Really Cool Feature on Windows mapping tool Local.Live.Com

[SPDB]

Perusing MSN's new mapping tool, Local.Live.Com, I came across a pretty cool feature it calls "Bird's Eye View." It is only offered in limited areas (typically around bigger cities). It offers the option of of somewhat oblique, but super focused aerial photography. You can even make out contour, etc.  It offers two levels of zoom, which you can control by clicking on the building icons.

For example, here is an example of the broader zoom option. Shouldn't be too tough to guess this hole:

http://tinyurl.com/cec67


Here is an example of the tighter zoom position. Same architect, but different course:

http://tinyurl.com/c48cf

Like I said, this option is not available everywhere, but if you locate and zoom into a desired area using the traditional mapping device, it should notify you whether "Bird's Eye" is available at that location.

[Tyler Kearns]

SPDB,

Cool feature is right, and very clear aerials. Thanks for keeping us current with the latest in internet aerial photography.

How often do they play the alternate green at Riviera #10?
With the shaved down green surrounds, the reverse-redan 11th at LACC looks incredibly difficult!!

TK

[SPDB]

Tyler - Man this is cool!

I'm discovering even greater functionality. By fiddling with the compass point on the left, you can rotate the image 4 ways, producing a, pretty much, 360 degree view of the area.

For instance, here is the same image (LACC-N, #11), but taken from the north of the green looking South.

http://tinyurl.com/b8kcx

Hot Damn!

 

[Mike Nuzzo]

Thank you for the R&D efforts...

I found it amusing to pick out the following artifacts:

The Wale's Tail
The Naccarato Ramp

The alternate fairway and green expansion do stick out from above.

Cheers

[SPDB]

bump - don't ignore it, just b/c i started the thread.  

This is a very cool feature, and far superior to Google Earth.

[Brian Noser]

Must have been cold that day I do not see any bunnys on or near the course

[Kirk Gill]

Scarily, eerily, photographically accurate. Looks like pictures taken from a helicopter.

I took a look at my own house, and you can clearly see my wife and I sitting on our back porch. I can tell what color of shirt I'm wearing.

oooeeeeooo.