Try for yourself the file our GEM-GPS produces when training your birds

Before downloading our file, you will firstly need to download and install 'Google Earth'   (it's free)   from here   [click this text]
Then return here after you have installed it.

If you already have Google Earth installed on your PC/Laptop, it must be version 5 or later. To check your version, load Google Earth, then click 'Help', then click 'About Google Earth' and the version number looks like this 5.0.11733.9347 and anything lower than a leading 5 means you need to download the latest version.   The new version simply overwrites the old version when it installs.

Training toss in Hampshire

Download our 'TRY IT NOW' file from here   [click this text]  and SAVE it onto your computer where you will know where it is.

Birds released in the New Forest

Then close down all open programs - Go to where you saved the 'TRY IT NOW' zip file and extract the file from inside it. Then double click on the extracted file which will then load Google Earth.

Should you not know how to extract zip files:-
Double click on the downloaded file which takes you inside the zip file, then right click on the file inside and select copy, press the Back button, then select Edit and then Paste. Now double click on that newly pasted file and Google Earth will load up and zoom in to the training toss plotted course.

Safely back at the lofts

TIPS ON HOW TO VIEW THE PIGEON'S TRACKED ROUTE
AFTER GOOGLE EARTH HAS LOADED

FOR LAPTOPS WITHOUT A MOUSE, THESE ARE SOME KEY CONTROLS TO USE IN GOOGLE EARTH

Left arrow Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow
Right arrow Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow
Up arrow Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow
Down arrow Moves the viewer in the direction of the arrow
Shift + left arrow Rotates the view clockwise
Shift + right arrow Rotates the view counter-clockwise
Shift + down arrow Tilts the viewer toward "horizon" view
Shift + up arrow Tilts the viewer toward "top-down" view
PgUp key Zooms the viewer in
PgDn key Zooms the viewer out

Use the ALT key in combination with these keys to move more slowly in the indicated direction.

STEP 1.

On the left side of Google Earth you will see LAYERS and PLACES

Uncheck all boxes in LAYERS so it looks like the image on the left as this will give you a clear view of the pigeons plotted course

(you can play around with these settings anytime for other uses you may have for Google Earth)

STEP 2.

In the PLACES area

Click on the  

+

 sign to the left of where it says 'Temporary places' but leave the tick in place

STEP 3.

+

 sign to the left of where it says '04-04-2009_10-43-17' but leave the tick in place

STEP 4.

Click on the  

+

 sign to the left of where it says 'Track' but leave the tick in place

FINAL STEP

Now click on the words 'Track information' and you will see a balloon opens giving the pigeons real total distance travelled (not to be confused with straight line distance), the total flying time and the pigeon's average speed.

Unique information which has never before been availabe.

Don't forget to watch our two films to give a real flavour of the GEM-GPS.

If your very new to Google Earth, or not so hot on computers and have a problem with the downloaded file. Just email us and we will get back to you.

Getting their bearings

Passing through Southampton

Skirting Portsmouth

Nearly home