Now slated for release in July. It will be called "version 8" believe it or not in order to align with the version number on some of their other products. It will have PC*Miler V24 (2010) maps and several enhancements over the very tired "ver 11." It will of course work with Win 7 and 64-bit systems. As long as that date doesn't slip (again) I should be getting a look at it soon. Will keep you guys informed.

- Don

Hi Don, it's nice to see you, and thanks for the bit of good news. It does make sense to align the version numbers with other versions of CoPilot 8.

Hey Marvin. Sorry I haven't been around for quite a while. I was grooming all of the links on our site today and clicked in to see how your folks were doing. Such a tremendous amount of info here on the laptop products! Kudos. I will try to contribute more on the trucking stuff as needed.

- Don

It would be wonderful to see you here on a regular bases, Don. Just bookmark us among the sites you visit daily.

Unless CoPilot 12 is a *HUGE* enhancement over version 11, they won't see a single cent off of me. I bought v11, but couldn't even run it on my computer because it was a widescreen machine. They said they'd release a patch to fix that, hmmm, about 2 years ago... Still no patch. Screw ALK. I'm done with them.

malaki86, it's going to be ALK CoPilot 8, not 12, as Don mentioned above. I truly hope they fixed some of the long standing issues you (and others) brought to ALK's attention.

Whatever they call it, unless they either give it to me free because I never was able to use 11, or give a HUGE discount, I won't even look at it. They made a good/decent product (v9) into a pile of crap with v11.

I wonder about the price, too. ALK CoPilot, the versions for laptops, have always been rather expensive, but I've seen the new iPad version of CoPilot 8 recently priced at only $29.99.

It'll run on any screen capable of 800 X 600 resolution or higher, but if your screen is not set to one of the supported resolutions in the Windows display settings, then you need to just edit the "preferences.cfg" file to "force" CPT11 to run in one of the supported resolutions. We (dieselboss support - i.e. ME) did not know about this trick for the first month that it was out. However we have just modified the resolution setting in that file ever since to overcome any screen size.

FYI, it will run when set to any of these resolutions:

800 x 600
1024 x 600
1024 x 768
1152 x 648
1280 x 720
1280 x 800
1280 x 960
1280 x 1024
1360 x 768
1600 x 1200
1680 x 1050

You are correct about any patches. They did not put out any for version 11.

Whatever they call it, unless they either give it to me free because I never was able to use 11, or give a HUGE discount, I won't even look at it. They made a good/decent product (v9) into a pile of crap with v11.

1. I've known you a long time (in the "cyber world" at least.) I know that you are very computer literate and tech savvy, and have extensive past experience with the CPTruck for laptops. I will try to work some angles to provide you the next version "free or at a huge discount" if you want to test and provide us with an unbiased review if you like.

2. Based on some early "looks" it IS a huge improvement over 11. The V24 maps are dramatically better, the truck routing is more accurate, and the things that bugged us the most about what we lost going from ver 9 (the most full-featured trucking GPS software EVER) and version 11 (a seemingly hasty release to be compatible with Windows Vista, yet has its merits nonetheless) appear to be incorporated. It will not ever look like version 9's MOUNTAIN of customizable features and settings though. It looks similar to 11, but it's more of a "fixed" 11. Many drivers (and I) have asked for things that appear to be either being fixed or added. (Custom POI manager, lane change guidance, better POI alerting and customizable POI display, better truck profile setup [exact height, weight, axle weight, length, and width], logging your miles by state, etc.)

3. There is a pretty bloody battle going on right now between ALK, Rand McNally, and Garmin for this trucking GPS market. This is GOOD for the drivers because they are each forcing the other to improve. In the past ALK was the only player, and now there are at least 6 that we have tested so far during this explosion of truck PND's in the last 18 months. As far as I know, ALK is still the only one doing a truck-specific version for laptops though. MS Streets is a great laptop program alternative for truckers, especially once you do some tweaking to make it more truck-specific, but it still does not truly conform to the best trucking routes consistently. It kinda surprises me that Microsoft, Delorme, or Rand McNally haven't developed trucking laptop GPS programs.

Either way, we will run it through its paces with our usual batch of tech-smart longhaulers and write a detailed review. I just hope they don't slip the July release because it is long overdue, but I also don't want then to release it "unrefined" either. We shall see...

I know they have talked about an "upgrade" price for registered owners of version 11 (like they have done in the past) but I haven't heard what the pricing will be specifically yet. It has always been $299 with receiver / $199 without receiver / $99 upgrade for previous users during the introductory release period. Individual dealers then can tweak that pricing as they see fit from there. Whether these numbers will be consistent with the next release???? Don't know, but I'll let ya know when I do.

