map softwares

[KAIMIKAZEE]

any owners tried the "CoPilot 9 GPS" for trucks...

i have used "Microsoft Streets and Trips" for several years now...

but just recently stumbled on "CoPilot"...

they have an option for trucks and it's a bit pricier for the software...

anybody used it??? is it better than "Streets and Trips"...as far as truck route wise....

[JBenson2]

The problem with Microsoft Streets and Trips is the laptop screen is usually not bright enough to see properly in the middle of the day while driving and the sun is shining brightly.

And conversely, the laptop screen is too bright to use while driving at night.

That's why units such as Garmin with voice instructions are popular.

But if you can get around those problems the new Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 has some very cool features. The new GPS unit included with the software is 10 times more sensitive than previous versions. You can see more info at the Microsoft site.

I have the Garmin Nuvi 350 and it's the cats meow. No brain-er driving, just listen to the little voice giving you instruction. Detour off the highway, no problem, you will hear the little voice again saying....Recalculating...then your back on your way. Need a Walmart, just type in WAL and it completes the rest and tells you every Walmart in the US starting with the closest one. Just hit the GO button and sit back. Screen adjusts for night or day automatically or manual if you like. You can hook it up to your stereo and listen to the instructions plus download MP3 files and listen to music until it's time for a new turn. You can scroll through the instructions to see if they match up with what you were given and change them if necessary to avoid low bridges. Or you can just go the preferred route the shipper gives you and the GPS will recalculate when it sees you went a different route.

Greatest thing since sliced bread.

[mike3fan]

the laptop screen is too bright to use while driving at night.

there is a night time option in MS S&T that turns the screen dark with green roads sorta looks like a radar screen,works fine at night.

[JBenson2]

Mike3fan

Thanks for the info on the night driving option.

The 2007 version has been released. Amazon.com just informed me that my copy of MS S&T 2007 is in transit and I should have it later in the week.

[P Jug Joe]

any owners tried the "CoPilot 9 GPS" for trucks...

i have used "Microsoft Streets and Trips" for several years now...

but just recently stumbled on "CoPilot"...

they have an option for trucks and it's a bit pricier for the software...

anybody used it??? is it better than "Streets and Trips"...as far as truck route wise....

I have several friends who are using it and swear by it. One of them no longer even keeps a map in his truck- which sucked for him recently he had a "spill" that shorted out his laptop...

But you're asking opinions on Co-Pilot. If I weren't such a backwards-***** old fool, I'd probably be using it. I can't seem to talk myself into giving up control of my routing, though!

[mike3fan]

One of them no longer even keeps a map in his truck- which sucked for him recently

Ha ha same thing happened to me this week,just bought a new truck and never put map in new one because of laptop,then laptop dies and I need to route around a backup in PA and had no map! Had to do it the old fashioned way and actually talk to other drivers on the cb and follow them.....how lame.LMAO