Showing posts with label delorme. Show all posts
Showing posts with label delorme. Show all posts

DeLorme Earthmate PN-20 Waterproof Hiking GPS Review

DeLorme Earthmate PN-20 Waterproof Hiking GPS
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The Topo 6.0 maps that come with this unit contain surprisingly detailed topographic information. Most popular hiking trails are included. You can preview them at (you need to create a free account)...
data.delorme.com
The PN-20's main rivals are the Garmin units. The Garmin mapping software can be previewed by following the appropriate links here...
www8.garmin.com/cartography
These topographic maps are generally inferior to those of the Delorme unit (you can discover this for yourself by accessing the websites above). The PN-20 nicely superimposes street and topographic/hiking info into the one map which I don't believe the Garmin units do. The mapping software is included free with the purchase of the PN-20. You have to pay an additional amount of more than $200 for both topo and street maps with the Garmin units. One drawback of the PN-20 mapping software is that is highly user UNfriendly. Also, if you want to cut a large map section (say of the entire state of California, with all contour information included), it will take your computer many, many hours. It is possible however to download all street information, from interstate freeways down to tiny alleys, for an entire state, without contour information, in an hour or so. On the plus side, once you master it, the mapping software can be very powerful.
The screen is full-color as opposed to the Garmin models which only display 256 colors. The PN-20 can display aerial, satellite and usgs topo quad images that you download for $0.25 per square kilometer. The unit comes with a free voucher for $100 of image downloads (400 sq. kilometers). This can be a very useful feature for hiking, as many unnamed trails and paths are visible from the air, and hence appear in the aerial photographs. One warning, if you have poor eyesight you might have difficulty reading the small type on the screen.
The signal reception is good. It works inside a car and under moderately dense canopy. Under very dense canopy it will loose the signal. The initial lock can take a few minutes, depending on how far you have moved since the device last registered a location. I haven't used the Garmin units but my guess is that the PN-20's signal reception is significantly better than the Etrex's but not quite up there with the 60cx's, which apparently acquires an initial lock within a few seconds. I've found the typical accuracy the device settles down to is roughly +/-50ft under some canopy, +/-30ft if you're driving down a suburban street, and +/- 10ft if you're on a freeway.
The battery life is good, ~8 hours with moderate use and medium backlight.
Auto-routing functionality is built in, but limited. If you want the unit to direct you from address A to address B you have to use the Topo 6.0 software on your computer, to create the route and then upload it onto the device. The procedure is fast and straightforward once you learn how to do it. The software enables you to create via and stop points for your route, which can be useful. You can also calculate road-routes by clicking on start and end points on the map (ie without entering addresses). Once you enable auto-navigation, below the map will be displayed the distance and expected time to next turn, the name of the street or exit, and an arrow indicating the direction to turn. It will beep twice for each turn, once to alert you in advance, and a second time to indicate when the actual turn should take place. All in all I found the auto-navigation feature was quite effective, though not as user-friendly as a purpose built auto-GPS such as the Garmin Street-Pilot. Perhaps the biggest downside to using this device for auto-navigation is that you have to wait a minute or two after switching it on for an initial-lock.
One general drawback is the slow processor. Map redraws can take up to 30 seconds depending on what information is being loaded, though typically they take 5-10 seconds. At times it can be frustrating, though for conventional use the delay is tolerable.
Another drawback is the street maps are a tad crude. For example, a curved street will appear as a couple of straight lines joined together. Also, some sections of the street maps are misaligned by more than 100ft. These are typically streets in suburban (non-metropolitan) areas but it can occasionally be frustrating, particularly when driving, as the unit can display your position as in between two roads. I believe the Delorme Street-Atlas maps don't have this problem, but they are not compatible with the PN-20 yet (apparently Delorme is working on a patch to make them compatible).
All in all, the ability to display aerial photography and accurate hiking information makes this a break-through device, though the slow processor detracts a little from the novelty.

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Includes Topo USA 8.0DVD mapping software with full U.S. topographic and street maps, plus aerial imagery

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DeLorme Earthmate LT-40 GPS Review

DeLorme Earthmate LT-40 GPS
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a difficult item to review simply....in part because it is three different items (hardware, software, compatibility). I'll review them separately. I am an established Delorme customer, with a long history of their products (10-12 states of TopoQuads, a Xmap license, both 1.0 and 2.0 versions of 3D TopoQuad software).
The GPS unit itself is really a gem of a product in its own right and an update of the earlier Earthmate GPS units. I rate the LT-40 highly (5/5). It is small light and accurate/fast, from my experience. On a cross-country trip, it rarely was off the road centerline. My only gripe is very poor (well -- Non! ) support of this unit in earlier software products XMAP and 3DTopoQuads. This is not documented by Delorme, and in fact there is an Earthmate link and a USB option in the earlier software. Also, their web site suggests it should work, and there are instructions for installing a Serial-USB emulator that will allow it to work as an NMEA device (it didn't work!). I also obtained some support from Delorme trying to get it to operate. But their tech support had to eventually say "we don't guarantee backward compatibility..." for their own product to work with their own product. 5/5 (but see compatibility below...)
The software is good to work with in 2-D mode and follows the tried-true Delorme right panel/bottom panel navigation model. The 3-D mode does have a nice "big number" mode that is useful on the road, although the 3-D view reminds one of a bad video game and is only useful for people who absolutely cannot read maps. The routes one chooses do have to be checked and if necessary "fine tuned" by adding "via" points, but that is surely true of all navigation software. I like the customizable preferences for speed/road type. Yes the Microsoft Mary and Mike voices are dreary, but one can't blame that on Delorme (I am waiting for Microsoft Obama.....with proceeds going to the Hillary campaign fund!!). But the voice interface has great potential for vehicle work, and I plan to experiment with a microphone for software control. Voice speed can also be tinkered with, and we found that slowing Mike down made him more understandable. My main complaint is that the top-line interface is non-intuitive, with no "File/Edit" bar and just a bunch of fairly non-customizable icons. 4/5
Compatibibility: poor. No, completely lame. I think it is unconscionable how poor the support of the LT-40 is for earlier Delorme TopoQuad software, and, for that matter, why can't Street Atlas support earlier state 3-D topo quads. This is either bad design/engineering by Delorme, or extortion of users to have to re-purchase data products (I have $1500 or so invested now). This is complicated by the fact that the state TopoQuad series no longer exists and one now has to purchase the whole country in DVD (same maps...) to get new software that will work with this GPS. Come on guys -- patch your supported products to allow us to use the LT-40 with Topo Quads, or patch street atlas to work with topo quads. If the LT-40 is not supported by earlier Delorme products then you should at least have the courage (chutzpah?) to state this in black and white in marketing materials and on your web site.0/5
Average 3/5 for an excellent little GPS unit, from a very frustrated Delorme user.....

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Turn your laptop PC or UMPC into a powerful GPS navigator, with voice-guided navigation, automatic back-on-track, GPS Radar to locate travel services, and other top-end features. DeLormes newest USB-powered GPS receiver includes a new super-high-sensitivity chipset, support for ultra mobile personal computers, superior on-screen GPS displays, and updated Street Atlas USA 2009 DVD software included. New Sicroelectronics GPS chipset delivers faster satellite acquisition, and DeLorme ConstantLock technology means surefire signal retention even in challenging GPS environments. GPS tracking is easier than ever with NavMode, including optional 3-D perspective and larger, more accessible user controls. Locate over 4 million places of interest (hotels, restaurants, attractions, sports venues, and businesses of all types most with phone numbers included). Create routes automatically with user controls to ensure you take the roads you want. Calculate fuel usage and costs, and GPS-navigate with total confidence anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, and on major roads in Mexico.

