Google Maps

Tahir Rehman

Just found out about this great new app and excited to try it out. Currently visiting US from Pakistan and returning next weak. Tried to create a test PATH with the existing maps, however the resolution in our part of the country restricts in positioning the waypoints accurately. 

Question:

Is it possible to use Google maps in any way?

Thanks

 

1

Comments

44 comments

  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    Have you tried changing the map base layer to HERE:

    0
  • Comment author
    Tahir Rehman

    Yes. Slightly better resolution, but without road/location names. 

    Still, do you have plans to include Google maps also when the fully functional apps is available at cost to users?

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    Including Google Maps as a base layer is against Google's terms of use with the core framework that we are using to render tiles (Mapbox). Google says if you want to use their base layer, you also have to use their Javascript SDK which hasn't seen major improvements since it was released in the early 2000s. We are looking at alternatives, such as import/export to kml (for Google Earth), and also potentially including the Google Maps Unity SDK (for in-app 3D preview with buildings and vegetation layers), but these features are further out on the roadmap.

    2
  • Comment author
    Barry Sirgunas

    In my area, Laos and North East Thailand, I have checked Google Earths historical maps

    Mapbox maps are nearly 10 years old.

    Here maps are 2 years old.

    Given the rate of development in some countries. The most up to date maps are require.

    Please consider maps that are a lot more current.

    Regards

    Barry

     

    1
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff
    • Edited

    As previously stated, we are definitely considering it, but rolling out Google's imagery is tied to several other initiatives, not the least of which is using the Google Maps Unity SDK. Moving in this direction is a much more exciting prospect than ripping out the current 2d map system (Mapbox), just to end up with a similar or worse user experience (in all regards except the actual base layer imagery). Moving towards unity will also give us true 3D mission planning, mission planning on native devices, and buildings/vegetation layers. Our preference is always to move the entire platform forward when implementing new features as opposed to just moving sideways.

    4
  • Comment author
    Parkgt

    Can't wait to see how this turns out.

    0
  • Comment author
    Robert Marr

    Any update?

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    No. You can follow this article to get update notifications:

    https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360053208953-Does-Dronelink-have-Release-Notes-

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  • Comment author
    Johnny De Gruyter

    Hi Jim,

    got the same problem. I have a good view of the place I want to photograph on google. On mapbox it is still full of wood. "Here" is a bit better, but doesn't show the structures already build at that place.

    If only the maps could be a little bit more up-to-date that would be already better. Google maps would be terrific.

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  • Comment author
    Ali Ora

    I am in Pakistan. need todo 3d mapping in the remote area but maps are not showing while in the field. any workaround. Can i use offline maps. no WIFI or mobile connection at the location.

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    Not supported at this time, but you can vote here:

    https://forms.gle/wdu5TJByZPgswk8Z6

    0
  • Comment author
    Bill Bailey

    Living here in Cabo San Lucas development in the area has grown "significantly" in the last 5 years. Vacant lots on the current maps now have towering resorts along the coastline so looking forward to a solution. Your alternative of import/export to kml (for Google Earth) certainly sounds intriguing. I'll stand in line with the others that are anxiously awaiting. 

    0
  • Comment author
    Paul Mason

    Waiting too. Mapbox in the UK is much lower resolution than google, which has caused issues when planning

    2
  • Comment author
    Tormod Martinsen

    Mapbox in Norway is very bad resolution.  Please use other maps.  I just bought the basic plan, but very disappointed to see the bad layer in the maps.

    0
  • Comment author
    Mike (Arizona Wyldwest) Dronelink Expert Dronelink Expert

    This is a very old post. You should post a new one in feature request section. There may already been one in there so I’d search.  

    I agree it’s not as good as Google Maps but, it works good enough for initial setup. You can click on the mission preview then click on the little round icon on the small mission preview screen on right side. It will save the KMZ file on your PC or device which can then be run on Google Earth Pro on a PC or even with the App they have. The only device iOS Browser which will save the KMZ file for me is the Safari browser. Both my Firefox and Google Chrome browsers won’t save it for some reason. The PC version is far better. It’s extremely great quality and I use it all the time once I get my plan all setup up and ready for the mission. If any small changes are needed you will be able to tell from running it on the Google Earth App. Amazing how good it is. Give it a try.

