I am thinking on getting the Magellan pkg.... - Montana Owners Club

Ozz · 03-25-2008, 10:44 AM

We have the Microsoft streets and trips with the sat. finder deal, it is pretty primitive, I have heard the new Magellan is very nice.
Any feedback?????
Thanks, Ozz

lwcdg · 03-25-2008, 01:26 PM

Ozz I borrowed my friends for our trip to Orlando this winter. It worked but I wasn't happy with it, maybe if I used it more it would be ok.

Went to Costco and bought the Garmin 680 400. plus tax. I'm using it like a pro the minute I plug it in. It's very intuitive. For me it works better so try different units out if you can.
Chuck

Ozz · 03-25-2008, 02:04 PM

Well, I'm on a budget, so the laptop trip planner for around $65.00 sounds like the buy I can swing....and sleep well that evening.

OntMont · 03-25-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Ozz

We have the Microsoft streets and trips with the sat. finder deal, it is pretty primitive

What do you find primative? What version of S&T are you using?

H. John Kohl · 03-25-2008, 03:03 PM

OZZ,
I used the Delorme on the laptop and lost a hard drive on one trip. Just a caution to make sure the LAPTOP is backed up. With that in mind you might reassess a reasonable GPS.
cheers,

William H. Collier · 03-25-2008, 03:25 PM

Ozz, you missed the boat, you should have bit the bullit and got the in dash.
Bill

slewis · 03-25-2008, 04:34 PM

We bought a Magellan this year and returned it. Garmin works so much better and easier for us.
Sandy

Ozzie · 03-25-2008, 04:46 PM

So you are using your notebook for guidance, eh?
I have (and like very much) a program called Iguidance. Using it has been very good and easily comparable to the stand alone GPS units. I keep it on my notebook for a backup because I have a stand alone GPS in my truck. I would have no problem using this software if it wasn't cumbersome having my notebook in my truck going down the road.

Give it a look - 109 bones...

http://www.inavcorp.com/product/navi...e_software.php

Ozz · 03-26-2008, 02:09 AM

When I loaded the Magellan onto my friend Tom's laptop, I checked it out, it was really nice, seemed to have many nice features. My old MS just seems inferior to it, maybe I just see the 'new' in it, that's why I wanted feedback.
I do not want a system crash on my notebook, by any means.
I will use the software more for plotting land and areas than trips. We are looking around San Antonio for homes for sale, I would like the Hill Country, fairly close to town. For the inexpensive price of the Magellan, I just thought it would be handy. (Bill, I just couldn't justify the big bucks for the built in system when I was shopping for trucks.)

waldo238 · 03-26-2008, 02:31 AM

When I went to Niagra Falls a couple of years ago I used Delorme Street Atlas and it worked ok... until the program locked up!, imagine that, it was really windows that locked it up. So going down the road at 65 and having to reboot the laptop and start the program again was no fun. It did it multiple time's going there and coming back, after that I never used it again and went and got a Garmin C340 and have not had 1 problem with it.

OntMont · 03-26-2008, 02:50 AM

Ozz,
I don't know the Magellan system, but if we are talking laptop programs, rather than stand alone units, I find that S&T works very well for both route planning and tracking your position along the road. The newest version is only about $35 at Wally World, so you are not investing a lot of money in the software. If you need a GPS sensor as well, that will bump you into the $100 range. We have the previous model GPS sensor which is a little 2" square block that connects through the USB port. The newest versions are even more sensitive, but the one we have works well enough for us. I have even been able to connect our hand held Geochaching GPS unit and get it to work. The update rate is much faster on the newer version and the voice commands are louder. For the money, I think it is hard to beat S&T, but as I said, I have not really looked at anything else.

Most of these systems are using the same basic maps, so it mostly comes down to user friendliness. Good luck in your search.

richfaa · 03-26-2008, 04:42 AM

We use the Garman system GPS-18/(That may be outdated now.) It is a hockey puck size receiver that fits on the roof or in the window and feeds into a laptop. Helen has the lap top in the truck anyhow when on the road so it serves multiple purposes. The North American V-8 software hss served us well. We have never had a problem of any kind in over 2 years of use. We are partial to Garman because of our experience in using Garman products in the FAA..They are very dependable.. they also cost a bit.... We found S&T good software but not as user friendly as I would like.. I intensely dislike Software.

Waynem · 03-26-2008, 12:41 PM

Ozz,
I also use Streets & Trips, 2008 version for $35. I have been using it since 2005, upgrading to the newest version when ever it comes out. I have been running it on this laptop since I first bought it. I thought co-pilot would be better with the height information, but personally found it lacking for planning purposes and not as intuitive as S&T. I have the two year old 2" Sat receiver with S&T and it works adequately enough.

I find it very intuitive. Love the live search feature for planning purposes. You click on Live Search, type in RV park, and presto. They appear on the map and a listing in the left hand column. Makes it easy to pick a place to do a "nighter," or other planning. (You must have Internet access for live search) I like the fact that there are pre-programed points of interest that you do not need Internet access to see, e.g., campgrounds, parks, restaurants of any venue, and lots more POI's. Someone mentioned they had a height restriction POI for their S&T and i'm very interested in getting that.

$35 is cheap for that well of a written program.

Ozz · 03-26-2008, 02:31 PM

Wayne, am I correct in reading into your information, that I can upgrade my existing program?
That would be 'Cool beans' if so.

Waynem · 03-26-2008, 04:50 PM

If you already have the GPS Receiver for MS S&T, all you need is the $35 package. Actually, Co-pilot GPS Receiver works with S&T and Vice Versa. My GPS S&T Receiver was bought in 2006. I'm now using 2008 S&T

JH Sechelt · 03-26-2008, 08:42 PM

We have S&T's as well as two Garmin units & Co-Pilot. Like Streets & Trips the Best, but the (2008 version) will freeze up if the DW zooms in to the last couple of positions, maybe the laptop we are using is a little too weak. The program works well for us.

J&D

OntMont · 03-27-2008, 05:20 AM

Yes, $35 for S&T 2008 software, and almost any GPS receiver with a USB connection and that is all you need. Like I said, for the money it is hard to beat S&T.

Ozz · 03-27-2008, 07:29 AM

John, I know now what I liked about the other program, as I was loading it in my friend Tom's computer, I noticed (It looked like) the streets were also satellite actual views.
We will 'go into town' maybe today or tomorrow and look at the upgrade for the M&S.
Thanks for helping

Waynem · 03-27-2008, 01:19 PM

Ozz,
You'll like the 2008 S&T. It zooms in to street level and sometimes "birds eye view." You can pick out a gnat sitting on a flag pole. (Well, almost). I have never had my laptop or computer lock up using S&T. If you need any information on use once you get it, give me a holler. 409-948-6843

Edited: I don't know everything about it, but I can get you going real good.

Ozz · 03-27-2008, 04:00 PM

Thanks, Wayne.

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