Showing posts with label gps mapping software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gps mapping software. Show all posts

Microsoft MapPoint 2009 Review

Microsoft MapPoint 2009
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
My workplace just upgraded to 2009 from 2006, and while 2006 was easily the best version of this software I've ever used, the 2009 version is easily the worst and has gone backward in functuality.
For one thing, the program doesn't support Windows 2000, which all of the computers where I am run. I know, they should upgrade to XP (which they have finally begun to do with Win2K end of life support), but they won't do that, so I'm stuck using this on a VPN running Server 2003 (eventually upgraded to Server 2008), which is acceptable, though slow.
Guiding myself around the interface is now a pain; instead of giving you a choice between panning and zooming via the toolbar, you're stuck with the left mouse button panning, and the right button dragging the box to zoom in. Nobody uses the right mouse button for click and drag interaction, and I never use the panning feature, preferring to use the arrow keys, so this works horribly for me. The interface also defaults to an ugly black background within the toolbars instead of the cool blue of Office 2007 in XP/2003/Vista or basic grey of Mappoint 2006, which makes the program seem more intimidating than friendly.
Pushpin choices are extremely reduced, and you're stuck with only a few landmark pins and a few colored pins (up to 20) which seemed to be designed on the rush. In 2006 to pinpoint a destination, I could differentiate it as a business or home by using a pin to do so; that's no longer the case here. It's either one of the basic pins, slowly adding custom ones (or as I later found out, grabbing the old icon pack from the many Streets and Trips/MapPoint enthusiast forums out there), or you're out of luck.
Searching has been seriously kludged. I used to be able to type an address in the style [123 Sample Rd, WI] to save time and unneeded keystrokes to get to the address I needed within my state without having to type the city, and go right past matching addresses in other states. No longer does it default to WI with the [, WI] command. It lists every address from the beginning in Alabama, and if it's a common number/street combo, you'll be hitting Page Down quite a few times. Then you also get the blended listings from Live/Bing Search. This should be a good thing, right? But it slows down the search process, and often it's redundant and unneeded if you're just searching for a basic address, not a business name or type.
I'm also finding it hard to zoom the map to a certain geographic area, such as a county after a click on the county's name, and I have to pan the map into frame and zoom manually to place an entire county or city in focus of the window. Zooming options have seemed to lessen too, as my favorite default of 18 miles has seemed to change to 20 miles, losing street grid information within that view.
This program is wonderful and my favorite map program, but things that weren't broken were 'fixed', and have ruined the user experience for me. I would love to see a software update to address these problems, but for now I'm going to use a combo of paper maps, Google Earth, and the kludge of Mappoint 2009 to search for maps rather than depending on this alone.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft MapPoint 2009

Microsoft MapPoint 2009 gives you the power to visualize business data, communicate insights with instant impact, and integrate maps into the work you do in Microsoft Office.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Microsoft MapPoint 2009

Read More...

Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008 Plus Review

Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008 Plus
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Upon installation I view the map for my own city, Bend, Oregon. The major highway, completed 7 years ago, is not shown! Numerous other missing and mislabeled roads make the map so unreliable as to be almost useless. Other paper and electronic maps, even those 5 years old, have the major roads shown correctly.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008 Plus

DeLorme's Street Atlas USA 2008 Plus is the best mapping tool for beginning or seasoned travellers. They've added over 4 million new U.S. and Canadian streets and roads, with accurate all-new waypoints, routes and tracks. Browse through 4 million Points of Interest (POI) -- restaurants, hotels gas stations and many others. When interfaced with a compatible GPS, Street Atlas 2008 Plus will provide verbal turn by turn directions. The Street Atlas 2008 will not only tell you when to turn it will also tell you the name of the street that you are turning on to. With Plus, you can import your own data from Outlook, Excel, text file, and other programs. Make your own map notes, points of interest and planned routes -- or just add notes to pre-existing maps to make them even more useful. Plus also includes a full list of 120 million residential and business searchable phone listings, all located along the maps.Address-to-address routing Pocket PC & Windows Mobile 5.0 handheld software included at no extra charge GPS navigation controlsFour million places of interestGPS Voice Commands (you speak, it responds)GPS driving directions announcing street names and exit numbersLoad maps onto photo-capable iPods and other portable media playersPalm OS support Software and GPS compatible with Intel-based Macintosh notebooks running Boot Camp or Parallels for Windows XP

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008 Plus

Read More...

