Columbus V - 990 Mark II User manual

Multifunction GPS Data Logger
V 990 Mark II
User Manual
Over-
speed
Alarm
Voice
-tag
Geo
Tagging
Point Of
Interest
36hrs
Long Duration
Spy
Mode
Unique Auto
ON/OFF
-165dBm
Sensitivity
G senso r
© 2016 Victory Co., Ltd

Thank you for choosing our product. Before using it, make sure you have
read this User's Manual and understood how to correctly use and maintain
it. This will start your pleasant GPS positioning experience!
This Manual is intended to guide you through the safe and correct use of the product and its
accessories, avoiding improper operations that may result in injury of yourself or any other
person or cause device damage.
Never manipulate the product when you are driving a car! Before manipulating it, make sure
that your car has been securely parked. We cannot assume liabilities for any consequence
resulting from the fact that you manipulate the product while driving.
As a precision electronics, the product contains no component that can be repaired by your
own. Any attempt to disassemble the product will void the original manufacturer's warranty.
Avoid violently shaking the device or dropping it from a high place. Do not try to damage or
puncture the device; otherwise, electrolyte in its built-in battery may leak or combust, causing
injury or environmental pollution.
Never clean the product with solvents containing alcohol, gasoline, benzene, or thinner or any
other organic solvent, which are likely to cause fires.
Notes on Data Logged on the Unit
Never remove the memory card while the unit is being used; otherwise, information stored on
it may be lost.
In case that any position information (GPS log files) is not correctly or completely logged due
to a failed logging memory card or system, no compensation can be made for any damaged
log data or any damaged photo that contains position information.
Notes on Online Map View
Because the online map service is provided by a third party, it's subject to content change or
termination without notice.

CAUTION!

Relevant Software
Time Album
How to install
Configuring settings
Managing tracks
Adding voice and photos
Setting track points
Exporting a track
Configuring the device
Track conversion options
Google Earth
How to install
Playing back a track
Details on track points
Troubleshooting
Signal reception
Motion detecting
Track logging
Photos and audio records
Power
Specification
Formatting MicroSD
TimeAlbum Pro
Packing List
Parts Description
Part Names
Functions of button
LEDs and audible alerts
Function Description
Accessories
About GPS
Getting Started
How to charge the battery
Place and carry your receiver
Memory card selection & file format
Setting camera date and time
Introduction and operating modes
Acquiring position
Notes on acquisition time of the device
Logging Your Journey
Logging a track
Adding a voice mark point
Adding a POI manually
Starting a new track
Motion detecting mode
Integrating photos with a map
Over-speed alarm
Spy tracking mode
Vehicular Auto ON/OFF
04
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Contents

Packing List
V-990 Multifunction GPS Data Logger Main Unit
Car Charger (Input: 12V)
Charging Cable (Support Auto ON/OFF Function 2 meters)
Protective Case
Carrying Strap
USB MicroSD Reader
User Manual
Software CD
Warranty Card
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
4
Please make sure that your package includes the following items.

Part Names
5
Part Names
Parts Description
Microphone
Power Connector
MicroSD Card Slot
Hand Strap Hole
Power/Function button
Point of Interest Button
Log LED
GPS Status LED
Motion Detecting LED
Main Status LED
GPS Active Antenna (Built-in)
Li-polymer Battery (Built-in)
Voice Record Button

Functions of Button
Functions of Button
Power/Function Button
Long press the key to turn on or off the power supply. Short press it to change among the two modes:
Motion Detecting Mode and Normal Mode. Refer to P.16 for detailed operations.
Point of Interest Button
Short press the button to mark the current position as a POI (Point of interest). Long press the button to
start a new track. Refer to P.20 for detailed operations.
Record Button
Press and hold the Record button to begin audio recording. Release the
button to stop recording and mark the current position as a POI. Refer to
P.19 for detailed operations.
6
Parts Description


