About Google Earth KML
The recent acquisition of Keyhole by Google has provided a new way of browsing caches
through the new product, Google Earth. The
basic version of the software is freely available on Google's web site for download.
KML files are specially formatted files for Google Earth that contains data to allow
them to be viewed in the Google Earth desktop application. The data from Geocaching.com
includes the type of listing (Traditional, Multi-cache) and other data to help you
browse caches in a dynamic mapping interface.
Please note that the coordinates used in Google Earth are only an approximation
and can be up to 100 ft from the actual location. Do not use the coordinates in
Google Earth for cache hunting. It is merely a viewing tool for getting a general
idea of the cache location.
With Google Earth you can now download KML files from the Geocaching.com web site.
There are two types of KML files available:
Networked KML
Once you download the KML file from your "my account" page, every time you zoom
and pan Google Earth the application queries the web site for caches in the area.
In a way it acts as another type of web browser but it allows you to easily visualize
caches in the area. The link has been set up to work just for you. In the future
we will provide various filtering features to allow for more specific search requirements.
There are some limitations of this service due to the amount of strain the queries
have on the database and the desktop application. For example, a maximum of 150
cache listings will be shown on the map at any given time. To get all the caches
in the area you will need to zoom to a level that shows less than 150 listings.
However, a message will be available to let you know whether you are seeing all
the caches in the area, or just a subset of them. When the number exceeds 150 you
will receive a random sampling.
Downloaded KML
For Bookmark Lists and Travel Bug pages you will be able to download a KML to your
machine. A Bookmark List will contain all the information for the listings bookmarked,
and the Travel Bug KML file will draw a line between all of the stops that the Travel
Bug made in its journey. Once this data is downloaded you will only need to go back
to the web site to download updates for new bookmarked items or Travel Bug stops.