Garmin MapSource Europe Select Street Map CD-ROM (Windows) Review

Garmin MapSource Europe Select Street Map CD-ROM (Windows)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
You might be asking yourself, should I get the City Select Europe or the City Navigator Europe for about twice the price? I can't answer the question for you but I can say that I just returned from a 3 week trip where we drove all over Switzerland and France (including Paris) using City Select Europe and I'm glad I made the purchase.
I loaded my 2610 (North America basemap) with a good portion of eastern Europe before I departed. Once there, I was surprised how quickly the GPS acquired satelites and provided position and directional information. The GPS did a fine job of directing us from the airport to our hotel, from the hotel to sights in the area, to our hotel in Paris, to side trips to Dijon and Basil, etc. Worked equally well in cities and between cities.
The only problems I found, and these are not major ones IMHO, are:
* Once the GPS told us to take exit 46. But the exits have no numbers!
* Several times the GPS told us to take an exit using a description that was not on the exit.
In both cases, the audible directions ("in 2 kilometers exit right") and maps (showing the turn) were correct.
So what's the difference between City Select and City Navigator for Europe other than the price? I contacted Garmin, they say that "City Navigator handles rotaries (roundabouts) better". I did not see any problems with roundabouts during my trip.
I suspect that the City Navigator has more points of interest loaded, but I don't know this for a fact. Bottom line, I would recommend City Select Europe to anyone with a 2610 needing to travel in and around the countries it covers.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin MapSource Europe Select Street Map CD-ROM (Windows)

Garmin's MapSource City Select Europe v6 cartography software contains updated detailed maps of major metropolitan areas throughout Western Europe, making it the perfect vacation planner or orientation tool. The software also offers trip and waypoint management functions that work with nearly all Garmin GPS units, excluding the GPS 100 family and panel-mount aviation units.Its detailed maps describe motorways, national and regional thoroughfares, and local roads, all with attributes such as turn restrictions, speed categories, and other features. The software displays points of interest such as locations for food and drink, lodging, border crossings, gas stations, hospitals, and more.When using a locked MapSource product, the real-time track plotting function will only work with GPS products that have valid unlock codes that work with City Select.When using your GPS V, GPSMAP 196, NavTalk GSM Phone, iQue, GPSMAP 60C, or GPSMAP 60CS with the City Select Europe v6 MapSource CD, you'll be able to view and download maps from all of the regions shown outlined in the product's technical data section. The CD also contains attributes to automatically calculate routes on your compatible GPS. A certificate included with this software explains how to obtain a code to "unlock" the entire CD-ROM free of charge.Note: MapSource City Select Europe is also included with the purchase of an Atlantic GPS V Deluxe, NavTalk GSM Phone, iQue 3200 Atlantic, iQue 3600 Atlantic, or Quest device. Prior to use, this CD must be unlocked via Garmin's unlock pages at www.garmin.com or by telephone.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Garmin MapSource Europe Select Street Map CD-ROM (Windows)

Read More...

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.....

Click Here to see more reviews about: DeLorme Earthmate LT-40 GPS

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.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about DeLorme Earthmate LT-40 GPS

Read More...

