarly, the USB connection only charges the GPS. I would like to see the V-900 recognized by Windows as a USB Mass Storage Device when a microSD card is present and assign it a drive letter. Again, this would allow me to leave the microSD card in the GPS, but still download the data log and voice notes from the device.

Using a configuration file on the microSD card seems a novel way to configure the device. Direct communication with the device through a USB connection or automatically creating the configuration file through one of the two means mentioned above would be much simpler.

The voice note feature is a unique addition to a Bluetooth GPS device. It works well, but it does require you to speak clearly and directly into the microphone. I believe recording quality could be improved with a better microphone.