Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator [DVD] [OLD VERSION] Reviews

• The new SIRFstarIII chipset alone justifies the upgrade!!

  
  By A3IPSECQAUAT8V on 2006-10-23
  This remains an outstanding trip planning and GPS program. But by far the greatest improvement is in the chipset hardware included. The new GPS locater is MUCH smaller than the previous versions and includes the SIRFstarIII chipset. Now your asking what the heck is that?! Well, it is the most sensitive and accurate chipset out there and it acquires the satellites nearly instantaneously and holds on for dear life under nearly all conditions. It is a VAST improvement over the old 360 locater MS used in the past versions. My only minor complaint: it might be TOO small. The old one was the ideal size. In so small a package the antenna is necessarily smaller with somewhat reduced sensitivity than otherwise might have been obtained. But not to worry! This little device works just fantastic.
  
  The GPS functionality has not changed significantly and still does NOT include automatic rerouting once you get off route. For me this was a major disappointment. Nearly all of the "all in one" GPS devices (such as the Nuvi 360 & Nuvi 660) include this very useful feature. It would have been so easy for Microsoft to respond to the needs of their customers and add this feature that one wonders just why they heck they didn't do it! The voice and large visual prompts, which make using the program in an automobile MUCH MUCH easier, remain essentially unchanged from 2006. The little car cursor in the 2005 version has been replaced by a much more visible circle with a large arrow in it indicating direction.
  
  Unfortunately, some of the map details are still not as good as were found in the 2004 version of this program. There are small dirt roads that were on the 2004 version that are not on the current version. I can't understand why MS would dumb down their product. Also, the street names seem to have been dumbed down as well. For example, Golden Eagle Ferry Road has been reduced to Ferry Road. There are innumerable examples of this dumbing down and simplifying which may reduce the size of the program but detracts from its overall usefullness.
  
  Despite the dumbing down of the actual map data the program remains a superb mapping program with many updates since the 2004 and 2005 versions. New streets, restaurants and other points of interest are now incorporated. This program offers a truly affordable GPS guidance system for nearly all consumers without having to go to the expensive Garmin or Magellan systems. If you find yourself traveling to points unknown I cannot imagine a better more affordable solution for getting around than this product in conjunction with your notebook computer. Even if you have an "all in one" solution such as the Garmin Nuvi Streets and Trips can help you plan your trip and routs. I have both and they compliment one another very well.
  
  A few comments about the Streets and Trips mapping software. I am familiar with the Delorme product and the Garmin product and Streets and Trips blows them both away - no contest. Instantaneous panning, zooming in and zooming out, outstanding routing software, and a plethora of other features makes Streets and Trips, by far, my favorite mapping software.
  
  This years program does automatically load the drivers for the GPS locater device which the older versions tended to do sporadically. This is done, as should have been the case for the older versions, seamlessly and without any difficulty whatsoever.
  
  I heartily recommend this product! The new SIRFstarIII chipset alone justifies the price of the upgrade. The updated mapping details and new points of interest are also useful. The ONLY quibble I have with this program, and it is not insignificant, is the failure to include automatic rerouting if you get off the indicated route. Also, remember you will need a DVD player to install this program which now comes on one DVD rather than two CDs as it did in the past.
  
  

• Great mapping software, but annoying driving guidance

  
  By A5JLAU2ARJ0BO on 2006-11-28
  The Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator package consists of two components: an award-winning mapping program that allows flexibility in mapping not found online, and a hardware GPS receiver. The map part is nothing short of being excellent. It's up-to-date (even for the Big Dig!), it's easy to use, and it's visually pleasing. It's also integrated (sort of) with Microsoft's excellent Live Local online mapping service, where you can get bird's eye view as well as true 3D maps.
  
  But as a GPS navigator, this is a big disappointment. It's really best suited for someone with only occasionally GPS needs. For example, if you plan to use GPS just a few times a year, this may be for you. And the price can't be beat, plus you get to use the big screen of a laptop.
  
  On the down side, the big screen is not touch sensitive, so you have to operate the laptop by, what else, mouse and keyboard. The driving guidance of this thing is totally cr*ppy, period. If you've seen the screens from a Garmin, TomTom or Magellan AIO (all-in-one) system, you'll be wondering what kind of stupid people work at Microsoft. The driving screen is divided into at least three parts, sometimes more, each with smallish fonts and packed with too much information. And, a big disappointment to past and new users, there's still no text-to-speech, so the software doesn't read out street names like some Garmin and TomTom units do. The driving screens are just too busy and cluttered, period. Plus this still doesn't do automatic routing when you take a detour, and the guidance will be totally useless when there's no satellite signal, e.g., in a tunnel. Some better software is smart enough to give you a rough estimate, which is better than none.
  
