Anyone Use GPS On Their Laptop?

[olds]

If so, does it work well?
GPS Unit

 

[kranky]

I bought the DeLorme Earthmate GPS which came with Street Atlas USA software, and used it with a laptop on vacation. Worked great. I hated the Street Atlas software (worst user interface of all time) and ended up using Microsoft Streets & Trips instead after hacking the 15 second updates down to 2 seconds.

A lot of people seem to like Street Atlas because it gives voice commands for turns, but I didn't care about that. I was going through Wyoming/Colorado/Montana/Utah/Arizona and just wanted to know roughly where I was, how far to the next town, etc.

I was very happy using the combo of the Earthmate GPS with Streets & Trips.

 

[SKORPI0]

Used Earthmate GPS and Street Atlas USA 2003 during a trip from San Antonio, TX to Los Angeles, CA and back. I agree with the crappy user interface. But it helped find where we could stay overnight, stop overs, and points of interest. Found it to be accurate with 12 feet. Printed out a route maps for the trip going and back. The laptop was turned off most of the time during the 24 hr drive. Checked our progress during stop overs.

Did not know that MS Street & Trips was compatible with the Earthmate GPS (serial). Maybe I'll try it and make comparisons. Right now, on long trips around Chicago & suburbs I bring it along. I easily get lost.

HP 4150 w/ Delorme Earthmate GPS -

 

[Bootprint]

If your going to be using it in your vehicle remember to check if the windshield doesn't have a metallic coating or else you'll get not signal or really crappy gps signal.

I'm not sure if Streets&Trips will work with it, MS still seems to use the standard serial port interface.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I have a Garman GPS III+ and the Street Atlas 2003 (a much inferior program compared to it's predecessors). Even so, it has gotten me out of a lot of traffic jams when traveling. I always take both when going on a longer trip.

 

[kranky]

Streets & Trips definitely worked with the USB Earthmate.

 

[olds]

Thanks for the info, everyone.

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
I have a Garman GPS III+ and the Street Atlas 2003 (a much inferior program compared to it's predecessors). Even so, it has gotten me out of a lot of traffic jams when traveling. I always take both when going on a longer trip.

How did it get you out of traffic jams? Is there some way to get traffic reports too?

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: kranky
Streets & Trips definitely worked with the USB Earthmate.

Its good to know that they updated and added drivers for USB. I have a Magellan Merdian, so I don't need to use S&T but any time I've tried to use the usb to serial dongle with S&T it blue screens. Another option for software, especially if you're looking at getting a handheld unit is to get the mapping software that the unit would use, ie MetroGuide for Garmin or MapSend for Magellan.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Thanks for the info, everyone.

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
I have a Garman GPS III+ and the Street Atlas 2003 (a much inferior program compared to it's predecessors). Even so, it has gotten me out of a lot of traffic jams when traveling. I always take both when going on a longer trip.

How did it get you out of traffic jams? Is there some way to get traffic reports too?

No way to get traffic reports that I know with SA 2003, but if I see something really nasty ahead, I bail at the next exit, pull over and fire it up. It gives my position, and then I can determine how to get back on the interstate etc. Usually I do it by eye, since the distances are a few miles (usually). It is possible to create a new route from where you are to the exit you desire, and just follow that. Once avoided a 13 mile back up in TN that the radio said would have taken more than two hours to get through. That would have sucked.