I'd be interested in taking you up on that offer. I've run a number of GPS applications in the truck and have given them all a lot of testing before I rely on them whatsoever. I know that some are better than others, some can add things added to them, some made easier to use.

Giving an unbiased opinion/review would be my pleasure.

The version numbering will generate a certain level of confusion. Perhaps one way of dealing with this could be by switching to year numbering. ALK could start naming the product ALK CoPilot 2011, ALK CoPilot 2012, etc. Otherwise people searching the web for "alk copilot 8 laptop" or "alk copilot 8 truck" will find several year old information. The same will be true for versions 9, 10, and 11.

It has been very confusing. What they are doing is trying to create a uniform single version number across the entire product line. And that number is going to be "8" because over the last 12 months they have come out with "Laptop 8" for cars and RV's, "Live 8" for smartphones, and now "Truck 8" for laptops. A year ago each product had a different number. What will be interesting is what they do with the NEXT version. They can't really reuse "Laptop 9, 10, or 11" can they? Anyway, at least for the moment they are trying to identify all current products (web, laptop, smartphone, truck) with a single number. Maybe next we can look forward to the Microsoft version system of ME, XP, Vista, 7.

July is running out fast...

But, ALK did update their web page for the whenever to be release CoPilot Truck 8:

http://www.alk.com/pro/truck/

I am hoping to have a pre-look at it next week. Their official release date is Aug 15th now.

LOL - Gotta love ALK and how good they are about releasing stuff when they say they're going to. They originally said they'd have a patch for version 11 within 2 months of it being released. That was, what, 2.5 years ago?

And the original release for CP Truck 8 was last Christmas.

In truth I don't have any idea what the delays are sometimes. I know that they have had a huge last 12 months with extremely popular releases of CoPilot for smartphones, PC Miler Navigators, and European CoPilot products. A little birdie has told me that the CPT8 release will look and operate much like the PCM450 model software that we got last month. And if that is true, then that is largely a very good thing for us all. They clearly are doing due diligence in development of their craft, possibly sacrificing timelines and support though.

Testing the 32-bit version now. I can't go into any details yet. I have not received a 64-bit version as yet, but will ensure compatibility when I do.

Just wanted to let you know that it is a "reality" and no longer hypothetical at this point.

Would love to see some screenshots from it.

I've been playing with it now for about 2 weeks. They are going to make it a download with a product key. But we haven't heard anything today about it "hitting the streets" yet. (and this is not a surprise)

Summer ends, what, August 20th?



Glad to see them keeping on their toes...

Tick-tock.

How about a few screenshots to hold us over? Will it run natively under a widescreen laptop (1440x900, 800x600, etc)? Will it run on 64bit? Can you import your own POI's?

That's for CoPilot Truck, but only for mobile devices

Update:

- Still have not receved a 64-bit version to test from them.
- They have now pushed the release date to Sep 15th.
- We'll see if that one holds now.

Better late than never

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on this, DieselBoss!

Every other navigation program I have tried (all of them 32 bit) have worked fine on a computer running Windows 7 64 bit. What is so special about CoPilot?

Terry

I agree and the response I get from them is they don't care. I guess they don't care to protect their own livelihood. A sign of the times. Oh well.
RS

I suppose so. However, in this case I was referring to their latest release. Why is a separate 64 bit version necessary unless it uses that 64 bittedness to some other advantage! Why would the latest 32 bit version not work with 64 bit o/s like normal navigation products have for several years?

Terry

No idea. All I can tell you is that neither version 11 nor version 8 will install on a 64-bit OS, with the exception of "XP Mode" in Windows 7 Pro-64 or Ultimate-64.

Thank you for the confirmation DieselBoss. They are certainly on a different course than most software (navigation or otherwise) then. I hope that approach is a positive in the final product rather than a mere irritation.

Terry

Can you at least tell us if it:
- Can import custom POI's
- Can natively run on a widescreen laptop (1440x900, 800x600, etc)

You can create custom POI sets within the program, display, and turn on alerts for them all separately. There is no "import" button in mine, but in the "update" menu (which is new) that looks to be a place where that my show up. The POI management is significantly better than version 11, but no nifty "importer" in the version I have yet.

It runs at every native resolution I threw at it. (which is about 11 different ones) including those that version 11 could not (like 1440x900)

I sent back a huge feedback doc to them, and I think that may have some small bit to do with the new delay (which frankly will be better for you in the end if they do a couple more tweaks based on that doc.)