  So, in short, if you have occasional GPS needs, this is a great bundle. And the mapping software is excellent. However, if what you want is a real GPS, you'll have to shell out $400 or more for a Sony, TomTom or Garmin.
  
  Feel free to e-mail me if you have GPS questions.
  
  

• Decent at what it does...

  
  By A2HNL9S2C6R054 on 2006-10-20
  This is no replacement for a good GPS that has the ability to give turn-by-turn directions. The layout is still clunky. The USB device still screws up if you don't plug it in at the right time, or forget to unplug it when you reboot. I'm sure that this is a glitch... The software is still very unable to re-route you when you go off course. You can hit F3 to force the software to re-draw the route from your current location.
  
  I'd give a bit more if I could change the voice type, or force it to give further voice directions. All it says is "In 300 yards, turn right" - turn right onto what? Give me more directions! You are forced to look at the screen to figure out what the street name is.
  
  USB driver problems, voice problems, clunky interface, inability to automatically re-direct - these are the reasons for 3 out of 5 stars!
  
  Overall, it's still the same software - but save your pennies and get a real GPS! Anyone want to buy a slightly used Streets and Trips 2007? :)
  
  

• Could be a great package, but it's typical MS.

  
  By A32MWRBSRKE8B on 2007-01-23
  This software was written by a person living in a cubicle and maybe it performs well there. Meanwhile in the real world I've been 12000 miles in my RV with it (and also ST 2006 which had the Pharos 360 receiver) and at best it is intermittent. I bought the 2007 edition because it was advertised to have improved reception with the Pharos 500 receiver. Recently on the stretch of I-10 between San Antonio and El Paso, where there was a clear blue sky and no trees or hills to block the sky, it lost satellite signal at least a dozen times with the pharos receiver out on the roof. It's an interesting toy but not a real GPS mapping system. I would be so embarrassed if I worked at MS on this product, that I would just tell my friends "I'm in accounting". If you depend on GPS, DO NOT buy this product.
  
  

• Mixed Feelings - not sure I should have bought it

  
  By AD8SPTWYF87XJ on 2006-11-22
  I have now used the package several times in the past 10 days or so and have to say I love it AND also regret buying it. I travel a lot to Montreal and other cities from Metcalfe, ON. When I plan a trip from my home to Montreal, Streets directs me along the shortest route, including tertiary roads that are gravel based, potholed and completely isolated. These are roads that rarely see any traffic and won't allow anything faster than 50Km. Even when you tell the system to calculate a different route, it will do some silly things such as making you bypass a village to avoid, I assume, traffic. The voice is great, when it works (it does most of the time - when it stops, hit F3 to get the system to re-route you thereby reactivating the voice function). The voice sometimes garbles words or combines words that are unrecognizable. On the other hand, the GPS unit is very accurate but the system will not give you the names of the streets to turn on - for that, you need to read the driving instructions onscreen, which you obviously won't do when driving, right?
  
  Pressing the spacebar gets repeated voice instructions; very handy when you need to keep your eye on the road and really helps as you get closer and closer to a turn. Some tips; when driving at night, you will need to dim your screen before starting out, even in night mode you could read a book from the glare. I have portable USB speakers which I hook up to the notebook, otherwise, it is impossible to hear the spoken words when driving. I also plug the notebook into my car's 120v outlet.
  
  Plan your trip before getting into the car, and save the results as a Street file on your windows desktop. Double click on the saved file when you start your car, everything pops up in Streets. F3 tells Streets to recalculate your route if you miss a turn off. Unfortunately, with lots of construction on the autoroute 40 near St-Charles in Montreal, the system tried to get me to return to the 40 even though I wanted to detour and go down the 20. When I drove to the Trudeau airport, the system wanted me to leave the 20, travel north to the 40, take the 520 and drop me in the middle of an airfield! A detour of at least 20 minutes and total loss of instructions on how to find terminal 1. Despite repeated requests to the system to come up with a new route, the system seemed unable to get me to the airport from the 20.
  
  On the other hand, on another trip,it had no problem directing me properly to the Hotel Mortagnard in Boucherville on the Montreal South Shore. For that alone, I would keep the system as the route to get to the hotel is really complicated the first time you drive it.
  
