Re: Best GPS/Travel software for RVing
- From: "Bob V" <transition@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 4 Jun 2006 20:53:43 -0700
"Art Todesco" <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:IrIgg.37810$fb2.3470@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
: Now that I have a laptop to take with, I
: need some software/hardware to help
: navigation. There seems to be several
: software packages, MS Streets & Trips,
: DeLorme,. iGuidance, etc. Anyone have
: any opinions on what's good and what's
: not? Also, there are several USB GPS
: receivers available. Any opinions on these?
: Thanks,
Just completed a 3,000 mile trip using both MS Streets & Trips, and a stand
alone Garmin Street Pilot GPS unit. Since this was our first long distance
RV trip, and we would be pulling a toad, I was mainly interested in
something that would give quick, accurate and understandable verbal
directions, since we were going to be in some very congested areas. Here
are my personal comparisons. Keep in mind I'm talking about verbal
directions. Driving a class A in LA traffic in narrow lanes, I sure
couldn't be bothered trying to look at a computer screen.
Sound volume. S&T - poor, even with a set of external speakers. Garmin -
excellent, max volume of 5 was very loud. Usually had it set on 3.
Advance turn notification. S&T - fair to poor - about two tenths of a mile.
Garmin - excellent - half mile, quarter mile and then "turn here".
S&T didn't handle quick successive turns very well at all, but that may have
been laptop limited. We had one case where we had to exit the southbound
freeway, go under the freeway and immediately turn left to get on the
northbound entrance ramp, in effect make a U-turn. S&T was behind the
action, even telling us we were off route, but luckily by that time we were
relying on the Garmin instructions, which got us through it perfectly.
S&T seems to have trouble when freeways would exit left, or when it was
necessary to veer left. It just wouldn't give enough advance warning move
over to a left lane. Again the Garmin unit handled those situations
perfectly.
Route recalculation. S&T does not automatically recalc your route if you
miss a turn. You have to do it manually. Garmin does it automatically.
Off route messages - Got quite a few off route messages even when we were on
the freeway.
I know there are those here that have reported good experiences with S&T..
I guess my suggestion would be to make sure your co-pilot is very familiar
with the software, and can keep their eye on the screen when you're in
tricky or complicated situations. In my case I will be only using the
Garmin from here on out for navigation.
.
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