cheap4r

http://www.mboffin.com/earthbridge/

This is something that I have been toying around with and I do have to say it is fantastic!

In a nutshell: you have your own realtime satalite tracking device with all the functionality of Google Earth.

Record unknown trails
Find trails from satellite imagery
Follow unmarked and unknown trails with a real time icon
Understand where trails go before traveling them


Another very cool option is Goops

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001623.php

One of the neatest features is the ability to “share” information in real time via satellite card with other groups on the trails

Let’s just say your club is traveling 3 different trails (wet and wild, moderate, and green trails). The trail boss of each group could have this setup and track where the rest of the group is!

Each trail boss can know:

Exact position of other groups
Speed of other groups
Altitude of groups
Direction of travel

You could use Car specific GPS Nav systems but the huge drawback is that where we go roads are not marked and they don’t give satellite imagery so we really do not know what is ahead.


If you have the hardware (laptop + GPS) all you are really paying for is the Google Earth Pro so this falls in the $20 category…

a demo of EarthBridge is Here: (the people in the background are odd... but the demo is exactly how Google Earth acts on the move)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvNszH7j_xE

cheers

__________________
Projects:
1994 4Runner: Seized Crank, 200k, NO RUST! Bought for $300 (When my avatar changes to the truck it is finished)

1998 Moto Guzzi California In a few parts... but they are mostly the parts that count...

Toys:
1990 Thunderbird SC: Supercharged 3.8L, 373 rear, 14 piece Widebody kit, 315/35/ZR17 (rear) 285/40/ZR17 (front) w/ Billet Specialties Customs

rayl82

i downloaded earth bridge and paid 20 for the Google earth pro and i have a E-Trex summit GPS by Garmin the Google earth program interacts with the GPS and the earth bridge appears to but the long and lats are not crossing over.... i was wondering if you have had these problems and fount a solution i would really like to start helping the 4x4 community learn and find new trails withe the pictures and video clips in the Google earth program..

__________________
89 runner on an 85 runner frame and front axle 3.5" lift suspension 31" A/T tires 1.5"wheel spacers on the front ez locker in the rear crossover high steer and oh ya 3.4L v6

85 Runner buggy in the works...

cheap4r

I remember this statement on the EarthBridge site:

Earth Bridge requires an NMEA 0183 compatible GPS device connected via a serial interface. The Garmin protocol is not supported at this time (but is planned). For information on getting your Garmin 18 USB to work with Google Earth using Earth Bridge use the instructions i wrote.

This is the instructions:

http://mboffin.com/post.aspx?id=1996

It looks like the Garmin requires another program but dont hold me to that.


When you get everything working let me know!
Cheers

__________________
Projects:
1994 4Runner: Seized Crank, 200k, NO RUST! Bought for $300 (When my avatar changes to the truck it is finished)

1998 Moto Guzzi California In a few parts... but they are mostly the parts that count...

Toys:
1990 Thunderbird SC: Supercharged 3.8L, 373 rear, 14 piece Widebody kit, 315/35/ZR17 (rear) 285/40/ZR17 (front) w/ Billet Specialties Customs

rayl82

thanks for the info befor i spend money i need to get a lap top you might be interested in this

__________________
89 runner on an 85 runner frame and front axle 3.5" lift suspension 31" A/T tires 1.5"wheel spacers on the front ez locker in the rear crossover high steer and oh ya 3.4L v6

85 Runner buggy in the works...

Toyotero

Thanks man, that looks pretty sweet!