Does anyone out there use the DeLorme Street Atlas program on their laptops as their GPS while traveling? If so, what are you thoughts and impressions of the program? Is is user friendly? Any problems?

DeLorme or Microsoft Streets & Trips (S&T) either w/GPS antenna work great as a real-time navigation tool.

I will only say that because these are both PC based products they are extremely awkward in size (size of PC), interface (mouse/keyboard), wires hanging all over the place (power+GPS+mouse), and fragility (it is a laptop you are slinging around while moving) for "on the road" use. Fine if your co-pilot is in charge of operating the unit and doesn't mind fumbling with a laptop in motion. Near impossible for a solo operator/driver as you can't "mouse" or keyboard while behind the wheel.

My personal choice is MS S&T as you can get it as low as $14.95 many times during the year at Costcos and the like. It's like $120 w/ the USB GPS antenna, but then you only ever need to buy the antenna once. I don't use S&T for real time navigation (I use a Magellan for on the road) even though I do have an S&T antenna. I do use S&T for mapping and interfacing with my other GPSs.

Either of these PC based mapping products are very handy when you don't want to look for an internet connection to get Google/MapQuest/Yahoo etc to check a route or if you prefer not to carry piles of printed road maps.

I have been using Delorme for quite a while now, and love it. I tried MS Streets for a bit, but went back to Delorme. I am sure I would have gotten use to it, but liked the familiarity with the Delorme features, so that is where I stayed. I use a Ram-mount desk for my laptop while I am driving. The GPS receiver is a bluetooth version, so the only cord going to the laptop is power. I love the large screen for navigating. It is very clear, and I can simply glance at the display. Angie has a Garmin hand-held GPS, and I find that my old eyes need to look at that (instead of a glance), which can distract me while driving. The Delorme app is very user friendly IMO. Tell it to start at your current GPS location, then type in the address (or city or whatever) of where you are going, and it picks the route. From there, you can add via points, in case you want to go a certain route. You can set up your fuel consumption and driving time preferences, and it will guesstimate when to stop for fuel and when to stop for rest. I like that because it is easy to plan ahead when doing long trips. For example, if I tell it I want to drive 400 mile days, we can look around in the area it suggests for a stop for the night. Fuel works the same, as we can look around for the better fuel stops in an area before we get there. I agree with RVDude in that both Delorme and MS will get the job done. Comes down to user preference. Either way, I would never give up my laptop while driving. It is a great resource while on the road, especially with the Verizon EVDO connection. I don't think I have a picture of my setup in full travel battle mode, but will post up a pic if I find one. --kevin

Dig brings up a KEY point I failed to mention. Yep, size matters and there is nuttin like a laptop screen to display and work with maps - whether on the go or parked! I do find that I do all my trip/route planning on the laptop and then simply use the directional prompting of the more portable smaller screen devices after I have an idea of where I am going from the laptop.

Sticking with either Delorme or S&T you won't go wrong. There are some no-name-brand $9.99 or less navigation programs out there that have very poor underlying maps - the key to these products. Like I said, between the two big boys I only got S&T because I got for something like $14.95 and have also since gotten the upgrades every OTHER year (my third upgrade already) for about the same price.

Happy mapping!

I have just upgraded to Street Atlas 2009 and seem to be having trouble getting the files from Discovery Owner web site to show up.....I did not have this problem with SA 2008..... Thanks for any help out there.

There is a good topic on the Delorme forums that should assist you.


http://forum.delorme.com/viewtopic.php?t=14202&highlight

-- Edited by Stalobster at 10:02, 2008-04-16

We use the SSAS to navigate our journeys. Seems to work well with Sherri....sometimes is a little stressful for me...but I am just the driver. It has the GWIM download that really is good for her but at times leaves me going in the wrong direction. I will have to try some of these others that are mentioned above but I am sure that Sherri will stick with hers.

OK, the sacrificial lamb will bite...

SSAS and GWIM?

I know, it's going to good, but Seven Swans A Swimming just didn't sound right...  Besides, I gotta give ya something to poke me on at the Rally...

Sorry Dude...most married men know this old GPS system wives use to direct trips from the passenger seat. The SSAS is Sherri Screams at Speedy. and the GWIM is Go Where I Motion. Now I think you can relate to this type of GPS system. Joan and Doug have a tuff time with there GPS because Joan is constantly at odds with the Matilda their GPS. You see Sherri still likes to shout out directions like....I told you to turn back there. Or the old finger pointing while talking on the cell phone to her best friend....pointing to the right to the right. Now the driver is trying to watch for insignificant things like on coming traffic...Stop signs pedestrians crossing the street....but also keep in mind you have to watch for the finger. Oh not that one....it comes much later down the road when you have not followed the SSAS directions. This is a topic which I have given many siminars on for men troubled by what GPS system to buy. No mater what you end up with....at the end of the day you are still a dumb A&*. Oh well life goes on. Speedy

Does it work the same if I scream at myself and just give myself the finger? I suspect the end results are the same...
Once again Sir Speedy, I just about fell out of my chair!
I guess the obligatory "yes dear" really does not work when applied to ones self...