There are 3 graphic LEDs on V-990 front face. A status LED is located at the top left. A mini
speaker is integrated in the unit. These provide vivid audible and visual indications.
1. Motion Detecting Mode on:
Always on
2. Device is in motion: Flashing
3. Normal Mode On: Off
Motion Detecting LED
Indicating the current recording
mode and state of motion.
1. Power on: Green, always on
2. Low battery: Red, flashing
3. Charging: Red, always on
4. Charging completed: Green, always on
5. Spy mode: Blue, always on / flashing
6. Voice recording: Red, always on
Run/Power Status LED
This LED indicates the current operating status,
power status, etc.
Audible alerts of built-in mini speaker
Abundant audible alerts are available to
intuitively indicate the current operating status.
1. Power on: 2x Short beep / Power off: 1x Long
beep
2. Start of voice recording: 1x Short beep End of
voice recording: 2x Short beep
3. Short press POI button (to mark a POI): 1x Short
beep
4. Long press POI button (to create a new track): 2x
Short beep
5. Insert / remove the card: Melody alert
6. Memory card error: Continuous short beep
7. Over-speed alarm: Continuous beep until the
speed falls below the limit
7
1. Acquiring satellites: Always
on
2. GPS position is fixed:
Flashing
GPS LED
This LED indicates the current
GPS satellites positioning
status.
1. Log function on: Always On
2. Writing to memory card:
Flashing
3. Memory card error:
Continuous flashing
Log LED
This LED indicates the memory
card status and whether the
log function is on.
Parts Description
LEDs and Audible Alerts
LEDs and Audible Alerts

Voice
-tag

1. This device can run offline in a standalone mode, in which it is not connected to any terminal. In this
mode, it can log the date, time, latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, direction, voice, positioning mode,
positioning type, PDOP, HDOP, VDOP, etc.
2. You may start a new track record at any time.
3. You may use the POI button to highlight the current geographical position whenever you want.
4. You may use the supplied software to define your personalized logging parameters, such as the time and
distance intervals of logging, the value of over-speed alarm, etc.
5. You may use map software to view the track information along your journey.
6. This data logger innovatively uses a MicroSD* card as the storage medium, delivering larger storage and
quicker reading than logging with an internal memory.
* MicroSD cards of mainstream brands with the capacity of 64M to 4G are supported. MicroSD card is also called T-Flash card.

This device innovatively enables you to mark a POI using voice. With the "Voice Record button"
on the device unit, you can mark the current geographical position anywhere and anytime. Later, you can
listen to and view the marked voice in Google Earth or other map software application.
8
Function Description (1/2)
Track Log
Mark a POI Along Your
Journey with a Voice Lable
G senso r

This device is built-in motion sensor, when the device stops moving or loses the satellite signal more than 5
minutes, the device enters standby mode automatically. In standby mode, when detecting motion, the
device automatically wakes up and continues to track. To maximum power savings.
Motion Detecting Mode

Spy
Mode
Unique
Over-
speed
Alarm

This device allows you to set a certain speed value. When your car travels faster than this value, the unit
emits sharp audible alarm until the speed falls below the value. When you drive your car at a high speed,
this provides you with the convenience to control the maximum vehicle speed solely with the audible alarm
of the unit without occasionally checking the speedometer reading, thereby ensuring driving safety.

This device is specially designed with the Super-long Dormant Tracking Mode (SPY Tacking Mode). You may
set the unit to enter the Dormant Tracking Mode using combination buttons. In this mode, the unit starts at
a fixed time interval, acquires the position, logs the current track and other position information, and then
shuts down. In dormant operation, the power consumption is extremely low. This can meet your needs of
long-term track logging.

