Laptop mapping software

I have used Microsoft Streets & Trips and DeLorme Street Atlas for years to plan and track our road trips. I like S&T for creating routes and planning alternatives. I used to like Delorme Street Atlas because the tracking was faster and it had some other features I liked (right click on any map feature to get info).

Neither software is meeting my needs today. Both are old and out of date; DeLorme is 2011 and the GPS antenna (Earthmate) has never worked very well. It loses signal easily and is slow to recover. Microsoft S&T is 2012 and I understand they have quit making annual releases. I used to be able to use the DeLorme antenna with S&T but now it doesn’t seem to recognize the device.

I am trying to figure out what I want to use in the future. Note: we have a Garmin which tracks well and which driver uses to navigate. I am okay with this when driving (but it leaves much to be desired when planning a trip especially with layover points or if you elect not to go the way their default algorithm directs you). However, when I am the passenger and ‘nagigator’ (just learned this made-up word and it fits me to a T), I like to track our route, watch our speed, and do some planning on the side.

My laptop is an HP Pavilion Notebook - 15t-ab100 CTO (2 terabytes).
What are you using on laptops? Pros and cons? What do you recommend?

Diann
P.S. I do travel with a smart phone (Droid) and mini iPad but screens are too small for my old eyes. Also we go places where there are no signals so I want a GPS receiver/antenna independent of the Internet.

I still use my Streets and Trips 2011. I also use Google maps while at home planning a trip to make sure the roads are okay.

We also have a Garmin NUVI and our phones.

I sure wish that MS still made S&T available!

I would also be interested in learning if there are any other laptop programs that are user friendly.

I am with you here... I have the 2005 version of Streets and Trips.
and I did not think Microsoft would stop supporting it.
I do have the Trial version of 2011.. but it only worked for 2 weeks... and is useless now.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 2597LMT and just added this week the BC-30 backup camera for behind trailer.

but a newer planning program for the laptop would be nice.

I get no where with basecamp. Way over my head.

I have MS S&T's 2013. I plan routes on this and convert to a GPX file (under data), then connect Garmin and move route to it. Works well.

Jim

robanddi wrote:
... I do travel with a smart phone (Droid) and mini iPad but screens are too small for my old eyes. Also we go places where there are no signals so I want a GPS receiver/antenna independent of the Internet.

The GPS itself in an Android phone does NOT require cell phone coverage. It's the app you're using (such as Google Maps) that requires cell coverage (not really internet as you mentioned) in order to constantly update the map as you drive. There are other apps available (such as CoPilot) that store its map data on your phone so that it can work in areas where there is no cell signal.

Wow,

I really haven't been here before.....

We use all three.
If you get a copy of Street Atlas 2015 and a BU-353 receiver, it is a little better than the Delorme LT-20, but still slow to pass data, but pretty fast to lock. It was crashing, but Delorme told me how to reload it and now it stays on.
Delorme has just been bought be Garmin. I have to think this will be good in the end. There is no SA newer than 2015 available.

I have a Droid that works as a hotspot underway. (Boy does it eat power doing that!) If I try to use it to map as well, it does not do well. I wish I could get the GPS data out to a USB port, but I have not found out how to do that.

The Garmin 2595 is loaded for the day's route and is just for the driver.

Matt

Strollin, I knew that but just had another senior moment (one of many). I do use MapsMe in Europe and other foreign places, as well as, Google Maps.

What I should have been clearer on is my desire to have a large map I can plan, route and track on my laptop with decent GPS receiver. My technical skills are 20 plus years old which means they are totally worthless in today's modern world!

Thanks for your input.

Diann

Matt_Colie, I wonder if I hold off for another year DeLorme and Garmin will come up with a useful solution for me. I am intrigued.

We are 'on the road' now with extremely loose itinerary; I may go ahead and order Street Atlas 2015 when I get home and talk to DeLorme about which GPS they recommend.

Thanks, you have given me food for thought.

Diann

An additional ideal requirement would be some software with world wide maps. I do have AutoRoute (which is fine) but have not used with any GPS receiver.

No matter where I go, my laptop comes with me AND I do like to know where I am even if I can't control how I got there or where I go next.

Diann

P.S. It would be okay if you have to 'buy' the maps by continent or whatever as long as basic software (commands, look and feel) is the same or similar.

I like the Good Sam trip planner. I use it to plan our trips, and then download the route to the built in Rand McNally gps in the motorhome. It works pretty good for us.