Why do people export route from Streets & Trips 2010?

Could someone tell me why people export route from Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010? Why not simply use S&T 2010 (with a GPS antenna) for route guiding? Is it illegal to use a netbook as a GPS device while driving?

Hi xanonwk,

Welcome to Laptop GPS World.

I suspect many of us use Streets & Trips for both, the planning of our trips, and also for the navigation while driving. But some people like to use Streets & Trips for trip planning, and then export the stops (waypoints) to be used in another navigation software or a PND (personal navigation device).

There is a worrying trend in this direction.

I wouldn't use a PC to watch TV, DVDs, etc, while driving. As far as using it for GPS navigation, this may differ based on your jurisdiction. A couple of months ago I heard GPS navigation, even on a mobile phone, was illegal in New Zealand.

I can't fit a laptop or even a netbook in my car in a place that is both safe and convenient to use. So it's nice that Microsoft added the ability to export a route for my Garmin personal navigation device that I mount on the dash.

Some people like to be able to share route information with friends and family. Sometimes their friends use other navigation software. GPX is a very common format.

...ken...

I used to use my Streets and Trips 2007, 2008, 2009 to route FEMA Trailer locations. Handy for import/export for routing for scheduled inspections, maintenance, etc. Having long/lat also useful when locating hidden/stolen FEMA units for retrieval. Flagging unit locations as observed drug or otherwise criminal activity, then export for reporting the "avoid" units to FEMA for further guidance.

Streets and Trips was quite useful for me. Also used Street Atlas for routing as well. Used together + Excel + on-line geocoding, the programs were very helpful in tracking units; especially the ones moved or hidden.

This thread, How to print just the route list, without the directions, in Streets & Trips?, poses a question of use that can be answered by the export facility.

Using a laptop in a vehicle without a second person to operate it is truly dangerous to everyone on the road. Having said that, a lot of us (myself included) have done it. That doesn't make it right. There are too many things that, either need to be done or the operator wants to do, that make it unsafe.

I absolutely prefer a laptop for navigation and, except for the safety issues, I would use it all the time.

Hmm, I don't think that's the way most of us do it. Set your destination while you are parked, or while you are at home, and start driving only when your destination has already been set.

Yeah, once you try a laptop, tablet PC, or a UMPC for navigation, nothing else is just as good any more. And yes, just like with navigation on any device, set it first, drive later. Safety first, we all agree.

Maybe that's my problem. I set the destination before I leave but sometimes I get the urge to fiddle with it while I'm on the road. I may want to zoom out to look at my progress compared to the overall trip or just change the screen for a different view.

Until I can learn to keep my hands to myself, I'll avoid the laptop in the car. In the motorhome, I nearly always have someone with me so it's not a problem.

I sympathize completely as I am I constant "fiddler". That's why I am usually the navigator and my husband is the driver. When I'm by myself, I have to constantly fight the urge to change something!

There is a fantastic safety tool for Streets and Trips that in my view is a step up from the standard GPS device. It's called 'The Spacebar'. Hitting the spacebar replays the last instruction immediately - and if you continue to press it, it continues to count down the distance to your turn - to the foot.

For safe operation - the key is that you have set your laptop up so that the volume is properly adjusted. If you have an MP3 jack in your newer car - great - connect right to it and play directions over the stereo. If not, and your laptop speakers are too weak - get a U.S. $15 external speaker (also need Mp3 cable) from Radio Shack , it'll knock you out of your seat.

Additionally - you simply have to set up your route before you start driving - you have to commit to that. There's allot of things that shouldn't be done driving: reading hand written directions, setting a stop in your PND, adjusting your stops in S&T , dialling a phone - etc.

Back to the space bar - so I don't have to take my eyes off the road - I place a piece of fuzzy velcro on the bar. That way - when I reach over, I know I'm on the spacebar without looking.

The spacebar is an extremely valuable safety tool. Give it a try!