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Delorme Mapping Street Atlas USA 2005 Review

Delorme Mapping Street Atlas USA 2005
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I bought and returned either the 2002 or 2003 version... sorry I do not remember which... because it was so difficult to use and interface was so horrid. I have used and liked ST8 as well as Microsoft Trips and Streets for years. They both worked very well on my IBM 800 MHz notebook. Today I received and installed this new version of ST2005, expecting that I might hate it like the earlier version and have to return it. Much to my surprise I like it very much. It is easy to use and is well-worth the money for all the features. Of course, since government data is used for all mapping programs, there are errors and some points of interest are way off from actual location. Some POIs are missing and strangely, all the casinos are missing in Stateline, NV, as they are in all mapping software. The voice feature works great in XP, but I have not tested it on my IBM notebook yet with my GPS. I expect it to work like the old version I have usd for many years. It installed easily and smoothly on my Dell desktop with XP. Overall, a winner.
UPDATE: I installed SA2005 on my IBM notebook with XP SP2 including the database CD (on the hard drive), and it worked perfectly on a 1,000 mile trip. The voice commands are interesting but not very useful, except for city driving and they help to keep the driver awake. All features worked as advertised. By the way, due to weak speakers in notebooks and road noise, I suggest taking along an earphone speaker and plugging it into the headphone jack on the notebook to actually hear the direction commands. The "back on track" feature is especially nice as it creates a new highlighted route from the place one drives off the planned route, without changing the rest of the route.... voice directions are also updated in seconds. The large arrows and info below the maps, even on a 12" LCD are great. Altitude, time to destination and miles to destination are great features as well. After using the program for a real trip with a generic USB GPS receiver, I can say that the program now gets six stars... if that were possible. It has been thoughtfully created for drivers. It goes way beyond Streets and Trips with many, many features, but I do like and use Streets and Trips as well. One tip for generic GPS users: do not select USB port when setting up the GPS to commmunicate with the program. Be sure you have Comm port 4 or 5 listed as choices and pick one of them instead of USB. If neither 4 or 5 is listed, unplug the GPS and plug it back in to get the correct comm port listing. The GPS works amazingly fast with this program... got signals every time within 10 seconds.

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Street Atlas USA 2005 is the easy way to plan your route from Point A to Point B. Get directions to any location in the U.S. with this collection of impeccably detailed maps. Fully compatible with a USB Earthmate GPS receiver

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Delorme Topo USA v5.0 (DVD) Review

Delorme Topo USA v5.0 (DVD)
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Most of the people that have reviewed this software on Amazon simply bought the program for the wrong purpose or they simply don't know what they're talking about.
Topo USA is designed for hikers, plain and simple. Sure, there are other uses, and I'm not suggesting that fisherman, for example, or hunters wouldn't likewise find it useful. After all, those activities involve hiking, too.
Topo USA is certainly not designed to replace car navigation systems--don't even think that you can hook up your laptop and use this thing in busy traffic, it's not the right product. Get an in-dash system for that.
Topo USA is not for professional engineers designing new roads and bridges.
Topo USA is designed to show you trails that are out there, or to make your own, and it does that very well.
If you want something to map your trip to Washington, you would be better off with something else. If, on the other hand, you want to make maps from your hikes, or even to make maps *before* your hikes, this is a great product.
What Topo USA does better than anything else is to map data from your handheld GPS. The EarthMate isn't the best option for this. I use a Garmin eTrex Summit, myself, and the data I get is good enough to make online maps for my hiking web site, HikePA.com.
If you want something to help you map out your recreational hiking, this is it.
Read the other reviews here, and you'll find that the ones who give this negative remarks all want it to do something it's not designed to do. These are the same people who want to go off-roading with their yuppie SUV when they really need a Jeep :-)
Feel free to drop me a line if you have questions . . .

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Topo USA 5.0 is for the trailblazer who wants to explore the city, the country & everything in between! With its route-finding tools, 2D & 3D map options, and elevation profiles, you'll know everything an outdoorsman needs to know. Combine that with the vector-based topographic and street info, and you'll be able to get anywhere in country, more easily than ever. Create and print your own automatic street and highway routes, or print trail routes with elevationsSimple waypoint management through the data exchange wizard Add your own routable trails & local streets to maps -- update as you discover new ways to get there Download GPS track files as roads or trails, along with campground information for National parks and breathtaking aerial data

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Delorme Street Atlas USA 2007 Review

Delorme Street Atlas USA 2007
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I broke down and bought this software after having owned the 2006 version, what a waste of money. It does not list roads that are 8 years old and has my neighborhood listed as outside the city limits, we were annexed in 1999. These maps are not as up todate are mose online maps were 3 years ago. Oh well, I might try again in three or four years.

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DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2007 is a leading GPS tool for helping you get to your chosen destination. It features 133,000 new U.S. streets and roads, triple-referenced for accuracy by DeLorme mapmakers. you also get 3.4 million updated U.S. and Canadian streets and road, as well as Canadian street-level maps. Street Atlas USA 2007 also includes the ability to add your own local routable roads -- a DeLorme exclusive. Get nearly 100 square miles of free aerial images via online download. Simply select the hybrid view to see DeLorme road vectors on top of the imagery.New built-in intelligence overrules common typing errors to help return good matches Handy new slider control -- when paired with a GPS device, it allows positioning of the logfile playback New auto-zoom-to-turn feature now includes a maximum zoom setting control Support for GPX files, plus better waypoint management with the draw table view Also supports Windows Mobile 5.0 (including the portrait, landscape, and high-resolution configurations)

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Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008 Review

Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008
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I moved near the Hilton Head Island Sun City and ordered Street Atlas 2008 to update my five year old 2003 edition. Sun City and the surrounding town have doubled in size in the last five years, but Street Atlas has not added a single new street to the area in that time. Also, mislabeled roads have not been corrected.
I returned it to Delorme.

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DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2008 is the most powerful atlas program available for your PC, PDA or GPS. These comprehensive tools offer street information and points-of-interest (POI). It also features innovative GPS features: voice commands, spoken directions, automatic back-on-track re-routing and much more. These authentic DeLorme maps are guaranteed accurate -- they're produced by their own mapmakers, and triple-referenced to ensure you have the correct guidance anywhere you go. Explore America's back roads without getting lost and get where you're going faster than ever with Street Atlas USA 2008. GPS navigation with spoken directions and voice commands Pocket PC, Windows Mobile 5.0, and Palm OS 3.5 (and above) support

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Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator Review

Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator
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This remains an outstanding trip planning and GPS program. But by far the greatest improvement is in the chipset hardware included. The new GPS locater is MUCH smaller than the previous versions and includes the SIRFstarIII chipset. Now your asking what the heck is that?! Well, it is the most sensitive and accurate chipset out there and it acquires the satellites nearly instantaneously and holds on for dear life under nearly all conditions. It is a VAST improvement over the old 360 locater MS used in the past versions. My only minor complaint: it might be TOO small. The old one was the ideal size. In so small a package the antenna is necessarily smaller with somewhat reduced sensitivity than otherwise might have been obtained. But not to worry! This little device works just fantastic.
The GPS functionality has not changed significantly and still does NOT include automatic rerouting once you get off route. For me this was a major disappointment. Nearly all of the "all in one" GPS devices (such as the Nuvi 360 & Nuvi 660) include this very useful feature. It would have been so easy for Microsoft to respond to the needs of their customers and add this feature that one wonders just why they heck they didn't do it! The voice and large visual prompts, which make using the program in an automobile MUCH MUCH easier, remain essentially unchanged from 2006. The little car cursor in the 2005 version has been replaced by a much more visible circle with a large arrow in it indicating direction.
Unfortunately, some of the map details are still not as good as were found in the 2004 version of this program. There are small dirt roads that were on the 2004 version that are not on the current version. I can't understand why MS would dumb down their product. Also, the street names seem to have been dumbed down as well. For example, Golden Eagle Ferry Road has been reduced to Ferry Road. There are innumerable examples of this dumbing down and simplifying which may reduce the size of the program but detracts from its overall usefullness.
Despite the dumbing down of the actual map data the program remains a superb mapping program with many updates since the 2004 and 2005 versions. New streets, restaurants and other points of interest are now incorporated. This program offers a truly affordable GPS guidance system for nearly all consumers without having to go to the expensive Garmin or Magellan systems. If you find yourself traveling to points unknown I cannot imagine a better more affordable solution for getting around than this product in conjunction with your notebook computer. Even if you have an "all in one" solution such as the Garmin Nuvi Streets and Trips can help you plan your trip and routs. I have both and they compliment one another very well.
A few comments about the Streets and Trips mapping software. I am familiar with the Delorme product and the Garmin product and Streets and Trips blows them both away - no contest. Instantaneous panning, zooming in and zooming out, outstanding routing software, and a plethora of other features makes Streets and Trips, by far, my favorite mapping software.
This years program does automatically load the drivers for the GPS locater device which the older versions tended to do sporadically. This is done, as should have been the case for the older versions, seamlessly and without any difficulty whatsoever.
I heartily recommend this product! The new SIRFstarIII chipset alone justifies the price of the upgrade. The updated mapping details and new points of interest are also useful. The ONLY quibble I have with this program, and it is not insignificant, is the failure to include automatic rerouting if you get off the indicated route. Also, remember you will need a DVD player to install this program which now comes on one DVD rather than two CDs as it did in the past.

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Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007 with GPS Locator combines Streets & Trips 2007, the customizable trip planning software, with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. With advanced GPS features and voice-prompted directions, you'll always know exactly where your next turn is.

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DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2010 Plus Review

DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2010 Plus
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Having used Microsoft Streets since its first release, I was reluctant to even try another product. I was grossly mistaken. The learning curve (for me) was a slight bit slower than the old familiar "Streets", but now that I have been using DeLorme Street Atlas for a couple of months, I have deleted "Streets" and use DeLorme exclusively. There are many extremely valuable tools (including a street level phone directory) and the routing options are far more comprehensive than those found in Streets. I recommend this product to all those (myself included) who are directionally challenged!

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Geo-locate your business data on updated street maps (U.S. and Canada). 150 million phone listings. Automatic routing, 4 million places of interest. Large-format printing, GPS-ready with voice navigation.

Travel planning and GPS navigation for laptops, netbooks, phones, and PDAs An affordable yet powerful set of mapping tools that allow businesses and advanced mapping enthusiasts to visualize their data on detailed DeLorme maps. Import and geo-locate your own text files from Excel, ACT!, and other database programs. Updated street-level detail for the U.S. and Canada, major roads for Mexico. Use the 150 million included phone listings to create databases (e.g., supermarkets within a radius), or find friends or services. Create driving routes automatically, with user controls to take the roads you prefer--avoid congestion or take scenic drives. Locate 4 million places of interest--restaurants, lodgings, attractions, truck stops, sports venues, and businesses of all kinds. Import aerial imagery. Add custom detail. Insert photos, documents, and Web links into your map files. Use MapShare to easily share maps, routes, and directions via secure Web link. Print a variety of map packages, including large-format plots. GPS-ready with voice navigation, new E-Z Nav wizard for on-the-go routing, and other high-end features.
Street Atlas USA 2010 Plus Features
Street-level detail for the U.S. and Canada, highways and main roads in Mexico
Over 300,000 new or updated roads
Support for netbooks
Over 4 million places of interest in U.S. and Canada
Easy, automatic routing
GPS ready, with voice-guided navigation
Versatile, flexible editing and print capabilities
Support for Palm OS and WinCE devices
Available aerial imagery--$40 worth free
Share customized maps, routes, and directions
GPS-accurate placement for individual locations in 90+ chains in the U.S. and Canada
Truck stop data with extended information about service offerings
Airport and mall access roads
Major sports venues: college, professional, NASCAR
Support for UMPCs
Support for multiple monitors
Put your contact manager listings on the map
Import and edit an unlimited number
Display their map locations, for strategic planning,routing, more

Print large-format wall maps
Link to photos, documents and URLs to the maps
Get 150 million U.S. and Canadian residential and business phone listings FREE--newly updated
Import up to 1,000 at a time
Query by Yellow Page headings and create your own databases
Right-click on a street and get all its phone listings

Delete duplicate records from Yellow Page phone search results
Support for multiple monitors

Advanced and Practical--For Business and Personal Use Everything you need to create, customize, print, and share detailed maps containing your own contact address locations, and much more. Create databases of your business information. Import, edit, and map your vital contact manager data, or additional data from Excel or other sources. Display radius information including acreage, square miles, more. Print notebook and wall-size maps for strategic planning, trade shows, dispatch, and other needs. Create ultra-detailed maps for high-impact presentations.
Importing a Custom Database Situation: A real estate agency's clients are increasingly asking for details on each property's location. Currently, the agents mark the approximate location of the property on paper map, photocopy it and attach it to the listing report. This time consuming process does little to win the confidence of the client.
Solution: Using Street Atlas USA 2010 PLUS, the property listings database is imported as a spreadsheet using the XData tool. Each location is accurately displayed on the map, and MapNotes are used to highlight properties that meet the requirements of the client. This powerful yet easy-to-used tool saves time, provides accurate results, and improves the efficiency of the agency.
150 Million Phone and Address Listings Included Complete U.S. and Canadian business and white page phone and address listings included. Query by Yellow Page category headings. Create and save custom phone and address databases. Turn phone numbers into places of interest you can find when on the road. Right-click on a street and see all phone listings and locations displayed.
Countless Advantages Over Internet Mapping Sites Comprehensive tools for detailed desktop planning of your vacation or sales trip BEFORE you go, AND for on-the-go traveling using the latest electronic gear. Most other vehicle GPS systems are NOT planning tools and only track as you go. Support for Windows Vista, Pocket PCs, Windows Mobile 5.0 and later, UMPCs, and Palm OS included.
No Internet connection or subscription required--always have the map you need as you travel, right on your laptop
Detailed highway and street detail for the U.S. and Canada, highway detail for Mexico
150 million phone and address listings included
Pre-plan your trips with automatic routing and access to over 4 million places of interest
Print travel packages, mosaics, or wall maps
Use draw tools to add customized detail
Import, display, and manage your contact data
Link photos, documents, and Websites to your map files
User controls let you override program routing so you can take exactly the roads you want
Avoid congestion, take back roads, plan side trips
Locate restaurants, lodgings, sightseeing stops, businesses and services of all kinds
Use DeLorme's MapShare to send maps, routes, directions, and notes to others via a secure Web link
GPS-Ready! Connect a DeLorme Earthmate or other GPS to your laptop
Hear spoken directions, issue voice commands, get large on-screen directions
Track your travels using NavMode option with large, easily-accessible user controls and 3-D perspective
Streamline your routing while on the go with intelligent new E-Z Nav wizard

