Thanks for the quick response. I bought Microsoft Streets & Trips @Costco for $54.99.

...so it went down additional five dollars

Let us know how you like it, etc...

Apologies for jumping into middle of thread but am new member and don't know how to post a question? How do I post my first question?

Ranzo,

:welcome: to Laptop GPS World.

Forum users, when logged in, can see an FAQ link in the navigation bar on the very top of each page of this web site. Clicking the link will bring you to a page that lists questions and answers related to the usage of this forum.

I use S&T 2007 w/GPS. I have a RAM Laptop mount in my vehicle that makes it easy to use. My question is: 2008 had Connected Services. It's not available with 2009. However, I understand that if you have 2008 you can still renew Connected Services. Should I get 2009,wait for Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010 or should I get one of those small dash GPS units that route you around congestion? I'd like to know how to get around that traffic jam ahead without getting lost in "Gangland". I do like the idea that 2009 speaks street names; some of the interchanges here in L. A. can be confusing with just "Turn right" and no spoken street name. This is my first post, anywhere, so I am not sure if I'm even in the right place.

Hi milessumner,

Welcome to Laptop GPS World.

I personally don't yet pay much attention to the traffic feature. The technology, in my humble opinion, is not yet advanced enough for this functionality to be reliable. Coverage is limited to only certain markets. Even in serviced areas the coverage doesn't include all the roads. Users often complain about getting information of a traffic incident much sooner via a local radio station instead of via their GPS.

Hopefully a few years down the road the reliability of traffic service will be better.

If you are happy with the map coverage and the features of S&T 2007, then perhaps just wait till the fall, when Streets & Trips 2010 likely comes out. Or you could try the 60-day free trial version of S&T 2009. If you do, don'd un-install your 2007 version. Keep your old version. You can have several S&T versions installed on your laptop at the same time.

I returned Microsoft Streets & Maps. I did install it on my laptop and played with it for awhile. I realized it would not be practical for use in my sedan. Probably great for a trucker.

Not all of us use Streets & Trips for GPS navigation. Some of us just use it for trip planning. It is handy to have S&T available on a laptop, even if you are unable to use a laptop while driving.

I downloaded the 60-day free trial version of S&T 2009 to my laptop and saved the 2007 version when prompted. The first time I used '09 I drove to Palm Springs from Los Angeles. When I opened the program it went right to S&T '09 and I entered my routing information. When I clicked on 'Start GPS Tracking' the GPS device was not found. I Shut Down and rebooted and 'Configured the GPS' and finally I was "Back on Route". When I arrived at my destination I closed the program and shut down my laptop. When I rebooted the next morning the computer went to a 'Blue Screen' and I was unable to get it to boot normally or in 'Safe Mode'. My Computer Professional needed to replace the hard drive and was able to 'Image' all the information from my old drive into the many times larger new drive. Everything else worked well until I attempted to use S&T '09, and a window said that sattelites could not be found, then, again it went to 'Blue Screen'. This time the 'Blue Screen' informed me that I should run the driver verifier against any new drivers. My Computer Professional advised me to reboot in "Safe Mode" and remove S&T '09. Have you heard of a driver issue with the 'Trial' version of '09? I like the way '09 speaks the street names and numbers as opposed to '07 just saying "In zero point 2 miles, turn left".

I tried out both Streets & Trips 2009 and Garmin Mobile PC and decided to go with Garmin for the following reasons (no particular order of importance).

1. S&T is inherently unstable, and MS would not help with crashing problems unless I purchased it. Ok, I test fly the software, find that it has problems, so I buy it to get tech support?

2. S&T is comfortable in appearance and use on a computer (Eg., top icons are file, view, tools, etc) but on a netbook hard to negotiate while driving. The buttons are too small and too many. Garmin uses big 'ole gomers that are easy to hit with the cursor while driving

3. It would be nice if someone "modded" Garmin M PC as a gamer would to allow the editing/addition to make available features on the main screen... like the ability to add alititude or time of day etc. This should be an easy mod to build for someone with the knowledge... which I lack

4. I am a woodworker and my rule is that any machine that does a lot of things doesn't do anything as well as a machine made for a particular purpose. (A radial arm saw does not cross cut as well as a true cross cut saw, or rip as well as a table saw).

