BajaNomad

Online satellite maps

BajaNomad - 4-5-2005 at 03:37 PM

This just ROCKS. Google has just released an update to their (already top-notch) online mapping service, to include an option of seeing the satellite image of where you are on the map.

I was poking around Baja-way... and thought many of you would want to also. Example attached is of downtown El Rosario, including the Baja Cactus facility.

Look for the link in the top-right that says "Satellite":
http://maps.google.com

Bruce R Leech - 4-5-2005 at 03:48 PM

this is to cool thanks Doug:bounce:

BajaNomad - 4-5-2005 at 04:10 PM

I've sized both of these down - both in resolution and file size. This is the La Paz area. btw.. you might need to search for San Diego, then scroll down (you can drag the map image).

jide - 4-5-2005 at 04:32 PM

Thanks Doug!! This is Way Cool !!!!

Here's Sierra de San Francisco and Green Canon San Pablo cuttin through:


http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=32.813877,-117.245568&spn...

[Edited on 4-5-2005 by jide]

BajaNomad - 4-5-2005 at 04:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jide
Thanks Doug!! This is Way Cool !!!!

Here's Sierra de San Francisco and Green Canon San Pablo cuttin through:

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=32.813877,-117.245568&spn...


I think that link is where you started from... on the south side of Mt. Soledad in San Diego....

I was scrolling through the Sierra San Francisco too... :biggrin:

jide - 4-5-2005 at 04:39 PM

Yep, sorry, I was emailing the link to a friend, and coy & paste the wrong one. It's been corrected, copy and paste, cuz the hyperlink is not complete and wont ork if you just click on it.

bufeo - 4-5-2005 at 08:14 PM

BajaNomad-

That's a good link. Thank you. Being a "map nut" I'm always looking for new material. One download that I like is http://www.keyhole.com

To get the full effect for Keyhole, though, you have to change your screen definition to 1024 X 768 pixels, and on many monitors that pulls the print down to a level some persons don't like.

I took a good look at many of the maps on the Google site and though the watermark says ?2005 the maps are several years prior--not that that makes much difference when looking at Baja.

I zeroed on the Punta Bufeo - Gonzaga area and tried to get in close but was given the "Sorry but we don't have imagery... ." Rats! I was hoping to get "Up Close and Personal." :lol:

On second thought, maybe that's not all bad. :bounce:

woody with a view - 4-5-2005 at 08:31 PM

does a higher screen reso give more detail? or lower? as for seeing a vehicle on the road i can't, even zoomed in all the way. maybe i need to play around somemore. but it is cool. seems there are surfers at google maps, because alot of cool places aren't available. not a bad thing, i guess.

bajalera - 4-5-2005 at 11:09 PM

Doug, that's really great. Thanks!

Lera

BajaNomad - 4-6-2005 at 09:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bufeo
...One download that I like is http://www.keyhole.com

To get the full effect for Keyhole, though, you have to change your screen definition to 1024 X 768 pixels, and on many monitors that pulls the print down to a level some persons don't like.

I took a good look at many of the maps on the Google site and though the watermark says ?2005 the maps are several years prior--not that that makes much difference when looking at Baja.


Google acquired Keyhole about 6 months ago, and that is the technology they've used to offer this new service. Apparently maps are 6 to 12 months old (I don't know if that applies to the Mexico images as well):

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050406/google_maps.html

--
Doug

[Edited on 4-6-2005 by BajaNomad]

Laptop Resolution

turtleandtoad - 4-7-2005 at 09:08 AM

I run my laptop at 1280x1024 and have no problems seeing the details on the maps.

However the problem of using it on the road is that wireless AirCards don't work on the Baja yet, and even Datastorm becomes useless in the Baja Sur.

bufeo - 4-7-2005 at 05:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by grover
Imagine how handy it would be to have one of bajabus' satellite hookups out on the road.

When you get a little puzzled/curious which fork to take, just pull down the image and have a look.

I wonder what kind of resolution would be possible to have with a portable laptop?