The GPS Leader Innovative GPS features: 2-D and 3-D NavMode voice commands, spoken directions, automatic back-on-track re-routing with off-route distance settings, high contrast mobile map colors, and much more. All in addition to the new E-Z Nav Search feature.
Up-to-Date Maps & Travel Information Comprehensive street and POI updates for the U.S and Canada, now with Mexico highways. Over 300,000 new or updated roads for 2010. Powerful travel planning tools, MapShare, and many data types.
Download Aerial Imagery Download $40 of aerial imagery FREE using included DeLorme Data Dollars and the software's NetLink tab. Imagery can be used with all of the Street Atlas USA routing, GPS, and draw tools.
Authentic DeLorme Maps Not licensed from 3rd party companies, the updated maps and 4 million places of interest are produced by experienced mapmakers at DeLorme.
See the Newest Street Atlas USA Plus Features:
New--Support for Netbooks
New--NEW! Over 300,000 road and road name updates. Extensive map and places-of-interest updates for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
New--NEW! Easy-Nav wizard makes on-the-go routing a breeze. Find a Point-of-Interest Navigate Right form Your Search Results


Core Functions
Map Controls The maps can be controlled using a variety of methods, including the traditional push-button zooming, which drills in/out while keeping the map exactly centered. Also, holding down the left mouse button enables you to drag and zoom, left-to-right, across the map, and moving the mouse in the same manner but in the opposite direction zooms out.
Find DeLorme employs several powerful search capabilities within the software. The first is a simple box called QuickSearch where you type common requests including towns, cities, lat/lons, ZIP codes, street addresses, colleges, and many more to receive the quickest possible matches. The places-of-interest search offers more advanced parameters and the advanced search is used when locating exact matches requires additional customer input.
Draw Add MapNotes; draw your own circles, polygons, and squares; measure the area of your draw objects--even draw in your own roads and route on them--these are amazingly powerful draw tools for the money.
Info Right-click on the map to learn more about what's underneath your cursor. Lat/Lon, names of streets and bodies of water--even local radio station information--can be viewed in this manner. Moreover, the bottom toolbar of the software displays a continuously updated readout of what's underneath your cursor.
Voice Use your voice for issuing routing and GPS commands while tracking. Ask common questions such as "How far to my next turn?" and the software answers. Microphone recommended for optimal usage. The software also reads upcoming turn information, including the time to turn, time to finish, and name of the street to turn onto. New voice settings allow you to select how far in advance of your turn you'd like to be prompted. Voice can also be turned off if you prefer.
Netlink and Aerial Imagery NetLink is your online link to DeLorme for $40 of free aerial imagery now included with the Street Atlas USA 2010 versions. Select your areas of interest and download only those grids to the software. Toggle the imagery on and off in a single-screen view. Add notes and draw objects to the imagery to customize lifelike views from space.

Mobile Device Mapping
Pocket PC, Windows Mobile 5.0 and later, and Palm OS Compatible Included at no extra charge is the DeLorme Handheld software, which now includes support for Windows Mobile 5.0 and later devices. Access the maps you want from the desktop software and hot-sync to your PDA. Add a DeLorme Bluetooth GPS for use with Bluetooth PDAs and navigate wire-free.
The DeLorme handheld functionality provides address-to-address routing, spoken directions, mobile map colors to reduce in-vehicle glare, and four million places of interest. Finding what you need is easy using the powerful search capabilities. Now you have powerful desktop mapping software and PDA software all conveniently provided in one Street Atlas USA 2010 package.
Maps on iPods Using a tool similar to how MapShare works, now you can select the maps you want from the desktop software and send them to your photo-capable iPod. These map images are static (e.g., cannot be manipulated once on the iPod) and come across in the order you select them, same as with photos. Once on your device, you can access the ones you need, when you need them. Due to the small screen size of iPods, we recommend these maps for urban walking situations where you can discretely reference the maps you need. (Not GPS compatible.)

Ease of Use
E-Z Nav Wizard New E-Z Nav wizard makes on-the-go searching and routing a breeze. Just search on any category (see below), choose your destination (retailer, hospital, gas station, friend's address, etc), and start real-time navigation with your GPS receiver on your dashboard. Great for daily and overall trip planning, too.
NavMode NavMode brings together all the primary GPS controls and readouts needed when using the GPS. Large-screen views make it easy to see the map and directions. You can switch between 2-D (standard) map view and 3-D perspective view for lifelike views.
Keyboard Shortcuts Set your own keyboard shortcut preferences for optimum control when using GPS. The key-bindings function is very powerful and advanced so you can design your ideal in-vehicle navigation solution to your personal specifications.
Right-Click Routing The easiest way for many to create and alter routes is to use the right-click feature. Select the route on your map and add new stops or vias, delete the route, all by simply right-clicking the object of interest. You can also add your own MapNotes or view the many pre-populated tags provided by the software.

Routing
Routing Create automatic routes using the quickest (time) or shortest (distance) routes. Use the E-Z Nav wizard if routing from a search result. Add VIAs to force the routing to take the roads you prefer. Turn on one-way indicators; select major areas to avoid; or select roads based on driving speed preferences. Add Stops and reorganize their order and the routing automatically recalculates. Create and manage routes either in the Route tab or by right-clicking on the maps. New translucent route highlight lets you see exit numbers and route shields beneath the route highlight.
Add Local Roads to Routing A DeLorme exclusive, this is the best way to update local roads when new developments are planned or added between DeLorme software releases. This tool is located within the Draw tab and lets you draw in the road segment, connecting it to another local road within the database. Assign a name, save it, and when you create automatic routes, the software is smart enough to include these new local roads in the routing calculations and also update the directions.
Personalized Routing with Address Book Create and save commonly-used names for places you visit often, such as "home," work," or "Dad's." Once these names are assigned, the routing Starts, Stops, and Finishes also display these names making retrieval easy for repeated usage. Customize routes using your own names and save them within MapShare for others to see -- they'll be amazed. You can also include up to 200 names from your address book to be recognized using this system.

Map & Travel Information
Map Data Because all DeLorme map data is created, updated annually, and owned by DeLorme, we are able to provide many features typically reserved for expensive in-vehicle navigation systems. Free from the license restrictions and third-party dependencies of other publishers, we can also evaluate customer-submitted revisions and implement these changes after triple-checking all submissions.
DeLorme currently has an enhanced commitment with staff in place to make as many customer revisions as possible.
Places of Interest (POI) Data The DeLorme database contains over 4 million annually updated places of interest across the U.S., with additional ones in Canada, including restaurants, lodgings, gas stations, travel services, RV stops, truck stops, malls, shopping--just about everything you could ever need on the road. The software settings let you choose the magnification level to display the various POIs to void cluttering your map views. The POIs can be accessed using the many Find capabilities or by right-clicking on the map and selecting places based on type and distance from map center.

