I've been a die hard subscriber to Mapopolis GPS software for about 6 years now. I've run it on every PDA I've had over the years using my venerable Socket Bluetooth GPS which is still going strong to this day. My current PDA is a Sprint PPC6700 phone.
A few months ago, Lamar, the primary developer of Mapopolis announced that he had stopped any further development on the software and would not be accepting any more map subscribers. Well, there went my GPS software :(
While I had some complaints about missing features in Mapopolis I couldn't complain about the functionality of it. It just worked. I rarely had any problems using it. And when I did have a problem it was usually my own stupidity. For instance, on a drive from Philadelphia to Indianapolis I couldn't figure out why it was trying to route me all the way into Pittsburgh and not just keep me on I-70 all the way to Indy. I did this because I failed to include the interstate map for West Virginia since I did not realize I-70 went right through that little tip of the state.
Another couple gripes I had was that it was only designed for a PocketPC. It did not install onto Windows. Next, the software never provided a 3D view like most other GPS software. And, lastly, as mentioned above it is your responsibility to make sure you include each states interstate map (and county maps for more detail) and woe is you if you leave one out. Don't even think about just including all area interstate and county maps unless you want to deep freeze your low memory PDA.
In the meantime I've been using MS Streets & Trips 2007 on my tablet. Oh, do I miss having a decent GPS software. MS S&T ain't it. That's for sure. It works as far as giving me directions but don't make a wrong turn, it won't reroute you. It'll just keep repeating "Off Route". Then again maybe you got "Off Route" because S&T didn't tell me my directions until 20 feet before my exit >:-( Ok, I've got to do something here.
I've tried using Odyssey Mobile's software but it has it's own frustrating issues. No contact integration, slow on directions similar to S&T above, and slow to update position on the map. Also there is no version that will run on Windows. The positives I have for this software are that it is very easy to enter a destination address. Much easier than it was on Mapopolis. Also, it contained that 3D view I've mentioned. It gets around not having to load all the map areas by designating different region maps for the U.S. While I did not have to experience the situation, what would have happened if I needed to travel between 2, 3, or more regions?
My next GPS software purchase will be TomTom. It has the wonderful 3D view, runs on Windows and PPC, and has a great interface to make sure all of the maps you need for your trip are installed.
Next up? Let's find a better way of using the tablet PC while on the road using TomTom.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
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