Measuring target distance with GPS

[Case280AI]

I use the mapulator app all the time, for our stationary targets and even while hunting. It uses Google earth and I've killed at 75 yards out to 700.

 

[Pauleye]

I have ballisticARC and it does give a satellite image and marks the target and shooting positions. It will give distance. I really like it. Each to his own. Good luck

 

[swampbug]

The App, Measure Map, is what I use.

 

[mac426]

Don't know if your completely indifferent to using a map type app, however, my first thought was the BallisticsARC app. It will provided all the necessary info and a firing solution. I never took it out past 1400 yards. But it's worked well for me, I verified numerous distances with my SIG kilo. I've also used it in lieu of the SIG when I couldn't get a proper reading with success.

 

[mac426]

Guess I type slow. Sorry Pauleye.

 

[MasterGunsmith]

When you start talking about using GPS to measure true ground measurements you need to take into account your your elevation (ground to grid difference). Depending on the mean elevation of your range this may or may not be an issue. All GPS measurements are dependent on how your GPS is setup (lat/long, state plane, etc.).

 

[Radman]

I am setting up a range for up to 4,000 yards. I want to use a simple GPS for measurements. Not sure which ones will work. BUT....I DON'T NEED MAPS!! All I need is the ability to mark both ends of the path and have it calculate the distance. Assuming level ground. Even without the calculator I could use pencil and paper to calculate it if the unit would give me the GPS positions. It seems that most small handheld units are geared to using maps and land marks, not just raw GPS.

But there may be some out of the box solutions as well.
1) is there a program for tracking that will use my phone to find a tagged object and give me the distance to that object?
2) Since my phone does have GPS information that is accessible to the police, how can I access that information?
3) maybe time the bullet from firing line to target? That would be hard without very accurate instruments.
Any other ways other than a 3 mile tape measure?

Can't help you with your quest but I wish you good luck with your range. Man THAT will be fantastic!

 

[TLC]

Hunt Stand works for me.

 

[Tripodmvr7]

I am a land surveyor and have checked my Garmin Etrex 20 against my survey GPS that gives 20mm accuracy. It differed 3m. That should be good enough to first fix your shooting point and then the set out your target point once you are close to the distance.

Most survey apparatus with a laser measurer should easily measure that distance to the prisms that we use. A survey GPS working in real time can also measure that distance with the radio it is supplied with. Get a surveyor to measure and confirm the distance. Hopefully you know one who is a shooter and who will do it for some range time.

A plane ticket and some some spending money could entice me all the way from South Africa.

 

[slv hunter]

Revic br4 goes out to 4k, so do other range finders.

 

[waveslayer]

Mark a way point, then mark another, use GPS to measure the distance between both waypoints

 

[epoletna]

I have an app on my iPhone called "Crowsflight" that supposedly gives you an accurate distance between two points: set the first one, then move away from it and it shows the elapsed distance on aaa constantly updated basis. It must have been free, as I don't buy many apps.

Full disclosure: I have only ever used this one time to measure a distance I walked between two point, and it seems to be accurate.

 

[rogerstv]

My $0.02...

I'm sure you can find a free phone application to suit your needs. And, I'm sure you can find a formula to calculate the horizontal distance between two coordinates. Coordinates come in various forms as well. Lat/Long, NAD, etc. Google Earth will accept most if not all forms.

I recommend getting the Lat/Long GPS coordinate from location #1 using any free application on your phone or a similar unit. Place the phone an a stable surface and leave it. The application should show the devices location and a shaded circle around the location. The shaded circle represents the accuracy. As the device and the satellites work together, accuracy should increase and the shaded area gets smaller. Once you have the coordinates for both locations, type them into Google Earth. Set a pin at each location. Nothing tricky. Measure distance between the two points.

You can verify accuracy a couple ways.
1) compare the Google Earth image to the actual locations. i.e. Do the pin locations seem legit.
2) Repeat the process for locations of known distance.

The 100% best method is to hire a surveyor.

 

[jimisbell]

You say you don't want to use maps - this is what MarkandSam after work use. You mark your start, go to your end and set end, it tells you the distance.

That is exactly what I want!!!