I cannot post screenshots yet because they do not want anything out that will be different than the final released version. When I get that permission, I will be able to show and say more.

Thank you for letting me know about the screen resolution. That's a biggie. Adding an import feature is a huge deal, but not a deal breaker.

I understand on the screenshots.

Sep 15 and nothing. Are they moving the release date to Oct 15?

He didn't say Sept 15th of THIS year.

Wow - been trying to get hold of ALK for a week now. Doesn't look too good.

Sent them an email through their Sales link in their "Contact Us" page. The email bounced (server not found).

Have tried calling them every day. The only option for CoPilot Live is to visit their web page. Dialing '0' for an operator gets me to voicemail, which they're not returning, so it seems.

I *finally* got a live person on the phone at ALK. I had a simple question for her: what is the ETA for CoPilot 8 Truck. Her answer: We have no telephone support or sales people too any longer. The only information available is what you see on our website.

How's THAT for customer service, or should I say LACK of...

Times are tough, and companies are trying to save cost. The unfortunate part is that your question has not been answered.

With the non-answer I received pretty much made up my mind: I'm don't with ALK. Period.

Is ALK Kaput? I have CoPilot 9, anybody get it to work on a Windows 7 system?

I received this from ALK 10-10-10,

"Thank you for contacting CoPilot Technical Support.

We are currently preparing to release our next generation of CoPilot for Laptop, which will support Windows 7 and 64 bit. We hope to have it available soon, please stay tuned to our website for additional information.

Regards,

CoPilot Technical Support

OneRVer, welcome to Laptop GPS World, and thanks for the info. That's very good news indeed. For many months I've seen no mention of a laptop version of CoPilot on ALK's website. It made the impression that the PC software no longer existed.

Thank you for the welcome. I have used Co-Pilot since the release of 2003. My latest is version 10. I still like 2003 the best for the ease of use. But I am keeping my fingers crossed that V-8 will out do them all.

I also have been a Copilot user since it was introduced. This is not the first time ALK promised something new. I'll believe it when I see it! I'm not holding my breath waiting.

RS

Just so you know, there is ZERO US-based telephone support for any of their CoPilot products, unless, of course, you want to call Europe. Their web support is basically Twitter, or e-mail if they feel like responding (which they haven't done for me yet).

(408) 916-9128
CoPilot Support

bottom of page.

This morning I asked CoPilot what GPS hardware will be offered with the version 8. Here is their response.

(Aaron) - 14/10/2010 12.10 PM

I spoke with support @ ALK this morning. They said the laptop version *should* be out either this week or next week. The truck version is set to follow 1-2 weeks behind.

The did release the iPhone version of their truck version yesterday (Monday).

I've been running the standard, Android, version for a couple of weeks now. I'll tell you what, I'm pretty impressed with it so far. The maps are up to date, it's VERY easy to add your own POI's (TomTom ov2 format) and easy to do multi-stop routing.

I'll probably buy the laptop version of the Truck one once it's released.

You are a confirmed ALKoholic!

Terry

LOL, yes, he knows it's bad for him, yet he can't resist the temptation!

Thanks for the good news, Malaki. I really feared ALK abandoned the PC version because there's not a single mention anywhere on their site about their software ever being compatible with the desktop version of Windows. It's like they purposely removed all instances of the term "copilot laptop" from their sites . Hopefully this will change in a week or two.

The sad part is that I don't have many choices. I need something that's VERY touchscreen friendly, must have the ability to import custom POI's and "should" have truck routing. The current CoPilot I'm using on my Android at least has RV routing, which has been decent.

I also use Mobile PC. I love that software, but I guess they decided to not even bother with a fix for the crashes in the 5.00.70 version. I called them yesterday and asked about it - they said they didn't know about any issues whatsoever with 5.00.70.

When Malaki86 is happy I will be happy. So I will be anxiously be waiting for his review.

I'll tell you what - if it runs the same on the laptop as it does on my phone, I'll be very impressed. I've got one issue with the phone version right now, which I'm working with their tech support over. The problem only happens when I try to import more than one set (multiple files) of custom POI's at one time. Normally that's not an issue, though, as I only update 1 certain set of POIs on a day or 2 basis.

So is ALK behind on their POIs or is it, with your driving the country, you are finding more?

As a truck driver, I save every location that I pickup and deliver to, as well as our company terminals. Also, because the non-truck version of CoPilot has ZERO truckstops in it, I have to add my own.

Strange with that last one - you'd think that people in cars and RVs might want to stop at a Pilot, Petro, T/A, etc to get something to eat or get a tank full of fuel once in awhile.

Isn't the Truck version and the RV version the same?