MS builds all sorts of software while Garmin is more single purpose. I thing the Mobile PC benefits from the narrower focus of company palate.

5. Honestly, I'd be really up for someone making a new adjustable GUI for M-PC

My laptop is still sitting waiting for me to boot into 'Safe Mode' and uninstall Streets and Trips 2009. I've used S&T for years, even before the GPS and had no trouble with it 'til I downloaded the '09 Free Trial. I hope my '07 still functions. As for the Garmin single purpose, I'll study it. I have not considered using the analogy of S&T being like a ShopSmith (the one I inherited from Dad sits under a tarp in the garage).
S&T is not only comfortable but also familiar and I tend to go with programs I'm familiar with, and I also like a challenge. Good info here. Thank you.

I used 2007 for a couple of years and was satisfied with the experience, as long as I had S&T Keys going. I downloaded 2009 trial before a trip from Texas to California to Colorado and back to Texas. I will not be buying this version. There are there are just too many big problems. One problem is that roads that were re-routed several years ago still show the old routes. Also, it has been hanging my computer (XP SP2) and causing problems in general. Options do not save, even if you save the file after you change the options. It just has too many issues for me to want to trudge through.

looking for a working product key for ms s&t 2009

No need to look. Larry already answered your question:

http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/2238-laptop-crashed-lost-everything-do-i-need-new-activation-code-streets-trips

Ok, just joined because of this topic...We, me and Da Sexy Momma, are hitting the road full-time in our travel trailer for 12-18 months....goin' to see the USA in our Chevrolet: trailer, me , Da SM, and 3 'fur-kids'.. We will also be traveling in Canada. I read in one of the earlier posts someone reffered to a GPS antenna for Canada. Is it different than one for the US? Doesn't make sense to my feeble brain.....seems should be the same.

Also, looking at purchasing a Netbook (Any thoughts?) to make things easier for my co-Pilot. She is visually impaired and the small, portable GPS's are too small for her to read. Will they handle the S&T software? Thinking a refurbished, 1G machine - thots, or places to find online.

My question/s - Planning on purchasing S&T w/ GPS thingy, a netbook, for S&T as well as minor surfing for e-mails and such, and possibly getting a Tom-Tom or Nuvi/Garmin whatever for convenience...... I would like suggestions.....we are hitting the road in a month.

Thank you, in advance, for your thoughts/ideas/opinions....I have found sites such as this soo much help, and am deeply grateful to all for your input....

Thanks, again, ND

Hi ND,

:welcome: to Laptop GPS world.

With the release of Streets & Trips 2009 software there was also a new type of USB GPS receiver released. The receiver was at first only included with S&T 2009 sold in Canada, but a few months later it started to sell in the US, too.


GPS navigation on personal navigation devices (PNDs), phones, and PDAs, is difficult in many cases even for people who are not visually impared. To be able to see the map on a laptop screen is just so much better. Many people here use small laptops and netbooks to run Streets & Trips (and other software). Just enter "netbook" and "streets and trips" into the search box on top of this (or any) page, and you will find relevant information.

I envy your long trip!

Hi ND,

Your feeble brain is correct. Any GPS that works in the United States will work just fine in Canada. As Marvin said, Microsoft introduced a new receiver with their Streets&Trips+GPS bundle. They introduced it in Canada first. I guess they decided that since we didn't attack y'all over the change it was okay to sell it in America, too.

Netbooks have plenty of horsepower to run modern navigation software like Streets&Trips. A refurbished one would be much better for SM and her vision limitations than the personal navigation devices. Are you planning on installing some kind of mount for it or will SM have to volunteer her lap?

Two things to consider when deciding whether to mount it on the dash or SM's lap. First, some laptops and netbooks get quite hot on the bottom. This will be worse if they are sitting on fabric or other soft things because the cooling vents are located underneath and will be at least partially blocked.

