Computer Programs that actually work

Broompilot · Feb 27, 2005

I purchased the Delorme map finder. Do not care to follow inch by inch only to get the big picture or look exactly how a city is laid out. I use my Megellan for getting right to the location once in a city.

I have been studying this thing for the last week, wanting to use it finially decided I just needed to take the time to learn it. I am no computer wiz. Anyway the danm thing is a piece of crap... Will not find a simple location from point A to B. Have to actually pull the cities up Clover SC to Cadillac MI for it to recoginize it thus taking more time. If I have to go thru this on every dispatch than its easier to pull maps out and do it myself. The exact reason and expense I purchased this, point me A to B and let me see it and all in between.

My question, what is the easiest to use computer program that is reasonably priced that I can load into my laptop. HELP PLEASE

HARDDRIVE · Feb 27, 2005

Howdy

I use Microsoft's Streets & Trips
For 2005 there is 2 versions
one with a GPS that you connect to your laptop or a version without a GPS. This is the one I use reasonable accurate. And there is a way in the program to update contructions projects.
You even printout the maps varios way ie. text map, actaul map , strip maps like AAA triptiks
The prices is about $100 w/GPS & $35 w/o YMMV

HardDrive

merkurfan · Feb 27, 2005

I use PC miler streets for most everything. I have noticed my copy is getting a bit out dated because a lot of the new industrial areas are not in it. However it has always been good to me although a little slow on my PII 300 if the detail level is to high. I am probably going to get their Trucker Co-pilot next time. That does GPS with online tracking if you have a internet connection in your truck (and I do). I am with a small company that does not use QC's so the tracking will be nice. It will keep brokers and others from calling constantly for updates. I think the site is atk.com it's not cheap, 450 bucks I think, but it looks like it is worth it. I have certinly got my money out of the pc miler streets.

geo · Feb 27, 2005

myself i like garmin 2610 put in address map's out the way to go from where ever and your on your way
about the size of a coke can price is good depend on where you buy it

davekc · Feb 27, 2005

I think the older version of delorme is much better than the new one.
The pc miler seems to be pretty good. Garmin has gotten some pretty good reviews as well, but I have never used one.
Davekc
owner
20 years

Broompilot · Mar 1, 2005

Thanks for the advice on the Microsoft version. Even I can do it computer guru I am. It works great, not complicated like the other program. The second best part was the price, I actually ended up only paying $14.99 twenty dollar rebate so thanks twice.

Hightech_Hobo · Mar 1, 2005

Being a long time computer geek(ex IBM'r) i know all software has a learning curve...I have been using the Delorme program for 5 years or more now in all my adventures...IBM, Home medical delivery, expediting and personal travel and have been very happy with the program...I upgraded to latest version 6 mths ago and liked the earlier version at first but have done the learning curve thing and am getting better an better with it. Lost the computer in an accident for a while and "the last mile" became hell on wheels until i replaced the computer(those "excellent qualicomm directions...") I also have a copy of MS streets and trips but cant get it to see my USB GPS so i cant give a fair comparison...but 98% of the time I find my p/u point and my del Point with a search entry of ...
123 main street, 14554 type of entry and use the "gps start"...

I am comfortable reccomending the program and am surprised to hear the criticisms i have just read..

Draco · Mar 1, 2005

I use Delmore all the time and never had any problems w/ it. I think they updated to satellites awhile ago and I had to go online and download something. But it's free and now the program works great. All I have to do is enter my PU location and the DL location and away it goes. It even had found some towns that I couldn't find in my Trucker Atlas. I like that I can caculate what the fuel costs will be to do the run and I also like that I can find local stores/restuarants in my general area. Saves time from having to driver around looking for it or relying on someone's elses best guess as to where the nearest Wal-Mart is.

Booker · Mar 1, 2005

We have used the Delorme programs and Earthmate GPS for about 4 years now and have been extremely happy with it. We just updated to Street Atlas 2005 and after playing with it for a few days, we can now set up a route from pickup to delivery in about 3-4 minutes. Then hit start GPS and away we go. We have been able to find about 95% of the addresses we are given. The other thing we like about this program is that after we map a trip, we can go in and add "vias" to change the route to match what our company gives us for routing and locals. It also features "back on track" which automatically reroutes you back to the original route if you get lost or off track. Another feature we like is it shows you the next turn, the direction you turn, and the route you will turn to. It counts down the miles to your destination.

davekc · Mar 1, 2005

Just curious. Does anyone know what you download from delorme is on the street atlas version? I like the older version but thought it is about to get alittle dated.
Davekc

vernon946 · Mar 2, 2005

We use a combination approach.

We have an old old Garmin Streetpilot that has a pretty good basemap of the US and Canada. Just turn it on and go. We follow the QualComm dirs where practical, and we even get to the customers sometimes with it.

If their dirs don't work, we let dispatch know their dirs suck and tell them we are stopping for local dirs. Then we break out the laptop, fire up Delorme and hook up the GPS antenna. We follow the dirs to the door, then tell dispatch where their dirs broke down.

Vernon in C2197

Draco · Mar 2, 2005

>Just curious. Does anyone know what you download from
>delorme is on the street atlas version? I like the older
>version but thought it is about to get alittle dated.
>Davekc

In the Streets and Atlas 2005 I just goto the Netlink, connect to the Internet and it tells me there are updates available. Then just click the link and follow the directions.

pIIdrivers · Mar 4, 2005

As far as the needed update goes just do a google search for Magnetic Update. This update affects all versions of Delorme Street Atlas. We have uses this program since 2003 with no problems. Keep in mind we are in a cargo van.

FlameMerc · Mar 5, 2005

I used Delorme Street Atlas 2003 also. It worked great, but I have no safe place to put laptop in my truck. So I will keep using my magellan. I think the Street Atlas works better than My Magellan. One nice thing was the larger screen, made map easier to see. If you didn't agree with the routing you could put in via's and reroute the trip. So far I haven't figured out if I can do that with Magellan. It doesn't let you type out all of the street names at times and you have to pick from its memory of streets. GOOD or Bad. Still Checking it out....Butch

LDB · Mar 6, 2005

I recently got CoPilot Truck 4 and am mostly happy with it. There are a few things to get used to but overall it's a good choice.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

TEXAS HOKIE · Mar 7, 2005

I don't know if the 2005 version of microsoft streets and trips is any different than the 2004 version as far as the usb connection, but I had the same problem. I bought my first USB connected antenna when i was still using rand mcnally. When I switched over to Streets and Trips 2004, the program couldn't find the antenna. I then found out that although the antenna used the USB as the connection, Microsoft did not update the drivers to work with the USB connection. I was given a site to visit to get a driver patch to be used to see the antenna. Since i have installed the patch, i have had no problems with the program.

Another benifit with the streets and trips is I track all my shippers on one file, all my consignees on another, all the wally worlds and other shopping places on another and copy the appropriate places to my travel map that has all my truck stops for my routing.

TEXAS HOKIE