Welcome to my review of the i-gotU USB GPS Travel & Sports Logger - GT-120, please click the smaller pictures for larger ones if needed. First impressions, this is a tiny GPS receiver, it is water resistant, and it's easily pocketable. The official specs state:

 

System requirements:


Here is a picture of the device next to a standard SD memory card, so you can get a feel for just how small the device is.

 

igotu device

 

Key features:


Organize and present your journey on 3D Google Maps & Google Earth
Compatible with all digital cameras and camera phones, coolest GPS tracking gadget for your journey
Easy-to-use software user interface
Export in multiple file formats, support popular web albums
Quick & easy to create & share your live Travel Blog with all your friends
Multiple ways for attachment, suitable for outdoor use
Water-resistant hardware design, suitable for rainy days, skiing, water sports
Compatible with 3rd party GPS navigation software, serve as PC GPS receiver as well

 

When I first installed the provided software I got a blue screen under Windows 7. A quick check on the igot-u forums and I found new beta drivers for both 32 and 64bit Windows 7, which was nice to see.

 

I had to follow instructions to “Disable Driver Signature Enforcement”, and download new files here.

 

The device is incredibly easy to use, once charged a long press of 1.5 seconds powers the device on, with a blue LED indicator that blinks once to show it's powered on. When both the red and blue indicators blink simultaneously twice the device is powered on and GPS data is being logged succesfully.

Because the device is so small I had left it on in between my two trips, this meant the data was loaded as one event with two tracks inside it. It would be more useful if the software asked if you wished to split the two dates into 2 separate trips.

 

 

Once it loads the tracks you can choose to associate photographs with the downloaded GPS tracks. If your photos have a time that matches the GPS device then it will position your photographs at the correct part of the trace. You can adjust the time if this isn't accurate.

 

 

Once loaded you are then presented with an interface which uses Google Maps (hence you need your PC or laptop to have an internet connection) and overlays your trip. You can choose from 3 different display styles.

 

 

Depending on the style chosen you see differing information, below is a screen shot of the classic style, with sport style in the middle, and simple style on the right.

 

 

From here you can export to a CSV file or a GPX file, which can then be imported into tools like Google Earth. You can also share your trip via the @trip server (with an option to store photos on Picasa or flickr), to a file (MHT, KML or KMZ format), or advanced where you can simply backup the entire trip to a folder should you wish to copy it to a backup service, or DVD/USB stick etc.

 

My mountain biking trip around Dalby forest is loaded to the @trip server here.

 

Other features of this device is the fact it is water resistant, and has a very long battery life.

 

i-GotU also produce the GT-200e unit which has Bluetooth. This means that you can use it with mobile phones or PDAs that don't have a GPS receiver for traffic programs like CoPilot or TomTom, as well as for GPS blogging.

 

All things considered, if you don't have a device with integrated GPS this is an excellent way to track any walks, tours, or sports activities that you do. Even if you do have integrated GPS on your mobile device this will give you much greater battery life for all day walks, biking or a days skiing. It is very small, easy to use and has an impressive battery life.

 

For more details and stockists please visit the i-gotU website.

 

Agree, disagree, wish to ask a question - please ask away here in the PocketPCSoft forum