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Best of the best in GPS apps (continued)
And finally, the routes it chose weren't all that good either. They were valid routes, using main thoroughfares, but subjected the driver to lower speeds and much more stop-and-go traffic. The other applications all came up with much better routes.
Delorme also offers a Plus version of Street Atlas 2008 that contains all phone book entries for the US and Canada. The Plus version is only $10.00 more than the Standard, but considering how poorly it performed I'd recommend holding on to your money. For all of its glitches and failings, I can't recommend Delorme's Street Atlas 2008 for purchase and rate it at 2 out of 5.
OUR RATING: 2 of 5
Microsoft Streets & Trips - price varies
Microsoft actually offers several varieties of their Streets & Trips; the Standard for $40.00, one that comes with a USB GPS receiver for $100.00, and the Connected Services version for $150.00, as well as Pocket Streets, the Windows Mobile version for $25.00. The Connected Services package comes with the same GPS receiver as the GPS package, but also includes an MSN Direct receiver for traffic and gas price updates without the need for an Internet connection. Coverage isn't available in all areas though, so check before you buy.
I highlighted the Standard version in my Freedom mini-GPS review. As you can see from Figure N, the software itself is the same in all PC versions, but in this article I'll be addressing the GPS version.
FIGURE N
 
Microsoft Streets & Trips 2008. Roll over picture for a larger image.
I'll get the GPS receiver out of the way first so I can dedicate more space to the software. It works. There.
Just kidding. It's actually a sweet little package. About the size of a Wheat Thin cracker, the GPS receiver you see in Figure O connects and is powered by a USB adapter.
FIGURE O
 
The GPS receiver included with Streets & Trips 2008 GPS. Roll over picture for a larger image.
Like most USB devices these days it's Plug-n-Play and self-installing. It comes with a USB extension cable and suction cup in the event you want to stretch it up and stick it on your windshield, but the dongle attachment worked perfectly well for me indoors and should do so in a vehicle as well.
Streets & Trips with GPS receiver is a fairly reasonable deal at only $100.00. Like virtually all of these map programs, it can keep your position centered, offers routing and directions, POIs, will link up with Live Search when an Internet connection is available, and export maps to Pocket Streets.
The maps and routes in Streets & Trips shown in Figure P below, were every bit as accurate as those in Live Search.
FIGURE P
 
Routing in Streets & Trips 2008. Roll over picture for a larger image.
Although its POIs were also as accurate as Live Search, Streets & Trips did not come up with all the extra Pizza Hut locations like its online cousin.
Maps can be user-annotated with the Drawing Tools and uploaded to the Live Search community. Routing options can be set by quickest, shortest, type of road to travel, speed to travel at, even re-routing to account for construction. And its interface and usage are very intuitive. Maps can be displayed as Road, Terrain, Political, or Night view like shown in Figure Q.
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