Beautiful!! You just saved me 80$ (or more). I purchased a digital tape measure for the single purpose of trying to capture the measurements of a nearby parking lot, but it didn't work well. Your free suggestion of using the layers in Gmaps is perfect for the rough estimate I needed. I'm returning my digital tape measure now. Thanks for the suggestion! I had no idea about that map feature.
new t shirt alert! subtle, I like it. Just a thought, how come you were measuring against an angled wall vs lining up perpendicular? Seems like being off by a 6" would create a bigger delta?
I should do a merch drop one day lol! Yeah it would definitely effect the accuracy but 6" over 360' wouldn't make a whole lot of difference for preliminary planning purposes.
Nice video. I appreciate the comparison. A guy I know has mentioned a limitation with Google Maps. He measures lawns and being that here in the northeastern US there are many trees, he often finds that he doesn't always know where the lawns start and end because of the trees. So, he often ends up using the measuring wheel on site.
Awesome video. Just wish I could afford the range finder or laser. Looks like the cheap measuring wheel is the way to go for me. Thanks for the evaluations. Very helpful.
@@industrialize I have one for my home carpentry projects. But for some reason I always go back to measure by the old Stanley hand tape measures. Can't take chances on expensive crown moulding cuts.
I bought one a year ago actually, it's good for creating internal floor plans but I haven't used it for any outdoor measurements as it's almost as bulky as the wheel and also requires connection to a phone. Maybe I'll explore it's usage for outdoors and make a video on it if I see any value!
They each have pros and cons, but in this particular instance the laser is unquestionably the most accurate. If the distance is only a few hundred feet and there is an object to bounce off I'd definitely go for the laser. If it's longer though than laser won't work so would need to go with the measuring wheel or range finder If only a ballpark is needed I'd opt for Google maps just for pure ease and simplicity.
Excellent point, thanks for mentioning. There are a few satellite providers that have nearly up to date imagery but it's quite expensive. In those cases it's hard to meet one of the "old school" methods of measuring.
I think I'm stuck with a large diameter wheel for measuring 15 - 40 ft increments in a farm field. A tape measure is too much work and that accuracy not required while pacing/stepping is too inaccurate I tried using my Garmin Montana but is wildly inaccurate...drifts from right on to off by 3 ft. An very expensive but accurate GPS isn't worth it for a small acreage.
Excellent content, thank you
Thanks for the comments!
Beautiful!! You just saved me 80$ (or more). I purchased a digital tape measure for the single purpose of trying to capture the measurements of a nearby parking lot, but it didn't work well. Your free suggestion of using the layers in Gmaps is perfect for the rough estimate I needed. I'm returning my digital tape measure now. Thanks for the suggestion! I had no idea about that map feature.
Glad it was helpful, I use gmaps for measurements almost daily!
I'm surprised the old wheel was so close to the other measurements!
Another perk of the old wheel is that it makes for great video montages!
new t shirt alert! subtle, I like it. Just a thought, how come you were measuring against an angled wall vs lining up perpendicular? Seems like being off by a 6" would create a bigger delta?
I should do a merch drop one day lol! Yeah it would definitely effect the accuracy but 6" over 360' wouldn't make a whole lot of difference for preliminary planning purposes.
Very informative - thank you !
Thank you Raymond!
Nice video. I appreciate the comparison. A guy I know has mentioned a limitation with Google Maps. He measures lawns and being that here in the northeastern US there are many trees, he often finds that he doesn't always know where the lawns start and end because of the trees. So, he often ends up using the measuring wheel on site.
I'd echo that, Google Maps is usually only good for a real quick estimate but nothing beats physically measuring it!
Awesome video. Just wish I could afford the range finder or laser. Looks like the cheap measuring wheel is the way to go for me. Thanks for the evaluations. Very helpful.
You can get cheap lasers now too but the wheel is also great!
@@industrialize I have one for my home carpentry projects. But for some reason I always go back to measure by the old Stanley hand tape measures. Can't take chances on expensive crown moulding cuts.
Have you seen moasure one? Keeps popping up on my UA-cam.
I bought one a year ago actually, it's good for creating internal floor plans but I haven't used it for any outdoor measurements as it's almost as bulky as the wheel and also requires connection to a phone. Maybe I'll explore it's usage for outdoors and make a video on it if I see any value!
So, which was correct, and what did you use for the definitive distance
They each have pros and cons, but in this particular instance the laser is unquestionably the most accurate.
If the distance is only a few hundred feet and there is an object to bounce off I'd definitely go for the laser.
If it's longer though than laser won't work so would need to go with the measuring wheel or range finder
If only a ballpark is needed I'd opt for Google maps just for pure ease and simplicity.
What's your preferred method of measuring distances?
football fields
I use that for for an acre all the time (roughly a football field minus the endzones and 10 yards)!
Problem with the arial view is that it only works if it's an older building. Sat view isn't updated that often. So new construction.... no
Excellent point, thanks for mentioning.
There are a few satellite providers that have nearly up to date imagery but it's quite expensive. In those cases it's hard to meet one of the "old school" methods of measuring.
I think I'm stuck with a large diameter wheel for measuring 15 - 40 ft increments in a farm field. A tape measure is too much work and that accuracy not required while pacing/stepping is too inaccurate I tried using my Garmin Montana but is wildly inaccurate...drifts from right on to off by 3 ft. An very expensive but accurate GPS isn't worth it for a small acreage.
I keep one in my trunk too!
Unfortunately as a construction inspector etc u need to use the measuring wheel.
On Google Maps all I can see on my lot is trees lol.
Huge limitation of Google Maps (and street view) is that it’s not real time and often several months behind!
I trust the old fashioned wheel sorry😂
Doesn't need batteries and is virtually indestructable!