Mapping software Suggestions

[Burnszilla]

I'm looking at purchasing Microsoft Streets and Trips 2005 for planning trips. I would also like to capture screenshots of the routes of trips I take for my online photo albums.

Are there any other travel software packages that compare or are better?

[RT_guy]

As an alternate, Delorme (http://www.delorme.com/software.htm) makes some top-quality mapping software.

[BradfordBenn]

I use MS&T and Garmin's MapSource. Both have their pluses and minuses. However the price for MS&T is usually the big feature that I like. Plus you can save your directions as a web page if you want an easy gif file. :thumb

[Emoto]

Don't you want something that can interact with a GPS? Plan your route at your desk on your PC, then upload it to your GPS! The Garmin stuff does this. I have the CitySelect package. http://www.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/cityselect.jsp

Works well. Covers North America. The name is misleading because the little country roads are all there.

:thumb

[Grey Matter]

I use MS Streets & Trips (http://www.microsoft.com/streets/discover/default.mspx) with the USB GPS receiver. This is kind of cool if you are driving & want the lager screen of a laptop. I also use Garmin City Select for rout planning & integration with my Garmin 76CS.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I do work for Microsoft.

[Emoto]

I use MS Streets & Trips (http://www.microsoft.com/streets/discover/default.mspx) with the USB GPS receiver. This is kind of cool if you are driving & want the lager screen of a laptop. I also use Garmin City Select for rout planning & integration with my Garmin 76CS.

So, the MS SW means that you need the GPS bit and a PC of some sort? Sounds kind of cool, particularly if the map data is comparable to the garmin stuff (my only frame of reference). Presumable the MS product will not work with Garmin stuff, right?

In the spirit of full disclosure, I do work for Microsoft.

I make my living 99% of the time using Word...

:sick

:D

[DarrylRi]

So, the MS SW means that you need the GPS bit and a PC of some sort? Sounds kind of cool, particularly if the map data is comparable to the garmin stuff (my only frame of reference). Presumable the MS product will not work with Garmin stuff, right?You can buy 2005 S&T in a package with the USB GPS receiver. Fry's Electronics/Outpost.com (http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4116363?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) have this for $100 right now. You can probably find it cheaper if you google it.

Disclaimer 1: I've never used it, I don't know how good it is.
Disclaimer 2: I used to work for a large software company in the PNW.

[Grey Matter]

So, the MS SW means that you need the GPS bit and a PC of some sort? Sounds kind of cool, particularly if the map data is comparable to the garmin stuff (my only frame of reference). Presumable the MS product will not work with Garmin stuff, right?

You basically use the newest version of Streets & Trips (2005). A small USB quad helix antenna about 2”x2” attaches to the laptop via USB. It works well & the map resolution is a little better than Garman City Select in my biased opinion. I find that the Streets & Trips data base is easy to update with current construction information & nearby places as well.

[Grey Matter]

Disclaimer 2: I used to work for a large software company in the PNW.

Real Networks or Adobe? :D :D :D

[BradfordBenn]

It works well & the map resolution is a little better than Garman City Select in my biased opinion. I find that the Streets & Trips data base is easy to update with current construction information & nearby places as well.

I agree with that, and I do NOT work for a software company from the Pacific Northwest, so I guess that it is an unbiased opinion. If I just want to look at the software as an electronic map to plan a route and see where stuff is, MS&T is better.

[DarrylRi]

Real Networks or Adobe?I met Rob Glazer once, when he worked for a large software company in the PNW.

[Emoto]

Are any of you fine folks with this MS mapping SW going to be at the National in Lima? If so, I'd love to buy you a beer and see how the SW looks firsthand.

[BradfordBenn]

Are any of you fine folks with this MS mapping SW going to be at the National in Lima? If so, I'd love to buy you a beer and see how the SW looks firsthand.

I volunteer for this arduous task. I will be there with both MS&T as well as Garmin so you can compare.

:buds :drink :bottle :1drink

[Emoto]

I volunteer for this arduous task. I will be there with both MS&T as well as Garmin so you can compare.

:buds :drink :bottle :1drink

Sounds like a plan! :thumb

When the rally draws closer, we'll figure something out. If we forget and you see an R12GS with EMOTO as a license plate, it's me...

[Grey Matter]

Are any of you fine folks with this MS mapping SW going to be at the National in Lima? If so, I'd love to buy you a beer and see how the SW looks firsthand.

I am going to try to be there. I would be happy to hoist a brew with you.

[Emoto]

The more, the merrier. :thumb

[BradfordBenn]

I am going to try to be there. I would be happy to hoist a brew with you.

Does that mean you can expense it since you would entertaining clients?


Yup, I have. :brad