DBBRanger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2013
- Messages
- 261
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-25 Classic
- Vessel Name
- Still Crazy
I love Google Earth. I use it all the time for just looking at the world - where I've been, where I want to go. Since I live in the mountains, it's especially good to see the terrain as well as using the street view to see things up close. I'm talking about Google EARTH, not Google Maps.
I use it to reconnoiter trips on land and at sea. Call me anal, but I like to know what I'm going to be dealing with before I get to a place, especially when pulling a trailer. I plan on getting fuel every 200 miles so I use http://www.gasbuddy.com/ to locate cheaper fuel and http://www.allstays.com/ to find truck stops. I then look on Google Earth to verify I can maneuver adequately for the location I have chosen. The overhead view helps to know how the traffic will flow and the Street View shows which pump I should use as well as help with an exit plan. I then print a screen shot of the overhead view and have that handy when approaching the location to remind myself what to do. Likewise, for overnights, I reconnoiter motels for the best parking and or where to park at a Walmart.
I use GE to reconnoiter trips on the water as well. Although there is no street view to help see a location from the boat's perspective, it still helps to plan where I may want to explore and where good anchorages are. The width of a potential anchorage can be measured to make certain it is not too skinny. I use a chart in conjunction with GE for depths, but I find the charts don't give one a flavor of the area. Some electronic charts will allow a satellite view, but I find it is not as easy to manipulate as GE.
Speaking of manipulation, I use a desktop computer with a mouse that has a scroll wheel. Getting used to changing views in GE takes some learning but it well worth the time. Using a phone or tablet is not easy nor efficient - I would discourage their use with GE. Get it here: https://www.google.com/earth/explore/products/
I hope this will encourage others to try Google Earth - it's really a powerful program.
I use it to reconnoiter trips on land and at sea. Call me anal, but I like to know what I'm going to be dealing with before I get to a place, especially when pulling a trailer. I plan on getting fuel every 200 miles so I use http://www.gasbuddy.com/ to locate cheaper fuel and http://www.allstays.com/ to find truck stops. I then look on Google Earth to verify I can maneuver adequately for the location I have chosen. The overhead view helps to know how the traffic will flow and the Street View shows which pump I should use as well as help with an exit plan. I then print a screen shot of the overhead view and have that handy when approaching the location to remind myself what to do. Likewise, for overnights, I reconnoiter motels for the best parking and or where to park at a Walmart.
I use GE to reconnoiter trips on the water as well. Although there is no street view to help see a location from the boat's perspective, it still helps to plan where I may want to explore and where good anchorages are. The width of a potential anchorage can be measured to make certain it is not too skinny. I use a chart in conjunction with GE for depths, but I find the charts don't give one a flavor of the area. Some electronic charts will allow a satellite view, but I find it is not as easy to manipulate as GE.
Speaking of manipulation, I use a desktop computer with a mouse that has a scroll wheel. Getting used to changing views in GE takes some learning but it well worth the time. Using a phone or tablet is not easy nor efficient - I would discourage their use with GE. Get it here: https://www.google.com/earth/explore/products/
I hope this will encourage others to try Google Earth - it's really a powerful program.
