Anyone offer PC based gps software like a handheld gps?

[off-roader]

Is there a pc based gps navigation software that's as easy and feature rich as those offered in handheld gps units?

I think my TomTom Go730 has spoiled me.

I've been using M&S streets and trips and while it may be fine for desktop use, it's simply sucks for in car use by comparison.

Finding directions to an address is simply not user friendly a process...

I'm comparing this to using both my TomTom & my relatively low end Mio 310x.

It literally takes seconds to enter an address in either car gps. With streets & trips? Heck I'm still trying to figure out how (of course this could be operator error).

Is there anything else out there that's both feature rich and driver friendly?

I especially like the Tom Tom's feature set... ease of data entry, voice commands, screen color selections, custom voices, etc. I can even put an image of my own vehicle on screen instead of the normal arrow/car.

 

[Antichrist]

I've been using Delorme Street Atlas for about 7 or 8 years I guess. I've never tried doing a lookup for a street address while driving, it strikes me as rather unsafe, but if at a light or otherwise stopped, it's pretty easy. It also supports voice commands (and will talk to you), but since I drive a Land Rover with no sound proofing, I don't really use that.

 

[XJINTX]

I have Co-Pilot on my Laptop and it works well... voice too. In the drivers mode it is pretty easy access.

 

[craig]

For street network routing iGuidance is your best bet.

Garmin makes software too, but it isn't touchscreen compatible (not sure if that is important to you or not). There's also RoadRunner and a few others but the popular opinion on mp3car.com is that iGuidance rules the roost.

Craig

 

[1leglance]

I agree with Craig that for street use only Iguidance is excellent and easy to use.
I have been using Delorme for on & off road and find it works pretty well for street adrs's in town.

Keep us posted on what you find and what you think of it.

 

[Antichrist]

For street network routing iGuidance is your best bet.

Garmin makes software too, but it isn't touchscreen compatible (not sure if that is important to you or not). There's also RoadRunner and a few others but the popular opinion on mp3car.com is that iGuidance rules the roost.

It looks like you can't add your own POI's to iGuidance. If that's actually the case, I could never use it. That's an absolute requirement for me.

 

[off-roader]

Well I guess the search will continue.

From my research, nothing to date exists for the PC that's as user friendly as a car gps.

Makes sense I guess since very few people use laptops for in car navigation.

I found my TomTom does offer a mode w/ their pc software where you can view it on the pc but it's stupid and shows the actual TomTom unit on the PC screen, not just the image you see on the tomtom's screen. Plus the size is about the same size as the actual Tom Tom so it's fruitless to use it like this.

 

[craig]

Did you look at the Garmin Mobile PC? It *is* a Garmin GPS running on your laptop.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=13484&ra=true

 

[off-roader]

Hi Craig,

No I hadn't heard about it. Will check it out. Have also heard from Tom Tom that they have a similar solution in development but no word on if or when it will become available.

How are things going with your topo software btw? Selling well I assume? I mentioned before I'd be interested in the Western US specifically CA, NV, & UT and possibly AZ. Will likely be in the market to buy that once I have my rig fully built and have some 'proper' wilderness trips lined up.

TIA,

Ray

 

[craig]

Ray,

I look forward to having you as a customer. Let me know if I can help in any way.

If you are going to run two GPS driven applications at the same time, have a look at xport (free) or Franson GPSGate (cheap).

Craig