[phazer]

i was just wondering if anyone ever used the pay version of google earth? i have the free version on my computer and have found it to be a great tool for finding new off road places to ride. its also good for checking out places that you have already ridden. my tw200 only has 147 miles on it so it has not seen much in the way of trails yet, but when im out on the quad i use google earth to find places i want to check out and i then get the long and lat cordinates to punch in my hand held GPS. seems to be a good tool for me so i just wanted to give people the idea about trying it out if they have never used google earth before.

 

[srs713]

My current computer doesn't do Google Earth very well. Some problem with video card compatibility.



I do use Google Maps a lot.



I also use Google Maps and Navigation on my cell phone. It replaced my GPS.

 

[qwerty]

See road? Do follow. No electronics necessary.

 

[mrlmd]

It's probably nice to have a GPS with you leaving a breadcrumb trail so you can backtrack and find your way out of wherever you are if you get lost or disoriented.

 

[lizrdbrth]

See road? Do follow. No electronics necessary.

I remember how simple things were back the world was still flat.

 

[cptrout]

qwerty, make up your mind.

I know you posted that you carry a gps in your auto and on your bike.

So which is it?

 

[lizrdbrth]

Gadgets aren't the problem. RELIANCE on gadgets is the problem. You still gotta use your noggin.



Google "death by GPS" sometime.



Gadjets are tools. Without your noggin you've carried a complete tire patching kit, but no tire irons.

 

[RodneyReed]

I remember how simple things were back the world was still flat.

I remember those days. Back when fish swam and cats meowed.

 

[pgilles]

I like using the "bird's eye" view on Bing maps. Many of MN's land is on there so you can get a different perspective over the terrain and spin around a point. Kinda neat. I usually use it for areas after I've gone there for hikes, hunting, riding, snowmobiling, etc.



Check it out: http://www.bing.com/maps/



Zoom in to an area of interest, click on the "Bird's eye" button at the top of the map and see if it works for your area. Not all areas are covered with this view. You can try a busier city to get an idea of the view, if your area isn't covered.

 

[demarko69]

See road? Do follow. No electronics necessary.

But what if I get lost looking for the Lost Dutchman mine or need to locate my nearest Dairy Queen

 

[qwerty]

qwerty, make up your mind.

I know you posted that you carry a gps in your auto and on your bike.

So which is it?

I carry a pistol, too, but I don't use it.

I like to just go ride. Wherever I end up is fine. I often discover some rare jewels that way. Sometimes I loose track of time (because I don't really care) and need a quick route back before dark. That's when the GPS comes out. It is also handy for finding gas stations.

 

[demarko69]

Gadgets aren't the problem. RELIANCE on gadgets is the problem. You still gotta use your noggin.



Google "death by GPS" sometime.



Gadjets are tools. Without your noggin you've carried a complete tire patching kit, but no tire irons.

I said it before and I'll say it again

Its not death by GPS it death by idiots who happen to have a GPS

 

[desertdog]

Getting back to Mr Zanninis question. I have never used the purchased version of google earth, have no idea how much better it could be. I use the free version for viewing areas where I ride (lots of hard to find trails are missed while cruising down the road) and, it is awesome for scouting new areas. Being able to get a "feel" for an area saves time and fuel, helps with knowing where you might camp.

I spent a few minutes on the Bing "birds eye". I found it to be similar to google earth, but I think google earth has more defined/sharper images. That might depend on where you are looking, I was viewing mountains in the middle of nowhere.

 

[admiral]

I too am curious on what the advantages are of the "Pro" or pay version of Goggle Earth over the free version. I searched on-line and it appears the free version is mainly for personal use, (go figure), where the paid version is mainly for business use.



Couple of the main differences I "read" about from comparisons, and I think "could" be used by us peasants are: better printing and movie making. The viewing resolution is the same no matter what version is used apparently.



Let me mention something about the movie making part, which my next statements are a guess. I ran into a web site: moto-viking.com. which shows a trail riding video along side is a gps tracking route view. Though the loading takes forever, it looks like these guys have combined video and route tracking viewing right next to each other. The route tracking looks like its from goggle earth "Pro". Hence, I think these guys have a paid version of goggle earth and use the movie making part from it. Major geeking going on here, giggle. If I used something like this, I would wait until winter when I can't ride much. Otherwise...



