MapPoint 2006, MapPoint GPS, Autoroute...

tomcat · 08-12-2006, 05:37 PM

Can anybody outline the major differences between abovementioned software?

MapPoint GPS - is it just a bundle with GPS receiver or some special version of MP itself?
Autoroute and MapPoint NA - they claim to have voice prompted directions now - are they real recorded (i.e. not synthesized)?
Does Autoroute utilize same mapping engine as MapPoint or it is different - Autoroute seems to be more driving oriented. Wouldn't it be better to use it for navigation in Europe?

Teranga · 08-12-2006, 06:20 PM

Hi tomcat,

As far as I know, yes, it has only the gps module more
I didn't still try, if you can wait about 2 days I will be able to answer you
I don't know... sorry

But as they state, Mappoint 2006 is able to rotate the map while driving. Will SD use this new feature? I will try this new feature as soon as I will get "MapPoint 2006 Europe".

god_of_cpu · 08-12-2006, 06:44 PM

StreetDeck uses mappoint only for routing and as a map database. All other features are part of StreetDeck and not reliant on the facilities in mappoint. Mappoint and autoroute are escentially the same exact program when considering navigation features, they are just licensed differently. Only mappoint can be used with StreetDeck for this reason though.

StreetDeck already supports map rotation, voice prompted directions, and many other navigation related features not in mappoint. I don't understand why you are asking if StreetDeck will support these features when it already does these things.

tomcat · 08-13-2006, 03:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by god_of_cpu

StreetDeck uses mappoint only for routing and as a map database. All other features are part of StreetDeck and not reliant on the facilities in mappoint. Mappoint and autoroute are escentially the same exact program when considering navigation features, they are just licensed differently. Only mappoint can be used with StreetDeck for this reason though.

StreetDeck already supports map rotation, voice prompted directions, and many other navigation related features not in mappoint. I don't understand why you are asking if StreetDeck will support these features when it already does these things.

Thanks for clarifying, Chuck.
Sorry if my questions looked stupid, but, essentially, main points (since I didn't see them in StreetDeck so far - of course they might be included with full-featured, not Demo, version) would be:

Upcoming turn (crossing) closeup
Narrated (not synthesized) voice guidance

Teranga · 08-13-2006, 06:51 AM

Hi Chuck,

Quote: Originally Posted by god_of_cpu

StreetDeck already supports map rotation, voice prompted directions, and many other navigation related features not in mappoint. I don't understand why you are asking if StreetDeck will support these features when it already does these things.

I do not know if Streetdeck is getting map images from mappoint or if Streetdeck is creating the map image itself but I have the feeling this is the first. So if it is really the first solution, Streetdeck is getting map images from mappoint always rotated pointing north, so if you want to point to the driving direction you have to programmatically rotate the squared image to your need. So I think that rotating such image results in some pixel effect (like an improper stair) and it looks sometime strange. Then if mappoint would draw the rotated image for you, such effect would disappear. This is what I meant: if it has been planed to use this mappoint2006 feature. Ok that may not be so important, because it works already very well so, but don't you think Chuck, it would be a little bit more beautiful and more matching the reality?

tomcat · 08-13-2006, 07:34 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Teranga

... Then if mappoint would draw the rotated image for you, such effect would disappear. This is what I meant: if it has been planed to use this mappoint2006 feature. Ok that may not be so important, because it works already very well so, but don't you think Chuck, it would be a little bit more beautiful and more matching the reality?

the only, but nevertheless a bit annoying, problem, imho, is that when SD rotates map image itself, rendered text rotates as well...
It needs quite a bit of practice to get used to read text upside-down or in other unusual direction

gosmondson · 08-14-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by tomcat

the only, but nevertheless a bit annoying, problem, imho, is that when SD rotates map image itself, rendered text rotates as well...
It needs quite a bit of practice to get used to read text upside-down or in other unusual direction

Actually it doesn't.. Your brain can read all sorts of text presented in different ways.. Your brain can even respond to "dropped" letters.. Good ole gray matter..

wuudogg · 08-14-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by gosmondson

Actually it doesn't.. Your brain can read all sorts of text presented in different ways.. Your brain can even respond to "dropped" letters.. Good ole gray matter..

Sounds great until you start reading things like numbers for streets or routes.

Was that route 29 or 92 or 26 or 62 or 59 or etc...