Geotactical Solutions

Many modern digital cameras are capable of recording GPS location via an integrated GPS receiver which will give you spatial information on where the operator (i.e. the camera) is positioned at the time an image is taken. But what if you need accurate GPS coordinates of a distant ‘object’ within the photograph? GTS’ G700SE-M tactical GPS-enabled cameras  and GPS Modules work seamlessly with TruPulse laser range finders to automatically obtain GPS coordinates of photographed objects.

How Does It Work?

Several elements come into play when calculating object location: 1. The GPS coordinates of the camera; 2. Altitude of the camera; 3. Distance from the camera to the object; and 4. Direction from the camera to the object (i.e. compass heading). The camera’s onboard 3-D compass and altimeter provide direction and altitude, the GPS module provides the camera’s GPS location and the TruPulse laser range finder provides distance-to-object information. All of this data is then automatically calculated by GTS firmware installed on the camera to provide the object’s GPS coordinates. After hitting the shuttter button, object location is immediately shown on the camera’s LCD screen and stored in the image file along with ‘memo’ information and other data for future processing, mapping and reporting.

GPS modules are  also available that can work with almost any digital camera to offer similar capabilities as the G700SE-M, including the ability to record 'object' location. In this case, the firmware programmed to calculate object location and provide 'memo' features is present in the module which communicates with the camera via a wireless, cable or Bluetooth connection.

The problem with many tips and techniques relating to cold weather photography is that they get out of sequence. There are really three different scenarios to consider. First, what to do when you take your camera from a warm environment into the bitter cold outdoors. Second, what to do when you're shooting pictures outside in the cold. And third, what to do when you finally bring your freezing camera back int0 a warm environment.                                                                                              

Transitioning The G700SE-M From A Warm To A Cold Environment

What should you do when you bring your warm G700SE-M camera outside into the cold? Do you have to worry about moisture condensing from the cold air onto the warm surface of the lens or the electronics? Not in most cases. Cold air generally has low moisture content. There's little or no condensation when you go outside into the cold. However, if you’re in a high mountainous area or near a lake or large body of water where fog/moisture can occur, then you should consider keeping your camera in a sealed air tight bag so the moisture condenses onto the bag and not the camera. The main challenge of operating in cold weather, however, will be rapid loss of battery power.

The chemistry and physics relating to how batteries generate electrical energy suggests that at very low temperatures all batteries lose power. They're simply not as efficient in a cold environment. This is a particularly serious problem with today's digital cameras that are completely dependent on battery power. So, when you take your G700SE-M into the cold, you should anticipate losing battery power at a faster rate than normal.

How do you prepare for this? First, you need to focus on keeping the G700SE-M (and batteries) as warm as possible, even outdoors. To do this, when you go outdoors, carry them close to your body, e.g. under your coat. Let them share your body warmth at all times except for those brief moments when you’re actually taking pictures.

Another way you can prepare for the expected loss of battery power in the cold is to bring spare batteries with you when you go outside. Keep these spares close to your body as well, e.g. in your shirt or jacket pocket where they will also benefit from your body heat. Keep a close eye on your battery power level, and if your G700SE-M batteries start to fail, simply insert one of your warm spares.

Shooting Pictures In A Cold Environment

What should you do differently because of the cold? In addition to optimizing your camera settings to minimize the draw on battery life from the LCD, your main objective is to continue to keep the G700SE-M as warm as possible. Keep your G700SE-M protected under your coat until you're ready to shoot. We've already noted that digital cameras, which tend to eat batteries anyway, lose power even more rapidly in cold weather. So be sure to carry enough spares to prevent your photo capture mission from stopping short. Additionaly, in extremely cold weather, the heat from your eye can sometimes fog the viewfinder, blurring your view, so try to keep your eye from getting too close. Lastly, avoid heavy breathing near the camera, as this may fog up the lens before taking the shot.

