MS S&T GPS on Windows 8

[GizmosMom]

Is anyone else having difficulty getting their Windows 8 (actually I use 8.1) laptop to recognize the MS Pharos-360 GPS puck?

It is blue but I can't get it to work. Computer doesn't recognize it. Updated drivers. Researched online. One other person asked for help on a MS support board.

I was just wondering. We have a Garmin but I kind of liked being able to use the S&T on my laptop, too.

Thanks.

[wa8yxm]

Only had that problem once.. Turns out the plug was not all the way in the socket,, Fixed.

I also had a problem with the computer not allowing me to RE-Install S&T after a full factory reset.. Microsoft Support fixed it for me.

I really like S&T 2013.. Too bad they are terminating the program support wise.

[tenbear]

emiddleb wrote:
FYI, Microsoft has discontinued Streets and Trips.

S&T Discontinued

Bummer :(. I've used it for many years. Have tried others but S&T was the best.

[strollin]

I have an older BT GPS device that I've successfully used with my laptop and Windows tablet running Win 8.1.

When you say it's not recognized, what do you mean? Are you saying when you put the puck into "discoverable" mode and the laptop BT into "search" mode that the laptop doesn't find the puck in order to pair them?

As far as S&T being discontinued, Delorme seems to be continuing with Street Atlas.

I haven't found any decent navigation app in the Windows Store. Also, in Win 8 they changed the way GPS data is read in by apps. Metro apps don't read the data from the COM port as previous Windows programs did, there are new sensors that are used. If you want to use an existing GPS puck with a Metro app, you need to install a utility that takes the GPS data stream from the COM port and sends it to the new sensors. Here's one such utility: GPSDirect

[GizmosMom]

Oh my! I can't believe they discontinued Streets and Trips! Very disappointing.

But thanks for letting us know! Or maybe everyone else already knew....?

[emiddleb]

FYI, Microsoft has discontinued Streets and Trips.

S&T Discontinued

[phays]

Try asking your question at Lap Top GPS World

Scroll down to the Microsoft section.

I've gotten an older i-Blue 747 to connect via blue tooth with Windows 8 but I don't remember any particular problems connecting.