GPS and laptop computers - Page 2

jage · 05-06-2007, 11:29 PM

Yes software with services and address lookup is priceless. I run a Garmin handheld that supports both. I love being able to lookup fuel stops in the category "Truck Stops" and know whether it's worth trying to hold out.

PeasBugs · 05-07-2007, 11:02 PM

Thanks to everyone for all the info!

Jeffrey · 05-07-2007, 11:28 PM

I wanted the same kind of setup, but the last time I researched, ALL the GPS software companies support Windoze only and I don't use a peecee. Fortunately my Range Rover Sport has built in Nav on the dash screen. I wish the Ford vans had that as an option. Frankly, I don't use it that much to navigate, as I always study topos before I travel and take them with me.

jage · 05-08-2007, 12:16 AM

But don't both Mac and Linux support Micro$oft emulators in their own ways?

**daveb** · 05-10-2007, 11:13 PM

Take a look at map-tech. I run this and like it. Its topo which you can view 2-D or 3-D. The 3-D is different. You can view from any angle so you can see the hills you are going to climb before you get there. Also you can spin a full 360 circle plus view from overhead to flat on the ground. Another option I like is you can trace and color your route. A year later or so you can return and follow the same route. There are a bunch of icons you can add as well as lettering. If I drive by a good boondock spot I mark it as good, nice, or great. Anywhere I find diesel I use the pump icon. At times I plan ahead. I will mark the route at home with arrows so when I get to the trail I stay to the correct route. When I drive the route I track, color, and lable it, then I remove the arrows. On the bad side its sold state by state. California has about 8 or so CDs. At times you might have to change CDs if your right on the line moving in and out. I use the DeLorme for hi-way use.
DaveB

jage · 05-11-2007, 12:05 AM

Can you burn copies? Not for bootlegging, but to burn data onto DVD so you don't have to have 100lbs of CDs in your van?

geoffff · 05-11-2007, 12:38 AM

My little road-trip notebook computer has no CD-ROM drive!

What I do for software that isn't designed to run completely on the hard drive (Maptech, etc.) is use virtual-CD software. This lets you install all your CDs onto your hard drive, and the software still thinks it's accessing a real CD drive.

I'm currently using software called "Daemon Tools", and an add-in program called "DaemonUI" which adds an easier drag & drop user interface to Daemon Tools. This combination works, but isn't the easiest thing to figure out.

-- Geoff

**daveb** · 05-12-2007, 09:01 AM

Not sure if you would want to burn the whole disc set, but transfering to a different drive might be nice. I know drives are getting bigger but mine are smaller 60 and 80 gigs. I have thought of burning to a DVD but do not know how it would work as far as speed and program interface.I have always worried if the hard drive got corrupted I might loose all my trail data. A backup is a great idea. Not much of a PC geek here which hinders me

Greg In Austin · 03-23-2008, 07:20 AM

Holy Crap ! .... yes MapTech looks like a nice product.... but at $299 per state...OUCH!

The Delorme Topo USA package looks like it will fill the bill.....BUT some of the advanced features require "downloads". They do include $100 worth of dowload credit in the original purchase prices, but I can't figure our how much downloads cost! ANyone know?

Here is what they say can be downloaded:
"- USGS Quads
- NOAA Nautical Charts
- Color high-resolution aerial imagery sources.

Each dataset is now broken out for individual purchase (e.g., the data within Aerial Data Packets can now be obtained individually if desired, along with the other new datasets mentioned above, allowing you to create a variety of mix-and-match data downloads) "

**daveb** · 03-23-2008, 10:10 AM

Terrain nav by map tech is 99.99 per state and I agree it's still kind of expensive. I have no use for much more than that but haven't looked at what more they have to offer. Maybe they have a solution for all my gripes I posted on. For highway travel I have been using DeLorme street nav which is just OK. I am sure there are better packages around but never really researched it. No matter what package you get, I feel the ability to color code and mark the trails you travel is very important. 3-D is nice to use to look at an area before going into it but that also is something I rarely use. Also I posted on loosing all my data from a corrupted hard drive and was told by Map Tech to back up the files via the import export menu. I am not good with computers and should have known this. I am looking at filling the hard drive if possible to keep from hauling all the CD's around.
DaveB