I don't know what satellite hookup bajabus has. I use Motosat Datastorm with a Toshiba Satellite laptop, and, indeed, recently I took a look at a section of Baja not far from us to see where the different "forks" led. Resolution in that part of the world is not too good yet.

turtleandtoad, we're in touch with other Datastorm Users in Baja Sur, you just have to make sure you're using the Mex7 Satellite. The Galaxy up north doesn't have a footprint that reaches that far. In the summer when we head north to trout waters, we'll switch to Galaxy.

In fact User #1165 is in La Paz right now and across the Sea of Cortez and further south is User #994.

In addition, I've been having fun with these maps while following our son-in-law and his teammate racing KTMs in the Tunisian Rally. Too bad I can't see them 'live'.:yes:

Datastorm

turtleandtoad - 4-7-2005 at 05:29 PM

Now you tell me! :o

I was going to buy a Datastorm while at Quartzsite in January, before my trip to Baja Sur, but was told by the sales people (in two different booths) that it wouldn't work that far south and west. So I didn't buy it.

No one even mentioned the Mexico 7 satellite. Bummer!:fire:

PJC - 4-7-2005 at 08:57 PM

Off-Road.com started using the Datastorm in the fall of 2002 and successfully transmitted photos, copy and video from all over Baja as far south as LaPaz during the 2002 Baja 1000.

We found the unit to be delicate going through a number of replacement units. I have heard that the newest likthe one Bufeo has is much more refined and rugged.

Throughput is fair, a lot like a jammed up cable modem.

bufeo - 4-7-2005 at 09:11 PM

turtleandtoad-

I bought mine at Satellite Advantage in Quartzite, Paul Angerami, owner. Good guy, knowledgable, and extremely helpful when my first rig seized on me--during the SCORE San Felipe 250--I might add. :fire:

Motosat made good, though, put a whole new outfit on top of our truck, and they're still sure that it will endure the travel on our road to Pta Bufeo.

We'll see. Heading back down on Monday now that taxes are done.

Arroyo El Volcan

David K - 4-9-2005 at 10:15 AM

Here is the road coming from El Marmol (on the left), crosses Arroyo el Volcan, and passes the white mineralized slope of tiny springs, as seen below

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.997375,-114.767261&spn...
This is incredible!








[Edited on 5-15-2005 by David K]

El Volcan Onyx Dome

David K - 4-9-2005 at 10:26 AM

In the center, the round white area in the arroyo... this is just south of the place where the road from El Marmol crosses the arroyo (in above photo)


El Volcan

On the page that comes up with the image, click: 'Link to This Page' and the image gets bigger. If you scroll to a new site, and want to save it... just hit Link to This Page again, and the URL in your browser will be the right one. Paste that into Baja Nomad's links feature (the globe with the chain in front) to add more Baja places to this thread's list.

Here is the dome from the ground:


Also in the satellite image, you can see the pool of water north of the dome...





[Edited on 5-15-2005 by David K]

turtleandtoad - 4-9-2005 at 10:57 AM

Yeah, but can you get close enough to find the Topes?:lol:

When I try to zoom in on the Playa Requeson area it says that it can't do it. Bummer.

Bajabus - 4-9-2005 at 03:15 PM

It's Satmex 5 that has coverage all the way down to the tip on a direcway unit, NOT satmex 7.

Only datastorm users can request satellite changes depending on which part of the country you are traveling. You are allowed 1 free per year and then it's $50 each after that.

Tripod mounted DW users don't have that option unless they bought from a very good dealer that is willing to go to bat for you and at most they will do it once with some sort of excuse like my neighbor built a barn and now my line of sight is blocked. This is because Tripod DW users are not really supposed to be moving their systems and they are supposed to be fixed.