  Microsoft needs to come up with an easier to use interface that promotes safe driving - the space bar is instinctive and easy to find, the F3 key at night is not. I could not find any way to customize the keyboard to allow me to set the system for touch based control instead of visual control. Believe me, you don't want to be looking for a cursor on your screen when you try to switch from day to night view for example - you should be able to tap a key instead. Most of the keyboard shortcuts are based on at least 2 keys (CTRL and a letter), great if you sit in the passenger seat, useless and dangerous in the driving seat. Why could MS not make it easy for me to program everything I need through just using single function or keyboard keys? This way, I could code my keyboard keys to my own needs and would not even need to look at the notebook while driving. This product shows enormous potential but some of the flaws are just enough to make me regret buying it at this time.
  
  
• you need a co-passenger
  By A3GLMBPEC05S4C on 2006-11-23
  I have been using it for a few weeks . I bought this because i usually travel with my wife when i travel long distance to unfamiliar places( thats when you need the gps the most).
  Some observations/tips -
  1. Its really cheap compared to complete onebox solutions.Buy it if you feel that you will not be using a GPS frequently and you will also have a co-passenger who can read use it while you are driving.
  You need a co-passenger because the voice instructions are not always loud enough, and the voice instructions dont tell you the name of the street where you need to turn. The street name is important when you have couple of turns next to each other (turn in 10yards can be confusing!)
  It is also difficult to operate it while driving.
  
  2. The map user interface needs to be improved , it is not intuitive enough. It has a windows 95 feel !
  
  3. [Edited by myself] I had commented that the POI database is not good. I take that back. It was partly my fault, by default it does not look for all types of restaurants , and that was the reason why it did not show many restaurants.
  
  4. Though they claim that you can connect the GPS reciever directly to the USB , when i did that , the reception was poor , and it kept telling me that i was off-route when i was not. You will need to keep the GPS reciever on the dashboard and connect it using the wire supplied with the kit.
  
  5. It does NOT re-route automatically , you need to press the F3 button . (not a good thing if you are driving alone)
  
  6. The GPS reciever does not seem to hog a lot of power . I was able to use the laptop with GPS running for 2-3 hours, which is close to the duration the battery lasts even otherwise. Btw, this is another limitation for a laptop based GPS solution , you are limited by the laptop battery
  
  7. It gets confused when there are tall buildings nearby, it thinks that you are off-route. I had trouble using it in Los Angeles,CA with all the tall buildings and bridges. It might not be useful in a city like New York!
  
  
• Driving time a problem
  By A2GKVTL9PGDVV0 on 2007-01-04
  I upgraded from 2006 mostly because I wanted a driving time estimate. It actually sometimes works. My wife and I just completed a 2,500 mile road trip from San Jose, CA through Las Vegas, down to Tucson, AZ and explored the area south of Tucson to Mexico, then back home through Phoenix and the Mojave Desert. This was a good test of the software's use on a long trip with both remote and urban driving.
  
  S&T has long been strong for urban driving and the 2007 version works fine. However, it remains weak for rural driving. My old complaint from several versions ago remains: The software doesn't give enough detail of lesser roads unless you zoom in too much to be useful in a rural environment where you need the big picture view. In a remote environment we need to see those little roads as landmarks because there isn't much else on the map and we need to be zoomed out enough to see tens of miles ahead. We still have to use a paper travel map to understand what is ahead of us to explore.
  
  The driving time algorithm lives in its dimension, and it isn't always the 4th. Going off route can trip it up and you frequently need to recalculate from your current position to the destination to get it to work again. And sometimes that hack doesn't work either. On a windy moonlit night in the Mojave Desert we had increasing negative time to Barstow and never could fix it. (OK, if you've been to Barstow you'll understand why S&T was doing this, but that is another matter.)
  
  The next day on the long drive from Barstow to San Jose the route planner said 7 hours and the driving time readout said 6 in the beginning. The driving time seemed to work the whole day and the trip took 6.25 hours with the usual stops and mostly at the speed limit. My conclusion is that it can't be relied upon but is useful additional information if you are using the route planner time also.
  
  
  Another reviewer said that S&T doesn't automatically re-route when you are off your course. You can click a button to do that if you want. However, you need to operate the computer which could be a problem depending on your access to it while underway. Mine sits between my van seats and it is easy to use even in the dark. A big help is an on-board human navigator of course, often staffed by one's spouse or such.
  
  I don't find the user interface to be crowded and I'm picky about UI's. The driving directions part clearly states in very large fonts where you need to turn and the voice feature will guide you even if the computer is on the back seat.
  
  One of the best features remains the Show / Hide Places and finding your favorite motels, service stations, etc. in an area of your choosing or along the route. It is very convenient to call ahead for reservations while underway. Also, you can see most of the wineries in an area or all the rest areas along the route.
  
