Community Forums

Machine99 · 05-29-2018, 07:19 PM

(First Post)

Disclosure: Have not yet purchased our 5th wheel. We are currently in dreaming/saving mode. Have been a longtime lurker.

Anyone using VR to scope out new campgrounds? Google Earth in VR is truly amazing. I've had an Oculus Rift for about 6 months and spend a significant amount of time flying around the country as well as the rest of the world.

Being able to be at ground level and check out the scenery and mountains just like you are there is pretty amazing. Flown around quite a few fantastic looking campgrounds across the country. You can then switch to street view, which is also fantastic in VR. Hope to get out there and see my fair share one of these days.

If you have a VR system, definitely download Google Earth.

plasma800 · 05-29-2018, 07:22 PM

I'll have to try that!

**TonyDi** · 05-29-2018, 08:28 PM

Glad to have you here in the forum with us. You're gonna like it here.

Thanks for the heads up on that app.

Happy Trails!!!

Bob_C · 05-29-2018, 08:59 PM

Tell more about it, such as where to find?

The Brews Cruise · 05-29-2018, 09:20 PM

That sounds interesting. I'll have to check into that!

Machine99 · 05-30-2018, 10:36 AM

Couple You Tube videos to give an idea of what Google Earth looks like in VR. Requires a beefy computer with a good graphics card. Then an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive will set you back another $600-$800 or so. We play a lot of VR games so the cost was worth it for us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-anwaxEVO4E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMpXQ_XjPWY&t=1s

MSHappyCampers · 05-30-2018, 10:36 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I'm an old geezer. Tell me about this VR thingy!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

AKITCHELL · 07-11-2018, 03:11 PM

[QUOTE=Machine99;4214942](First Post)

Disclosure: Have not yet purchased our 5th wheel. We are currently in dreaming/saving mode. Have been a longtime lurker.

Anyone using VR to scope out new campgrounds? Google Earth in VR is truly amazing. I've had an Oculus Rift for about 6 months and spend a significant amount of time flying around the country as well as the rest of the world.

Being able to be at ground level and check out the scenery and mountains just like you are there is pretty amazing. Flown around quite a few fantastic looking campgrounds across the country. You can then switch to street view, which is also fantastic in VR. Hope to get out there and see my fair share one of these days.

If you have a VR system, definitely download Google Earth.[/Q

i used google earth to check out the choices of available rv spots in pensacola. what a great tool. showed me exactly the distance to the beach from our exact site. come to think of it , we no longer have to go there , we can just use the google earth shots of the area and photoshop ourselves in!

Waiter21 · 07-11-2018, 06:32 PM

I use earthview and streetview a lot to scope out new locations.. Makes it a lot easier deciding if I want to stay in a particular location or not, AND finding it..

Mr_D · 07-11-2018, 06:39 PM

Have never tried it, maybe someday.....

okmunky · 07-11-2018, 08:10 PM

I use Google Earth and the satellite view on Google maps to find great boondocking sites.

Did anyone else find the videos posted above to be horribly annoying? Why must they go so fast and switch scenes so often? If this is an example of what they are spoon feeding today's youth I fear for our society's future. I would have loved to see the Effieal Tower in detail. I know I'll never get there in person. 10 seconds and poof they flew on to someplace else.

NCC-1701A · 07-12-2018, 08:09 AM

I use Google Maps, which gives a normal map OR the Google Earth view along with directions, mileage, etc. It's not as crystal clear as the virtual reality, but gives the street view and ability to zoom in and out, and it only requires a normal laptop or smartphone and is good enough to scope out what the campground looks like. I also use it to check out "spaghetti junctions" in cities as it makes it clear where you may need to be quickly getting into a certain lane to hit the next exit you need, etc. Great tool.

MapleKing · 07-12-2018, 01:32 PM

I don't necessarily use VR to explore new areas but I have used Street View and 360° photo spheres to see what an area looks like so I'll know what to expect before I get there, particularly important turns.

The main way I use the technology is to capture my own 360° photospheres and videos and then view them later in a pair of goggles that holds my smart phone and allows me to view places we've visited or share them with people that can't travel with us.

It is great technology!