Laptop W/GPS

[cscott]

Both Street Atlas and Co-Pilot look good.



It appears Co-Pilot comes with a GPS receiver.



If I wanted to run both programs would Street Atlas work with Co-Pilot's GPS receiver?



Thanks for all the input.



Craig

 

[R-N-R]

I use Co-Pilot, MS Streets & Trips does not work with the GPS. I have not tried Street Atlas.



Bill

 

[cscott]

I ordered both Street Atlas 2003 and CoPilot USB last night.



CoPilot is on back order so I won't get it for a while



As soon as I get them both I'll see if they will both work off the CoPilot GPS. I hope so it would make life easier.



Craig

 

[D6Diesel]

Microsoft Streets and Trips cost $20 at Sam's. It works very well with any recent NEMA compliant GPS unit. Mine works just Great ! When you purchase the GPS unit get the adapter that allows you to connect to a serial port in a computer. It is the best software I could find. Case in point was planning a trip to two hockey rinks in Kansas City. Just type in the starting point address, then the destinations, and presto, all the dircetions and maps you need. The GPS allows to reack progress all the way along the route. Plus the route can be modified (dragged with a mouse) if you want to vary from what the computer recommends. But, it lacks on detail when it comes to diesel stations. I get the diesel stations from dieselboss.com or from Pilot, Flying J, TA, Total websites.

 

[R-N-R]

I also think Streets and trips is excellent. I use it for trip planning input for Co-Pilot. I like how it will calculate fuel stops into your route.



I chose Co-Pilot without really knowing what was in the market. While I find it a bit challenging to navigate the detail levels, overall it has served me well. I really like the driving screen verses the map, or passenger view. One of the main reasons that I looked for a GPS was due to my habit of passing turn offs. the Co-Pilot reminds me when a turn is coming up. I also like the re-route features inherent with the product.



This not meant to be any form of recommendation as I am not familiar with other products, but I thought I would share my thoughts.

 

[D6Diesel]

Just to clarify : The necessary components to use the above features; 1) a laptop computer 2) a GPS unit with an adapter that will connect to the computer 3) The software that we are discusing above (Co-pilot or Microsoft Streets and Trips)

 

[R-N-R]

Co-Pilot has a GPS receiver bundled with the package. MS Streets and Trips does not. Co-Pilot is also developed for the PDA platform, but not in the context of functionality trhat has been discussed in this thread.



Bill

 

[SEmerson]

Co Pilot

Could anyone pm me about a test copy of CoPilot.

 

[dsather]

Well, I've been watching this thread with great interest. I've been looking into a good GPS system to use in my truck. All the dedicated stand alone systems like Garmin are fine but the screen is so small and you can't set waypoints to take the route you want. Or so I think. I've been leaning toward a laptop and Delorme to solve this problem. This Co-pilot software that's being discussed. Would I be able to set the route I want to take? I know it would probably route me by preference (Fastest, scenic, shortest, etc) but what about being to modify one of these routes to make it custom???



Dennis

 

[Dean Upson]

I believe you can hook the SPIII to a lap top.



Dean

 

[damon]

Dennis -



You are correct about the GPS screens being small, but you should look at the GPS unit as being part of the solution along with the laptop. I would recommend looking into a GPS that has the ability to be used by itself, or used with a laptop and your choice of software. Most any GPS offered by Garmin, Magellan, or others will work as I described using industry standard communications and a serial or USB port.



The benefit is that you have more capabilities with a fully functional GPS compared to a GPS sensor only. For example, you may want to carry your GPS with you and have it track and remember a drive, hike, hunting trip, motorcycle ride, etc. and then upload that data to your laptop and application to get trip statistics, topographical maps, saved points of interest, etc. With a bundled software/GPS sensor solution, you would not be able to do this unless you carry your laptop with you everywhere you go. And as far as mapping and route calculation, many of the small GPS have those functions now, and you can always hook up to the laptop and let your powerful software do the job when you are on an appropriate trip.



Personally, I use a Garmin Etrex Vista GPS and for software I have MS Mappoint, TOPO!, and Mapsource. The GPS goes with me into the outdoors, and the data is then later loaded to the laptop for different things. I can do it the opposite way also, I can create a trip on the laptop with any of the apps, then move that route and waypoints to the GPS and let it guide me. This works on the streets or with topo maps for the wilderness. The Vista also has an electronic compass, altimeter, trip computer, fish/hunt calendar, and many more functions, and retails for about $300. A small price for the features, but like you said, not a screen that you would want to drive by for a whole trip. That's where the laptop comes in.



I mention this just to be sure that those of you new to GPS have an idea of the functionality of the smaller units. This setup works well for me, and may for many of you if you want the same capabilities.

 

[R-N-R]

Damon, sounds like a very slick set up for functionality at a reasonable price as well.



dsather, I set waypoints to adjust my route to my preference with Co-Pilot. It also has an avoid or detour feature that I have not played around with. My guess is that it would be to macro for my taste. The re-route feature tends to do the same, attempting to re-route me on every first available side street to get me back on my pre-determined course.



Bill

 

[MBurtch]

This is my second post on this thread.



I just got back from a trip to San Francisco bay area, LA, San Diego and back to Disneyland and then back to Montana. I was in my car and not my truck pulling our 5th wheel.



The copilot gave directions to my friends house in the San Francisco bay area with no problems.



I did not trust the copilot going threw LA on the freeway. Thought I knew better. Got on 405 instead of 5 because of that. Then I didn't follow the reroute feature. When I got screwed up off the freeway downtown the unit talked me back on the freeway. This trip was the first time I have ever used this unit.



In San Diego my wife wanted to go to several specialty shops that were about 16 miles apart. Put the address in the computer and hit go to. Took me directly there. Talk about slick.



When we leaving Disneyland put in go to Las Vegas. Walked me across town onto several freeways until got on i15 NORTH. ;By the way it talks to you so do not have to look at the lap top.



I am sold on this unit dispite the cost.

 

[cscott]

I saw several people mention buying a new GPS because they had new laptops without serial ports.



I was looking at both Maggelin's and Garmin's site last night they make an adapter to convert it to USB.



The adapter would be cheaper than buying a new GPS.



Craig

 

[TowPro]

I have not use Copilot, but have much experence with Delorme's products. Each version seems better then the last (except for version 8, which street data had a lot of problems)



Anyway, I have a GPS that also has its own map, and as others have said, its not very nice for driving with. One nice thing about this is you can put a waypoint where you park, then walk around places like the boardwalk and be able to find your truck again.



Somebody posted about fuel stops, in Delorme you can tell it what MPG you will average, and how much fuel you hold, and if you want to stop for fuel at 1/4 tank, etc. It will warn you "its time for fuel".



I have tried Microsofts Mappoint (or what ever its called) and really did not like it as much as Delormes software. I will be buying the new version of Delorme before camping season starts this year.

 

[MLee]

laptop/gps

I also have a copilot, up graded to the 2002 feature, it does as previously mentioned, and you can route it through you radio for more volume, and you can use a microphone and ask it questions and it will respond to you. it will give your elevation , speed, eta, etc. its a good tool. saves on nerves and quarrels.

just my penny's worth.



Marv.

 

[JHerrlich]

Considering I already have a GPS, is there a way to get CoPilot without purchasing a GPS with it?

 

[MBurtch]

It is my understanding you can only use the GPS unit that comes with copilot.

 

[JHerrlich]

That's a bummer for those of us with a previous investment. I can't use the one that comes with CoPilot, because I use my GPS as my speedometer.