Garmin MapSource City Navigator Europe (CD-ROM) Review

Garmin MapSource City Navigator Europe (CD-ROM)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I just returned from a trip to Europe. For our trip we flew in to Rome, drove to a rural area an hour outside Florence, spent a week there and drove to Florence, then on to Parma, the Loire valley and finally on to Paris. I purchased this software with the Garmin GPSMap 60Cx and offer the following comments.
1 - Ignore the picture showing V6 - This REALLY is version 8 for sale.
2 - The software was mostly easy to use. The download / upload process was relatively pain free and reasonably fast. There is no need to delete the existing maps in the unit before loading a new map in - your upload simply writes over the current maps.
3 - The only bugs I noticed have to do with getting at the underlying directions for Routes you create. I found that selecting the route did not always work, but that clicking on the route on the map and then clicking on Properties to get to the Directions solved the problem.
4 - The turn-by-turn directions were mostly spot on. However there were some places in Italy where I ran in to areas that were recently / currently under construction and in these areas, some wrong turns were indicated. The most useful feature in these circumstances was the automatic recalculation for directions.
5 - When you zoom in to a quarter mile radius, the location of restaurants, local attractions, etc show up with useful symbols, sometimes with amusing results. Outside the door of our hotel in Florence I turned on the unit and saw no fewer than 15 pizza symbols (pizzerias) within 2 blocks of our hotel.
Now on to the cons
6 - The Route function does not seem to work as advertised. You are supposed to be able to create a Route between two or more points on your computer and then download them to your device. The only problem is that the Route only works if you also include ALL of the map segments between the points. With a 64 MB limit on my device, this was often impossible. The result is that I had to download subsets of the map segments for my drive from Parma to Paris and then create routes for segments of the drive. If I did not have my laptop with me, I would have been out of luck.
A couple of suggestions for version 9. Please break up some of the larger areas into smaller maps. On the segment from Geneva to Paris, I passed through the very northwest corner of one map segment for maybe 15 miles. However I had to load the ENTIRE 6 MB segment in to memory. Alternatively, if the Route function can allow you to load in only the portion of the segment you will drive through, I would be VERY happy.
Also, I was shocked to find that the toll through the Mont Blanc tunnel was 39 euros. There were also numerous other tolls along the way from Parma to Paris - totaling over 115 euros. It would be nice to know this in advance to allow for planning purposes. Considering the fact that thousands of pizzerias are pre-loaded, information about toll roads doesn't seem like too much to ask for.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin MapSource City Navigator Europe (CD-ROM)

Garmin City Navigator Europe Digital Map 010-10373-00 Digital Maps

Buy NowGet 68% OFF

Click here for more information about Garmin MapSource City Navigator Europe (CD-ROM)

Read More...

Delorme Topo USA v5.0 (DVD) Review

Delorme Topo USA v5.0 (DVD)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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 . . .

Click Here to see more reviews about: Delorme Topo USA v5.0 (DVD)

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

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Delorme Topo USA v5.0 (DVD)

Read More...

Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008 Review

Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008

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

Buy NowGet 63% OFF

Click here for more information about Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008

Read More...

Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009 Review

Microsoft Streets and Trips 2009
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
As a loyal user of Streets and Trips for several years, I have purchased every version (often by pre-order) since 2001. In short, S&T has several advantages over online alternatives (and a few limitations) that generally make it a worthwhile investment for both business and leisure travelers.
If you already have a previous version of S&T, purchasing this version would primarily be for updated map data and point-of-interest information. The cosmetics are slightly different than S&T 2008, but there are only a few minor feature enhancements. If you are using Google Maps or Mapquest, Streets and Trips offers four distinct advantages over these free alternatives 1) speed 2) control 3) no advertisements 4) offline access (i.e. no Internet required). Personally, I became a big fan of S&T when I began to travel more frequently prior to having 3G mobile broadband access on my notebook. The ability to quickly get directions while on a business trip is very, very helpful.
.............. Why Pay For Streets and Trips 2009 When Free Online services Exist?...........
1. The speed of S&T is far superior than Internet-based alternatives. This speed advantage is especially apparent when you pan across sections of a map. In S&T, the response is instantaneous. Also, showing the point-of-interest locations (subway stops, restaurants, hotels, etc) is lightening fast. Place the mouse on a particular address or intersecting and select "Find Nearby Places". Almost instantaneously, locations in pre-selected categories appear within a defined radius.
2. The ability to tightly control, save and print maps is big plus for power users. Planning a trip to a new city? You can save as map with directions and locations as a file. Just double click on the file when you are ready to use - just like any office document. For those who make road trips, S&T provides the option to apply different speeds to different types of roads (highways, arterial roads, local roads). Unfortunately, Microsoft stopped allowing input of specific speeds a few revisions ago and now merely has slider bars that range from slowest to fastest. Also as part of this function, Microsoft allows for input of highway/city vehicle MPG and fuel cost per gallon to calculate the cost of a trip.
3. Advertisements are irritating. Time is money. The ability to view and print maps without advertisements is a big plus in my opinion. Why waste your color ink to print a banner ad? S&T allows to see and print exactly what you want.
4. Don't have mobile broadband on your notebook? Want to check destination maps while in the air? Locally stored data is the only solution. Given that the map data is located locally on the user's hard drive, there is no need to get connected to the Internet. Of course, a hybrid environment that uses both locally stored data and online information is the best of both worlds. S&T is almost there (below).
..............What Has Changed Since Streets and Trips 2008? ..............
In terms of what has changed since S&T 2008, the answer is not much. If accuracy is important to you, it always makes sense to get the latest map data that represents both new data and corrections of old data. Point-of-interest data changes much more frequently than street data, so if you a big fan of restaurants this is a valid reason to get the latest version. However, it is important to understand there still appears to be a significant delay, sometimes over 1-2 years before a new restaurant will be added to the point-of-interest data. The inability to update this information in real-time is my biggest complaint about Streets and Trips. While Microsoft is slowly enhancing the live data capabilities, there is still a long way to go. I would guess the real issue is not technical, but financial. Map and point-of interest data is a multi-billion dollar industry. It would probably require a subscription on top of the purchase price to provide higher quality point-of-interest data.
The 2009 version appears faster in use but slower to load. This implies that more data is being loaded into memory upon launch. This might have something to do with a new process that is continuously running, streetsolkshim.exe for which I have not been able to find any information. Zooming appears faster than the already extremely fast 2008 version. However, I have no way of confirming this scientifically.
There are some different cosmetics than previous versions. Most notably are the icons on top menu bar are more descriptive and can be toggled between small and large. They have graphics like a steering wheel button representing the directions function. My guess is the icon scheme is probably designed for traveling retirees with diminished eyesight.
A minor enhancement is the ability to send an address to a mobile phone from within Streets and Trips. Somewhat oddly, the function does not allow directions to be sent. This may have something to do with SMS message length limitations.
One interesting new function that improves Streets and Trips interactivity with the outside world is the Coupon Function. This connects to Entertainment.com database of coupons. Entertainment Publications, the operator of the Entertainment.com web site, predates the web. Basically, it is a company that sells coupon books for $35 with deep discounts for restaurants and attractions. In Streets and Trips 2009, a trial to the service is suppose to be free for two weeks. Afterwards, you need to purchase a subscription. Unfortunately, I have not be able to get the service to work after six (6) calls to Microsoft's horrible Indian-based tech support. The support team members had a poor command of the English language and had zero familiarity with the 2009 version of S&T. The problem has still not been resolved.Pros
*Fast
*No advertisements
*Ability to save maps and directions as files for future use
*Locally stored map data
*Some external data connectivity (i.e. coupons, construction, live search)
Cons
*Still no core data updating via the Internet
*Lacks very recent point-of-interest data
*Ridiculously bad tech support....................Other Notes......................
As much as people tend to dislike Microsoft and complain about software bugs in general, problems with map accuracy are not Microsoft's fault. They don't create the data. Map data creation is a billion dollar industry run by Navteq (now owned by Nokia) and Tele-Atlas.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009

NEW—Entertainment online's FREE trial membership for special savings; NEW—Send location information to your mobile device; NEW—Updated street maps for the United States and Canada; NEW—Experience an even more intuitive look and feel

Buy NowGet 37% OFF

Click here for more information about Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009

Read More...

DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2010 Plus Review

DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2010 Plus
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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!

Click Here to see more reviews about: DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2010 Plus

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.


Buy NowGet 73% OFF

Click here for more information about DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2010 Plus

Read More...

Magellan MapSend Streets and Destinations Canada Street Map CD-ROM (Windows) Review

Magellan MapSend Streets and Destinations Canada Street Map CD-ROM (Windows)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Don't waste your money on this product!
I was hoping this software would assist me in finding my way around the logging roads of Nova Scotia during my summer months there. MapSend has no detail of back roads and only useful if you travel main highways. One of the few lakes outlined in Nova Scotia is mis-named which caused me a little confusion until I realized the shortcomings of this product.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan MapSend Streets and Destinations Canada Street Map CD-ROM (Windows)

The MapSend Streets & Destinations Canada software contains highly-detailed maps that can be easily downloaded from your PC to your handheld GPS receiver for a fun and simple way to navigate. Map details include streets, lakes, rivers, coastlines, parks, railways and points of interest for all of Canada. You choose the regions and level of detail to download for maximum memory efficiency. The data can then be updated or overwritten with new map regions.

Buy NowGet 97% OFF

Click here for more information about Magellan MapSend Streets and Destinations Canada Street Map CD-ROM (Windows)

Read More...

DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2009 Review

DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2009
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I had a previous version of this and wanted to update it to get the latest road changes. I was very disappointed in how out of date the maps are. It was almost no change to the 2 year old version I already had for the area I live in. Even corrections I sent in over a year earlier were not included.

Click Here to see more reviews about: DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2009

Updated, exceptionally detailed map software you can use anywhere – on the go with your laptop PC, ultra mobile PC, PDA, or touchscreen phone. No Internet access or subscription required. Get street-level detail for the U.S. and Canada, plus highways and major roads for Mexico. Pre-plan your trips with automatic routing and over 4 million places of interest. User controls let you plan side trips, avoid congested areas, choose back roads, and more. Locate restaurants, lodgings, attractions, truck stops, sports venues, and businesses of all kinds. Calculate fuel usage and costs. Customize the maps to meet your needs. Import aerial imagery. Print a wide variety of map packages, or use MapShare to send maps, routes, and directions to others via a secure Web link. GPS-ready ― connect a DeLorme Earthmate or other receiver to your laptop and receive spoken directions. Use new NavMode for a 3-D perspective, and locate upcoming travel services as you drive.

Buy NowGet 5% OFF

Click here for more information about DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2009

Read More...

DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-20 2008 U.S.A./Canada Map DVD-ROM (Windows) Review

DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-20 2008 U.S.A./Canada Map DVD-ROM (Windows)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have this product, and Amazon is wrong in its description.
I have tried to contact Amazon but they will not listen.
THIS product does NOT come with Street Atlas USA 2008 PLUS; it comes with Street Atlas 2008. The PLUS software has a database of 150 million phone listings (imagine drive through Bethesda MD and your realize you have lost your contacts and need an eye doctor. PLUS software will help you find one with a phone number.)
The software that comes with this product does not have 150 million phone listings.
The software that comes with the more expensive Earthmate GPS BT-20 2008 IS Street Atlas USA 2008 PLUS with the 150 million phone listings.
(Isn't it sad we have to correct Amazon product desciptions by writing a review instead of by contacting someone by email?)

Click Here to see more reviews about: DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-20 2008 U.S.A./Canada Map DVD-ROM (Windows)

Earthmate GPS LT-20 & Street Atlas USA 2008 Bundle Goes Wherever You Go Unlike expensive built-in devices, this GPS can go in any car your own, rentals on trips, new or old because it connects to your existing laptop PC The GPS Leader Loaded with innovative GPS features including voice commands, spoken directions, automatic back-on-track re-routing, & mobile map colors Produced by DeLorme Mapmakers Not licensed from 3rd party companies, the updated maps and 4 million places of interest are produced by experienced mapmakers here at DeLorme. Includes customer revisions Before you go from your laptop or desktop PC Route Planning Powerful Searching Printing and Sharing Suggested Uses: Vacation planning Business trip planning House-hunting trips College visits Motorcoach and truck travel On-the-go with the Earthmate GPS LT-20 Up-to-date Maps Voice Commands and Spoken Directions Useful Travel Information Suggested Uses: Explore Americas back roads Create address-to-address routes among your business appointments Plan for emergency evacuations and avoid frustrating traffic backups Find last-minute lodging and food in unfamiliar places Part number: 31329

Buy Now

Click here for more information about DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-20 2008 U.S.A./Canada Map DVD-ROM (Windows)

Read More...

Garmin MapSource U.S.A. Topographical Map CD-ROM (Windows) Review

Garmin MapSource U.S.A. Topographical Map CD-ROM (Windows)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this product for hikes and to guide me in navigating rivers. Only very major roads are named so I can't use this very easily to calculate my route there. Most roads are there but they just vanish at some points and reappear in others. Using a real topo map it is immediately obvious that these same roads do not dissapear and in fact continue on their course uninteruppted like a road should. The elevations and detail are very course. No trails are shown. I am not very happy I bought this product and am going to look into the roads and recreation to see if it does a better job. FYI I bought this to use with my Etrex Legend which I think is just great.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin MapSource U.S.A. Topographical Map CD-ROM (Windows)

