Google earth accuracy

[Russ Hatch]

Anbody have an idea how accurate the measuring point to point on Google Earth is? At our lodge we can see deer on a neighbors posted property acrossed the valley. Can't reach that far with our range finders and we have a ongoing discussion of how far it is. Thought I would use Google Earth and their measuring system if it is accurate. Thanks
Russ

 

[NomadPilot]

The .mil uses it as an imagery source. The coordinates are very accurate, and the measuring tool is only an algorithm comparing two coordinate sets. I think it could be used to settle your debate.

 

[Russ Hatch]

Good, I win by 100 yds. Thanks
Russ

 

[jonoMT]

The distance measurements in Google Earth are pretty accurate. Altitude measurements and the 3D depiction of terrain are limited to the accuracy of the source DEM (digital elevation models) - typically obtained from USGS and NASA. For the U.S. that should typically be DEMs that are based off a 10-meter sampling grid. Elevations may be off by 1-2 meters and anything in between sample points has to be interpolated. Still, you can come close enough for most uses.

 

[crowsnest2002]

MapMyRun.com -

Try this link, they use google maps and you can set way points and measure the distance out or out and back. Its more of a fitness thing, but it works pretty well for distance.

 

[SWN]

Today at work my task was to map various waypoints pertinant to our line of work. I GPS'ed about 50 with no problem. I had 5 spots that I could not access due to weather and a large body of water(our bay). I thought, how bout Google Earth. Fired it up, zoomed in on my 5 targets(which are very visable from the sat), jotted down the long and lat for each site. Cool, finished. Drove out to the area to check it out, each of the 5 waypoints from Google earth missed by up to a quarter mile or so. So bad that I could actually drive to one of the sites that is 300+ feet out in the water. Kinda makes you wonder.

 

[gbraach]

Today at work my task was to map various waypoints pertinant to our line of work. I GPS'ed about 50 with no problem. I had 5 spots that I could not access due to weather and a large body of water(our bay). I thought, how bout Google Earth. Fired it up, zoomed in on my 5 targets(which are very visable from the sat), jotted down the long and lat for each site. Cool, finished. Drove out to the area to check it out, each of the 5 waypoints from Google earth missed by up to a quarter mile or so. So bad that I could actually drive to one of the sites that is 300+ feet out in the water. Kinda makes you wonder.

Verify that both your GPS and Google Earth are using the same coordinate system. I believe GE uses the WGS 84 datum.

 

[lanman89]

MapMyRun.com -

Try this link, they use google maps and you can set way points and measure the distance out or out and back. Its more of a fitness thing, but it works pretty well for distance.

I looked at the deer lease I am on using mapmyrun.com. I found it very accurate on areas that I know the distance and even more helpful on areas that I want to set stands next year. I used to use it to map run coursses before I got fat and lazy. Never thought of using it like this.. thanx.

dan

 

[Russ Hatch]

Dan, I just printed out a Google Earth map of my hunting area and used the measuring feature to mark the map out in 50 yd increments from my stand. I'll use the map as a range card. This way I don't have to try to draw in the features as I used to do on the range cards. I made one for each of my stands. Printed the map the right size to fit in my dope book. Getting lazy in my old age. LOL

 

[J E Custom]

Anbody have an idea how accurate the measuring point to point on Google Earth is? At our lodge we can see deer on a neighbors posted property acrossed the valley. Can't reach that far with our range finders and we have a ongoing discussion of how far it is. Thought I would use Google Earth and their measuring system if it is accurate. Thanks
Russ

Russ.
The google map must be pretty accurate because 2 years ago I teamed it up with
my GPS using the map co-ordinance's and found a stock tank 2.3 miles from our camp
in the dark. (I had never been to this area of Colorado before) .

J E CUSTOM

 

[biggamehunter4481]

only updated every few years. only government can look at current photos

 

[Eaglet]

For what is worth, here I go...

 

[jla956]

Just mapped out multiple ranges at a private gun club that I belong to Using Google Earth (version 7.0.3.8542 and dated 2/26/2013) and found it to be accurate to within one foot at 500 yards. I measured from our shooting bays/tables out to each of the visible target berms/backers. I have personally measured each of these ranges by both surveyors tape and laser to verify the exact distances so I know the Google Earth data is accurate.

If you use the "ruler" function (located on the Google Earth toolbar) you can drop a pin at one location and start stretching it out to all the various berms and get an almost exact measurement (most were within inches). You can also get a compass heading from the ruler's data box so that you can plug that data into any of the ballistic programs that you might be using.

Hope this helps!

 

[jeff 300]

i just measured my back yard and found it to be dead on