Map Point 2004

Mellman · 06-10-2004, 04:54 PM

Hey guys...long time browser..never post on here, i used to WAY back in the day, 5-6 years ago....anyways I've got Map Point 2004 software, i was wondering if its worth it (its free) or if i would be better off purchasing a different GPS program. i currently have no GPS unit, and am in the market for one. is there a USB unit that will work best with map point 2004...or even better, one that works with multiple programs without a hitch? anything i should stay away from? as of now its strictly for on my laptop...since my carputer is out for an overhaul.

Thanks for all the help guys!

bkpsu · 06-10-2004, 05:05 PM

Not to piggy-back, but I was just about to ask the same question

I also have access to Mappoint, but I haven't heard much about it yet. I'm also looking at Routis, which one is better?

As for the USB units, Mellman, I just ordered the generic one off eBay. AFAIK (from reading these boards among other things), the USB GPS "mouse" should work with all GPS Software without much problem.

cw95403 · 06-10-2004, 06:44 PM

MP2K4 is OK - great if it's free. I actually prefer it because it give me what I need (data/waypoint integration). What it doesn't give you is directional routing (turn right here), it also does not recalculate a route from your current position - in case you drive past your exit/turn off. If it had a Goto function that would be cool - but it's not in there yet.

Laidback · 06-10-2004, 06:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cw95403

MP2K4 is OK - great if it's free. I actually prefer it because it give me what I need (data/waypoint integration). What it doesn't give you is directional routing (turn right here), it also does not recalculate a route from your current position - in case you drive past your exit/turn off. If it had a Goto function that would be cool - but it's not in there yet.

For routing in MapPoint you either need the AGPS add-on or search this forum for 'Voices'. Even then, it's not fantastic as it wasn't built for it.

6GenX · 06-10-2004, 07:21 PM

I thought Mappoint was a replacement for Streets and Trips? I also thought that streets and trips did give you directional routing, at least on paper it did. I don't know....I'm just a newbie with no gps experience so I'll just back out now.

Mellman · 06-10-2004, 07:24 PM

well upon my quick run for food supplies to costco i stumbled upon streets and trips 2004...for $13. and i sortof answered my own questions...now , is there somewhere i can read to figure out which is the "best" program, i do like the "turn right here" stuff...oh well, I see all these other programs...but see nowhere a "general review" of their pro's con's and features...anyone?

yuprules · 06-11-2004, 10:22 AM

I love Microsoft Mappoint, with the AGPS add on at http://www.techgt.com/agps/ for $10 it makes Microsoft Map Point one of the better ones, not only are you supporting a great programmer who took the time to make this add on. You have amazing up to date maps from Microsoft Map Point 2004, it is hard to find good mapping software to Canada. The amount of NEW data from 2002 to 2004 is amazing.

Spending $10 on the AGPS add on is worth it for sure if you are getting Mappoint free from somewhere. The add-on even says the street name! "Turn right on 1st Avenue".

breimann · 06-11-2004, 10:29 AM

I have MapPoint 2004 and the maps are excellent. However I have a few gripes with it and I eventually stopped using it because I got my hands on Street Atlas 2004.

MP doesnt recieve data from my GPS automatically on startup. MP's GUI isnt touch-screen friendly (too small) and when I resume from a hybernate MP gets mad at me because it doesnt recieve GPS data while the PC is off and gives me an error when I resume the GPS.

If anybody has any free tools to make MP a little better I'm all for it hehe

yuprules · 06-11-2004, 10:49 AM

See above

AGPS, free to try $10 to register to get the Turn by Turn features.

98_Prelude · 06-11-2004, 02:55 PM

I am using MP 2004 with AGPS pluggin and Delorme USB GPS and liking it alot. However, it would be great if MP have the option to rotates map so that your heading is always up.

65Stang · 06-11-2004, 03:10 PM

Map Point... hmmm nope... Streets And Trips is much better... using it with a Magellan GPS via NEMA... works like a charm... easy to read on a 7" screen... when fonts are adjusted... and great with a wireless keyboard for hot keys... only wish it did auto routing and re-routing when you go off course... could also be helpful to have turn by turn voice comands... Just used it for a trip to York, PA for a car show... directions were 95% accurate from Niagara Falls down...

jpelzer · 06-15-2004, 10:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 65Stang

Map Point... hmmm nope... Streets And Trips is much better... using it with a Magellan GPS via NEMA... works like a charm... easy to read on a 7" screen... when fonts are adjusted... and great with a wireless keyboard for hot keys... only wish it did auto routing and re-routing when you go off course... could also be helpful to have turn by turn voice comands... Just used it for a trip to York, PA for a car show... directions were 95% accurate from Niagara Falls down...

MapPoint and Streets and Trips are exactly the same program, AFAICT... Same interface, at least. The big thing about MapPoint is it allows plugins and embedding... So you can write your own app that uses MapPoint's data + routing. So if you like Streets and Trips, you'll like MapPoint too.

MapPoint is very usable one you add AGPS, it gives you the turn-by-turn voice prompts and the re-routing.

Regarding Delorme Street Atlas... I bought that first, since it was cheap and seemed to have so many features... Voice prompts, rerouting, etc. Well, it does, and they work reasonably well... Only problem is, the maps are EXTREMELY low quality. For instance, I live in NJ just outside of NYC (not exactly the boonies) and the maps are missing a 4-lane road that has been there for at LEAST 10 years. It is the most-traveled road in the area, aside from the highways going away from NYC.

That makes Delorme routing useless in my area, and gives me very low confidence in the quality of its maps in other areas. On top of that, it looks like many of its other data points were recorded back when GPS was less-accurate than it is today... So locations will be off by 20-30 feet, not unusable, but certainly annoying.

Final gripe about Delorme is that it freaks out when you have to take an underpass off the highway... It decides that you're somehow back on the highway, and redirects you to the exit. Just silly.

So, I won't be using any mapping software that doesn't use Navtech maps in the future... They seem to be the most complete, as well as the most accurately recorded.

Cheers!

lbk · 06-18-2004, 05:09 PM

I have mappoint 2004 and was really looking forward to it because of the SDK, and it no longer has the 15 second delay. I want to write my own interface, but ever since I've installed it on multiple machines the second you try to search for something it crashes. No one else is experiencing this with Mappoint 2004?

Laidback · 06-18-2004, 05:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by lbk

I have mappoint 2004 and was really looking forward to it because of the SDK, and it no longer has the 15 second delay. I want to write my own interface, but ever since I've installed it on multiple machines the second you try to search for something it crashes. No one else is experiencing this with Mappoint 2004?

Nope!

Gremlin · 06-18-2004, 05:52 PM

You could try out AutoTouch (http://www.sarinarts.com/autotouch.htm) which has point to point routing with MapPoint in it. I've got a version now which includes voice navigation

-G

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