    Good luck, Mike........

    0
  • Comment author
    Tormod Martinsen

    Thanks for the tip. Looks fine in Safari, but on my Mac I can´t edit in Safari. Edit in Chrome is fine but can´t view….On ios Safari both editing an viewing works, but would like the option to edit and drivethru in the same programe on the Mac.

    Tormod

    0
  • Comment author
    Mike (Arizona Wyldwest) Dronelink Expert Dronelink Expert

     I don’t use a Mac so I don’t know which browsers will work. I use Firefox and Chrome on my PC and IPad Mini without any issues. As I stated, all you need to do is download the KMZ file as I explained and then run it on Google Earth Pro. There is either an app for your device or a PC program.  

    0
  • Comment author
    Thomas Obitz Dronelink

    Hi,

    This topic is open for a very long time. I am living in the UK - in London itself even - and the sat images both of Mapbox and of HERE are frankly unusable - below my garden. I bought the app because to take any kind of photos or even more movies, you need to have waypoints - but I can't even see the trees in this mess. In Google Maps I can actually see the chairs on my patio.

    Could we have a feature at least which would allow to fly a mission and upload the results? This way at we could at least get an overview of the area we want to film, and then use it to further plan the mission?

    Frankly speaking - your USP is the planning. If the map quality does not allow doing that, I cannot see how it can be used at all for its purpose. 

     

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    The alternatives are:

    1. Place the points in a KML (google maps / google earth) and import
    2. Export your plan to google earth to verify (from the 3d window in the mission preview) 
    -2
  • Comment author
    georges

    is here any update ...i just wanted to place a grid but the quality is verry poor

     

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    No update, and this isn’t currently prioritized as it is effectively a complete rewrite of the web mission planner mapping system due to the way that the google maps sdk works compared to mapbox.

    0
  • Comment author
    Madhav Menon

    I am a new subscriber. I find the map resolution totally unacceptable to plan any mission, in particular. Your assistance is requested at least for an acceptable resolution.

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    The alternatives are still the same:

    1. Place the points in a KML (google maps / google earth) and import
    2. Export your plan to google earth to verify (from the 3d window in the mission preview) 

    Otherwise: https://www.dronelink.com/refund

    -1
  • Comment author
    Madhav Menon

    Please send me the work flow/ how to do the above.

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    https://youtu.be/nHlDwGyL_1s

    0
  • Comment author
    Nicholas Ward
    • Edited

    New user here - love the app potential, but I'm very disappointed in the map satellite quality 

    I have to say that I paid for the premium plan because that gives me everything I need - EXCEPT (I now realise) the ability to import from Google Earth to actually have a map I can actually use for my routes..... 

    Sorry, but as this is your sole workaround for the appalling unusable maps - surely I shouldn't have upgrade to the Elite plan (at double the price) SOLEY so I can have useable maps (I don't need anything else Elite provides)? 

    Please, add the import option to premium so I can actually use what I have paid for

    Thanks

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    the ability to import from Google Earth

    The other options at your plan level are:

    • Try selecting the alternate base layer (from HERE maps, not Mapbox)
    • Try importing a kml file in the Add Layer menu to plan against:

    Both of these can be accessed by clicking the Map more options button (..., bottom right).

    actually use what I have paid for

    If these aren't acceptable and you prefer a refund: https://www.dronelink.com/refund

    0
  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    This is how the Add Layer feature works - it just creates an overlay that you can plan against.

    1
  • Comment author
    Nicholas Ward

    Thanks Jim McAndrew

    I figured this out just after I posted the stupid question (Well, newbie question I guess)

    I will see how it works out with my first trial Dronelink flight when the weather permits

    I love the aspects of the program (and I'm really excited to try out some mapping missions)

    0
  • Comment author
    Tony Simek

    You are going to love Dronelink Nicholas! It went from fun to essential for me. Now I cannot imagine a week without it!!!

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