  We have had a problem with S&T routing us on non-existent rural roads at times. If that shortcut looks too good to be true then it may be. We follow the route even if suspicious because we've had some interesting adventures, but that isn't for everyone, especially those with low-clearance vehicles.
  
  - jim
  
  
  
  
• i'm a professional driver. i use 2006 S & T
  By A1HHYEC0DMTBJG on 2006-11-05
  first off. the maps are horrible. they are missing a lot of streets. i have to go onto my wireless internet to verify addresses on yahoo. very cumbersome.
  
  second, the routing is not ideal especially for someone that is using something other than a car. i have to go over the routes and sometimes make corrections before i leave. other times i can't know and it is very frustrating with an 18-wheeler.
  
  in summary, this product could be great, but microsoft doesn't use the right people to create it. however, you can still make it work for you by adapting. nevertheless, i still like having the gps in real-time and being able to save locations and routes after i verify everything.
  
  
• It's a great deal for the price
  By A26RMR8LZVPDJJ on 2007-01-10
  I got Streets and Trips 2007 w/GPS to help me find my way around when I'm on business trips in unfamiliar territory. I have used the more expensive $500 sort of standalone device and there's no doubt they are better, but I find the Streets and trips generally adequate. It's a great deal for the price.
  
  As I drive, it talks to me, warning me about a minute before each turn I need to make. Once I've made a turn, it tells me what the next turn will be (though it might be 30 miles away). It keeps my position shown on a moving map. I wouldn't dare look at this while driving, but it's still a great feature. If I ever get off route it informs me quickly "Off Route!". I can pull over, look at the map and see what happened. If I hit the F3 button, it recalculates the route from wherever I am.
  
  The GPS unit is delightfully small and lightweight and conveniently suctions onto the front windshield. It seems to be a remarkably good GPS unit, getting its bearings very quickly and hardly ever losing them.
  
  There are some glaring opportunities to improve this software that would bring it on par with the more expensive devices:
  
  1) It tells me I need to turn right "zero point three miles" (the 60 second warning) but doen't reiterate it when I get there by saying "Turn right now". This would be very useful since there are often two right turns close to each other either of which could be the designated one.
  
  2) It doesn't tell me the name of the street I'm turning onto. If it said "Turn right in 0.3 miles onto Fair Oaks Drive." I'd have fair warning to watch the road signs. It does do this for you on the freeway by naming the exit as in "Turn right in 0.3 miles at exit 105A onto the on-ramp", but won't do it on named streets or minor highways.
  
  3) You have to push a button to recalculate the route. You ought to be able to set an option that would have it automatically recalculate if you get off course.
  
  4) Whenever you start a new route it just says "Proceed to Route". I can understand that it has no idea what direction the car is pointed in until you start moving, but then it souhould very quickly issue an instraction like "Turn right onto Maple street in 50 yards".
  
  
• For $89 it's hard to beat
  By A256JBQSALUG9V on 2006-11-06
  The interface is a bit clunky, I echo the complaint about the voice prompts not giving enough detail about the street name you are to turn onto and the inability to automatically tell you how to get back on route if you miss a turn.
  
  The actual GPS unit is amazingly small and was able to pick up a signal when I was inside my house (probably thru the skylight and high windows. It gave good directions for the routes I planned on it and overall worked very well. It only lost the signal while driving when I passed thru a tunnel. I'd recommend a longer USB extension cable and a better means of securing it than the useless suction cup that came with the unit.
  
  It's not a replacement for an integrated car unit, it really takes a person separate from the driver to operate it well but the kids really loved it, no more questions about how long till we get to Grandma's house!
  
  For $89 it isn't going to compete with a $300-600 unit and it isn't ideal for the solo driver as perching a laptop on the seat next to you and glancing over isn't ideal. However, for the price it is a great unit and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a low cost introduction to GPS in the car.
  
  
• Unfortunately, Not Living Up to Expectations
  By AOH3KKQ3AENH7 on 2006-11-03
  I'd been reading reviews on the techie blogs about the S&T with GPS. They were *very* mixed, with many people saying they were having problems with acquiring satellite signals or even getting the GPS device to work. I should've heeded their recommendations to look at other products.
  
  I've had this for two days now. I get the message that the S&T application is "receiving data", however, I should mention that it also says this even after I disconnect the GPS device. Odd.
  
  Only once has it acquired a signal: I was testing on my front porch. A short time later, it stopped working again, so I've not been able to test it while I was driving. I've followed the recommendations to download the latest drivers from Pharos and from Microsoft, but it hasn't helped.
  
