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Thread: Google Earth

  1. #1
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    Default Google Earth

    I just stumbled upon a pretty feature in Google Earth. You can scroll back to 1994 to look at overhead shots. I just used it to verify when a roof was replaced when there was some question and I couldn't find a date on a flashing.

    Maybe this is old news but if you don't know about it give it a try.

    OREP Insurance

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    I didn't know that. I have to check it out.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    I don't see any option to select dates. How do you get there?

    Steven Turetsky, UID #16000002314
    homeinspectionsnewyork.com
    eifsinspectionsnewyork.com

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    Quote Originally Posted by Steven Turetsky View Post
    I don't see any option to select dates. How do you get there?
    Click view, then check historical imagery.

    Alton Darty
    ATN Services, LLC
    www.arinspections.com

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    I tried and found that as you go back in time, the resolution gets pretty bad. At least from my perspective. I can see how it might allow you to narrow down when a major change was done, such as an addition. But determining when a roof was replace might be sketchy at best.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    Quote Originally Posted by John Dirks Jr View Post
    I tried and found that as you go back in time, the resolution gets pretty bad. At least from my perspective. I can see how it might allow you to narrow down when a major change was done, such as an addition. But determining when a roof was replace might be sketchy at best.
    I had the same experience at first but I found from clicking on a given year a couple times or just moving up and down the slide a bit it would be much more clear sometimes. Seemed kind of strange and "glitchy" but I did get it to work great and nail down a roof being changed between 2006 and 2007.


  7. #7
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    The quality of the photos change pretty dramatically.

    At my house, the previous owner added a large barn without pulling any permits. Two years ago, the assessor pulls up with satellite photos showing the barn and telling me he had gotten the bright idea of comparing satellite photos to the tax records. Oh and by the way, my taxes are about to go up. He could tell by the chronology of photos, that I hadn't put the barn up, but he didn't really care, he was there just for the revenue.

    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

  8. #8
    Hector Rodriguez's Avatar
    Hector Rodriguez Guest

    Exclamation Re: Google Earth

    Quote Originally Posted by John Dirks Jr View Post
    I tried and found that as you go back in time, the resolution gets pretty bad. At least from my perspective. I can see how it might allow you to narrow down when a major change was done, such as an addition. But determining when a roof was replace might be sketchy at best.
    I've also found that the slider only stops on the dates already preset on the bar. You can't manipulate the slider at will.


  9. #9
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    Quote Originally Posted by Hector Rodriguez View Post
    I've also found that the slider only stops on the dates already preset on the bar. You can't manipulate the slider at will.
    It is easy to see that the imagery has improved considerably over a fairly short time frame. The "gaps" in the dates or times for images are due to the number of satellites covering huge areas, it is just impossible to have a new high resolution photo of each grid square each month. Maybe if the NSA would share some of their satellite imagery with Google Earth...

    Alton Darty
    ATN Services, LLC
    www.arinspections.com

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    Quote Originally Posted by Alton Darty View Post
    Click view, then check historical imagery.
    I can't find "view", much less "historical imagery". Where is it?

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    Quote Originally Posted by John Arnold View Post
    I can't find "view", much less "historical imagery". Where is it?
    Tool bar at top left of screen. shows File, Edit, View, Tools, Add and Help.
    You may need to download a more recent version of Google Earth, don't recall when this feature was added. My version is 7.1.2.204.

    Last edited by Alton Darty; 03-04-2014 at 05:36 AM. Reason: stupid typos
    Alton Darty
    ATN Services, LLC
    www.arinspections.com

  12. #12
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    Default Re: Google Earth

    Here's a photo showing the time bar. Click the clock in the upper left corner and then move the slider to find the dates when the satellite took a photo.

    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

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