When you use the unit on your car, the 2m-long charging (auto ON/OFF) cable enables device to follow the
power status of the car cigarette lighter socket and start up and shut down automatically, that is, the unit
will be turned on/off as soon as you turn on/off the ignition switch.
Auto
ON/OFF
9
Function Description (2/2)
Over-speed Alarm
Spy Tracking Mode
Vehicular Auto ON/OFF
Geo
Tagging

You may use the device when you take photos using a digital camera, digital single lens reflect camera,
video camera, or a camera phone (collectively referred to as the "camera" hereinafter). If the deivce operates
in the positioning state, it will log the GPS records along your journey in real time. Then you may use the
supplied software to match your camera photos to the GPS log file, and geotag and view the places where
these photos were taken on a map.
Positioning Photos

The car charger can work with the 12V car cigarette lighter socket. It can be
only used for the device. Using it for any other purpose can damage the car
charger and other devices.
The car charger can work with the charging cable to automatically start up
and shut down the device and charge it.
The cable can work with the car charger for auto ON/OFF and standard charging.
The device turns on as soon as the vehicle is started and the power supplies to
the car cigarette lighter socket, and turns off as soon as the vehicle is shut down
and the power supply is disconnected. Thus, the device is automatically turned on
or off together with the vehicle.
The reader works with a MicroSD card carrying log data and allows you to
access, delete, or copy data at a high speed or format the card through a USB
port on your computer.
Note: Exporting log data can only be through the card reader.
To use the hand strap, simply thread it through the hole at the bottom of
your device. You may use the slider mechanism to adjust the tension.
Do not forcefully pull the hand strap; otherwise, it may break.
10
Accessories
Car Charger
Charging Cable
USB MicroSD Reader
Carrying Strap

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a
network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was
originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the
system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world,
24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.
The GPS is operated by the United States government, which is solely responsible for
accuracy and maintenance of the system. The accuracy of location data can be affected by
adjustments to GPS satellites made by the U.S. government and are subject to change with
civil GPS policy and the Federal Radio navigation Plan. Accuracy can also be affected by poor
satellite geometry.
Notes:
(1) The receiver is a positioning device that receives RF signal from GPS satellites, which are
20,000km above the earth. To receive the best signals, use the receiver in open space
wherever possible.
(2) The positions of GPS satellites are continuously changing. Depending on when and
where the device is used, it may take long to acquire the position, or positioning may be
temporarily unavailable.
11
About GPS
(3) Although sometimes the device can also be fixed
indoor, can not guarantee the accuracy of positioning
within the enclosed space.
(4) The device may fail to position and track when you are
moving at a speed of more than 800km/h.


This device is built in with a 1000mAh Li-polymer battery, which allows for hundreds of charge-discharge
cycles. Proper charging and discharging can effectively maximize the service life of the battery.
● For vehicular applications, use the car charger included in the accessories in addition to the auto
ON/OFF adaptor cable.
● Normally, the charging can be finished in about 3.5 hours. When the Charge LED turns from red to
green, it means that the battery has been fully charged. After charging is finished, do not leave the
charger at the power-on state for a long time.
● If you will not use the device for an extended period, you should fully charge the battery before
storing the device.
Notes on battery duration
The battery duration is dependent on your selected operating mode. The battery duration at different
operating modes is as follows*:
● Motion Detecting Mode: Approx. 7 days (Working 4 hours per day)
● Normal Mode: 36 - 40 hours
● Spy Mode: Up to 35 days
* Testing data of the receiver in open spaces.
Duration is subject to the environment of use,
operating mode, positioning status, weather,
and data format.
S U P E R
P O W E R
12
Getting Started How to Charge the Battery
How to Charge the Battery