  It's such a promising idea, but in operation, it just doesn't work, so I'm returning the device this afternoon. I'm going to exchange it for the S&T version that doesn't have the GPS, because I really like the software and want to use it for my mapping when I need it.
  
  
• Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator Works
  By A2E5667ZWZYZU0 on 2006-12-18
  I purchased this software to help travel into industrial areas that are not well marked and often have street signs that do not existent. This software worked very well with the following limitations:
  
  * Do not attempt to use this while driving! You still need a co-pilot to watch the display.
  
  * If you are going to use this system solo, a louder than standard laptop speaker in the car to hear the directions would be helpful. Keep that laptop lid shut to reduce the desire to look at the display and just listen to the turn by turn directions.
  
  * The "I'm here" locator on the map always seems to be a little behind on the map, this can be confusing for the co-pilot when you are in some areas. Use the turn by turn directions at the bottom of the map (these always seem to be up to date).
  
  
  
• Bad map data spoils a good product.
  By A3OBQQ7NCJ32KK on 2006-11-04
  I eagerly look forward to each new edition of Streets and Trips, having selected it as "best" some years ago. The 2007 edition has - unexplainedly - introduced bad map data near me. Specifically, there are "locked gate" PennDOT-only access and service plaza service roads being used for routing along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the Philadelphia suburbs. Clearly this is bad map data in the 2007 edition. Anyone traveling through this area, beware, as the routes are impossible to follow.
  
  
• The GPS receiver is great, but...
  By A15T7GIQ19UXOH on 2007-02-17
  The best part of this application for me has been the new SIRF receiver. I'm impressed with the sensitivity, which is much better than the WAAS receiver on my handheld. I'm far less impressed with the actual trip planning software. When the GPS is taken away, this is really a $29 application, and it shows. In fact, if I were Microsoft, I think I would be a bit embarrassed. I agree with other reviewers that the rural road detail could be much better. My old Atlas that shows one state per page has better road detail than this app. But the real annoyance has been that the software forces me to set trip preference and then trys very hard to cram everything into those preference. Concepts such as "I want to take this road, not the one recommended," or "I want to stop here for the night, even though it's 1 pm" are very difficult to incorporate, and often have unexpected consequences. At one point, the app changed my start time to 3:17 pm from 9 am, I think because I picked an early stop time. Also be careful about losing your route. There are about 5 ways to delete a route ("clear" is the word used - not delete) and there is no confirmation - your work is just gone. I'm sure you will find your own personal favorite annoyances.
  
  Overall, I don't regret the purchase, if only for the GPS receiver. I also will continue to use the planning software, and hope I eventually find it more useful by learning its nuances. But I still find it very frustrating at times and everything takes longer to accomplish than I feel it should.
  
  
• Good for Immediate Location - Lousy for Finding Street Addresses
  By A4NXA2IJNE10H on 2007-07-28
  I have both a Garmin Nuvi 660 and Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator and after using MS Street & Trips, I have found that for the price, it is a good alternative to expensive GPS systems for experienced computer users. The locator is always dead on and I have found the street maps to be excellent. The problem is that it doesn't find addresses very well. For example when first testing it, I set it too my friend's address and it chose a spot three blocks away from the correct location. Several other tests confirmed these results. I use it to get me in the general location of where I am headed and then look at the street addresses on the buildings.
  
  
  PROS:
  
  - Low price (by utilizing your own laptop)
  - Excellent at providing current location
  - Excellent maps
  - Decent driving directions
  - Great for trip planning
  
  CONS:
  
  - Lousy at giving correct location of street addresses
  - Inconvenience of carrying around laptop in the car
  - Difficult to view when driving
  - Takes time to become familiar with software (I expect software to be intuitive and don't usually read software manuals at first)
  - Associated power difficulties for continued powering of laptop
  
  Since my car does not have an AC outlet, I purchased a DC inverter which seems to work fine. Overall, I have found the Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator useful and would purchase it again.
  
  
• Good for GPS starters
  By A1ND22TN20EIYH on 2006-11-21
  It's my first GPS device so I have no comparison. It's user-friendly and the GPS locator has no difficulty locate me. So far the street info and routes are correct. The voice guidance works well too. The price and the quality is good for GPS starters like me.
  
  
• works pretty well
  By A18VG2ZSLA5367 on 2006-11-28
  All I can say is, the product works pretty well for my recent trip to Rochester, NY, Buffalo and Niagara Falls. The receiver worked flawlessly, the direction I was given is fairly simple and clear. Of course nothing is perfect as in this case the MST could not accurately determine whether the street doesn't allow left turns or not. Overall for the price and what you get in the package, it's a deal and you'll like it. It is great for highway and expressway traveling, the voice helped too.
  
