I just finished a trek to south Georgia where I helped various law enforcement agencies with search warrants and arrests.

I used Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010 loaded on an Acer Nav 50 with Windows 7 Starter. The antenna was the standard antenna supplied by Microsoft. (The software was loaded by copying the DVD to a flash drive.)

The vehicle involved was a mobile command post. It is a flat-nosed 40' bus configuration with the front windows almost perpendicular to the ground. The only practical place to locate the antenna was on the dash abutting the windshield and the most available satellites were those only in front of the bus, however, the SiRF technology probably allowed some data to filter down through the aluminum roof.

The system performed flawlessly! There were never any "glitches" or computer hang-ups. Both original routes and re-routes were calculated quickly. The computer's battery was more than enough to operate both the computer and the antenna for several hours. The program was run for as long as 6 hours at a time and the battery was never depleted. I don't know what the total life would have been.

For those wondering whether Streets & Trips will work properly on the smaller computers, I would have to give a resounding "yes," at least on the Acer.

(Incidentally, the incident involved a dogfighting operation with participants from four states and stakes well into five figures. At least eight federal, state, county and local agencies were involved.)

Interesting. Did you optimize a route before you started out or did you just navigate from address to address? BTW, you didn't get me...

It was generally learning of a location then plotting it and moving to it. The different locations were not usually known in advance.

Are you implying that you're involved dogfighting and that you haven't been caught?

I'll take the Fifth on that...

Mandolin Guy, good work, and thanks for letting us know you guys use Microsoft Streets & Trips.

I trust SpadesFlush is just pulling your leg.

I hope so.

... otherwise you would have to start your Streets & Trips, and start plotting a route to another destination.

But on a serious note, dog-fighting is a very cruel form of entertainment. It's hard to comprehend why it still may be "OK" to practice it in some other countries.

You're right, MH, it is cruel. I didn't intend to turn this forum into a morals class.

Lame joke, sorry it was misunderstood.

Thanks, SpadesFlush. No harm done. Let's move on.

It's nice to hear successful real world use of Streets & Trips. With the advent of so many online mapping and route planning utilities, software-based apps have kind of fallen by the wayside. Even I stopped using them about 5-6 years ago. I prefer the self-contained, swiss army knife feel of my laptop, which is why I'm venturing back to software-based apps.

Hello MH,
I've only just seen this great story about using Streets & Trips. I'm on the Streets & Trips team and I wonder if you would be willing to talk to me a little more about your story? Thanks!
Melinda