GPS laptop software - user friendly for non-compu geek

atomic punk · 11-30-2006, 03:33 PM

Hi all. Tremendous amount of info in here, but I'm looking for something WAY less technical than most posts I've seen from my searches.

I'm looking to get my parents a GPS receiver and software package for Xmas for use on their laptop in their retirement travels. Although they are computer literate, they don't know anything about downloading file udpates and messing around with different hardware/software configs. So I'm doing the research for them and want to make sure they can use it easily.

06 model Dell laptop, Windows XP home. Budget? Probly $150 or below.

What would you recommend for them?
I think MS S&T would've been good, but I've read that it doesn't have auto-re-routing when you take a wrong turn and that sucks.

The simpler to install/use/maintain, the better. Thanks...

turbocad6 · 11-30-2006, 03:37 PM

Iguidance or maybe co-pilot... there not really designed for geeks, even though geeks can hack the hell out of them, there made for simplicity & child like easiness...

0-0-7 · 11-30-2006, 04:40 PM

for gps receiver I would highly recommend Ti-GPS from ayay sir. search for reviews of this product on this forum. it's very low profile and gets very strong signals even from your house.

I baught mine at ebay the reserve is 49.99 + 15 shipping so unless you bid higher than 50 you will not win it and the seller doesn't want to sell lower than 49.99 but its worth it and it comes with all kind of cables which are useful for other stuff than gps. the gps only needs a usb cable.

skuller · 11-30-2006, 05:26 PM

iguidance 3.0 + globalsat bu 353
very user friendly gps software and very reliable gps

SangreDeThor · 11-30-2006, 05:33 PM

i agree with Skuller
I use iG 3 and the BU-353, best unit i had, its great

NovaKane · 11-30-2006, 08:17 PM

I use Iguidance V3, and am happy with that. It is pretty simple to use, and easy to setup. As for receiver, I use a deluo pro, and it is decent.

Marvin Hlavac · 12-01-2006, 03:12 PM

Do your parents really need a laptop during their retirement travels? Perhaps an all-in-one unit would be easier for them to use. Add a bit to your budget, for around $400 you can get a decent unit. Look around.

If you still want a laptop, then as others have suggested, do go with iGuidance. It's easy to use.

You mentioned Streets & Trips That's an excellent trip planning software, but it still lacks in the erea of ease of use as a GPS navigation tool. However, if you don't listen to the voices of reason and you do decide to go with Streets & Trips, do download the free add-on called S&Tkeys. It automates Streets & Trips, and it even adds automatic re-routing to the program. The newest version 2.02 makes Streets & Trips so easy to use that I can teach a school-age child to use Streets & Trips 2007 as a navigation tool in 60 seconds or less. I tested it on my 10 year old daughter

. The link is here » , but iGuidance is still a better choice I think.

turbocad6 · 12-01-2006, 04:44 PM

see, I assumed that he already considered that option before he posted, but if not, then I agree, a stand alone will be much less cumbersome & complicated...

it's amazing what can be had today for a little money... a friend of mine passed by yeasterday & I checked at his new nav system... nice sized touch screen, all us & canada on board.. he swares he can see it fine even in the daytime,.. it's a stand alone unit with a dock... when undocked it's also a dvd player.... he paid like $300 for it from wallmart, but I tell ya, it looked like the kind of thing that was like $1,200 2.5 years ago...

if you want really nice for a few hundred more, checkout the alpine portable... they call it blackbird, or humming bird, or some kind of bird I think.... alpine makes awsome nav...

atomic punk · 12-01-2006, 09:38 PM

Thanks for the replies. My parents already have a laptop and they bring it on their vacations for DVD and web use - so this would be a bonus for them to have in their existing laptop, not some new "gadget" that they will have to remember to bring with them and figure out how to use. And although I agree a stand-alone unit would be best, I'm trying to keep it simple for the simpler folks! ($400 is a bit out of budget, I'm hoping they USE it at all!)

I think I'm going to go with iGuidance and the BU-353 receiver. If they don't like/use it, then I'll use it myself with my laptop.

Marvin Hlavac · 12-02-2006, 05:17 PM

I don't want to push you to hard to go over your budget, but how does $229 sound? That's iGuidance, the software everyone here is recomending you. It's in a small self-contained unit, no laptop needed. It attaches to the windshield. It will be in the line of site of your parents (safer than a laptop). The screen is much brighter than a laptop screen. http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Digital-F...&s=electronics

atomic punk · 12-02-2006, 06:15 PM

Thanks.
Hm.... reviews are mixed on that one.

RoadRat2 · 12-02-2006, 06:27 PM

I have ben useing navigator software on my laptop a compaq m700 with a usb gps unit and find it very easy to use more can be found at http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/infomap-navigator.php
This works for me very well in the uk as my laptop is only a p3 is also very fast
I know there is nRoute for Canada there must be some thing for the US

http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/garmin/18deluxe.htm

Try giving them a call as they mybe able to help you out
update I think this will help you out there copilot 10 laptop cool

http://www.alk.com/copilot/laptop.asp

Marvin Hlavac · 12-02-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by atomic punk

Thanks.
Hm.... reviews are mixed on that one.

I agree with the reviews saying that the unit is not the nicest looking one. But the basic functionality is there (as users of iGuidance may confirm). It's a simple to use unit. No much learning required. I don’t agree with the first reviewer saying the display is dark. The opposite is true. The display is readable even in the brightest sunlight. Currently it comes with Q3-2005 Navteq map data, which is just fine.

bLindmOnkey · 12-10-2006, 04:35 AM

Yeah for retired parents I'd go for an all in one unit: either the TomTom One or Garmin Nuvi 350

I've used the TomTom Software on a PPC (both 2 and 5 USA) and it's by far the easiest, clear software I have ever used. The new garmin I've never used but it looks smooth and has been getting stellar reviews. If you must use a notebook iGuidance is probably the easiest solution. Paired with MS Streets as a street map only you can't go wrong.