  
• Easy trip Planner!
  By A1FFOYCY8BSF26 on 2007-01-22
  I bought this for my Dad and he is having a blast with it. He has already planned 2 cross country trips for the next year. It has 1000's of pre-programmed restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and other important sites you might want to visit on your trip. The GPS is very accuarate and turned his laptop into a Big GPS. I would recommed this to anyone that travels alot. I will be buying this product for myself very soon. Well worth the money.
  
  
• Extremely easy to set up and use
  By AFD4UTS24T6JB on 2007-01-15
  This little invention is truly amazing. I am a police officer who recently got assigned a new area of the city to patrol, an area I am not familiar with at all. Working at night makes it even harder to find my way around. I installed the software in my laptop in my patrol car and plugged it into the USB hub and I was set. It gets you to where you want to go and a whole lot more. I did notice, however, my own neighborhood is not on the map yet and it's been in existance since Spring of 2006. It beats spending $500 or more on other GPS systems.
  
  
• Won't get lost
  By A2ZQIORWJD9S7R on 2007-01-16
  this programm is wonderful for both using with the gps locater or using at home to print directions. my husband and i have used it in a few day trips and the gps is very accurate and the fact that you can change the preferences to avoid major highways and explore backroads is wonderfully adventurous.
  
  
• Simply Excellent for me
  By A3L98FO54259YB on 2007-05-24
  I'm a State Trooper and have an in-car laptop. The GPS is extremely accurate to within a few meters, and gives you great directions. If you aren't good at multi-tasking and need a servant to tell you what to do all the time then spend 3x as much and get a Garmin. They're great but have horribly small screens. It's also great in my personal vehicle as my laptop sits in between both seats nicely.
  
  Again if you aren't very competent or very good at multitasking then like with most things you probably are going to have to pay much more to compensate for your lack of abilities.
  
  It's annoying to read reviews of whiners who can't cope with simple things. The software isn't complicated, but (as with all things highly functional) it actually requires that you take time to learrrrnnnn. So again if your lazy, pay more and go back to watching TV and eating Cheetos.
  
  The laptop screen is huge (comparably speaking) and much easier to read the maps. If you don't have a laptop go with a Garmin as they're the best on the market. But again unless you throw away money go with the S&T (assuming you have a laptop).
  
  This is my personal experience in Washington State, I am not aware of this products performance in other places. I mainly use it for work in responding to calls for service in strange areas I'm not acquainted with.
  
  
• Very Useful but Not Intuitive and Requires Patience and Tech-Savvy
  By A23MULFKUD4N6T on 2007-06-06
  Pros:
  
  1) Accurate GPS and real-time driving animations.
  2) Remembers addresses.
  3) Pressing "F3" can quickly recalculate your course if you take a wrong turn.
  4) Clean "Full-Screen" driving interface
  
  Cons:
  
  1) No instructions or illustrations about how to wire or position the GPS.
  2) Very skimpy and incomplete hardcopy manual and no online manual.
  3) Interface is not intuitive and the user must open/close various windows and panels to get to the business of using the software.
  4) Bug in "Full-Screen" driving interface that renders zooming inoperable if the user presses any of the icons on Full-Screen panel.
  
  There's no question that this is invaluable software if you need to navigate in complex urban areas--but if you think you can use this software without some practice or without much preparation--you're in for a frustrating time.
  
  I took this with me to Seattle and had my coworker run the computer and do the navigation. He's very computer savvy but had a hard time with the sometimes confusing interface. At one point we were inexplicably re-routed toward eastern Washington (76 miles off course). Of course we saw the error immediately and attempted to correct the course without success. We finally shutdown the program and just used our brains...the old fashioned way.
  
  However, on a family vacation in the Los Angeles area with me navigating (running the computer) and my wife driving, it worked fairly flawlessly with great results. I can't imagine going everywhere we needed to go with just a map or mapquest results. The nicest thing about the software is that if you get off course you can simply press F3 and your course will be refigured using your current location--which allows you to almost instantly get back on course.
  
  Oddly, when I first opened the package I had the strangest experience trying to figure out how to hook up the GPS. There were absolutely no illustrations or instructions about how to do it. At first glance it seemed simple--until I couldn't readily see how the three parts fit together (and I'm very tech-savvy). A part that looked like a USB drive was actually a connecter between the GPS receiver and the USB cord--but I only realized it was a connector after 45 minutes of frustration and then a very close inspection that revealed that both ends of what looked like the USB drive had removable caps that revealed different size connectors.
  