Second, the GPS receiver that comes with Streets&Trips is a USB dongle and has a cable. Where you put the computer restricts where you can put the receiver. You want to be able to get the receiver as close to the windshield as you can so the receiver has as good a view of the sky as possible.

Just some random thoughts....

...ken...

Hey Ken and Marvin and Terry - I appreciate the input. Also, Ken thanks for not invading!!! My Missus is from London, Ontario, so I get the Canadian Humor (Humour?) -- Also listen to XM 153 - Laugh Attack - I LOVE Canadians!!!

I read about the updated antenna, so I'm glad that's confirmed. Does the antenna have a magnet, like XM, so you can stick it on the roof?

Mainly the ST '09/netbook will be used Real Time when we get into metropolitan areas...since pulling a trailer, watching for traffic/signs, and trying to read the GPS would be taxing...... That way the missus can assist in navigating hectic roadways.

So, I figure 95% of the time a GPS/PNS would be fine, and limiting the netbook use is the safest way to go. The thought of that thing flying thru the air in the event of an accident, or airbag deployment scares the crap outta me.....being a retired cop, hence I say "NO" to doughnuts , I've seen the damage flying debris can inflict.

Probably be cruising through/across Canada in 2010. Just a short stint in Ontario this September.

Thanks again, I will keep you posted as to how things go.

Nodonutz

Nodonutz, look through some of the threads in the Laptop GPS Hardware forum section, as there is some useful information about vehicle mounts for laptops and netbooks. Prices start from as little as $15.

Already on it Marvin! Thanks for all the good input,eh! -- ND

Hey ND,

The GPS receiver that comes with Streets&Trips is not magnetic. If you are interested in a magnetic mount consider the Globalsat BU-353 and the software-only version of S&T. The BU-353 isn't expensive and in my opinion it's a better receiver than the new one that comes with S&T. Not hugely better but better. For one thing, it's really easy to set on the dash in an orientation that will get the best reception. All receivers prefer to have the "top" side up for best reception. The S&T receiver comes with a rather stiff cable and because of its shape it can sometimes be a problem to persuade the receiver to lay right side up. Not a big problem. Just a minor nuisance that I can live without. So whenever I'm using a USB receiver I always go to my BU-353 rather than my S&T receivers, even though I use it almost always on the dash up beside the windshield.

...ken...

I will look into that Globalsat antenna. One concern is $$, since I have several items I need to get before hitting the road. I had a PNS, an Omnitech or something like that. Used it 2 months. And it locked up. Can't even power off - I have to leave it on and let the battery die! What a POS ..... Got it on Woot for $59..... Feel I got ripped off. Even downloaded maps for CA, but worthless to me now .

You guys are awesome w/ quick responses.... Glad I found y'all.
ND

In the recent past I've become well versed in the laptop GPS navigation world. More than 5 years ago I started with S&T 2004, later purchased 2007 with GPS and recently downloaded the trial version of 2009 after which my harddrive crashed (a 'driver' issue). My local tech shop installed a new, much larger harddrive). I installed my 2007 version of S&T but it now constantly has difficulty locating sattilites or the software can't find the GPS. A couple weeks ago I started a 2,000 mile trip and could not get the program to work so I stopped enroute and purchased a Delorme Earthmate 2009 GPS with an LT-40 receiver. Had to learn a whole new program . My 2 young granddaughters helped on the return trip. This week my bride decided she wanted a dashtop GPS and I helped her pick one out. She purchased a Garmin. I like it so much that I just ordered a Garmin Moibile PC with 20x Bundle for Laptop Computers . It has all the features I like and, according to the reviews, I think I'll be less frustrated than I was with S&T.

Enjoy your new Garmin Mobile PC running on your laptop, but don't throw away your old trusty Microsoft Streets and Trips just yet. One of the advantages of a laptop is that you can have more than one software installed on it. You may run Mobile PC while driving, but you may want to turn to your Streets & Trips for trip planning.

This way you will have the best the both worlds.

Hi Marvin,

You are right.

As you know I use S & T for over 6 years…
I own a Garmin Nuvi 750 and Garmin Mobile PC until last year, but I use always S & T to plan a long trip and Garmin each day for the ride of the day… With both it’s great!