Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 review:4 stars (Nice upgrade to a good product) - I have been a Streets and Trips user for at least four versions (probably more, but I remember back to 2003, so I will stick with that). It seems I get hooked into getting a new version every time I see one at Sam's. A few years ago, I got a GPS unit and have loved the integration with newer versions of Streets and Trips.
On the whole, I purchased this version of S_T primarily for the voice directions. As I am normally the navigator in the car (wife loves to drive), I will probably never use this feature that much, but it is nice to have.
What I find most useful:
* Drag and drop rerouting. So much fun to be able to reset my path without having to add mutliple "stops" in between. Still not perfect, but a much needed addition.
* Driving Guidance pane: Nice having something pop up that does not take over the map (like our Honda Odysee does - showing my geekness now?).
* Locate me. If you use WiFi on your laptop (who doesn't) and can find a network, you can get a good idea of where you are. I may be the only one who thinks this is cool (esp. when you can always plug in GPS, but I think it is cool).
* Night map style. Nothing really special, but having the ability to have a night map that is not glaring white is a nice addition when you are driving around with the map on in the evening.
I have read the other reviews and have a few words.
* Yes, it is possible that there is not as much detail. I would assume Microsoft, like everyone else, purchases this information, so you will find that most products mimic the same routes, as there are few providers out there. I have not experienced any problems in my area, but I can see how this might be of concern. The naming of roads has always been a bit nasty, IMO, but I have not found a product that is any better.
* The PocketPC limititation? I can understand this as well, although I have never had the need to load more than 5MB in a single map on my Pocket PC. In fact, when I travel, most maps fit well under 2MB. I do not see this single limitation, esp. in light of the competition, as a showstopper, however.4 stars (Good news, bad news!) - The bad news first: The map details are still not as good as were found in the 2004 version of this program. 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 simpifying which only serves to confuse.
The good news: The GPS functionality has been vastly improved with voice and large visual prompts which make using the program in an automobile MUCH MUCH easier. 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.
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 solution for getting around than this product in conjunction with your notebook.
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.
One problem I had, and hopefully this will help others who might encounter the same problem: Downloading the software into your computer does NOT automatically load the drivers for the GPS locator device! This must be done separately with the Setup disk when you first attach the locator device. Should you fail to put the Setup disk in and let your computer find the driver automatically ON THAT DISK, then your program will not recognize the locator! I wasted quite a bit of time trying to figure out what was wrong. If you don't add the drivers manually your device manager will automatically load drivers that will not be recognized by the program! I had to go into my Device Manager and uninstall the drivers that were added and then manually install the MS drivers for the GPS locator. Not an insurmountable problem, but it does require a bit of experience with computers.
The included driver software turns your USB port into a pseudo-serial communication port enabling the software to recognize the locator (only serial ports are recognized by the software). The software will not recognize the locator UNLESS it is attached to a serial (or in this case pseudo-serial) communications port. So be careful and follow the installation instructions closely. The locator is made by Pharos GPS and if you have any installation problems go to their web site for further instructions.
I heartily recommend this product however be aware of the minor software and driver glitches I've described above. All in all, I think you will be VERY pleased.3 stars (If you want to bring your laptop around it's worth it) - I have to say I'm really disappointed in 2006, I really had some high hopes. First off I'll say that they did add voice guided directions which they should have had even with 2005 but for some reason they didn't. I also like the ability to location things like food, hotels, atc, etc. The layout is nice, the content is full and rich, and it runs pretty fast.
BUT, and yes I meant to type in caps, it stills lacks HUGE in the PPC department. I mean come on Microsoft, it's your OS for crying out loud. There is still the 5mb~ limit for map exporting that's been listed as a "bug" on the MS Support Site for like every version they have, 2006 has now been added. Which means I can't copy my entire state or even a large city over to my PPC. Even if you have a small city you can't create a route from the handheld, are you kidding me? I drive out on the moutains all the time, I want to start right where I am and tell it to drive me home. Nope, can't do it without the laptop. [...]
In closing the subject says it all. If your willing to carry your laptop around or never need to change your route then I would buy it, you can't beat the price. If your like me and drive all over the place and want to get home, or want to track your route of the day's travel and not so much AtoB, I hope your laptop is your friend.
I use iGuidance and it does what I want but does not have all the atm, food, hotel searches. |