  Microsoft basically did a poor job with the instructions and released a product with at least one bug--and I don't see any way to easily update it.
  
  However, after patience with a learning curve, the product works quite well.
  
  My recommendations for using the software:
  
  1) Have a computer/map-savvy person be the navigator and any licensed individual drive the car.
  2) Turn off the confusing voice instructions.
  3) Have your fingers on the plus/minus keys to zoom in and zoom out at strategic places so that you can clearly see the roads you need to take.
  4) The workaround for the fore-mentioned Full-Screen bug is to exit Full-Screen then enter Full-Screen mode again.
  
  
• A Very Good GPS Mapping Choice
  By AKCB425IHCLQD on 2007-08-06
  We use Microsoft Streets and Trips along with DeLorme Street Atlas USA for storm chasing. Street Atlas actually has slightly better road detail but the Streets and Trips mapping shows city names when the other won't. This software also tends to show minor paved roads better. Street Atlas sometimes shows minor paved roads as unpaved.
  
  The GPS reciever has always worked well and is our standard hardware.
  
  Our team of storm chasers needs reliability, especially when there's a tornado on the ground. This is a good system.
  
  Martin Lisius
  Tempest Tours Storm Chasing Expeditions
  
  
• Very Sensitive and Accurate
  By A3UIB68LCA7FM5 on 2007-03-31
  I have been a long time user of Delorme Products but decided to get a combination of Microsoft products both for the US and Europe (Autotrip).
  
  The program loaded very smoothly, but do make sure you load the program before plugging in the GPS Locator. There are multiple warnings about this as well as what to do if you don't follow directions. I loaded all the data on my laptop so I would not have to carry the DVD.
  
  The setup was also quite simple. There are warnings about usage in an automobile that pop up in use (as well as the cautions during setup). One needs to keep this in mind and not be distracted when driving. I set the mapping program and forget it. But it works best with two people in the car with one to navigate.
  
  The GPS locator has a great chipset. Very, very sensitive and quickly finds the coordinates within seconds, even as I sit in my house. It rarely loses a lock on the satellite.
  
  The route finding works well, so far. You can save your track as well as the route, but unlike the Delorme products you can't playback your track (or if you can, I have not found it). The screen is pleasing and you go fullscreen.
  
  I haven't tried voice recognition but the spoken commands are about average. The ability ot overlay satellite photographs when planning routes with an internet connection is a plus. Plus you can routinely update road construction sites. So far, no opinion on how good that feature is.
  
  The Microsoft location finder internet leaves something to be desired though I've only tried it at home. It routinely thinks I'm in China (which is interesting because so many ads are quite able to figure out where I am).
  
  The GPS also works with other programs by selecting a generic NEMA GPS. There are other optional equipment to go with the GPS.
  
  If you've never used a GPS mapping program with a laptop, Microsoft S&T is a good choice. Just don't be surprised if the GPS lcates you accurately and the Microsoft locator product puts you on the other side of the planet.
  
  
  
• excellent with only a few reservations
  By A2YJ1K8M0KPHMF on 2007-05-12
  The only important issue is that you need another person in the car to keep an an occasional eye on what's happening on the laptop if you're in a new area and arent familiar with at least some of the roads.
  
  I would plan the route the night before and mapping that out was a breeze. When first learning the software, it takes a good hour of one's time to figure out all of the different things the sofwtare can do but the basics can be learned in 30 minutes.
  
  It was VERY handy if we went offroute to simply press one button to give us directions to get back on route. In our over 1000 miles of driving this software only goofed once when creating driving directions and it was an obvious goof that was easy to see and fix.
  
  Faults? The GPS hardware is excellent though very occasionly it would update position with a 4 second delay and that could make one miss a turn. That happened about 5 times in 1000 miles of driving so that's not a big deal. The software knows streets of course but it doesnt understand street addresses like 28 Main Street. It will only get you to Main Street. So you need to know the cross street of whereever you want to go. You can learn that info simply using any on-line maps (which do understand street addresses).
  
  Overall, we never had to look at a paper driving map ONCE. As long as I planned my waypoints the might before, there was no problem getting to where we wanted to go.
  
  If you are somewhat patient with yourself learning how to use new software, and you'll be traveling with someone, you really should check out Autoroute. If you're traveling by yourself you might want to look at one of the more expensive driving GPS devices made by Garmin.
  
  
• Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007
  By A3REIM8HEP6C2S on 2007-07-31
  Microsoft Streets and Trips Review
  
  I have only limited experience with GPS navigation systems, so this review is not a comprehensive overview of either dedicated systems or laptop-based systems. My total first-hand experience is a few hundred miles of RV driving with the 2005 version of Streets and Trips and over 7,000 miles with the 2007 version..
  
