Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I own a Garmin ETREX GPS and was looking for software that I could use to load waypoints into it to create bicycling routes.The mapping software that Garmin sells can cost 2 to 3 times what Street Atlas charges.Overall, I've been satisfied with the product.Here's the lowdown.
Installation:Went well up until the time that it tried to load "Points of Interest."I only asked it to load them for three states.After loading them for an hour it had only loaded about 10% of them.I had to let it run overnight to complete the install.Word to the wise: only pick the states you need and allow yourself plenty of time for the install.
Use with GPS:I've used this to load waypoints and it has been very accurate (within 20 -30 feet). The software had no problem recognizing my Garmin GPS and loaded the route quickly. I marked major intersections or turns.One thing to point out is that it when the GPS created its route, it does it straight-line, point-to-point between waypoints.This is because Street Atlas only loads the waypoints, not the route in between.If you have a curving road and mark a waypoint at each end, the GPS will create a straight-line route between them. It does not create a "bread crumb" route.Consequently, it is very important that you place a waypoint (called a VIA in Street Atlas)at every major turn or intersection on your route on Street Atlas, before loading to the GPS.This caution only applies to loading from the PC to the GPS., then using the GPS as a stand-alone. It does not apply if you are taking your PC/Laptop with you as you travel.
Ease of Use:There is no manual -- not even a "Getting Started" pamphlet.The interface is not very intuitive, but after you've played with it for a while it becomes easy to use.The online help is OK but could be improved --I wasted a lot of time trying to find out how to do some simple things.
Accuracy of Maps:I found that some streets were mislabeled.Example: I live on 43rd Place and it was labeled 43rd Street.Not a big deal unless you're not familiar with the area and are trying to find a location on 43rd place - then you'd be out of luck. Some streets that connect to each other (always have) are shown as not connecting.Overall though, the maps are accurate enough for most purposes and seem to be reasonably current.
Generated Routes:I asked it to find a route to a location NW of my house..It should have told me to take a nice, open highway that went NW and takes me directly there.Instead, it suggested that I go South for about 5 miles, then turn west for several miles, then head north.The road that it suggested has many traffic lights and the posted speed was lower.This occurred even if I selected "fastest" or "preferred" route. It only picked the correct route if I asked for the "shortest" one.The software will probably get you where you need to go, but it may not pick the best way to get there.
Points of Interest:Most of the hotels, restaurants, and similar locations in my area were marked but some were missing and others that had closed years ago were still there.Some of the area codes in my state changed over a year ago but the old area codes were still shown on some of the phone numbers.In general, though, the "points of interest" database seemed to be reasonably accurate.
Overall:None of these mapping programs is perfect and this one is actually better than another one that I tried a few years ago.Despite some of its flaws, I'm happy with this purchase and the pricing is reasonable.
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Product Description:
Called "a must have for frequent travelers" by PC Magazine, Street Atlas USA 8.0 is a complete map and navigation package. Whether you use it before you travel or when you're on the road with your laptop, Street Atlas USA lets you know exactly where you are and where you're going with detailed maps and turn-by-turn directions.
Street Atlas USA offers detailed maps and directions for the entire U.S., right down to the smallest urban neighborhoods or rural crossroads. The DeLorme map database is continuously updated to reflect the latest available information from well-respected sources, including Geographic Data Technology. Street Atlas USA benefits include easy location of any place in the U.S. on a single CD-ROM by street address, intersection, place name, area code, local exchange, latitude/longitude, or ZIP code. The atlas also allows you to print turn-by-turn travel directions to any destination, and to quickly locate neighborhoods, schools, and parks on a map. Select exactly the streets you want using the Via routing feature.
Features new to this edition include 500,000 new streets across the U.S., over 3 million updated points of interest, improved address-finding capabilities with better street name and address range data, enhanced routing with updated exit and ramp information, and daily mileage and fuel consumption planning with the new Travel/Time Planner.
Precision Route Planning allows you to plan address-to-address routing directly from the CD-ROM. Use the Via routing feature to specify roads and stops along the way, and quickly compare route mileage and travel time. Access online weather, traffic, and construction updates in order to plan the ideal route. You can also set driving speeds and plan daily fuel consumption and mileage using the Travel/Time Planner.
Street Atlas USA powers your trip with customized maps and travel plans for personal, business, or recreational travel. Add useful titles to your maps and adjust the scale to print the maps you want. Or add text, notes, lines, and shapes directly to your map using a built-in set of drawing tools. Experience the clarity and detail of maps printed from Street Atlas USA and stay on track anywhere in the U.S.
Take Street Atlas USA with you on your laptop for access to quick-loading detailed maps wherever you are, with no need to worry about Internet access. Connect the DeLorme Earthmate GPS Receiver (available separately) or other GPS receivers to track your position in real time on the map while traveling, and listen to turn-by-turn spoken directions when tracking with a GPS receiver on your laptop computer. Street Atlas USA is compatible with Palm handhelds using Solus software by DeLorme (available separately).
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