Anyone Use Google Earth?

[blackdog1101]

Have any of you downloaded Google Earth? Any issues with spam, viruses, compatability, etc? I've used other on-line mapping software to locate public accesses that aren't very well known. Power lines, fire roads, platted roads that were never constructed, etc. I'm thinking Google Earth may be another good tool to help find "out of the way" areas to fish.

[Pooh]

yes i have and love it, with no problems that i can or have linked to google earth.

[mrfish1991]

yup worked for me too...but i usually just use google maps insted of google earth...i believe its basically the same thing

but for the price of free i would just download earth

its really cool stuff

[Jim43]

Google earth is far more functional then Google maps.

Google Earth has so many options you can turn on like youtube and panarama images.

Along with the new feature that gives roadside views all over the

place. I use it all the time just to explore the planet. So much

to see and learn.

[huntnfish]

I use Google earth on my computer and also downloaded the mobile version to my Blackberry. It is very handy to be out in the middle of no where and bring it up. I have used it while checking out new hunting spots and it is very handy. I also had it on my last phone that had windows mobile and it worked great on that also.

[goblueM]

It's awesome - you can do so much on there, even plug in GPS coordinates, geo-reference photos, the possibilities are endless

[Tom7227]

YOu can download an overlay for Google earth from the DNR that puts all the WMA's onto it. You can find it at

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wmas/index.html

[hondarider550]

Google Earth.... great product. Its crazy how you can zoom into certain landmarks even in 3D.

[echo2010]

Except my little town isnt on there...

[fisherman-andy]

I use both Google Maps and Google Earth however I find Maps to be more practical. When possible I actually use Google Earth on my iphone as well as maps in satelite view with GPS. Pinpointing and marking locations on lake spots.

[Ed Carlson]

Google Earth is a huge aid for sportsman, I use it often.

If you really want to blow your mind, test out the new Google Earth Pro for the free 7 day trial.

That is just the coolest GPS mapping interface around. It works seamless with Garmin...so easy to use it is a no-brainer.

Too bad the licensed version is still $400 a year....Yeee-Yikes!

It's beyond sweet though...I'm very tempted to buy in now I tried it.

[s2h]

Yeah I have used Google Earth for years. Use it for work and personal all the time. You can save all the waypoints you want. One of the newer updates is live weather and traffic(in metro areas). You can see live world weather radar. Its kind of cool to watch when the huricanes come in from way out in the ocean. The only bad thing is you need a internet connection to run it. I also have it on my BlackBerry.

[crothmeier]

i use it, works nice. msn 3d view/ birdseye view is another good one.

just remember the image isnt always current/up-to-date

[IFallsRon]

I scope out property and lakes and I can get the 3D view of my house.

[sparcebag]

Most of Mn is 2003 view,I'm hoping its upgraded soon!

[goblueM]

Boy I didn't know about the full GIS capabilities of Google Earth. Pretty sweet. 400 bucks a year is nothing too, for a license like that. At least when you compare it to something like the ESRI ArcView/ArcMap software. Now THAT stuff is amazing

[blackdog1101]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I just didn't want to download something that would bring a lot of spam with it. Sounds great.

[hondarider550]

What do you mean your little town is not on google earth? It should be there...

[deadeye]

I got Google Earth and cant stop looking at it. Tom, thanks for that link, it just got even better.

I have found for in the metro area that the aerial maps on yellowpages to have more detail and easier to see. I like to have both maps open and compare stuff, some of the lakes I fish had ice on them on Google Earth but on yellowpages they are wide open.

[jigginjim]

I would like to find one that updates once a month at least.

[BartmanMN]

i use it, works nice. msn 3d view/ birdseye view is another good one.

just remember the image isnt always current/up-to-date

I agree with Croth. Birdseye view on the Microsoft viewer is amazing.

[Tom7227]

There was something on the radio maybe 3-4 months ago about a new satellite going up and being able to take pictures of the entire earth's surface every few days. I can't remember exact time but it was incredibly short. They also have some superbejeesus lens on it that can get great detail. They talked about certain areas and certain level's of detail would only be available to the government but were hoping to sign a deal with someone like Google.

Anyone heard something more about this? Sure would get rid of the stale pics and the places with low detail.

[81Saluki]

I love Google Maps/Earth. Don't know the frequency with which Google updates its Maps/Earth imagery. Cloud cover obviously plays a role in whether the pics taken during the sat's pass overhead can be used ... but some areas are years old and/or low-res.

I read an article last fall about the satellite: GeoEye-1 was launched on September 6, 2008. Its camera can capture image details as small as 41 centimeters, though commercial customers only get 50-centimeter resolution because of U.S. regulations. Google has an exclusive partnership to use the GeoEye-1 imagery for online services.

Here's the link to the article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10061686-93.html

[Ed Carlson]

Boy I didn't know about the full GIS capabilities of Google Earth. Pretty sweet. 400 bucks a year is nothing too, for a license like that. At least when you compare it to something like the ESRI ArcView/ArcMap software. Now THAT stuff is amazing

Ya the ESRI ArcView/ArcMap is sweet tools for mapping, I get the ESRI mag and it's capability is amazing.

[Bigslugger]

I use Google Earth all the time when scouting for fields and ponds for waterfowl hunting.