Mapping software...Who's the best??

[smitty141]

There are several mapping software out there, whats the best??? I want something easy to use, that will give me turn to turn and mileage. One that will show all the little roads in detail. When I ride I am most alway the planner/leader of the group. And wanting to get something that would help me plan routes ect.. Thanks Smitty

 

[pawtracks]

I prefer Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006

Picked it up at Fry's for $9, after a $20 MIR (2006 version)

This was not an upgrade version, full version, full $20 rebate, no pre-qualification

I have also seen Staples & Office Depot sell it for $19 after rebate.

Amazon has it for $35 right now (no rebate) so it is still fairly cheap.

I have used 2003, 2004 & 2005.

Not much of a difference between 2005 & 2006 (each version just adds more roads, updates street names, improves accuracy, etc...)

No earth shattering technical updates between years that I tend to notice (outside USB GPS interface-which I don't use)

It is really easy to use and makes a good set of maps with printable directions.

Turn by Turn, mileage to next stop, trip total cost (you enter MPG, cost of gas, etc..)

It also has a pretty accurate feed to the latest construction data (requires internet access)

Search function within x number of miles (gas, food, golf courses, hotels, etc...)

Really handy stuff

They also sell a version that comes with a GPS unit (USB to a laptop or maybe a PDA)

I have tried it but prefer the Delorme unit.

Both are fine beginer GPS units for a car, no use on a motorcycle though.

That is my .02, I use Streets & Trips 2006 for 90% of my at home pre-trip planning.

Once on the road I use a Garmin etrex or my new Garmin 2730 (motorcycle)

Usually have the laptop in the car (out of town trips)

 

[chickey191]

There are several mapping software out there, whats the best??? I want something easy to use, that will give me turn to turn and mileage. One that will show all the little roads in detail. When I ride I am most alway the planner/leader of the group. And wanting to get something that would help me plan routes ect.. Thanks Smitty

mapware - is a lot like underwear. Everyone has a favorite. For example I have a couple of favorites.

I have an older version of Delorme Street Atlas - I like it a LOT. I'm very proficient in it - it talks with my gps well (for downloading maps) and does what I want. It has some deficiiencies - but all in all - it is my favorite.

I have a newer version of Street Atlas - and hate it. Some of the deficiencies have been addressed - but the interface is more complicated - and I think it sucks. It does make prettier maps, but for me ... that is it. I frequently use the older version.

I also use AutoMap Pro. A VERY old program that I think basically became Streets and Trips - except they totally hosed it when the did it.

It has horrible maps and they are way out of date - but it optimizes routes faster than anything. It doesn't download - it doesn't talk to a gps - it doesn't do **** - but it optimizes routes THE BEST. I found that running a rally I would insert waypoints into AutoMap and let it optimize a route - and give me total mileage. I could then delete as needed (it also has a great feature of allowing you to set a "arrive by" time - meaning that if you want to get somewhere before a specific hour or after a specific hour - it will take that into consideration when optimizing the route. A GREAT rally feature.

I would then transfer this route order to paper and then input these waypoints in the correct order in Street Atlas - so it could download to my gps. Sort of a convoluted method - but it works for me.

You MIGHT find automap pro on ebay or something - or perhaps a nice person might burn you a copy. I wish they would just update the maps and add gps features to it - but that isn't going to happen as there hasn't been support for this program in more than 5 years - if not more.

In the end - it would be best if you could test drive a mapping program. Others will give you the pros and cons of various ones - with each being selected as their personal favorites based on what features they happen to like to use. It will also depend on exactly what you want to do with it.

 

[jjsC6]

I have Streets & Trips as well. It's a pain in the ass to add way-points, and making route changes on certain portions of the route are a pain as well. But it's all doable, and the price is hard to beat. I just don't understand why some aspects of it are so difficult. It apparently was not a high priority for Mr. Gates. But it does what you need to do once you figure out it's nuances.

 

[Bounce]

If you'll ever want to upload routes into a GPS then S&T sucks. It can pull a moving marker from the GPS to display on it's map, but it doesn'y send routes to the GPS to use while riding.