Google earth - Garmin GPS. Navigation in Laos?

Jade64

0
Nov 5, 2009
40
0
0
Hi there,

I am just wondering if this is a god way to explore Laos:
First I tried to spot small roads/paths in Google Earth. Then I marked the path, saved it as google *.kml.
With the help of gpsbabel I transformed those google files into *.gpx files for my garmin nuvi550

Now my question: The maps on google earth are mostly quite old. Is it any use to make tracks from maps that are dated for example 2001?
I have read that the hilltribes farming is "slash and burn", what means that they move their villages now and then. The paths between villages will change a lot over times. Is that correct? And the paths between villages and fields will always change a lot, I suppose, as they change their fields every year or so.

Will I find paths, that were visible on google earth in 2001, still in 2011?
Has anybody done the same track finding, as I did? Did that work in reality??

Yes, of course will i buy davids GPS map when I come to Chiang Mai, but as my departure to Thailand/Laos is still some weeks ahead, I want to do some preparational work before.

Any comments?

Johannes
 
Mar 30, 2010
2,136
300
83
Hi,
I have an Iphone and use the MotionX application. excellent.
It allows you to cache the Open maps and then when you are in Laos you don't need a mobile network connection.

To save downloading the entire country.. Just select the areas you will travel then suck down the maps.

This was a big help on more than a few times when were were not sure how far to go or if there was a turn off coming up...

Bye for now
Brian