Garmin's United States TOPO MapSource CD-ROM is similar to U.S. Geological Survey 1:100,000-scale topographic paper maps. It includes trip and waypoint management functions that allow you to transfer waypoints, routes, and tracks between your PC and nearly all Garmin GPS units (excluding the GPS 100 family and panel-mount aviation units). With MapSource, you can view highways, roads, hiking trails, snowmobile trails, backwoods trails, elevation contours, point and summit elevations, some bathymetric contours, geographic names, churches, and schools. Shoreline detail is included for lakes, reservoirs, small bodies of water, waterways, rivers, and streams. Icons represent boat ramps, dams, marinas, campgrounds, public facilities, mile markers, first aid stations, picnic sites, swimming areas, ski areas, wrecks, fuel locations, and dangerous and restricted areas.
In addition, nautical navigational aids for the 50 states are provided, including radio beacons, RACONs, and fog signals; river, harbor, and other lights; and day beacons and lighted and unlighted buoys. Shipwrecks, submerged rocks, obstructions, and other hazards to nautical navigation are also displayed.
Note on compatibility: The trip and waypoint management functions of this product work with nearly all Garmin GPS units, excluding the GPS 100 family and panel-mount aviation units. Specifically, the map-download features of this product work with the eTrex Legend, eTrex Vista, eMap, GPS V, StreetPilot, StreetPilot ColorMap, StreetPilot III, and GPSMAP 76, 162, 168, 176, and 295. Some units may require a Garmin data card to upload map data.

Buy NowGet 57% OFF

Click here for more information about Garmin MapSource U.S.A. Topographical Map CD-ROM (Windows)

Read More...

Garmin MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager Review

Garmin MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I recently purchased a Garmin Quest2 which comes with all the software installed and no supplemental CD with MapSource, etc. I needed to install maps I obtained from New Zealand. Garmin says it won't install maps, but it installed them very nicely. Further it has proven an excellent trip planning tool allowing me to set up routes and waypoints at home and upload them to the Quest2 before we leave for New Zealand. Much easier than trying to set them up on the Quest2 directly.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager

The Garmin MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager is the complete tool for managing your compatible Garmin GPS unit. By using a combination of governmental and private data sources, Garmin MapSource delivers outstanding map details for a wide array of countries and geographic data that you can view on your computer or load on your GPS unit. This software will help you to transfer MapSource information to your Garmin GPS and get the most out of your MapSource data.
The MapSource window contains five main components: the toolbars, data tabs, splitter bar, graphic map, and status bar. Using the Map Select tool, you can highlight a section from a detailed map that you intend to use on your trip. The map selection will then turn pink, and you can transfer that section to your Garmin GPS unit. This feature allows you to download only the information that you'll need. If the map set is too big, you can deselect some regions or shrink the selected area to fit the memory of your Garmin GPS. The MapSource software makes it easy to customize your maps to fit your needs and your GPS unit's capacity.
You can simplify your pre-trip planning for your next outdoor adventure or business trip by using the MapSource software to transfer waypoints, routes, and tracks between your Garmin GPS and PC. Plan your next trip on your PC, download customized GPS data to your Garmin unit, and hit the road. The Trip and Waypoint Manager also lets you archive your GPS data for future use. And with this software, you can back up waypoints, routes, and tracks that you've saved on your Garmin GPS to your PC, ensuring that you'll always have quick access to all the travel information that you'll need.
This software comes with a general worldwide database that provides basic cartography, including interstates, motorways, oceans, and various other general reference details to help you plan your next trip. Map detail also includes political boundaries and principal cities and towns. This trip-planning CD is designed for use with Garmin units that have no built-in map detail or city point database and is compatible with a wide array Garmin products.
Note: This product does not contain any detailed maps and is not compatible with iQue. See the product's Technical Data for a full list of compatible Garmin GPS units.

Buy NowGet 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Garmin MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager

Read More...

TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Arkansas, Lousiana, and Mississippi) Review

TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Arkansas, Lousiana, and Mississippi)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Arkansas, Lousiana, and Mississippi)

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.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Arkansas, Lousiana, and Mississippi)

Read More...

TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Idaho) Review

TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Idaho)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Idaho)

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.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about TOPO National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps (Idaho)

Read More...

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

Click Here to see more reviews about: Topo USA 8.0 National Edition

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.

Buy NowGet 70% OFF

Click here for more information about Topo USA 8.0 National Edition

Read More...