No - the truck version takes into account all HazMat loads, the dimensions of the truck (length, width, axle weight, total weight).

The non-truck/standard version with the RV setting allows setting for up to 13' for the height of the RV.

For the heck of it, I tried the 'standard' version in car & rv mode on a trip that I knew had a 11'6" bridge on it. The car mode went straight across that bridge. The RV mode did what it was supposed to and found a legal route around it.

Might be a stupid question but I will ask anyway. Do the states handle propane on a RV different than a truck.

I have been told that there are tunnels back east that you have to detour if you are carrying propane.

I carry 34 gallons of propane not close to what the trucks haul, but, still propane. Will Co-Pilot reroute a RV?

Also thanks for answering all of my questions. Helps out a lot.

Glad you are adding the T & A places on the POIs.

Even with the single bottles of propane, some tunnels route you around them, such as the tunnels in Baltimore. I can't remember about the PA turnpike. I don't think the tunnels in Virginia require a re-route.

I doubt that the RV setting in CoPilot would route you around the required tunnels. The truck version would, I'm sure, but that would assume a truckload of it, not just a single bottle.

I'm about to work on a new POI set that will pretty much include every truckstop I can get my hands on. I already have a huge set of independent truckstops (probably in the thousands), but I'll also get updated ones of the major chains. For ones that include the information it'll include what type of food they have available.

Thanks for all of your input. I hope ALK appreciates your time and hard work. I think I am going to lean towards the truck version. I am assuming it is the same as the car but with a whole lot more.

Wish they would hurry up, but as long as they are doing it right I will be patient.

PS If you are going to provide all that information about the truck stops, those stops, should at least feed you for free advertising.

I can't speak to their non-truck versions for you. However, in their truck versions they have an "RV Mode" which then allows you to check a box that says "Avoid Propane-restricted tunnels." When you use that option, it is not the same as trucker hazmat settings. It just accounts for those tunnels that do not allow your to drive through with your propane bottles. They are mostly in the northeastern US.

While in the RV mode will it allow you to enter the height, width and length?

Maybe I am misunderstanding the problem. You all ready own a large RV and, I assume, have driven it in various locations. Have you often run into situations with your unit and narrow roads, low overpasses or propane restrictions? If not, you may be looking for a solution to a problem you don't often have.

Terry

Well, if I could ever get my hands on a copy of the final release version I could tell you definitively. However, all I can do in the mean time is say that traditionally (past versions) the RV mode would let you select one of two max heights (12'6" OR 13') only. There was no ability to set in custom heights, weights, or lengths like in truck mode. And to be honest, over the years, when I set up systems for RV'ers that had those "mac-daddy machines" we set many of them up as truck mode as long as they didn't need the propane-restricted checkmark.

Well,,,, yes and no. Propane and low overpasses have not been a problem, yet. However in Montana, Oregon and Washington I have gotten myself into places I had no business getting into. Automobile and small RV yes but not my unit.

I guess my problem is, I am always buying something that has way more to it then what I need and never using it.

I suppose for $20.00 more I should not worry about it and buy the truck version. I just don't want to be stuck on truck routes if I don't need to be. Although I should be able to edit the routing.

I don't have the laptop version of CoPilot 8, but I do have it for the Android. I'm assuming it's the same.

In the RV mode, you can set the height (No restriction, 12'6 or 13'). You can also set it to "Avoid Propane Restricted Tunnels".

I've been using the RV mode for the truck since I got the program and it works great for me in the tractor-trailer. I'm quite sure it would work just as good for you. Width and length shouldn't be an issue for you in an RV - only height.

Yes, the truck 8 is almost identical interface as your Droid 8 for the RV mode, except for the truck routing and profile screens. In fact they came out with truck 8 for iPhone 2 weeks ago and for Android soon.

Hey thank you guys. I don't know why this is bugging me so much. If ALK ordering system was working I would have made the order Thrusday Night. I guess this has given me too much time to think about.

DEISELBOSS, what are the profile screens????

They are doing a server upgrade over there all weekend, so they are "supposed" to be all up again on Monday. In addition when I get the final release version on Monday (hopefully) I'll be running it on as many machines as possible to make sure that things seem to be kosher. If they are, then I'll have it ready to send out too. Keep in mind that so far they have talked about it being a software download version ONLY if you buy it from ALK directly. Whether that changes Monday too, I don't know. But if it does, make sure you are somewhere with a hefty connection to the internet to download. It's big.

Thank you for the heads up.

ALK truck products allow for the user to make multiple vehicle "profiles" to set in specific attributes that match your vehicle and load.

