Google Earth - Do NOT Trust what You See ;)

[zeehag]

GOOGLE EARTH is fun to check places out with, but isnt really up to date--is fun to see what there is to see-- but i have been paddling my kayak on google earth at the coronado moorings , now, for over 4 years....i am getting a tad tired.....

one of my versions of google earth had noaa charts added to some gulf coast places and east coast of fla....

[DeepFrz]

Zee, is that you headed towards your boat?

[dacust]

Originally Posted by zeehag

...

one of my versions of google earth had noaa charts added to some gulf coast places and east coast of fla....

This has the entire US with charts overlaying google images.

--> GeoGarage - Route Preparation

-dan

[zeehag]

lol coronado bridge the red kayak is me heading to boat , yup..been there now for 4 yrs i know of...LOL

the chart feature i thought was awesome fun....

[James Baines]

Google maps are interesting but no sailor of whatever calibre should ever use them as a primary source of navigation information. Paper charts, like it or not, are your safest bet. Up to date E Charts on your Plotter are a must, a backup emergency Laptop system using up to date CM93 charts is a nice thing to have and if you are going to a port you are not familiar with, call them, they all have listed phone numbers and they are always happy to give you details on the safe navigation channels. So, for a sailor, what's the value of any kind of Google mapping data?, in my view, absolutely ZERO. If I had to choose between the info presented by Google and that presented by my dog, I would probably listen to my dog.
Unlike the folks at Google, my dog has actually logged a lot of sailing hours.
Safe sailing to you all,
James

[zeehag]

just because a site has fun toys doesnt mean is used for primary nav tool---lol--tghat would be absolutely stupid. they DO make a good resource for terrain and such. but arent for primary anything except fun.

[John A]

What's the current survey date on the charts for the western coast of Mexico and Central America? Mine were from the 1800's, purchased in 2000, and GPS positions could be as much as 1.5 miles inland on both paper charts and plotter.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Last week was using a chart dated 1962 (some old fart had wiped his waypoints ). As you say, the rocks ain't moved - even if not all were ever exactly where the charts says they are

But I am sure the little man who lives inside a chartplotter knows more

David, you will never run agound with that chart because the depths will be in fathoms It will make some interesting tidal calculations though given your location, or do as we do, chuck the lot in and hope for the best.

Pete

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by James Baines

So, for a sailor, what's the value of any kind of Google mapping data?, in my view, absolutely ZERO.

If something is not a navigational chart issued by an 'agency', then its value for a sailor is zero?

Just imagine Columbus or Cook could peek at Google Earth - you say they would say it is all of no use and so would not make any screen dumps?

I think you are completely wrong. I think the information from Google Earth is priceless, and as long as we understand its limitations it is OK and correct to use it.

b.

[David M]

Never rely on any of your navigation sources 100% That is why navigation is an art. You have to use your best judgment given the situation and your sources as to how much weight you should apply to each.

Because Google Earth is not 100% accurate all the time does not make it worthless.

[zeehag]

google earth is a good tool --isnt a primary source of info for sailing ...in some placesl, gps and charts re inaccurate--yet they remain our primary sourceof info-- in these plces, it mkay just be to our benefit to have studied some 0f the under water topography which is not obvious on charts--only in numbers...........

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by dacust

This has the entire US with charts overlaying google images.

--> GeoGarage - Route Preparation

-dan

That place looks great.

Does one have to sign up to see a whole screen?

I wish someone could sit with me and teach me how to get stuff from this screen to my Garmin that I can remember and reproduce.

The manual for the Garmin is the worst I have ever seen. The whole thing is like a quick-start guide. No details.

AAARRRGGG!!

Never mind....

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Therapy

I wish someone could sit with me and teach me how to get stuff from this screen to my Garmin that I can remember and reproduce.

The manual for the Garmin is the worst I have ever seen. The whole thing is like a quick-start guide. No details.

Custom Maps

The info is pretty self explanatory-
- get the picture,
- geo-reference at Google,
- load to your device.

I am afraid only the newer things from Garmin have this function. It is very nice indeed.

BTW I did see on the web some sort of software that geo-referenced anything for Garmin offline. But it was not free and my Garmins do not have Custom Maps so I did not try that one out.

Anybody?

barnie

[Pblais]

I find Google earth helpful for going ashore. In the context where you know where you really are it works. The edge matching process is far more complicated than you may think. They stretch and warp the images to make them fit together not to make them accurate. with so many to match it is totally visual. In some situations the coordinates may be off enough to make trouble if you rely on them for any close work navigation. There isn't any way to tell by looking at them because they optimize so they look nice and pretty.

[capngeo]

Google Earth is GREAT! Every charting medium changes. Do I accept any one as the "truth"?... You bet I do.... and it's my EYES! All the others, Google, Bing and charts with a 100 year old datum are just tools!