But to be honest, I've never ran into anyone that uses the paid version, even from a business. I too would be interested in feedback from someone who has used both and can tell us the diffences "in plain English", and if it's worth the cost.

 

[pgilles]

...

Let me mention something about the movie making part, which my next statements are a guess. I ran into a web site: moto-viking.com. which shows a trail riding video along side is a gps tracking route view. Though the loading takes forever, it looks like these guys have combined video and route tracking viewing right next to each other. The route tracking looks like its from goggle earth "Pro". Hence, I think these guys have a paid version of goggle earth and use the movie making part from it. Major geeking going on here, giggle. If I used something like this, I would wait until winter when I can't ride much. Otherwise...

...

Was what you were seeing the phone application "Dashboard Cam", or similar application?? Only thing with this application is once you are out of the data coverage area the map won't update. Maybe there's another application where you can upload maps onto your phone then make the video, eliminating the need for data coverage to update the map as the video is being made.



Picture:

Video:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLEkGbSdoMM[/media]

 

[admiral]

Was what you were seeing the phone application "Dashboard Cam", or similar application??

pgilles,



What I saw does not appear to be the same thing, but the one you show is cool as well. It looks like what the "moto-viking" guys have done is synchronize video with a gps embedded track/route into goggle earth or goggle maps to play side by side at the same time. I thought what they have done is something in goggle earth pro, but I don't have a clue how they do it or what exact application is used This is what it looks like when you are viewing their video. As the video is played, a motorcycle icon moves along their route in the view on the right. Way above my head, but cool non-the-less.





Quote from moto-viking.com website, “you get streaming video Moto-Viking POVs and Google Earth Maps of trails we have archived for posterity”.

 

[Bagger]

Wow, I love technology, and confess to using my GPS and Google Earth allot. (free version) I have not however, and not sure why, used the GPS on TW rides. I believe one of the things I love so much about the TW is it's simplicity. I really enjoy the freedom of just riding it. Peace of mind from knowing I've done all maintenance and have what I need with me, but not making it into something that it's not.

I'm sure I could see me using the GPS/GE if I were trying to find X. But usually, it's more like . . . wonder where this road goes? Or, 'spose I can get out of the other end of this canyon? Quite often it's nothing more than that. Just enjoying riding the bike for the sake of riding the bike.



Bag

 

[demarko69]

Wow, I love technology, and confess to using my GPS and Google Earth allot. (free version) I have not however, and not sure why, used the GPS on TW rides. I believe one of the things I love so much about the TW is it's simplicity. I really enjoy the freedom of just riding it. Peace of mind from knowing I've done all maintenance and have what I need with me, but not making it into something that it's not.

I'm sure I could see me using the GPS/GE if I were trying to find X. But usually, it's more like . . . wonder where this road goes? Or, 'spose I can get out of the other end of this canyon? Quite often it's nothing more than that. Just enjoying riding the bike for the sake of riding the bike.



Bag

Actually we use 7.5min. /24k scale topo GPS to plan every offroad trip. We set tracks, routes, wpts. The old roads we travel are typically mining roads, horse/mule train and most are very overgrown with trees/brush and almost impossible to find key intersections without a good gps. On top of that if mother nature wants to yank your chain and drop a big tree arcoss the road or wash a road completely away, we use the GPS's to figure plan 'b' 'c' and 'd'

You dont always carry a chainsaw, but when you do thet're golden

 

[RodneyReed]

I'm typically a follow this road and see where it ends up kind of guy. Oftentimes, I'll end up somewhere familiar on the other end. GPS would take the fun out of it. There is however, a set of trails that I ride near my house, and an abandoned subdivision on the other side of the trails. I've been using google earth to try to figure out a way between them, as I can't seem to figure it out by riding. I keep hitting dead ends.

 

[srs713]

I don't have a mount for my phone on the TW so I can't use it while riding. But sometimes when I'm in new territory I have to stop and take a look.



Basically I use it like an electronic version of a street map. Figure out where I am, where I want to be, and what route I need to take, then stick it back in my pocket & ride.