- Vehicle type (truck, rv, car, motorcycle, walking, etc)
- Height, gross weight, max per axle weight, length, width
- HazMat (flammable, caustic, radioactive, propane in RV mode, explosive, etc)
- Avoid or prefer road types (freeways, divided highways, primary highways, secondary roads, local streets)
- Scenic routing (yes or no)
- Allow crossing into Canada or Mexico (yes or no)
- Use the STAA national network of truck roads only (yes or no)
- Toll roads (avoid, use, or avoid if possible)
- Practical, shortest, fuel economy routing preference

You can create dozens of these and save them so that you don't have to go set the GPS up each time again if your change vehicles. It uses whatever the attributes in the currently selected profile are to make your route.

Nice web page Dieselboss. Looks like you have it together. Very impressive.

Will you be providing the CD or software download only? Also do you offer the i-blue GM2 receiver?

Thank you Malaki, you solved my bewilderment. If you didn't need the Truck Version than I definitely won't need it. Again Thanks.

Update:

It is BIG
It is SLOW
6 more hours still to go...

Downloading the 32-bit and 64-bit "release versions now.

As long as ALK allows, I will be providing it on CD or flash drive because the download will be time and bandwidth prohibitive for many users.

More to come later today.

- Don

Eagerly awaiting to hear whether it'll run on Vista or not (esp 64 bit if you can try). If it does, hopefully I'll be sitting in a location with 4G access. If not, I may end up waiting until I'm home for Thanksgiving.

I won't be able to run it on Vista-64. And with their "this version does not support Windows Vista" statement, I'm not harboring much hope for the 32 either.

UPDATE:

Testing completed on Windows XP and Windows 7 (32-bit AND 64 Bit)
- No problems with installs.
- Works with every screen resolution that I had available on these machines.

Does NOT install on a Vista machine. Vista not supported.

Receivers:
- CP101 (this is the receiver that comes with CoPilot ver 11.) This ONLY works with the new CPT v8 if you did not uninstall ver 11 from the same machine that you are installing v8 on.
- BU-353: works fine
- SA-320: works fine

Note: this post is NOT about the features on v8 - only on which machines it will run and receiver tests.

Damn... sucks that it won't even install.

Oh well - my system has been acting stupid lately and needs a reformat anyway. Now, though, this reformat will cost me some $$$.

Malaki86, you are not alone. It's been over a year I've had (hardware-related) issues with my Vista laptop. Last week I finally did the inevitable, I bought a new (Windows 7) laptop.

27% of our visitors are running Vista right now. This means that a quarter of my potential customers are disqualified from the CPT v8.

It also seems that Microsoft is "working their magic" to ensure that it gets more painful every day to be a Vista user in general.

The good news is that I can not be more impressed with Win 7 in the year that I've had it on my gaming machine. Stable as a rock and fast. The only issue has ever been incompatibility between it and programs that won't run on 64-bit. Other than that it has been well worth the money. I think you can now get the upgrade home premium version for under a hundred bucks.

DieselBoss, have you seen this error yet.

When I go into Favorites, add new, Show Route, Options, pick an options, click on the check mark. I keep getting this error message.

Runtime Error
- Micro Soft C++
- Runtime Library
- Program: C\Program Files (X...
- R 6025
- pure vertual call

When I click OK, it shuts down CoPilot. This has happen two out of three times.

I am using OS is window 7, 64 bit

Checking...

No. Tried it on XP and Win 7 - 64 bit.

Just to clarify. You have saved some place to your favorites and are trying to add it as a destination and then show the route right?

Is it just on particular saved favorite? Or when you try to add any favorite to a trip?

When you are in the Route Mode at the bottom of the map there are four icons.

PREVIEW OPTIONS EDIT GO

When I pick Options, you have five icons to choose from. When I pick anyone of those icons, choose my selection, click OK. This is when I get the message. Not always but more than half.

Or, Click, PLAN AND EDIT TRIP, Click GO, Click, SHOW ROUTE, Click OK, Click on the icon OPTIONS, Click on ROUTE TYPE, check anyone of those choice's. This is when I get the error message each and every time.

I cannot get it to crash there. The only place I've gotten it to crash (once) so far is when stopping the animated "route preview" mode. I clicked through all of the sequences above that you mentioned multiple times on the Win7-64 machine and it doesn't crash.

Mine is a "clean machine" which means that there is nothing running in the background (no bulky antivirus, just Microsoft Security Essentials, no messengers, nothing else installed on this system. Perhaps there is something interfering with your software environment outside of the CoPilot?

Anyway, I'll keep testing but have not been able to repeat your symptoms thus far.