Mike-I use Google Earth extensively in the bid process. I like the "low tech" simplicity for my purpose. If we need to, we can heat up AutoCad and other support programs but for a quick number and view it is used often.
The “measure” function allows me to bring up a golf feature and calculate some early work limits, and square footages. I do a preliminary assessment of work during the initial customer meeting but all the measuring is done with Google Earth, supplemented with a few digital photos. I also use it to calculate wire runs for irrigation work and trucking routes.
Prior to submittal, we get all the in-house staff together and we walk through written site comments, digital photos, spreadsheet data,and we keep Google Earth on for reference. Sometimes owner reps don’t tell you everything about a site during an estimate.