MicroSoft Streets & Trips

[Exploreinman]

I'm thinking of picking up a copy for planning trips. If you use this program, can you provide some feedback on it? What features do you like or dislike, etc.?

 

I stay off the interstates for the most part and would like something to help plan rides, especially in states in which I'm unfamiliar.

 

Thanks,

[BULLman]

I've got Streets and Trips '03 version. i've found it a very good program to plan rides.

 

Best way is to start with the beg and end points. Calculate the route. Add waypoints in order to massage the route off the interstates and on to the roads you want to ride.

 

Easy to print routes or cross streets around an address to you'll know where it is. Easier to print than yahoo! maps or google. Especially if you need it to fit in a tankbag window.

 

Since I have my GPS, I'm using MapSource more and more. I think the visuals are better on S&T than MS. Easier to add waypoints and to do routing on MS. Both have pluses and minuses.

 

 

[keithb]

I have the 2004 version of Streets and Trips and use it all the time for planning trips, getting mileage, and just looking for new roads. A while back I looked into upgrading my software but it was pretty expensive at the time. Now it looks more reasonable if you get the 2008 version.

[RichEdwards]

I have the '08 version and I use it often, even though I have MapSource from Garmin that I use to program my GPS. In many ways it's easier to use and it prints better maps. It's usually cheap to buy Streets & Trips at Sam's Club or Costco.

[SageRider]

...I use it often, even though I have MapSource from Garmin that I use to program my GPS. ... In many ways it's easier to use and it prints better maps...

I have the '09 MapPoint variant (S&T + demographic data capabilities) but concur with the quote above.

[Mark K]

Streets & Trips is great for trips. We use it exclusively for multi-day excursions. I have also found it more accurate than online maps (Google, Yahoo, etc.) for looking up specific addresses. When in the truck, I use it for navigation as well with the optional GPS receiver (laptop required, of course).

[jjg3]

Used S&T for planning several x-country trips and an IBA Natl Parks. Excellent program. Fun to just play with. Was a bit disappointed that somewhere around 06 the speed option for planning was 'upgraded' from an available MPH number setting to 'slower-faster', which is pretty meaningless.

 

When transcribing trips planned in S&T to Garmin mapsource, there were times when I'd forget what I planned where and end up leaving points out of Mapsource.

[Sailorlite]

If you have S&T and the GPS receiver, can you use your laptop's display to show you where you are along a planned route on a map? In other words, if you had room for example in a car, can a S&T+receiver+laptop setup replace an ordinary Garmin GPS?

 

[Fugu]

If you have S&T and the GPS receiver, can you use your laptop's display to show you where you are along a planned route on a map? In other words, if you had room for example in a car, can a S&T+receiver+laptop setup replace an ordinary Garmin GPS?

YES with S&T 2003 but somewhere along the line they removed that functionality- maybe in 07 version? I can't recall right now, check first.

 

I used to tether my old Garmin GPS12 to my laptop with a serial cable and it worked very well. Of course there's the issue of securing a laptop, etc.

 

This was back when a better handheld was mucho dinero.

 

Not sure I'd screw with it now unless I wanted to plan exclusively in S&T.

 

LIke many I just use Mapsource now.

 

 

[Mark K]

If you have S&T and the GPS receiver, can you use your laptop's display to show you where you are along a planned route on a map?

 

Yes, and mine is the '06 version. I do use it in the truck as you describe. I like the navigational map better than other GPS displays I've seen, plus the large screen is a big plus. I believe the GPS is still available in the most recent versions. I purchased mine here.

 

...no association -- yada, yada, yada....

[SageRider]

If you have S&T and the GPS receiver, can you use your laptop's display to show you where you are along a planned route on a map?...

Yes, my '09 MapPoint variant (S&T + demographic data capabilities) supports NMEA 2.0 compatible GPS receivers

[DaveTheAffable]

If you have S&T and the GPS receiver, can you use your laptop's display to show you where you are along a planned route on a map?...

Yes, my '09 MapPoint variant (S&T + demographic data capabilities) supports NMEA 2.0 compatible GPS receivers

 

+1

 

I have used S & T for a trip across the southwest in a cage with a tablet pc. Way cool. We used a bluetooth enabled GPS (Pharos) and just tossed it up onto the dash.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

If you have S&T and the GPS receiver, can you use your laptop's display to show you where you are along a planned route on a map?...

Yes, my '09 MapPoint variant (S&T + demographic data capabilities) supports NMEA 2.0 compatible GPS receivers

 

+1

 

I have used S & T for a trip across the southwest in a cage with a tablet pc. Way cool. We used a bluetooth enabled GPS (Pharos) and just tossed it up onto the dash.

 

I believe the latest versions of MSS&T come with a GPS receiver in the box. Not a stand-alone unit w/display, but literally just the signal receiver, which plugs into the USB port of your computer and turns it (your computer) into a bigscreen GPS unit.

 

Actually I think you can get the latest version with or without that GPS receiver; price varies accordingly.

 

I like MSS&T more than GoogleMaps because it's fast: the entire database is on your hard drive, so you can pan/scroll/zoom without any delay.

 

I like MSS&T more than Garmin's stuff because:

 

-the interface is so much better when it comes to finding exact addresses.

 

-you can zoom in/out with the mouse wheel.

 

-you can pan/scroll with the mouse, AND click on features, all without having to select different tool types from the toolbar.

 

If I'm planning a very specific route somewhere, I'll develop it on MSS&T and then transcribe it to Mapsource to create a route for my GPS unit.

 

Definitely recommend MSS&T for trip planning.

[flars]

"I'll develop it on MSS&T and then transcribe it to Mapsource".

GPSUtility will transfer your waypoints from S&T to Mapsource. Open the S&T file using GPSU, and tell it to import the pushpins. Then attach your Garmin to the USB port and click on the 'download to GPS' icon. Done.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

"I'll develop it on MSS&T and then transcribe it to Mapsource".

GPSUtility will transfer your waypoints from S&T to Mapsource. Open the S&T file using GPSU, and tell it to import the pushpins. Then attach your Garmin to the USB port and click on the 'download to GPS' icon. Done.

 

Well shoot, that makes MSS&T even better!

[hopz]

I really like S&T. Easy, More or less intuitive in a Microsoft sort of way.

 

Easy to make a route, but for me it is a big Butt... it does not play well with my Zumo. Of course I know how to convert a S&T route to a Garmin .GPX or whatever but I now have a two step planning process.

 

I do the macro level plan in S&T then a real one in Mapsource. The guys over at Zumo Forums agree: S&T is good for Trip Planning, but Mapsource for Route Planning. (That being the specific information you load to the GPS).

[Exploreinman]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll pick up a copy. BestBuy carries both versions for $40 and $75 respectively.

[Dave39]

I use S&T and like it alot. It has one flaw, however, that I find irritating. Every, now and then I find it does not show some minor backroad or the road abruptly ends or a section is simply missing. My other program, Delorme Topo, does the same thing occasionally, but it has the feature that allows you to draw in the missing section so you can complete the route, S&T has no such ability. Also Topo will give you an elevation profile.