image clarity in scouting with Google Earth, Onyx etc.

[wildcat westerner]

Perhaps this may not be the best thread entry location. This may cause a belly laugh to the majority of the readers of this forum of my ignorance. In returning to hunting I see many scouting tools readily available now such as: Google Earth, Onyx maps etcetera.
Are any of these tools available with the capability of reading elevations? I am seeking canyons with great depths. Also, are any of these modern technologies as finite as being able to discern finite features such as large beds of cholla cactus etc.

Thanks for any serious wisdom you may wish to share with me in this matter.

WW

 

[ShtrRdy]

With OnX maps you can overlay elevation contours on satellite image.

 

[epags]

Perhaps this may not be the best thread entry location. This may cause a belly laugh to the majority of the readers of this forum of my ignorance. In returning to hunting I see many scouting tools readily available now such as: Google Earth, Onyx maps etcetera.
Are any of these tools available with the capability of reading elevations? I am seeking canyons with great depths. Also, are any of these modern technologies as finite as being able to discern finite features such as large beds of cholla cactus etc.

Thanks for any serious wisdom you may wish to share with me in this matter.

WW

FWIW, Google Earth...lower right corner is the word 'elev' followed by a number. It corresponds to where the 'hand' is as you move it over the terrain. I note it doesn't work too accurately but you can identify small canyons/creek beds if they drop 10 to 15 feet or more and by changing the time slider (one of the icons at the top) you can see the area with and without foliage.

 

[JungleShooter]

I don't use it often, but I found the World Topo Map (by Mason Blackwoord) that I use on my phone if I need to see elevations and like you, "find" mountains, canyons, and the like.
In the app you can enable different layers, and one includes the elevation lines.

Matthias


Link:

World Topo Map - Apps on Google Play

World topographic map with *no* limitations!

play.google.com

 

[Teri Anne]

Perhaps this may not be the best thread entry location. This may cause a belly laugh to the majority of the readers of this forum of my ignorance. In returning to hunting I see many scouting tools readily available now such as: Google Earth, Onyx maps etcetera.
Are any of these tools available with the capability of reading elevations? I am seeking canyons with great depths. Also, are any of these modern technologies as finite as being able to discern finite features such as large beds of cholla cactus etc.

Thanks for any serious wisdom you may wish to share with me in this matter.

WW

Many years ago we used to use USGS Topo maps which give you all the information you are looking for. These maps are available at https://www.topozone.com/ and are free. You may have to spend some time finding the exact map you need but it will give you detailed information on terrain elevation and vegitation.

 

[Eric Musgrove]

The OnX app works great elevation is always on the screen, it is great to have on your phone and you can also log in and scout from your laptop mark locations and various areas to check out, then in the field the same info is on your phone. They have many layers to turn on and off, a 3D map you can toggle on and off that really gives you a good idea of how steep stuff is without looking at the topo map. I personally like the hybrid which is a combo of the topo and SAT map. They usually run a specials for one state around $20 a year on camo fire. I am told go-hunt has a good one also but I have never used it.

 

[TBell]

The OnX app works great elevation is always on the screen, it is great to have on your phone and you can also log in and scout from your laptop mark locations and various areas to check out, then in the field the same info is on your phone. They have many layers to turn on and off, a 3D map you can toggle on and off that really gives you a good idea of how steep stuff is without looking at the topo map. I personally like the hybrid which is a combo of the topo and SAT map. They usually run a specials for one state around $20 a year on camo fire. I am told go-hunt has a good one also but I have never used it.

They tout that they have up dated info. But I know that I have owned my property in Sutton county, Tx for 15 months and it still does not show up on their maps. I have even gone to the point of sending On X my deed info. Months ago and still no corrections. I do not know I would trust them for up date information on property ownership lines.

Now you may have used it for a while and say you've never had an issue, but maybe you just have not been caught on private that has not been updated yet.

 

[WapitiBob]

To add topo maps to your google earth: https://www.earthpoint.us/topomap.aspx

 

[Bill Peet]

The OnX app works great elevation is always on the screen, it is great to have on your phone and you can also log in and scout from your laptop mark locations and various areas to check out, then in the field the same info is on your phone. They have many layers to turn on and off, a 3D map you can toggle on and off that really gives you a good idea of how steep stuff is without looking at the topo map. I personally like the hybrid which is a combo of the topo and SAT map. They usually run a specials for one state around $20 a year on camo fire. I am told go-hunt has a good one also but I have never used it.

Works great as long as you get good reception

 

[Eric Musgrove]

Works great as long as you get good reception

you can download all the maps from home before you go, no problems. Its GPS driven and works in airplane mode. I used it way out it still shows your location.

 

[Eric Musgrove]

They tout that they have up dated info. But I know that I have owned my property in Sutton county, Tx for 15 months and it still does not show up on their maps. I have even gone to the point of sending On X my deed info. Months ago and still no corrections. I do not know I would trust them for up date information on property ownership lines.

Now you may have used it for a while and say you've never had an issue, but maybe you just have not been caught on private that has not been updated yet.

I know we have some new state land and it was added the same year. I think it relies on county court deed records...Not sure but if I see a red box and don't have their permission I just go another way, don't matter much to me other than knowing where the line is.

 

[TRexF16]

The OnX app works great elevation is always on the screen, it is great to have on your phone and you can also log in and scout from your laptop mark locations and various areas to check out, then in the field the same info is on your phone. They have many layers to turn on and off, a 3D map you can toggle on and off that really gives you a good idea of how steep stuff is without looking at the topo map. I personally like the hybrid which is a combo of the topo and SAT map. They usually run a specials for one state around $20 a year on camo fire. I am told go-hunt has a good one also but I have never used it.

The elevation that is always on the screen with OnX is the elevation of your current position, not the location you have your cursor over.

 

[Eric Musgrove]

The elevation that is always on the screen with OnX is the elevation of your current position, not the location you have your cursor over.

 

[Eric Musgrove]

Correct if you want another elevation hit the map topo button and then you can see the contour lines.