Using Google Earth in Metal Detecting Research

[Nemo]

I have just put together an article on my website (too lengthy for the forum) dealing with some interesting uses of Google Earth in metal detecting research. If you are interested, you will find a link at the bottom of this page:

Poche's website

There are a lot of pictures in this article so it may load a little slow. Hope this helps someone do a little better with their research.

Dave Poche

 

[mattockman]

That is very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I just down loaded Google Earth and have not had a chance to explore much but will see what it can do....I may be very interested in your book and CD. Thanks again......HH

 

[sonny60]

n/t

 

[Nemo]

Neither...I'm using the plane-jane free copy that you can download from Google. Why pay for extra milk when you can get it through the fence? Earth plus and business have a lot of additional features but I don't see too much use for these additional features. If you own either the procedure I describe should be backwardly compatible.

Dave Poche

 

[1cookman]

I went out and downloaded the free version of Google Earth to try it. I really like what it does. I do have a question about scanning the overlay maps. How do you go about getting the overlay map to the right size or scale so it will line up correctly on the Google Earth map? Do you resize the overlay in Google Earth or do you do something else? This thing can be addictive. Thanks!!

 

[Nemo]

tcookman: when you create an overlay image the first time "pull back" a good distance so you can see the edges of the scan. You should see the edges of the scan have a green line outlining each of the 4 corners. if you put the cursor on the corner you will see a little arrow come up... left click and you can move the corners in and out. The same holds true for the green lines in the middle of the edges. There is an "X" in the middle of the scan to move the entire scan around and the left edge in the middle has a straight line with a green diamond at the end if you "grab" that you can rotate your scan.

The green lines can always be recalled by left clicking the overlay image in the sidebar to the left and selecting "properties" from the dropdown box. The green lines will appear again. Be sure not to "OK" the property dialog window or you will lose the green lines and your rescale.. Press "OK" when you think you have a match.

Towns and roads are the best and easyist to try and match.

Hope this helps.

Dave Poche

 

[Nemo]

Yes it is addictive!!!! Wish I had this tool 40 years ago. Check this out from a 1864 topographic sketch of Camp Russell and Vicinity showing the position of the 19th Corps at Winchester. Put in all trench lines and forts and indicated camp areas.

Anybody ever hunt this area???

 

[1cookman]

Nemo, Thanks for the info. I know what you mean about having this years ago. It is amazing how far technology has come since then. I have been hunting around Middle Tennessee for about 26 years now. I am planning on taking the maps I have accumulated over that time and seeing what comes unlocked. Looks line a GPS for Christmas!!

 

[markg]

I guess you have to pay in order to get a clear picture...

 

[markg]

n/t

 

[Nemo]

Markg: Sorry my picture was not as clear as it should be. Its very large and had to be reduced to fit on the forum. If you would like a copy of the Winchester picture, PM me with your email address and I'll send you what I was trying to display.

If your reference is o cost of Google Earth, I used the free version you can download from Google.

Dave Poche

 

[1cookman]

Nemo, Thanks for the info you sent me. I am going to do some more research on the GPS. I may have to holler at you before I buy one. I made another stab at the overlays tonight. I was working with a map I had here at home. I had it lined pretty well (I thought) by the rivers on the map. I looked and if the river lined up, the roads were a little off. Then, of course, if the roads lined up, the rivers were a little off. I decided to go with the roads because when they lined up, they lined up really well.

Yesterday, I was working with a map of Middle Tennessee. When I finished overlaying it, I realized that a guy I worked with lived near a spot marked on the map as a Confederate position a day or so before the Battle of Franklin. It is out in the middle of nowhere. I got to work this morning and I asked the guy about hunting his land. He looked at me really funny and said that a guy was over at his inlaws place last weekend looking for relics. He also said that he found a couple of things. His inlaws own land next door to him. That makes me think that this map may not be far off. My hunting partner and I are going to pay them a visit in a week or so. I may have found my first site using Google Earth.

You said you hunt in Missouri. Are there a lot of relics there?

 

[Nemo]

Tcookman: Sounds like you are well on your way. Let me know if you find anything.

Re matching: there will always be someplace that doesn't quite fit. Not sure if this is from GE or the overlay. This is particularly true of large maps. Several small maps of an area seem to work better than one single map of a large area. Also rivers move through time but towns and old roads seldom move.

One technique I have used is to overlay both a topographic and an old map over the base. "old ridge runner" roads are apparent. from the match of the topo with the old map. Then I try to match the runner roads to the base.

Now, LOL on relics in Missouri. If you count skirmishes, raids, battles, etc. only old Virginie has more. There is a whole river valley where Pope kept about 15 to 20 thousand men in '61 -'62. Being at the end of the supply line these early troops were supplied from the east so as new weapons came on line the older weapons moved to the west. Plus the work of "Bloody Bill" Anderson and other partisans. Many of the detectors from the central and western Missouri get together once a year for an informal meeting to show and tell and exchange information. It's called the "Spring Rendezvous". It's just like the mountain men except no squaws or alcohol. So since I don't want people detecting in my backyard I'd say, "Right, no relics in Missouri!"

Will you be going to the Nashville Relic show? I'll be there selling books to vendors.

Dave Poche


After thought: one other thing ...if using a large map and you find a good spot, Detail match just that area of the map and forget the rest will probably give you a better shot at accurate locations.[pre]

[/pre]

 

[1cookman]

Nemo, I understand completely about what you tell people about relics in Missouri. We do it a little differently here. When we show someone something we have found, the first thing out of their mouths is always "Where did you find it?" We always say, " The other side of Pottsville" because we don't want people digging in our backyard either. There are some people around here that think the other side of Pottsville must be loaded with relics.

We are going to the Nashville show on Saturday. I will look you up.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[GaryL]

Thanks for the info Nemo, what they are saying is......is the free down load of Google Earth gives one blury pictures of houses and what ever. The roads are clear however.

Google states for clear pictures you need to buy Google Earth Plus @ $20.00

Here is a good site, free and clear pic's.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?cp=40.018714

HH

GaryL ....

 

[GaryL]

markg here is a better place as far as a clear picture of things, like your house eh!!

http://maps.live.com

HH

GaryL ....

 

[Nemo]

Gary:
Thanks for pointing this other source out. First time I saw that difference was today. Most of Missouri is shot in high resolution. Looks like not all the photos on the Microsoft site are high resolution. Looks like the ones in GE that are low correspond to high in MS.

Thanks again

Dave Poche

 

[Black Davy]

Thanks Dave great info for all. I will try this for some of the Torrie Cave sites in the Vermont New hampshier area.

 

[Nemo]

Avast.......Keep us posted....Will be interesting if technique will work back to Colonial site. Should work if you have decent maps. On, large maps you can usually "fit" just a piece of it near where your target is So don't be discouraged if you don't get an exact fit over the whole map.

Dave Poche

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

First of all, in some locations you can zoom as close at 350 feet and not loose detail with the free version. This is the case in my area in southern NJ. In other areas you begin to loose detail at much higher altitudes.

Secondly, I have been using GE for the last few years. (I have been having some difficulty mastering the overlay feature. I cannot seem to rotate the map so that NORTH matches on both the overlay and GE.) The best feature I use is logging all of my finds, and linking to photos of my finds. This allows me to know where the concentrations of better finds are. I log the details including the date, depth, VDI and any other important details. It is a great way to track and log your finds.