Microsoft Streets and Trips coming to end of life

What so many here seem to miss is that internet based mapping is useless if there is no phone service. There are loads of places where there is no cell service making stand alone mapping like S&Ts the only way for flexible on the go mapping.

When we first retired and start doing longer trips we used MS S&T on a laptop and it was great to have the bigger screen and be able to zoom in and out. However I got tired of putting it in and out of the truck, so we bought a TomTom. We still use S&T for planning and then put the days destination in the TomTom. I like the TomTom better than my smart phone for navigation!

However the smart phone allows me to do voice searches for "things" which is cool, and it knows when I am driving and will automate texts and phone calls via voice commands.

Chris

Also ... not considering trip planning ... how does one navigate using their iWhatever "Map App" when they can't connect to the Internet?

Can iWhatever devices store the complete maps of Canada and the U.S. inside their memory like my Garmin does? All my Garmin needs is for me to keep it's huge internally stored Canada/U.S. map database updated and to be able to connect to satellites. It works anywhere it can see the satellites ... especially nice way out in the middle of nowhere when boondocking.

I don't think iPhones/iPads/Etc. can keep a complete U.S./Canada database stored internally - this means they NEED Internet access to keep going. Also, do they give turn by turn voice directions like the pure navigator instruments do?

For us, our Garmin navigator keeps us out of trouble everywhere in the entire U.S.. We'll try out it's Canadian capabilities on an Alaska trip in the future. The Internet is in a lot of places, but not everywhere ... plus we don't have monthly connect charges with the Garmin navigator.

I use the 2011 version. I use it for trip planning and will continue to do so. The roads don't change much. But CGs do. And a CG could go belly up or change names the day after a S & T version is released.
I suspect that Microsoft has figured out that you really don't need to buy the new release every year if you're only using it for trip planning. I use RV Park Reviews to pick a CG.

Recent exchange between S&T user group members and S&T Product Manager from a dedicated GPS site. .... interesting.

Hi,

I have several hundred breadcrumb trails in Streets & Trips. Is there a way to export them to Delorme?

Note that the announcement has a "buy it now before it disappears" option.

I have used AAA triptik online for years. it is great and has construction notes on roads. AAA.com select On line Triptik. If you are a member of AAA you can save routes for future reference. If you are not a member you can still use the program.

PastorCharlie wrote:

moonlightrunner wrote:
Does Street Atlas talk?

Yes it will give voice communications and you can ask questions and it will answer....the operator has the choice between a male or female voice.

So I can choose a male voice and name it "Steely Dan"! Can't wait to embarass my goddaughters with that one! (They tend to think I should be more genteel at my age... "old" people aren't supposed to act like I do!)

moonlightrunner wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
... Delorme Street Atlas... It's excellent for preplanning a trip to go the way YOU want to go by inserting vias. We don't do interstates if possible and using the secondary roads to explore the country is excellent. You can preplan the trip without internet...

Thank you. That is what I want. I am a solo traveler so there is no one else manning the laptop. I normally use a legal pad with my directions written on it. On one of my last trips, the legal pad blew down onto the floor (I like to travel with the windows open). My goddaughter suggested I get a mapping program and put it on a non-slip pad. She said some of these talk. Does Street Atlas talk?

Yes it will give voice communications and you can ask questions and it will answer....the operator has the choice between a male or female voice.