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Google Earth: Hiker’s Edition

That’s what Erick Schonfeld of TechCrunch is calling it.

… Google Earth released a new edition of its desktop app which hikers, runners and cyclists are going to love. They call it Google Earth 5.2. I call it the Hiker’s Edition.

One of the new features allows you to recreate the path of a hike or bike ride by ingesting geo-data from one of your GPS devices. The visualizations show you the speed, elevation, and other stats from your hike, which you can see as an animation inside Google Earth. …

read more on TechCrunch

This video features an example of the new track feature in Google Earth 5.2, showing a bike route to work. Download the latest version of Google Earth …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

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win a SPOT GPS Satellite Messenger, easy

Joe Mueller wants to give you a free SPOT GPS Satellite Messenger along with one year of service.

product details on Amazon – SPOT Personal Tracker

It’s a contest … but I can’t think of an easier contest.

All you need to do is make a comment on his blog stating why you would want one:

GPS for Today – Win A SPOT GPS Satellite Messenger

… Be sure to make a comment inferior to my own. I want to win this device!

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tweet, facebook from anywhere on Earth

Here’s a system I would use. Posting my geolocation along with text trip report updates.

Details on Gadling:

… allow adventurers to more effectively communicate from locations that are not covered by cell service.

The new device pairs one of DeLorme’s GPS units with SPOT’s next generation Satellite Communicator, to send custom message from the backcountry. The Earthmate wil have all the regular features you’d expect from a GPS, including base maps, in this case covering the entire world, navigation, electronic compass, and so on. But it will also wirelessly pair with the Communicator, allowing the user to type text messages and send them to friends and family back home via satellite. …

It’s designed so you can call for help from anywhere, should an emergency develop.

… it also lets the user to share tracking information and custom messages that can easily be interfaced with Twitter, Facebook, Geocaching.com, and SPOT’s own SPOTadventures.com. …

Pricing not available until the Earthmate PN-60w is made available later this Spring.

If you are interested, click through to the article – New device will let you text, twitter from remote places

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Must Have iPhone App for Hikers

Wow.

The Best iPhone 3.0 Beta app award at the Apple Design Awards last week is for trekkers.

Rave review … at least if you hike in certain parts of the U.S.A.:

… I haven’t used the application on a hike yet, but the mapping content on the application is very rich, and you can see what the surface of the terrain looks like. The drawbacks are you can’t zoom in as far as the iPhone Google Earth application lets you, and it doesn’t use the iPhone’s auto-tilt function to move to another part of the map like Google Earth does.

AccuTerra lets you share your outdoor experiences with others via Facebook and email. You can post a link of your trek to your Facebook profile or email a link to family and friends that includes the route you traveled and pictures you took along the way. …

Intermap created AccuTerra to fill the void of the modern-day GPS: off-road mapping. Though GPS does a “wonderful job on the road,” acknowledged Thomas, it’s not as useful “once you get to the end of the pavement.” The application also has a library of maps of U.S. national state parks and forests for each state. It had an extensive list of popular hiking and biking trails in the Bay Area, including my favorites, Alum Rock Park and Rancho San Antonio County Park. …

GigaOm – For Hikers, Bikers & Trekkers, Accuterra a Must Have iPhone App

You can get a better idea of how it works on the official mobile AccuTerra website.

Or watch a short introduction video on YouTube.

More video tutorials.

I think I’ll try it if and when I get an iPhone. That might be SOON.

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iPhone Apps hit the trail


One of Backpacker Magazine’s blogs, The Daily Dirt, has been my favourite in recent weeks.

Here’s another interesting post:

… In a new 30-second spot, the familiar hands demonstrate apps to replace a compass, identify bird species, and spot poison ivy. Add those apps to the already impressive list including the Google Earth and GPS systems and you’ve got a handheld, do-just-about-anything, outdoor genius machine. …

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Daily Dirt – IPHONE APPS HIT THE TRAIL

Still, I’ll be taking my iTouch on the trail with me this season. Mainly for listening to Audiocasts and Audiobooks during the long nights in the tent.

Where I hike there’s no free WiFi. So many of the apps will not work since the Touch has not phone service.

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GPS for (hiking) Dummies

Trailspotting has a superb post for the GPS illiterate like myself:

Your new handheld GPS might seem complex, but in truth it’s very simple to use. This quick article will show you how easy it is to get started, by using the Trailspotting recommended Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS as an example. In next to no time you’ll be showing off your latest expedition on Google Earth. …

2475494422_7b0a14b17e.jpg

… click through to read the entire article: First Steps with your new GPS – Trailspotting

Garmin eTrex Venture HC High-Intensity Color Mapping Handheld GPS

I’m convinced. It takes 2 AA batteries.

I assume the MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software is Windoze only. (I am a Mac guy.)

But posting my hikes to EveryTrail.com looks to be very easy.

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Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS

Fred Theilig of Rhode Hikes would not buy the minimalist Bushnell BackTrack GPS.

For only a few dollars more — $89.00 right now on Amazon — he’d recommend a Garmin eTrex. This one is waterproof. And gets up to 17hrs on 2AA batteries. Editors of Trailspotting and Take a Load Off agree.

GARMIN ETREX H HANDHELD GPS

GARMIN ETREX H HANDHELD GPS

Many are confused by GPS feature sets. (Including me.) We might want to buy a Garmin GPS Etrex Instructional Video at the same time.

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Bushnell BackTrack GPS

A GPS Unit Even Your Mother Could Use

  • 5.6oz
  • 2 AAA Batteries
  • $78.30 right now on Amazon

    • Finally, a SIMPLE GPS.

    Bushnell 36-0050 BackTrack GPS Navigation System

    Bushnell 36-0050 BackTrack GPS Navigation System

    (via Popgadget to Ohgizmo to The Goat to Adventure Blog)

    I’ve added this to my Christmas wish list. I could certainly have used one in the past.