Transitioning The G700SE-M From A Cold To A Warm Environment

Condensation can be a problem during the transition from a cold to a warm environment. You've seen moisture condense on a cool glass of water on a hot summer day. Your lens and the electronics inside the G700SE-M behave the same way when you bring them inside – moisture from the warm inside air condenses on their cold surfaces. The lens can become completely covered with moisture, as can the mechanical and electrical components inside the G700SE-M. You don't want moisture on your lens or inside the G700SE-M. So how can you avoid this problem?

Since condensation can cause havoc on an electronic camera, you want extra protection for them and need to provide an opportunity for the G700SE-M to warm up slowly.

Geo Tactical Solutions recommends using the hard case which the camera kit is stored in to assist with this transition. When transitioning from the cold to a warm environment, bring the warm, foam-filled case outside and insert the cold camera into the case. Allow the case and camera to remain in the cold environment together for up to 5 minutes (actual time required is temperature dependent). After approximately 5 minutes, bring the case with the camera locked inside into the warm interior and allow the case to warm up to room temperature thereby allowing the insulating properties of the case and interior foam to assist with the gradual transition.

After approximately 30-minutes, the case and camera temperatures will have gradually warmed to a more moderate temperature and allow for handling without causing condensation.

An alternate technique may include placing your camera on a cool windowsill or in an area where the temperature is closer to the outside temperature than the inside. To do this, place the camera in a slightly inflated plastic bag while still outside in the cold environment, not when you bring the G700SE-M indoors. The resulting protection will produce moisture settling on the outside of the bag rather than on the camera’s internal and external surfaces. This technique will protect the delicate electronics inside the G700SE-M camera.

By following these simple precautions and tips for handling the G700SE-M, you'll be able to capture great photographs outdoors in cold weather, while allowing for smooth transitions between extreme temperature changes and avoiding mechanical and/or electrical malfunctions.

Do You Have Any Tips Or Experiences You Would Like To Share?

We’re always striving to improve our products and services, so if you have any additional tips, questions, feedback, or would like to share a real world case study that could help benefit other users, please contact us, we would love to hear from you.

Geo Tactical Solutions
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Ricoh G700SE-M Rugged Tactical GPS Camera

The best of both worlds; small and compact like the Tough Point-n-Shoots but with added versatility of a DSLR. Waterproof and tough to sustain the abuse of the most challenging work environments while delivering enhanced capabilities.

•  The most advanced geo-tagging camera available.
•  Captures GPS “object” location when coupled with a laser range finder.
•  Powerful optics capable of achieving detailed images beyond 2,000 meters.
•  Night vision optics compatible for 24-hour operations.
•  Bluetooth® and wireless LAN capability
•  Additional support for bar code readers
•  Resistant to shock, dust, weather, water, and chemicals

 

Exclusive "M" Firmware

The G700SE-M Rugged Tactical GPS Camera is our flagship product. This camera contains our exclusive "M" firmware which adds several powerful capabilities to the Ricoh G700SE camera that you won't find anywhere else.

Some of these capabilities include:

1. Capturing "object" location (when coupled with a laser range finder)

2. Instant internal memory deletion and password protection

3. Extended geographic data formats such as MGRS, Decimal, and LAT/LONG

4. SAASM compatible GPS receiver

G700SE-M Product Brochure»

Click Here To Request Pricing»

 

Geo Tactical Solutions and Ricoh are proud to announce the new release of the next generation GPS module. Debuted at the 2009 ESRI International Users Conference in San Diego, California, the new SE-2 GPS Module provides a leap in performance and capability

The SE-2 module provides for quick positional hot-fixes of less than 1-second and refined accuracy under extreme conditions such as urban canyons and heavy tree cover with its on-board Serrantel Active GeoHelix antenna.

While providing lower battery consumption in a compact rugged design with WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS enabled corrections, the SE-2 provides for typical 1-2 meter accuracy for automatically geo-coding your photos readying them for quick upload into tactical mapping software.

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