Google earth accuracy

[Elk Addict]

GE works fine for measuring, but I'd recommend going to Caltopo.com
It has a ton of layers, tools and map sources. Pretty much the only topo/aerial program I use anymore. Only down side is that it doesn't have public land boundaries yet.

 

[Bishop]

I decided to test the distance function on GE on a few local football fields, they always measured 99-100 yards from what i could tell, pretty accurate.

 

[Tumbleweed]

I have used the 'ruler' function in google earth many times. I have compared it to known distances that I had lasered and it was dead on. I have also used it to measure distances that are well beyond my laser rangefinder's ability to get a reading so that I would know where to at least start my dope. This worked very well.

 

[Barrelnut]

I was under the impression that Google Earth always figured distance over land. So, if you were figuring distance across a 45 degree canyon that had walls 100 yards deep, Google would say the distance was 200 yards. But if you were standing there and used a range finder, the distance across the canyon would only be 150 yards (line of sight).