Starband tripod systems are authorized to be mobile. If you use Starband you won't have to worry about which sat you are assigned to. You will be put on IA-7 which offers coverage in all of the USA a good way into mainland Mexico, Down to Mulege on the Baja peninsula and about 50 - 100 miles into Canada with the standard antenna.
Take a look at the Ku band footprint here:

http://www.geo-orbit.org/westhemipgs/ft7p.html

The standard antenna will give you INTERNET connectivity just about anywhere within the 44 db line. A .98 meter antenna will take you out to the 42 db line and a 1.2 meter will pretty much keep you connected anywhere within the 40 db line. Now take all of this with a grain of salt since the map is meant to give you a general idea. It kinda reads just like a topo map especially where the lines are close together. At these points the cliff effect comes into play and the signal will drop off very rapidly. As you approach the outer limits of your antennas performance in a particular location you will notice that at night you will stay connected fine but as soon as 10AM to about 6 PM roll around you will get disconnected because your signal will not be strong enough to over come the background solar noise.

A tripod unit with a .98 meter antenna will take you all over Baja. It will run you well under $1,400 with the .98mt. as opposed to about $5,000 (installed) for the auto pointing Datastorm units.

Tripod units take about 30 mins to set up and come with 50 -100 ft of cable so you don't have to worry about parking under trees and not having LOS with your motor home automatic unit since you can spool out cable and put the tripos where it has LOS and your vehicle in the shade.

Auto pointing units are very convenient in that you just push a button and 5-10 mins later are online.

these are incredible, David. Thank you !!!!!

Barry A. - 5-15-2005 at 11:26 AM

More...

David K - 5-15-2005 at 11:46 AM

Mision San Borja

The airstrip (former) can be seen just south. The mission is at the cleared area... this area does not have the closest zoom available.

Bahia de los Angeles

Punta San Francisquito

You can zoom right in to the cabanas at PSFO resort!

Rancho La Bocana (called 'San Pedro' in Almanac)

This is a remote place, way south of L.A. bay. The Golfo Camino Real (east route of the Camino Real between Santa Gertrudis and San Borja) used the big Arroyo San Pedro in front of the ranch.

Eagle Monument, Guerrero Negro

The map is centered on the monument on the state border, you can scroll up for Laguna Manuela or down for Scammon's Lagoon, etc.

Guillermo Prieto (north of Vizcaino)

OK, here you can see the little village and the 'new' road that continues north to Santa Gertrudis and San Francisquito/ L.A. Bay. You can easily scan north and follow it across the state border, across the El Arco-Santa Gertrudis road and all the way to its junction with the El Arco-San Francisquito road.

Bahia Tortugas

Rancho el Matomi (west of Puertecitos)

Bahia Santa Maria, south of San Felipe

Rancho/Laguna Percebu & north end of Shell Island

Punta San Fermin

Puertecitos



[Edited on 5-19-2005 by David K]

The list of image links continues...

David K - 5-16-2005 at 12:43 AM

El Marmol (onyx school house)

The image is centered on the ruins of the famous schoolhouse. The road to El Volcan is seen going to the top right (NE) of the image. Scroll around or zoom out to see more. The old road leading southeast can be followed all the way to its intersection with the old Baja main road (between Agua Dulce and La Virgen)...

Perhaps I should move all these links to there own page or a web page so you armchair Baja explorers can find them fast?

You know what is cool, is that you can see roads leading off that you may miss on the ground... Just double click your mouse at the junction of a road that you want to find later when in Baja, and the GPS is in the URL for that image, at the junction (WGS84). :light:

El Marmol Road at Hwy. 1 (next to Cafe Sonora)

Old Southern road to/from El Marmol at Old Main Baja Road

Agua Dulce (historic spring on El Camino Real)

Catavina Rock Art Site (near Hwy. 1 at north arroyo crossing)

[Edited on 5-16-2005 by David K]

BornFisher - 5-16-2005 at 11:08 AM

Let`s have a contest--- First to find JR`s secret lakes wins!!!!

These are beautiful. Thanks for the site!!

Seven Sisters and more...

David K - 5-17-2005 at 08:37 AM

Punta Baja

Punta San Carlos
Interesting in that the higher resolution is on the right half... you can see the huts of the fishing village if you zoom in and scroll to the right along the coast.