GPS Features
GPS Radar Search Now you can travel with GPS and have the software find upcoming travel services based on their location from you. Find gas, hotels, shopping, and much more in your direction of travel and then easily make detours to these desired stops along the way.
It's like having your personal travel concierge with you at all times.
Automatic Back-on-Track GPS Using the Earthmate GPS LT-40, which turns a laptop PC into a powerful GPS navigator, it's possible to have the software offer new spoken and visual directions when you stray off course. Within the GPS tab of the Options section of the E-Z Nav toolbar, you can select or type the off-route distances you want to travel before the automatic recalculations kick in. Select short distances for city travel and longer ones for highway travel where you may exit frequently for roadside travel services.
GPS Spoken Directions The software can offer voice directions indicating upcoming turns and street names. It also can be set up to respond to your voice and answer common travel questions--a very powerful capability for mapping software within this price category. Several different voice types are included.

Printing & Sharing
Print Print crisp color or black & white maps that you control to best match what is seen on screen. Also print Travel Packages containing strip maps and directions to bring on your trip. Don't want to use a lot of ink and paper? Then print just the Turn Details which show thumbnail maps of each of the decision points along your route.
MapShare MapShare makes it easy to share your customized maps and directions with family, friends, and business associates. You create exactly the content you want and then post within our online MapShare library, which includes private administrative tools for you to manage. Similar to some of the better online photo resources, MapShare allows you to provide controlled access to your important maps without worrying about email and spam filters.

Demos & Tutorials
Getting Started Tutorial This tutorial provides a guided tour of the main capabilities of the software. It is also included within the software along with a comprehensive Help section with links to online discussion groups where DeLorme customers can help you.

Data
Included Street Atlas USA 2010 DVD contains the DeLorme produced and managed United States and Canadian street-level network. DeLorme highways and major roads for Mexico also included. The four million U.S. places of interest are updated annually based on phone book information and DeLorme's own research into exit services. Canadian POIs are also included, many with phone numbers.


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Topo USA 8.0 National Edition Review

Topo USA 8.0 National Edition
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've been buying DeLorme map products for years - and with each passing year, my love/hate relationship tilts a little more toward hate.
My reasons for buying DeLorme Topo are perhaps a bit different than most of its users. I am not an avid hiker, camper or outdoors person. I use Topo USA 8 and its predecessor to scout out good locations for landscape photography. Pretty simple stuff - and Topo doesn't handle it very well, but it is still the best in its class as far as similarly priced commercial products are concerned.
The GUI is, putting it charitably, weird. DeLorme insists on using its own graphical interface, eschewing ordinary Windows conventions. At the bottom of the screen are a series of tabs, many of which are of no interest to the casual user such as myself. Fortunately, the tabs can be managed to meet user desires. Everything is cumbersome. If computers had existed in the 1930s, the DeLorme Topo USA 8.0 interface would be right at home. However, this is 2009 and even the act of performing a simple location find is a burden. Zooming in an out of the map is accomplished with a bizarre set of icons, controls or drags on the screen..
The screen display is divided into three parts: an overview map, a default 2-D map and a switchable panel that provides a 3-D view if chosen. You can choose from three different map styles, only two of which are provided with the program. The instructions on using each of these panels is buried somewhere in the abbreviated help file. I've figure out enough of how to use the 3-D function to use it for my purposes.
DeLorme has become annoying in pushing extra-cost options at the customer, whether it is their handheld GPS map device, aerial imagery or other data. I am sure all these things are useful to some people, but I wish there were a way to disable all the advertising prompts, toggles and switches.
Map accuracy is better than Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009, but it is still not the greatest. A few days ago, I wanted to find a vantage point for photographing a lock and dam on the Upper Mississippi. It took me a while to figure out that the lock and dam which stretch across several hundred feet of the river are shown on the map as only a single dot.
As I noted above, my use of the product is a bit unusual and perhaps hikers and others will find the product more useful. Things are not helped by the failure to provide any worthwhile printed information. The help file is sparse, to say the least.
The program is relatively stable under Vista 64-bit.
On the whole, I think Google Maps are increasingly more suitable for my specific needs and, of course, are free. This is the second or third version of DeLorme Topo I've purchased. The interface has remained essentially the same: awful. The only other product of this kind at this price point that I've seen was worse, so DeLorme wins by default. But as I said, Google maps is a strong contender. It offers topographical maps for many locations.
I would advise caution for the first-time buyer of DeLorme Topo USA. It may not be a product you'll find usable. DeLorme itself offers a 30-day Satisfaction Guaranty. I don't know if this extends to products that aren't purchased directly from them.
Jerry

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Scout your destination as if you were there, with up-to-date terrain, trail, and road detail. Explore or fly over realistic 3-D. Import aerial imagery. Route your travels over roads and trails. Find public recreation lands. See elevation profiles. Customize and print maps at a wide range of scales. Topo USA 8.0 does it all.


The Most Complete & Best Value Mapping Software for Recreation Topo USA 8.0 is the most comprehensive computer mapping program for outdoor recreation, with unsurpassed maps, available imagery, trip planning features, on-road navigation, and GPS capabilities.
And it's by far the best value for the price--EVERYTHING needed comes in-the-box for the purchase price, including:
Complete USA topographic maps and detailed streets
Detailed streets for Canada; major roads for Mexico
Over 4 million places-of-interest (POIs)
Extensive USA trails network
Flexible printing choices
Ability to share your custom maps over the internet, and more


Core Functions
Map Controls The maps can be controlled using a variety of methods, including the traditional push-button zooming, which drills in/out while keeping the map exactly centered. Drag and Zoom CursorAlso, holding down the left mouse button enables you to drag and zoom, left-to-right, across the map, and moving the mouse in the same manner but in the opposite direction zooms out.
3-D Map Views and Flyovers See the terrain in vivid detail using the 3-D map views and controls. These realistic views also retain the various elements you add to your customized maps--trails, MapNotes, GPS waypoints, and Draw objects. The split-screen framework lets you see 2-D and 3-D maps side by side, with linked Draw tools that move and update in tandem. Now you can also grab the 3-D map views using the image grabber tool and scroll rapidly through 3-D views with great precision. The 3-D software engine has been completely rebuilt for this new version.
Find DeLorme employs several powerful search capabilities within the software. The first is a simple box called QuickSearch where you type common requests including towns, cities, lakes, mountains, lat/lons, ZIP codes, street addresses and many more to receive the quickest possible matches. The Advanced Search helps clarify more complex searches to provide the best possible results. Enhancements to Find with version 8.0 include the ability to perform searches based on multiple criteria: address, intersection, place name, natural feature, coordinates, places of interest, and more.
Profile The Profile tool lets you click on a route, line object, or body of water and see the elevation gain between one point and the next. Ideal for bikers, hikers, and large rigs wanting to know the elevation on their trips. It also gives you the ability to import heart rate, speed, and cadence data from GPS wrist computers, and graph them with the terrain profile for evaluation of athlete performance.
Draw Add MapNotes; draw your own circles, polygons, and squares; measure the area of your draw objects--even draw in your own roads and route on them--these are amazingly powerful draw tools for the money.
Measure The Measure Tool lets you measure linear distance and area on the map based on the units chosen in the Display tab of the Options dialog box. Draw polygons on the map and see the square footage or acreage of plots of land.
Info Right-click on the map to learn more about what's underneath your cursor. Lat/Lon, names of streets and bodies of water--even local radio station information--can be viewed in this manner. Moreover, the bottom toolbar of the software displays a continuously updated readout of what's underneath your cursor.
Attaching Images, Web URLs, and Other Documents Add your own images, live Web URLs, and diagrams and documents to the maps. Embed photos and diagrams showing fleet personnel what they will find at each location. Embed URLs next to your important stops on the maps for easy access when additional information is needed or updated online.
Image Tagger Preserve a record of exactly where you took your digital photos--all you need is a GPS track. The enlargeable thumbnail images appear on your map exactly where you took them on your trip.

