Using Google Maps to find accurate distance between two points.....

[BADUNAME37]

I was playing around with my Google account then went to Maps (Google Maps). I realized, I can draw a straight line using the Lines Tool that is on Google Maps (when logged into my Google Account, I am not sure if it is available when not logged in).

You have the choice to see the map as a regular map, or to use the satellite view to see the actual topography.

I was able to put the starting point for one line at my front upstairs window, then draw the line out to where I see woodchucks on occasion and quickly saw that the distance was 420 yards!

So, if you play around with Google Maps, you can actually get, I would suspect, a really accurate distance between two points! In order to verify whether the distance between the two points is accurate or not, you could easily punch in the distance between two known points to see if the Map shows the distance to be the same as what it actually is.

One must follow all rules when using Google, in other words, you cannot use Google for anything that would be illegal activity (actually the same goes for your Microsoft Operating System and Internet Explorer).

 

[rjrivero]

Google is a scary thing......but often useful.

 

[dirtykid]

I would verify anything with a range-finder.
Last time i looked at google-satelite pic's they were like 8-years old,didnt even show the houses and businesses that had been built since then.
I trusted Mapquest ONCE when travelling west one year,and it told me going THRU Custer State Park was the fastest way to get to Custer SD,, Wrong !!
The info is only as good as the programmer or his sources that put it in there

 

[matrem]

Assuming the picture scale is correct, actual photographs from Google/ Garmin etc. are spot on.
If my laser rangfinder had a much different "opinion", I'd be looking at getting a new rangefinder.

"satelite pic's they were like 8-years old,"

Distances didn't change.

 

[Cob]

Be advised of one small glitch. The photos are taken at " linear intervals" by satelite or airplane, (generally in a north to south pattern) depending on location. then the groups of photos/images are overlaid on a predetermined "grid"...sort of like a patchwork quilt... to create a seemingly, seamless map.

There is something called "Photogrametric Distortion" that occurs, depending on center focal point of camera... the photographs can become distorted around their edges. These edges are generally apparent where the photos are "seamed" together. They are most noticeable by the different times of the day that photos are taken... (some days are brighter than others)- If you try to measure a distance or acre near a "seam" on the "digital patchwork quilt of images", then you could be over-estimating or under-estimating, by the photgrametric distortion that occurs... The distortion can be greater or smaller depending on distance the camera is from the ground, or the convex curve of the camera lens...

I routinely use GIS thru work, and took photogrammetry & remote sensing training, for use in General forestry and wildfire work. That was 1 class that i really enjoyed. We also had to learn the program to set the timer on the airplane mounted camera equipment, and adjust based on altitude & air speed, when perfoming aerial flights to capture imagery...

You can also use the polygon tool to determine acreage on google earth... It's a neat program...

 

[THEZACHARIAS]

Unfortunately, the distance scales are all standardized based off an ideal satellite orbit altitude. In real life, since the satellites dont necessarilly orbit at the assumed altitude the standardized scales lose their accuracy and can vary from 10s to 100s of feet.

That being said, its still a very good starting point and depending on caliber and how crucial an exact distance is, it may not even matter. Still less than a minute-of-woodchuck i'd imagine.

 

[colonelhogan44]

I have measured several things of known distance (usually structures) and it was accurate down to inches.

YMMV.