This device is built in with a MTK 66-channels, -165dBm highly sensitive super single chipset. It can easily fix
positions at most places in your car. If you bring it with you, you also can use it to fix positions in relatively
unfavorable outdoor environments. For the first time, it uses the EPS* technology to improve the GPS
position accuracy and, in certain degree, reduce the drifting.
*EPS stands for Enhanced Positioning System, a positioning technology we have specially developed for
the device.
It is recommended to place the device:
● In the supplied protection case;
● On a shelf or anti-slip pad under the front/rear windshield in your car;
● In your backpack or in an outer pocket of your clothes.
Do not use the device at the following places:
At the following places or locations, the device can fail to fix positions or its storage and maintenance can be
adversely affected. Avoid using the device at such places wherever possible.
● A place at the window within a house, or in a tunnel, or in the shadow of a cluster of buildings; or
under a viaduct, among tall buildings, or in a narrow street surrounded by buildings;
● An extremely cold, hot, or wet place. For example, if the device is placed in a car directly exposed to
the sunshine, the high temperature may cause deformation or malfunction of the device;
● A place on a platform where the device is easy to slip or fall in your car or a place at the airbag in the
car;
● A place near a strong magnetic field, such as that near high-voltage cables;
● A place near a device that generates RF signals of the same band as the device: a place near a RF
device in 1.5GHz band;
● The device is a precision device. Avoid using it at sandy or dusty places. Keep sand or water out of the
device; otherwise, the device may fail and sometimes may suffer unrecoverable failure.
13
Getting Started Place and Carry Your Recevcer
Place and Carry
Your Receiver


Memory card selection and file format
This device supports MicroSD cards of most brands. The supported storage capacity is 64M to 4G. If you
need to use the audio recording function, only high-speed memory cards with the capacity of more than
512M are supported because the access speeds of small-capacity cards are limited.
You have to properly format the memory card of "FAT file system" before using it. Plug the card in the
reader and insert the latter to a USB port on you computer. Then operate as follows:
1
Right click your mouse on the volume label
where the card is located. Select "Format".
Select the "FAT" file system and click
"Start". See the above figure.
● If the card is in a non-FAT file format, the device cannot conduct normal recording. In such a case, it
beeps an alarm.
● If the track logging function is enabled but no memory card is plugged or a memory card is improperly
plugged, the "Log LED" flashes, alerting you that GPS track logging cannot be started.
● When you are using the device, do not remove or plug the memory card if the power is on; otherwise,
the device can be damaged and data can be lost. Always remove or plug the card after the device
shuts down.
● Memory cards ONLY support no more than 512 files under a single directory. Logging files over
512pcs under a single directory may cause data damage. Please backup excessive records to your
computer whenever necessary.
14
Getting Started Preparing for Use
Preparing for Use

Setting camera date and time
If the internal clock of your digital camera is incorrectly set, there can be error between the captured
photos and track positions. Please adjust the camera time by following the correct procedure below.
2
15
Getting Started Preparing for Use
● Click the "Time and Date" property at the
lower right corner. Open the "Internet Time"
tab. Click "Update Now". Make sure the time
is successfully synchronized with the Internet
time.
● Return to the "Time and Date" tab. Now the
time is the correct. It should be the reference
when you adjust the internal clock of your
digital camera.
● Open the "Time setting" menu of the digital camera.
Usually you can find the menu in system setup of the
camera.
● Set the correct time on your camera according to the time
and date of your computer. If possible, the synchronized
time should be accurate to "second".
● "Second" is unlikely to appear in the time of a digital
camera. Let us illustrate with the time to the left. You may
set the time to 20:08 at first and then press the "OK" button
as soon as the reference time changes from 20:07:59 to
20:08:08.
● In view of the error in the internal clock of your camera, it is
recommended to adjust the clock at least once per month.


Introduction and changeover of operating modes
V-990 has two normal operating modes. You may switch between these modes using the
Power/Function button as follows:
16
Power Off
Getting Started Start to Use
Start to Use
1
Long press the
for 3 seconds, two short
beeps and starts up.
Short press the , a short beep.
Short press the , a short beep.
Long press the
for 3 seconds, a long
beep and shuts down.
Motion
Detecting
Mode
Normal
Mode
Motion Detecting Mode
● In this mode, V-990 will automatically detect
the current state of motion, stop motion or
when the satellite signal lost more than 5
minutes, V-990 will automatically enter
standby mode.
● Once the V-990 detect motion, the device
automatically wakes up and continues to
track.
● In this mode, simply press the
"Power/Function button" to enter "Normal
Mode."
Normal mode
● In this mode, the motion detecting function
is off, only track.
● In this mode, simply press the "Power /
Function button" to enter "Motion Detecting
Mode".