Ease of Use
E-Z Nav Toolbar This handy toolbar runs along the top of the interface and offers access to commonly needed options, including GPS settings, the Measure tool, MapShare and Routing functions.
Keyboard Shortcuts New is the ability to set your own keyboard shortcut preferences for optimum control when using GPS. The new key-bindings function is very powerful and advanced so you can design your ideal in-vehicle navigation solution to your own personal specifications.
NetLink Netlink is your online link to DeLorme for important technical support messages, as well as the place where you select the download areas you want for use within the software.

Routing
Routing on Roads or Trails Create automatic road routes to get you to the trailhead, then use automatic trail routing to bring on your hikes. You can create routes from the Route tab or by simply right-clicking on the map and setting your Starts, Stops, and Finish points.
Personalized Routing with Address Book New is the ability to create and save commonly-used names for places you visit often, such as "home," work," or "Dad's." Once these names are assigned, the routing Starts, Stops, and Finishes also display these names making retrieval easy for repeated usage. Customize routes using your own names and save them within MapShare for others to see--they'll be amazed. You can also include up to 200 names from your address book to be recognized using this system.
Add Local Roads to Routing A DeLorme exclusive, this is the best way to update local roads when new developments are planned or added between DeLorme software releases. This tool is located within the Draw tab and lets you draw in the road segment, connecting it to another local road within the database. Assign a name, save it, and when you create automatic routes, the software is smart enough to include these new local roads in the routing calculations and also update the directions.

Map & Travel Information
NEW! Points-of-Interest New to Topo USA with the release of version 8.0 are 4 million places of interest from DeLorme's Street Atlas USA, including restaurants, lodgings, retailers, and businesses of all kinds. Also new are backcountry locations from the DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteers with icons for boat ramps, unique natural features, fishing and hunting locations, and more.
Map Data Topo USA offers the best of both worlds--the latest USGS digital topographic data and the latest DeLorme street network. Unlike the scanned raster USGS paper maps used in many other topographic software products, this unique DeLorme vector data blending assures you are working with the latest information. Many scanned USGS quad maps were made decades ago, so the roads shown are oftentimes outdated or nonexistent. Topo USA's vector -- or intelligent -- blended data enables smart searching, better labeling, and many other powerful software capabilities.
Data Download Dollars--FREE Map, Chart, and Imagery Downloads In addition to the enhanced topographic and street maps on the included Topo USA 8.0 DVD-ROM, your purchase entitles you to $40 in new Data Download Dollars, good for supplementary data as Web downloads. Options include USGS 1:24,000 quad maps, NOAA nautical charts, and the following imagery types: color aerial, black-and-white aerial, high-resolution cities (color aerial), and 10-meter color satellite. Data Download Dollars and the ability to purchase each dataset separately replaces the former Aerial Data Packets, that combined three data type together. Now you get only what you really need. Visit the Netlink tab of your DeLorme software to supplementary datasets.

GPS Features
GPS Waypoint Exchange Use the automatic route generation tool to create the route you want without hand-drawing each object. Then exchange this track log to your handheld GPS receiver and bring the information with you into the field. Bring your field data back into the desktop software from your GPS receiver to see where you have been. Supports Garmin, Magellan, and most other NMEA-compliant receivers.
GPS Log Playback Create a route along your favorite trail, right-click on the trail and Save as GPS Log File. Open the GPS tab, switch to 3-D mode, and play back the log file showing various icons moving along the trail. It's as close to being there as one can get without actually leaving your home.
Geocaching Support Topo USA supports popular geocaching site file formats .gpx and .loc, which makes geocaching more fun than ever. New with version 8.0 is the ability to import extended descriptions and hints from .gpx files found online at geocaching.com, also transportable to the PN-Series GPS Devices.

Printing & Sharing
Print Print crisp color or black & white maps that you control to best match what is seen on screen. Print maps including the elevation profile or simply print the elevation profile by itself. New in this version, print the split-screen maps showing your various datasets and Draw objects.
MapShare MapShare makes it easy to share your customized maps and directions with family, friends, and business associates. You create exactly the content you want and then post within our online MapShare library, which includes private administrative tools for you to manage. Similar to some of the better online photo resources, MapShare allows you to provide controlled access to your important maps without worrying about email and spam filters.

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TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana) Review

TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana)
Average Reviews:

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UPDATE 1/1/08: I just got a Mac after always previously using Windows. Great news--when I installed this 4.0 software, not only did it work fine, but it also corrected the two most serious objections I previously had with it. I now have no problems importing waypoints from my Garmin GPSmap 60CSx, and the software is now compatible with all the states I own from the previous Version 3 software. I don't know whether this is unique to Mac or whether it now works just as well with Windows, but when I did the installation, it automatically went to the National Geographic web site and downloaded a software update. I still give it 4 stars because of some of the other non-standard user interface choices, but these are easy enough to get used to. I didn't change the rest of the review, so keep this update in mind as you read it.
National Geographic topo maps are great if your understand their strengths and limitations (I have the Nevada version but they all work the same). First, don't expect to import the actual maps into a GPS receiver. These maps are raster-scanned directly from USGS 7.5' topos; GPS receivers use vector-graphic maps that are only available from your receiver's manufacturer (and they are much less detailed than NG maps). But you should never expect your GPS receiver's display to completely replace a paper map anyway. It's too small to show much detail, and if your receiver fails, you'd be out of luck. NOTE: Magellan has just introduced the Triton series, which is the first product designed to import maps from Topo!. This is a great advancement, but I haven't yet evaluated it to see how well it works.
Since these are based on USGS maps, they have the same high quality including tons of detail, but since many USGS maps are more than 10 years old, you won't necessarily get up-to-date information. Since topographic features don't ordinarily change as frequently as man-made features, you're usually OK, but keep this in mind.
These maps allow you do a lot of other things with your GPS. You can create waypoints on the computer, either by placing a marker on the map or by entering in the latitudes and longitudes of your points, then transferring them to the GPS. This is much easier than manually entering the info through your GPS user interface. You can also download tracks from your GPS receiver onto the map to see where you've been. And you can draw intended journeys directly on the map screen, then measure the distance and elevation profile of the route. The elevation profile is a bit noisy, but you get a pretty good idea of how much elevation change you'll experience on a hike. The tool you use to draw the route on the screen could benefit from an improved user interface, but with a little practice you can get pretty good at it. If you make a mistake, hold down the right mouse button to erase the error. One thing I like is that you can print out a custom paper map, and if you print using your inkjet on NG's waterproof paper, you can get a custom color map that really is waterproof. This latest edition is designed to work with USB receivers like the Garmin GPSMap 60-series. This is a tremendous advantage compared to the previous edition. BUT please note that it isn't completely compatible with the new GPSMap60CSx. It doesn't import waypoint names properly, they end up being simple numbers starting at 001. For some reason this isn't a problem with the older GPSMap60Cs.
The main objection I have is that it isn't easily compatible with the previous edition. In my case, I had the prior edition for California, and expected the California CDs to work with the new software. But for some reason they don't. So I have to leave the old edition installed for the California maps and the new one for Nevada maps. Fortunately I can use the USB capability of the Nevada software to download the California waypoints and tracks from my 60CSx. I then have to save the .tpo file, launch the old edition software and pull up the California map, then import the .tpo file. Very inconvenient, but at least there is a way to make it work. I guess they would prefer I buy a new edition of the California maps.
The only other thing to note is that they still haven't completely adopted Windows user interface conventions. For example, there are no scroll bars on the side and bottom of the map to allow you to move the map on your screen. You have to move your cursor to the edge of the map, watch for the cursor to change to an arrow, and hold down the mouse button. The direction of scroll depends on exactly where on the screen your cursor is. Another observation is that there is no EDIT menu, so I can't easily cut and paste data into other applications. But these are relatively small concerns that you can quickly adapt to. All in all this is a very valuable tool that I highly recommend.

