Greetings and salutations all:Now that Microsoft has discontinued selling Microsoft Streets and Trips software (http://www.microsoft.com/Streets/en-us/default.aspx) what is the recommended RV travel planning package? I have tried "Trailer Life Navigator" (2007 and older versions) and did not feel very comfortable planning a trip.I also have the Magellan Roadmate 1440 GPS unit that needs to replaced. I have found that this unit gives accurate directions to the campgrounds, even though the CG owners state that GPS directions are inaccurate and to use their lat and long coordinates. (This unit does not support long and lat numerical input.) Using a smart phone together with a mapping package is out of the question (smart phone probems). I would like to get a vehicle GPS replacement that:Has spoken street namesHas lane assistGives ACCURATE directionsRe-routes (for detours, etc) quicklyHas free map updates for lifeAllows lat and long numerical inputAccounts for height and width dimensions of RV and plans accordinglySupports NMEA v. 2.0 and above Other "nice to have" things are:Weather updatesSize of the display not that importantOther fancy options not neededI understand the Garmin NUVI 2597 LMT is a good solid unit. Anyone have comments please?

I calculate and plan/plot my trip using Delorme Street Atlas. When I have my trip the way I want it, I go to Garmin Basecamp and map the same trip out there. When I have route complete I can transfer it to my Nuvi 465. I don't use Basecamp to set up the route/trip initially because the interface sucks compared to Street Atlas, but I can't transfer directly from Street Atlas to my Nuvi.Basecamp also allows you to plan a route and then, clicking on a button in Basecamp the route will open in Google Earth so you can actually see the route. I don't use it all that often but it's nice when I'm planning a motorcycle ride for the day.I'm going to replace the 465 one of these days but haven't decided on a unit yet. I'm not overly fond of the huge displays as I find them too distracting.

If you like S&T then keep using S&T. No need to change. It will remain accurate for many, many years to come.

Microsoft is still selling S&T 2013 from their website. I downloaded a copy for $$ and installed it on my computer. Works great and should last me a couple years.

Microsoft strikes again. Too many people using it I guess, so not as much room to add NEW users. Never mind the users and consumers, they don't matter.

pigman1 wrote:Microsoft strikes again. Too many people using it I guess, so not as much room to add NEW users. Never mind the users and consumers, they don't matter.Yeah, it has to be some kind of conspiracy by MS. It couldn't have been based on a business decision such as fewer people using the product due to the proliferation of smartphone gps or anything like that.

Planning an RV trip | Good Sam Community

camperkilgore
Explorer
Jul 24, 2014
john&bet wrote:
I hope they do not quit making good ole paper maps and atlases. Just my way of doing it. Lots easier in my humble opinion.

Me too.......

but it sure would be nice if the atlas would speak to me and tell me when a turn is coming up......especially in heavy traffic on an interstate with complex interchanges(like Dallas Tx). Sometimes I can't rely on my wife to be on top of it. We've missed turnoffs before, and it is pretty inconvenient. One time we did just that,and not a mile down the road traffic was stopped due to an accident. Sat there for 45 minutes waiting for it to clear so we could go several more miles to turn around.
strollin
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
catkins wrote:
I had to purchase a new computer that came with Windows 8 and it does not play with my 2013 Streets and Trips. ...

I have installed S&T on several computers running Win 8 and it works flawlessly. Didn't need to do anything special, just installed normally.
Bill_S_1
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
Amazon shows qty 17 in stock, MS Streets & Trips 2013, disc package, with free shipping. Ordered 1 today.
tenbear
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
catkins wrote:
I had to purchase a new computer that came with Windows 8 and it does not play with my 2013 Streets and Trips.

I used my 2013 S&T with my Win 8 laptop and now with the same laptop running Win 8.1. Works fine.
john_bet
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2014
I hope they do not quit making good ole paper maps and atlases. Just my way of doing it. Lots easier in my humble opinion.
catkins
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2014
I had to purchase a new computer that came with Windows 8 and it does not play with my 2013 Streets and Trips. I suspect no further Streets and Trips is because so many are using free apps such as Google Maps. MS says they will supports Streets and Trips until sometime in 2015, I believe.

I just hate it that when I find something I really like and am comfortable with, they stop making it. Cripes - I am getting old I guess, just not so flexible! :R
wintersun
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2014
The Garmin 760 does the routing functions very well and it works with a Garmin backup camera, the $150 BC-20, so only one display on the dash does it all.

I don't want to use it for planning as the screen is too small to show a trip covering a thousand or more miles. Even my 27" display is barely adequate and I often resort to paper maps to see the areas where we will be traveling in the US.

To quote Mason Williams "how hopeless it all becomes when we seek all the answers in one". The Swiss Army knife approach involves a complete set of compromises all in one solution. Not any different with machines and software.
pigman1
Explorer
Jul 15, 2014
tatest wrote:
I still recommend Streets and Trips for planning. I doesn't matter that Microsoft has announced they will not continue to develop the product, I've used a couple different older releases for several years before buying a new one.

And they have yet not stopped selling the product. The announcement of discontinuation includes a link to purchase the current version.
Yeah, but if you're going to buy it, do it NOW! A number of sites like Best Buy, Sam's Club, Amazon, Office Depot, and others are out of disks and downloads and even Amazon is out of downloads. I found it at the Microsoft store, but that's all.

Just info if you are looking.
tatest
Explorer II
Jul 13, 2014
I still recommend Streets and Trips for planning. I doesn't matter that Microsoft has announced they will not continue to develop the product, I've used a couple different older releases for several years before buying a new one.

And they have yet not stopped selling the product. The announcement of discontinuation includes a link to purchase the current version.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2014
I think it's mostly older people with GPS's that are keeping the mapping programs alive. Younger adults and such are using smart phones and Googel Earth/Maps for their trip planning.

It seems to me that people are getting more used to using one device for many uses, even though it does most of those things not as well as a stand alone device. Look how many people use cell phone cameras and are happy with lousy photos rather than use a regular camera and get good pictures. Or crappy downloaded MP3's rather than better downloaded MP3's or CD's. Many people just seem satisfied with mediocrity rather than preferring excellence. Go figure.

Forum Discussion

Planning an RV trip

About RV Must Haves

Related Content

Trip Planning

Trip planning - Alaska

Trip planning application

Canada Trip Planning

Planning a Newfoundland trip.