2
Point upward the GPS
reception antenna to help
receive satellite signals.
17
Getting Started Start to Use
Acquiring position
(1) Long press the “power button” for 3s to turn on the device.
(2) In a relatively open outdoor environment, point the device reception antenna to the sky. Wait for
several minutes until the position is fixed. (The “GPS LED” flashes after the position is fixed)
Notes on acquisition time of the device*
There are three kinds of GPS acquisition at startup: cold start, warm start, and hot start.
(1) Cold start: 35s
A cold start is the startup in any of the following situations: the device is used for the first time;
ephemeris is lost due to low battery level; or the device has been moved for more than 1,000km
when it is turned off.
(2) Warm start: 32s
A warm start is the startup in one or more hours after the last positioning.
(3) Hot start: 1s
A hot start is the startup within one hour after the last positioning.
*The test environment is a place with relatively open view to the sky.
If it is difficult for the device to fix the position
and the GPS LED is always on, you should point
upward the antenna part of the device and wait
for a while. If the position still cannot be fixed
after 5 minutes, perhaps you are situated at a
place where GPS signals cannot reach. In such a
case, move to a place as open as possible and try
to fix the position once again.
It is not recommended for the receiver to fix the
position for the first time at an indoor window or
any other relatively enclosed environment.
3


Before running the track logging, you should correctly format your memory card. Refer to P.15 for the
operation.
After the device is turned on and already in the positioning state, it automatically logs the current track
point once per second. A single track may be unlimited in length. "Log LED" flashes when the device is
writing data to the memory card.
Every time you turn on the device, a new track file is automatically created.
A track record may be in the standard mode or the expert mode. You may define the mode. Refer to P.29 for
the operation.
The contents of a standard mode (default) record include:
Date, time, latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, heading, and voice
The contents of an professional mode record include:
Date, time, latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, heading, voice, positioning mode, positioning type, PDOP,
HDOP, and VDOP
A MicroSD card with the capacity of 4G may stores about 50 million records.
Note: Never remove the memory card unless the device shuts down; otherwise, the logged track may be
lost!
A track is logged on the memory card as a file. You may manipulate and manage the file from your
computer. A track is conventionally named as follows:
Example: 16050100.CSV
It means that the track begins on May 01, 2016. The last two digits "00" represent that the track is the first
one of the day, and so on. The range of these two digits is from "00" to "99". There may be up to 100 tracks
in a single day.
18
Logging Your Journey Logging a Track
Logging a Track

Point Of
Interest

Adding a voice mark point
You can add a voice mark to your traveling track at any time*. This is the simplest and most interesting
way to take notes along your journey. After that a symbol can be generated on the map to facilitate
your recollection in the future.
To view a voice label on a map, refer to P.29.
* Audio recording is only supported on a high-speed memory card with the capacity of more than 512M. There's no
length limit of a voice mark. The only limit is the card capacity.
1

Voice
-tag
19
Logging Your Journey Adding a Point of Interset
Adding a
Point of Interest
(1) Begin audio recording. Press and hold the Audio
REC button. Begin recording after the Run/Power
Status LED turns to red and you hear a "beep"
sound.
(2) Finish recording. Release the Audio REC button.
When you hear two "beep" sounds and the
Run/Power Status LED turns to green, the
recording is finished.
For better audio recording,
stay as near the microphone
as possible.
press and hold
turn red
beep
Finish Recording
release
turn green
beep beep

Adding a POI manually
You can highlight the current place of interest
anytime and anywhere. After that a
symbol is generated on the map to facilitate
your recollection in the future.
To view a POI on a map, refer to P.29.
2

(2) Long press the POI button until you hear
three "beep" sounds. A new track is started.
(1) Short press the POI button. After you hear a
"beep", the current position is marked as a
POI.
Starting a new track
You can terminate the track you are logging
and start a new track on your memory card.
3
20
Logging Your Journey Adding a Point of Interset
beep
short press press and hold
beep beep beep
A POI added in the map A new track log created