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TOPO! harnesses the power of authentic USGS topographic maps in an intuitive software product that recreation enthusiasts and professionals use to customize and print photo-quality topographic maps. TOPO! includes five levels of seamless mapping, including USA maps from the National Geographic World Atlas, USGS 1:100,000 scale mapping - perfect for back road navigation - and USGS 1:24,000 scale maps, also known as 7.5 minute quads. Users can custom-center the map in any location, add their routes, trails and notes. In addition, users can transfer waypoints and routes between TOPO! and their GPS units. TOPO! includes added content and features not on USGS maps: updated streets and roads, shaded relief, 3D views and fly-throughs and elevation profiles. Users can download map and software updates, and can print waterproof maps on their inkjet printers with Adventure Paper. The USA Placefinder locates more than a million places and natural features.

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DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-40 2010 Review

DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-40 2010
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I received the new Earthmate 2010 LT-40 as a gift and installed it on a ASUS 1000HE netbook computer. Was concerned after hearing of others having problems, but am very pleased that I can report it worked for me out of the box, did not need to read manual or instructions, although I have no experience. I set up address book of places that I wanted to visit (zip codes work best for finding addresses), from and to addresses, reviewed the map routes, program generated directions and looked over the surrounding area, then installed the USB GPS which had no problems in 2D or 3D consistently receiving 7 to 10 channels of data, and drove the routes that I had planned. Voice directions worked fine, path history, automatic recalculation when I missed turns all worked well. Great product, easy to install and use at a very low cost. Nice gift to go with a netbook computer.
Update 10/21/2009: Used the Earthmate 2010 on the ASUS 1000HE recently on a 5 day trip to the Chicago area. Also carried a large foldout map as backup. Visited several dozen places during the day and some at night from north of O'Hare airport, to south of Midway airport and east to the shores of Lake Michigan. Never had to use the fold out map at all, which would have been very difficult at night, and even worse if lost. Earthmate worked very well to get around the maze of freeway connections, ramps, construction, and even some very poorly marked roads on the outskirts. With Earthmate always knew where I was, the GPS receiver consistently maintained lock even among the dense buildings in the city, and position lock acquired in seconds after the ASUS 1000HE was powered up.

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Voice-guided navigation, super-high-sensitivity chipset, support for netbooks, 3-D perspective, superior large-screen visibility, updated Street Atlas USA 2010 software. Automatic on-the-go searching and routing, 4 million places of interest.

Turn Your Laptop or PC into a Powerful GPS Navigator Turn your laptop PC or netbook into a powerful GPS navigator, with voice-guided navigation, automatic back-on-track, GPS Radar to locate travel services, and a new E-Z Nav wizard for effortless on-the-go routing. The LT-40 includes a high-sensitivity chipset for fast satellite acquisition, and DeLorme ConstantLock technology delivers surefire signal retention even in challenging GPS environments. Enjoy superior GPS tracking with NavMode, including optional 3-D perspective and large, easily accessible user controls. Use E-Z Nav to locate and route to nearby hotels, restaurants, attractions, sports venues, and businesses of all types--most with phone numbers included. Create routes automatically with user controls to ensure you take the roads you prefer. Calculate fuel usage and costs, and GPS-navigate with total confidence anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, and on major roads in Mexico. Add U.S. aerial imagery, and see your landmarks as you navigate.
LT-40 Features
Support for netbooks and ultra-mobile personal computers (UMPCs)
Optional 3-D viewing perspective when GPS tracking
More than 10 years experience making integrated mapping and laptop GPS solutions
Offers voice command option for you to ask the laptop PC questions and to hear responses (e.g., "How far to my next turn?")
Includes automatic back-on-track routing offering new directions to get you back on your pre-planned route with off-route distance settings you control
Provides high-contrast map color settings showing streets and roads in bright contrasting colors to improve in-vehicle visibility
Includes large fonts for easier typing when conducting searches on laptops—ideal for high-resolution laptop screens
Offers next-turn and turn-after-that large directional arrows and large-font text directions for ideal navigation mode
Includes Center-on-GPS setting allowing you to scout ahead on the map without always snapping back to your GPS position
Includes ability to GPS track on free aerial imagery downloaded from DeLorme
Provides GPS Radar searches with voice prompts that look for services near your current GPS location, displaying information about each with directions to get there
Offers ability to control many GPS settings such as length of the breadcrumb trail, voice settings, and distance off-track before automatic re-routing kicks in


Street Atlas USA 2010 Features
Street-level detail for the U.S. and Canada, highways and main roads in Mexico
Over 300,000 new or updated roads
Support for netbooks
Over 4 million places of interest in U.S. and Canada
Easy, automatic routing
GPS ready, with voice-guided navigation
Versatile, flexible editing and print capabilities
Support for Palm OS and WinCE devices
Available aerial imagery--$40 worth free
Share customized maps, routes, and directions
GPS-accurate placement for individual locations in 90+ chains in the U.S. and Canada
Truck stop data with extended information about service offerings
Airport and mall access roads
Major sports venues: college, professional, NASCAR
Support for UMPCs
Support for multiple monitors

Much More Powerful than Online Mapping Comprehensive tools for detailed desktop planning of your vacation or sales trip BEFORE you go, AND for on-the-go traveling using the latest electronic gear. Most other vehicle GPS systems are NOT planning tools and only track as you go. Support for Windows Vista, Pocket PCs, Windows Mobile 5.0 and later, UMPCs, and Palm OS included.
The GPS Leader Innovative GPS features: 2-D and 3-D NavMode voice commands, spoken directions, automatic back-on-track re-routing with off-route distance settings, high contrast mobile map colors, and much more. All in addition to the new E-Z Nav Search feature.
Up-to-Date Maps & Travel Information Comprehensive street and POI updates for the U.S and Canada, now with Mexico highways. Over 300,000 new or updated roads for 2010. Powerful travel planning tools, MapShare, and many data types.
Download Aerial Imagery Download $40 of aerial imagery FREE using included DeLorme Data Dollars and the software's NetLink tab. Imagery can be used with all of the Street Atlas USA routing, GPS, and draw tools.
Authentic DeLorme Maps Not licensed from 3rd party companies, the updated maps and 4 million places of interest are produced by experienced mapmakers at DeLorme.
See the Newest Street Atlas USA Features:
New--Support for Netbooks
New--NEW! Over 300,000 road and road name updates. Extensive map and places-of-interest updates for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
New--NEW! Easy-Nav wizard makes on-the-go routing a breeze. Find a Point-of-Interest Navigate Right form Your Search Results