  BUGS, QUIRKS AND SHORTCOMINGS
  BUG: "GPS trail" option malfunctions during long trips....First, the current location icon disappears; then the street names disappear and finally the program locks up. Best to avoid using this option except on very short trips.
  BUG: Map display freezes on occasion. GPS continues to track (off screen) and proper voice commands continue.
  QUIRK: User must agree to a disclaimer ("Safety Warning" risk notification) every time GPS tracking is initiated (UGH!...typical Microsoft nonsense).
  QUIRK: Connection with the GPS receiver consistently takes at least two attempts (disclaimer must be accepted with every attempt).
  SHORTCOMING: Streets, roads and highway data-base updates not available on-line (data may be 2 to 4 years old). Ditto for "Places".
  SHORTCOMINGS: Coordinates on "Places" sometimes wrong and can't be updated so, if possible, double check routing to location against independent directions.
  SHORTCOMINGS: Distance-to-go voice command intervals are inconsistent.
  SHORTCOMINGS: Computer messages popup, sometimes partially obscuring map or driving instructions (one of the disadvantages of using a laptop as a GPS system)
  SHORTCOMING: Location icon visibility....improved over the icon on the 2005 version but still tough to see when user is wearing Polaroid sunglasses.
  QUIRK: Be careful, program sometimes selects "shortest distance" where there is no road.
  SHORTCOMING: IMHO GPS tracking defaults are wrong (QUESTION: did the folks who wrote the software ever actually use it on a long trip?). E.g.: "Recalculate Route" (F3) returns you to starting location unless a forward destination is selected; Present location does not stay centered in display unless selected as an option.
  SHORTCOMING: Heading, speed and altitude do not display on "full screen" view. GPS pane must be opened.
  
  NICE
  Low price (remember, you usually get what you pay for)
  Voice turn-by-turn directions (not on 2005 version)
  Driving guidance panel shows distance-to-go to next turn via graphic and text (not on 2005 version)
  
  RECOMMENDATION
  If you need an inexpensive, laptop-based GPS device to determine your location, this is a good buy. If you want a reasonably priced, laptop-based GPS system for navigation, opt for CoPilot Live Version 10 by ALK Technologies.
  
  
  
• Useful but not handy
  By A1RJZMZNHUB6MI on 2007-08-03
  I bought it for my road trip.
  Pros: Trip planner, Night Mode, Road Construction information (helps enticipate delays), Point of Interests (Business Locations, Attractions, Gas Stations). Ease of Use (I am computer literate). No problems driving in Bright sunlight.(I have seen other gps systems having problems with it.)
  
  Cons: Takes time for startup, which is annoying. Voice prompts does not say street names, which requires driver to glance screen for exact turn location.
  
  I had known a passenger assistance is always required. I was prepared for that. Also advice you take smaller laptops or PDAs.
  
  
• Ask Yourself One Simple Question Before Buying
  By A2UFAKH7Y8VH5N on 2007-11-01
  Strets and trips works as advertised, but may be completely useless for some. This is the key: How many of the places that you need navigation assistance to find would you feel comfortable in either leaving your laptop computer in your car, or taking your laptop computer inside when you arrive? The answer for me is very few, and the result is that I used Streets&Trips just one time before storing it away in a drawer six months ago. Just got one of the Garmin Nuvi 360s which is easier to use and fits nicely in my pocket. As a result,I actually use it.
  
  
• GPS limitations
  By ALTQYYHAM8QF7 on 2007-01-09
  Streets is mostly very good, but there are limits to database of local addresses and pins, especially in smaller cities and towns. The Trips portion is a pretty good guide, and has become increasingly accurate. I was looking forward to the GPS component which I bought for the first time along with my yearly purchase of the program. But I note it does not seem to receive a signal from my various locations. I'll need to see what happens when I get on the road this spring, and use the attachment to affix the receiver to a window - which strikes me as a bit of a bother, when it's already a hassle to run my laptop from the slanted shotgun seat.
  
  
• Great Product
  By A1HOSITYYG2G1K on 2007-01-09
  My husband and I used this product on a six-hour trip. I must say it is very accurate and pinpoints locations easily. The one major problem we had was when we had to take two exits very close together. There is about a 3-4 second delay with the satellite/instructions and we missed our second exit. However, we easily got back on track again. With instances like this you should go with your instincts and highway signs as your guide instead of the GPS. Other than that we had a very good experience with the product and recommend it.
  
  

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