Punta Canoas

Punta Vibora

Punta Blanco

Punta Cono

Punta Maria
Scroll along the coast for the other nearby points...

Escalera Nautica at Santa Rosalillita]

El Tomatal & Miller's Landing

Hwy. 1 is just 3 miles inland...

Morro Santo Domingo & Laguna Manuela

bbbait - 5-17-2005 at 03:39 PM

Wow, this sure opens things up! But on the Gonzaga Bay link, looks like a couple of islands (Encantada & San luis) are missing.

Islas Encantadas

David K - 5-17-2005 at 05:54 PM

You just have to scroll north from Gonzaga, and there they are!

Isla San Luis & Isla Pomo (You can zoom in more)

Isla Miramar (El Muerto) (Baja coast and Hwy. 5 also in this image)

Isla El Huerfanito (The Little Orphan) and Nacho's Camp

The big arroyo heading west is Arroyo El Volcan (mis named 'Zamora' in the Almanac. It can be follwed a great distance...

It does seem that there are no images for Isla Encantada and Isla Lobos!

To 'fly over' Baja from your computer: Just hold down the mouse left key and drag it anywhere from the strating points I posted. Zooming in or out is possible... but many areas do not yet have the highest resolution images (to see houses, cars on the road, shrubs).

bbbait - 5-17-2005 at 07:13 PM

I agree that a couple of the islands are missing. You are right about San Luis, it is the volcano. The others are missing. Wayno

(More) Points along Hwy. 1

David K - 5-17-2005 at 09:16 PM

Turnoff to Punta San Carlos (Km. 80-81)

Mision San Fernando access at Hwy. 1

North access to Mision San Fernando (via old Baja main road)

El Progreso (on Hwy. 1), signed access to San Fernando

Mision San Fernando

San Agustin (Abdn. Pemex, trailer park)

Arroyo Agua Dulce & water truck access road at Hwy. 1

When Hwy. 1 was under construction, this road was built to bring water from Agua Dulce. It is badly washed out in two places. The image can be zoomed all the way to max...

New/good access to Agua Dulce

This one was discovered by Neal Johns... Follow it north from Hwy. 1 to the old main Baja road, then just a shorth distance left to the Agua Dulce side road... turning right on the old main road is a fun drive all the way past La Virgen to near the Catavina rock art site on Hwy. 1.

Faro San Jose Road at Hwy. 1

This leads to the Pacific coast and branches into two roads. Turning inland leads back to the old Baja road, south of La Virgen.

[Edited on 5-18-2005 by David K]

I found something interesting: geologic interest

David K - 5-17-2005 at 09:52 PM

This is one of the great things about this space based Baja exploring... We can find things that warrent a close up look (in person). I was following Arroyo Agua Dulce up stream from the famous water hole... and where the arroyo passes between these two hills, is several mineral stained areas, like the onyx spring behind Gonzaga Bay...

Mineral residue Arroyo Agua Dulce

I wonder what this is for???

David K - 5-17-2005 at 10:10 PM

Mystery Airstrip

Just north of this runway is the large Arroyo El Junco (Baja Almanac Map 16, E-5. Some minor road is a ways to the west, and connects to the old south El Marmol road... not a big tourist area...

[Edited on 5-18-2005 by David K]

bbbait - 5-18-2005 at 08:49 PM

This whole concept is incredible! Still can't find the missing islands, but figure there will be an explanation later. Is Graham aware of this? Think about how this would have impacted his trips, and now future ones... Wayno

David K - 5-18-2005 at 10:36 PM

No kidding Wayno... I want to make a list in one place for all these points... grouped logically. That way any Nomad can go quickly to that place, or scroll easily to a close location.

Coco's Corner

David K - 5-18-2005 at 10:47 PM

Coco's Corner

You can zoom in a bit and see the junction of the road out to Puerto Calamajue (dark rock base) and the road north to Gonzaga/ south to Laguna Chapala... where Coco's is located.

[Edited on 5-19-2005 by David K]