Core Functions
Map Controls The maps can be controlled using a variety of methods, including the traditional push-button zooming, which drills in/out while keeping the map exactly centered. Also, holding down the left mouse button enables you to drag and zoom, left-to-right, across the map, and moving the mouse in the same manner but in the opposite direction zooms out.
Find DeLorme employs several powerful search capabilities within the software. The first is a simple box called QuickSearch where you type common requests including towns, cities, lat/lons, ZIP codes, street addresses, colleges, and many more to receive the quickest possible matches. The places-of-interest search offers more advanced parameters and the advanced search is used when locating exact matches requires additional customer input.
Draw Add MapNotes; draw your own circles, polygons, and squares; measure the area of your draw objects--even draw in your own roads and route on them--these are amazingly powerful draw tools for the money.
Info Right-click on the map to learn more about what's underneath your cursor. Lat/Lon, names of streets and bodies of water--even local radio station information--can be viewed in this manner. Moreover, the bottom toolbar of the software displays a continuously updated readout of what's underneath your cursor.
Voice Use your voice for issuing routing and GPS commands while tracking. Ask common questions such as "How far to my next turn?" and the software answers. Microphone recommended for optimal usage. The software also reads upcoming turn information, including the time to turn, time to finish, and name of the street to turn onto. New voice settings allow you to select how far in advance of your turn you'd like to be prompted. Voice can also be turned off if you prefer.
Netlink and Aerial Imagery NetLink is your online link to DeLorme for $40 of free aerial imagery now included with the Street Atlas USA 2010 versions. Select your areas of interest and download only those grids to the software. Toggle the imagery on and off in a single-screen view. Add notes and draw objects to the imagery to customize lifelike views from space.

Mobile Device Mapping
Pocket PC, Windows Mobile 5.0 and later, and Palm OS Compatible Included at no extra charge is the DeLorme Handheld software, which now includes support for Windows Mobile 5.0 and later devices. Access the maps you want from the desktop software and hot-sync to your PDA. Add a DeLorme Bluetooth GPS for use with Bluetooth PDAs and navigate wire-free.
The DeLorme handheld functionality provides address-to-address routing, spoken directions, mobile map colors to reduce in-vehicle glare, and four million places of interest. Finding what you need is easy using the powerful search capabilities. Now you have powerful desktop mapping software and PDA software all conveniently provided in one Street Atlas USA 2010 package.
Maps on iPods Using a tool similar to how MapShare works, now you can select the maps you want from the desktop software and send them to your photo-capable iPod. These map images are static (e.g., cannot be manipulated once on the iPod) and come across in the order you select them, same as with photos. Once on your device, you can access the ones you need, when you need them. Due to the small screen size of iPods, we recommend these maps for urban walking situations where you can discretely reference the maps you need. (Not GPS compatible.)

Ease of Use
E-Z Nav Wizard New E-Z Nav wizard makes on-the-go searching and routing a breeze. Just search on any category (see below), choose your destination (retailer, hospital, gas station, friend's address, etc), and start real-time navigation with your GPS receiver on your dashboard. Great for daily and overall trip planning, too.
NavMode NavMode brings together all the primary GPS controls and readouts needed when using the GPS. Large-screen views make it easy to see the map and directions. You can switch between 2-D (standard) map view and 3-D perspective view for lifelike views.
Keyboard Shortcuts Set your own keyboard shortcut preferences for optimum control when using GPS. The key-bindings function is very powerful and advanced so you can design your ideal in-vehicle navigation solution to your personal specifications.
Right-Click Routing The easiest way for many to create and alter routes is to use the right-click feature. Select the route on your map and add new stops or vias, delete the route, all by simply right-clicking the object of interest. You can also add your own MapNotes or view the many pre-populated tags provided by the software.

Routing
Routing Create automatic routes using the quickest (time) or shortest (distance) routes. Use the E-Z Nav wizard if routing from a search result. Add VIAs to force the routing to take the roads you prefer. Turn on one-way indicators; select major areas to avoid; or select roads based on driving speed preferences. Add Stops and reorganize their order and the routing automatically recalculates. Create and manage routes either in the Route tab or by right-clicking on the maps. New translucent route highlight lets you see exit numbers and route shields beneath the route highlight.
Add Local Roads to Routing A DeLorme exclusive, this is the best way to update local roads when new developments are planned or added between DeLorme software releases. This tool is located within the Draw tab and lets you draw in the road segment, connecting it to another local road within the database. Assign a name, save it, and when you create automatic routes, the software is smart enough to include these new local roads in the routing calculations and also update the directions.
Personalized Routing with Address Book Create and save commonly-used names for places you visit often, such as "home," work," or "Dad's." Once these names are assigned, the routing Starts, Stops, and Finishes also display these names making retrieval easy for repeated usage. Customize routes using your own names and save them within MapShare for others to see -- they'll be amazed. You can also include up to 200 names from your address book to be recognized using this system.

Map & Travel Information
Map Data Because all DeLorme map data is created, updated annually, and owned by DeLorme, we are able to provide many features typically reserved for expensive in-vehicle navigation systems. Free from the license restrictions and third-party dependencies of other publishers, we can also evaluate customer-submitted revisions and implement these changes after triple-checking all submissions.
DeLorme currently has an enhanced commitment with staff in place to make as many customer revisions as possible.
Places of Interest (POI) Data The DeLorme database contains over 4 million annually updated places of interest across the U.S., with additional ones in Canada, including restaurants, lodgings, gas stations, travel services, RV stops, truck stops, malls, shopping--just about everything you could ever need on the road. The software settings let you choose the magnification level to display the various POIs to void cluttering your map views. The POIs can be accessed using the many Find capabilities or by right-clicking on the map and selecting places based on type and distance from map center.

GPS Features
GPS Radar Search Now you can travel with GPS and have the software find upcoming travel services based on their location from you. Find gas, hotels, shopping, and much more in your direction of travel and then easily make detours to these desired stops along the way.
It's like having your personal travel concierge with you at all times.
Automatic Back-on-Track GPS Using the Earthmate GPS LT-40, which turns a laptop PC into a powerful GPS navigator, it's possible to have the software offer new spoken and visual directions when you stray off course. Within the GPS tab of the Options section of the E-Z Nav toolbar, you can select or type the off-route distances you want to travel before the automatic recalculations kick in. Select short distances for city travel and longer ones for highway travel where you may exit frequently for roadside travel services.
GPS Spoken Directions The software can offer voice directions indicating upcoming turns and street names. It also can be set up to respond to your voice and answer common travel questions--a very powerful capability for mapping software within this price category. Several different voice types are included.

Printing & Sharing
Print Print crisp color or black & white maps that you control to best match what is seen on screen. Also print Travel Packages containing strip maps and directions to bring on your trip. Don't want to use a lot of ink and paper? Then print just the Turn Details which show thumbnail maps of each of the decision points along your route.
MapShare MapShare makes it easy to share your customized maps and directions with family, friends, and business associates. You create exactly the content you want and then post within our online MapShare library, which includes private administrative tools for you to manage. Similar to some of the better online photo resources, MapShare allows you to provide controlled access to your important maps without worrying about email and spam filters.

Demos & Tutorials
Getting Started Tutorial This tutorial provides a guided tour of the main capabilities of the software. It is also included within the software along with a comprehensive Help section with links to online discussion groups where DeLorme customers can help you.

Data
Included Street Atlas USA 2010 DVD contains the DeLorme produced and managed United States and Canadian street-level network. DeLorme highways and major roads for Mexico also included. The four million U.S. places of interest are updated annually based on phone book information and DeLorme's own research into exit services. Canadian POIs are also included, many with phone numbers.


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