Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator [DVD] [OLD VERSION]
by Microsoft Software
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Software Reviews of Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 with GPS Locator [DVD] [OLD VERSION]
Customer Review: Very Useful but Not Intuitive and Requires Patience and Tech-Savvy
Summary: 3 Stars
Pros:
1) Accurate GPS and real-time driving animations.
2) Remembers addresses.
3) Pressing "F3" can quickly recalculate your course if you take a wrong turn.
4) Clean "Full-Screen" driving interface
Cons:
1) No instructions or illustrations about how to wire or position the GPS.
2) Very skimpy and incomplete hardcopy manual and no online manual.
3) Interface is not intuitive and the user must open/close various windows and panels to get to the business of using the software.
4) Bug in "Full-Screen" driving interface that renders zooming inoperable if the user presses any of the icons on Full-Screen panel.
There's no question that this is invaluable software if you need to navigate in complex urban areas--but if you think you can use this software without some practice or without much preparation--you're in for a frustrating time.
I took this with me to Seattle and had my coworker run the computer and do the navigation. He's very computer savvy but had a hard time with the sometimes confusing interface. At one point we were inexplicably re-routed toward eastern Washington (76 miles off course). Of course we saw the error immediately and attempted to correct the course without success. We finally shutdown the program and just used our brains...the old fashioned way.
However, on a family vacation in the Los Angeles area with me navigating (running the computer) and my wife driving, it worked fairly flawlessly with great results. I can't imagine going everywhere we needed to go with just a map or mapquest results. The nicest thing about the software is that if you get off course you can simply press F3 and your course will be refigured using your current location--which allows you to almost instantly get back on course.
Oddly, when I first opened the package I had the strangest experience trying to figure out how to hook up the GPS. There were absolutely no illustrations or instructions about how to do it. At first glance it seemed simple--until I couldn't readily see how the three parts fit together (and I'm very tech-savvy). A part that looked like a USB drive was actually a connecter between the GPS receiver and the USB cord--but I only realized it was a connector after 45 minutes of frustration and then a very close inspection that revealed that both ends of what looked like the USB drive had removable caps that revealed different size connectors.
Microsoft basically did a poor job with the instructions and released a product with at least one bug--and I don't see any way to easily update it.
However, after patience with a learning curve, the product works quite well.
My recommendations for using the software:
1) Have a computer/map-savvy person be the navigator and any licensed individual drive the car.
2) Turn off the confusing voice instructions.
3) Have your fingers on the plus/minus keys to zoom in and zoom out at strategic places so that you can clearly see the roads you need to take.
4) The workaround for the fore-mentioned Full-Screen bug is to exit Full-Screen then enter Full-Screen mode again.
Customer Review: The USB Stick Thing was broken in Product Box
Summary: 1 Stars
I hate this unit. The software sucks but on top of that, the product is flimsy. The GPS unit (a square button thing) is supposed to be attached to a USB stick. One end of this stick is attached to the GPS unit and the other end into the computer (or the supplied cable which then inserts into the USB port of your computer). This USB stick which sits in the middle is the worst product I have seen (from a quality standpoint). The USB stick has a seam which is coming apart. In my case it came that way in the box but I am telling ya, it is easy to break that seam! I am not sure you can get the replacement USB stick or kiss your GPS setup goodbye but in my case, I don't wantto take chances. I am gonna return this and try out the Garmin Mobile 10 GPS (with Software) Garmin Mobile 10 Bluetooth-Enabled GPS System and see if I have better luck (its much costlier though)Customer Review: Another chapter in MS Disappointment
Summary: 3 Stars
I was astonished at the novelty of this system. The first time I used it I found a new quicker route home from the office. But I have found it is not as I would like it to be.. The altitude measure is completely bogus. I can be a 400 ft elevation and ten seconds down a flat road be at 135 ft elevation. I can be parked and have the elevation and velocty drift around. +/- 10 ft, +1/-0 mph. The feature for getting directions to destination from my current location is very clunky and often unavailable. The least cloud cover appears to disable the GPS sensor - it has been blind more often than not. I have seen glowing reviews of the GPS sensor - and perhaps in high dry regions of the country it's great, otherwise I don't understand entirely positive reviews.Customer Review: GREAT BUY
Summary: 5 Stars
Genuine boxed disk arrive on time. Cost much less than those at other sites. Software loaded without problems. Great product for finding your way in unfamiliar areas and for locating most types of businesses. You can even locate stores, gas stations, and points of interest. It supplies the business phone numbers too!
It is a bit much for non techies. It has a lot of features, which my wife found annoying, but I found useful. It gives verbal as well as visual driving directions.
Customer Review: Trip GPS
Summary: 5 Stars
Great GPS for the money. Works great! Prompt delivery from seller and condition as advertised.