satelite topology maps of lakes
I live on a small lake and heard that some company sells detailed
depth charts based on radio satelite imaging. (I want to use my GPS to
find the correct spots on the lake).Please advise, Thank you |
xlate102
Jun 25
2004
|
| Here is all you need to do: 1. Go here & download a shareware program
http://www.jdmcox.com
Full Install of USAPhotoMaps 2.25 .... Download Here 2. Download the aerial and/or topo data from a
free MS server. You can get down to 1 meter
aerial - enough to see a boat on the water. When you first start the program, just enter a starting
lon & lat, then select 8 meter resolution, then type in
"p", then "f" to fill the page (that is, download) a full screen
of aerial that can be viewed at 1, 2, 4, or 8 meter resolution.
Hit "t" for topo. The software is there to connect your GPS to your PC.
If you have a GPS that connects to a PC via a cable, then
this software is all you need. I typically burn a lake topo & aerial data
to a CD - then use that in the field. CAUTION: download a little utility that converts the different formats of
lat & lon - you "WILL" need to do this simple math from time to time. Hope this helps someone. Gene |
GeneS
Jun 25
|
| Is there a URL to get aerial/topo data? |
NateH
Jun 25
|
| The software he listed downloads it for you. I just tried it, but I have
serious doubts about its accuracy. I read hte latitude and londitude off
the GPS in both of my boats sitting in my driveway in Yuma Az. I plugged in
that info, and it came up centered about 15 miles to the west.
|
Bob
Jun 25
|
| You do not need a URL.
The program "automatically" goes to the Microsoft
server & downloads either the Topo or The Aerial data
you requested. You do not need to do anything, except
download the program, install it, enter a starting lat & lon,
select topo or aerial, the image scale (that is, 1m to 64m),
the tell it to fill the screen on your PC . Your screen is
displayed as a matrix, then each little square is automatically filled.
If you have a problem running it, post it here & I'll try & answer
it. "The hardest thing about this program is that it is too simple." Gene |
GeneS
Jun 25
|
| I have not had that experience.
For me, it has always been right on - within
40 feet or so. Check to insure that the data
type of your GPS & the program are the same, etc.
I'm sure it's a setting, not an inaccuracy of the program Gene |
GeneS
Jun 25
|
| BTW - be sure you are "moving" to get an accurate
GPS reading. I have gotten inaccurate GPS readings because
I was sitting still! No kidding, you need to be walking around
to get good readings:-) Gene |
GeneS
Jun 25
|
| 15 miles? A couple hundred feet I could understand, but 15 miles? I have two boats sitting in my driveway. Both have GPS maps, and they both
showed the marker on my street on the map. I read the latitude and
longtitude down to the second. They were within two seconds of each other
either way. Thats what I entered in the software. |
Bob
Jun 25
|
| Sounds like you may have a little conversion
error. Here are a few links to verify the conversions:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html
http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/gis/latlon.html What are the readings on your GPS?
If you do not want to post them to the public, then email the readings
from your GPS (s) and I will download the data & see what I get,
then email it to you. Gene |
GeneS
Jun 25
|
| Awesome Program. All my GPS wapoints are right on. Best view I've seen of
them as well. Only problem is I would also like maps of Canada as well, due
to my proximity to the St. Lawrence River. Anyone know where to get these. Again, Awesome Program. JCFrench |
John
Jun 25
|
| Hmmm - Canada. They made a lot of satellite photos, I suspect that you
may find Canada in those. Check with NASA, etc. Good luck tracking them down in the bureaucracy:-)
I know they exist, just not sure how to find them. BTW, you have "depth" via the topo maps. I like to toggle
"t" & "p" at 4 meter to see elevation , then aerial. There is
a program somewhere that integrates topo & aerial into a 3-D
view - just never messed with it. Gene |
GeneS
Jun 26
|
| If you just want to see what we are talking about, you can go here:
http://www.tx.rodngun.com/gps/GPSSearch.asp Click on:
Click here to enter your coordinates.
at bottom of page Enter:
28 (one space only) 7.5158
and
96 (one space only) 58.6438 Click:
View Your Coordinates Click:
Topographic map (or Nautical) This is Goose Island - walk out ~ half way on the 1st section of the pier,
then
wade out NE to the shell reefs & fish in the small channels :-) This is a "GOOD" way to describe to someone "where" you are talking
about in posts. It's SO much easier to look at a map:-)
Just post the lat & lon as degrees & decimal minutes
Latitude = DD (one space) MM.MMMM
Longitude = DD (one space) MM.MMMM Gene |
GeneS
Jun 26
|
| Bob, is it possible that your GPS is reading in decimal and the program
reads in "minutes" ( maximum is 60 ) of a degree? Most GPS's have both
settings. I was verrrry confused at a known location one time...trying to
track it on a computer map...when I discovered what the differences were. If you have readings above .60 or you have readings of .878 or some
partial decimal above .60 you have it set up for decimal fractions instead
of fractions of minutes. It is easily adjusted on the GPs and perhaps on the program too. RichG
TX -WI
|
RichG
Jun 26
|
| regarding your comment "CAUTION: download a little utility that converts the different formats of
lat & lon - you "WILL" need to do this simple math from time to time." Where might one get this little utility? It did not appear to be on the
JMCOX site. RichG manager, Carolina Skiff Owners Group on MSN
http://groups.msn.com/CarolinaSkiffOwners |
RichG
Jun 26
|
| I really like the , Mentor Software, Inc. freeware best:
http://lagic.lsu.edu/metadataworkbook/software/coordconvert/mentorsoftware/setup.exe
Download & install under Windows.
I can use this one when I can't get on the www.
This may be a download link as well:
http://guineapig.geocacher.nl/software/DegMinSec.exe ALSO:
Try this on-line one:
http://jeeep.com/details/coord/ This may be helpful also:
http://life.csu.edu.au/geo/dms.html Gene |
GeneS
Jun 26
|
| "CAUTION: download a little utility that converts the different formats of
lat & lon - you "WILL" need to do this simple math from time to time." Where
might one get this little utility? It did not appear to be on the JMCOX
site. Try here: http://www.directionsmag.com/latlong.asp
or here: http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/gis/latlon.html
or here: http://jeeep.com/details/coord/ For those that want to convert Loran to GPS format you can download a free
program here: http://www.informatics.bangor.ac.uk/~paulw/loran/loran.htm Here is an interesting site with some links for conversions:
http://www.gpsy.com/gpsinfo/geotoutm/ You can get a fix on long and lat on ths site by clicking on the map:
http://www.esg.montana.edu/gl/usa1d.html Here is one that you can use to find the distance betwen to points using
longitude and latitudes. http://www.csgnetwork.com/longlatdistance.html Sarge |
Sarge
Jun 26
|
| BTW - when in the USAPhotoMap program, all you have to do is: View,
Lat/Lon
(then move between these)
Degrees
Degrees Minutes
Degrees Minutes Seconds
UTM |
GeneS
Jun 26
|
