Laptop GPS World

I got ALK CoPilot 11 installed with a 20 minute phone assistance from ALK tech support. The guy was very helpful and nice.
Everything installed great, but the system couldn't find the GPS reciever. Support was able to assist me with that and now everything seems to be working properly. I'll take it for a test run this weekend. My reciever is the CoPilot Rikiline 6017 or something and the program was trying to write to C:\ drive and my sony viao's main drive is D:\. C:\ drive is the memory stick driver go-figure make a long story short we are up and running.

Last year I purchased ALK CoPilot Live 10 and returned it due to its' inability to perform properly with my new Vista Operating System.

I have three questions in regard to Version 11.

1. Any knowledge that the "Vista" problem has been corrected?

2. Does Version 11 have the capability of giving Real Time Fuel Prices as does other GPS units?

3. Can the Version 11 audio be (wirelessly) played through the Vehicle Sound System (Radio)?

Thank you for your response?
Rocco42

rkd46, I'm glad it's up and running now. I've had good experience with ALK technical support in the past, too.

Rocco42, welcome to Laptop GPS World. Yes, Windows Vista is now supported. I'm actually running ALK CoPilot Laptop 11 now on Vista without a single glitch .


The above is one of my very early attempts to create a video clip from what I see on my screen. I will still have to figure out how to record voice directions prompts (for now this is a silent movie ).

The purpose of the video clip is to illustrate the very smooth movement of the map. People used to 1Hz refresh rate will enjoy this very much.

(Sorry for the poor quality of the video. I'm learning to use Camtasia Studio 5, and it will still take me a while )

__________________
Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

Marvin, thanks for the reply. I was unsure if I would get a response so I called ALK this morning in regard to the concerns and question I listed in my original message.

Tech Support confirmed that Version 11 will in fact run on Vista, but only on the 32 bit speed....NOT the 64 bit.

In response to my question about Real Time Fuel Price information, I was advised that this feature is not found in CoPilot Live (any version). Due to the current high price of fuel, I feel that this is an important feature, particurally because of the size of the fuel tanks in larger RV's. I have seen great variations in fuel prices over a hundred mile stretch and even a 5 cent difference per gallon can add up. I sometimes cut it close when looking for cheaper fuel prices as I'm travelling only to find out that I should have fueled up 10 miles back.

I'm reluctant to purchase the Version 11 because of it's lack of the Real Time Fuel Price Information feature but I do like the many other "unique" features. Therefore, Is it possible to obtain a separate program that could be loaded into my laptop and used for those times when I would like to search for the Fuel Price information? If so, that program and the Version 11 would then be a complete travel package for me and I would like to explore that possibility. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you and best regards......
Rocco42

Maiden voyage was today. It went well, but the new layout will take a little getting use to.
I'll read the tip section and get to know the system better.
It did not have my dad's address in it, but the subdivision is only 2 years old. It was able to take me to the Income tax preparer and got me home without a hitch. I think I'll really like it. I'll write more later.
The layout is good and the bigger buttons are great! It seems to be what I like about a laptop GPS system.

Rocco42, you just missed the contest/giveaway: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/micros...microsoft.html That would give you gas prices! You could use Streets & Trips for that functionality, and ALK CoPilot Laptop 11 could be used for navigation.

rkd46, I think the changes to user interface will make CoPilot easier to learn for first time users (but you as an experienced user will have to relearn a bit ).

One of my wishes would be that ALK stops attempting to put real addresses into its database, but instead use valid street number ranges (like Navteq). Often times I cannot enter destination address because the street number is not in the database, even though the street itself is in the program.

__________________
Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

So How's it compare to Microsoft Street and Trips 2008? Do they have lane assistance or something similar to TomTom Go 930T? Thanks a lot man!

I've never used the Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008 so I can't comment. I've used ALK CoPilot Laptop for years my first was the 2003 version, then 10 and back to 8. I'm finding 11 to be very user friendly and I like the keypad entry on CoPilot 11. Like you said Marvin it's going to take a little getting use to. My reciever is CoPilots Package of the Rikaline 6010 USB. Once tech support found the right drivers and we got them I.D. at the right COM port (4) on my computer, it picked up the satalites and went "green" instantly.
I'm still working on the setting I like and tring some of the new toys on CP 11, but all in all I'm happy. I think it will get the job done on my trip from Augusta, GA to Joplin, MO and the Ozark mountains.
More later.

Hi madking426, welcome to Laptop GPS World .

ALK CoPilot Laptop 11 is quite a different package than Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008. S&T is a great desktop application (and can also be used for navigation), and CP has been built to be a navigation tool first, so it is much more driver friendly (but it doesn't have the printing functions, and some trip planning functions of S&T). They both are excellent products for the right users. But neither of them have the lane assistance function you are looking for.

rkd46, I also tried CoPilot 8, and CoPilot 10. This version 11 is the very first version which hasn't yet crashed on me !

__________________
Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

I am not sure at this point if I like Version 11. I have used both Microsoft Street and Trips and ALK CoPilot 10. I miss the ability to use MS functions directly. I do love the ability to drive the trip, but when it finishes you cannot exit out of it. It may just me at this point as I am learning to use it. It is different from what we were use to in MS and CP 10. Looking forward to hearing from others.......

Phil

Thank you guys for all these excellent informations!

I just programed my graduation/vacation trip into CP 11. We are traveling from Augusta, GA to Joplin, Mo for my son's graduation then we'll go over to Branson, MO for a little family vacation.
The Lodge address in Branson was not in CoPilot, but the road you turn off of was, so I put that into the trip planner.
I also put my motel address in for when we are on the road. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thank you so much for your effort!

Well, I ran into my first glitch with CP11. I think it was my fault. I downloaded some updates from Sony's web site and at least one of those updates clashed with 11. It was a internet connection upgrade that conflected, I think.
I had to "uninstall" CP11, restore my computer to an earlier date and time before I was able to get the problem to go away.
What it did was...If CoPilot worked then it knocked out my internet. If my internet worked it knocked out my CP.
Anyway the GREAT tech support at ALK help me get the problem resolved and now I'm a happy traveler again. I hope others do not face this same issue.

talking about software updates... I updated my Vista to SP1 earlier today, and ALK CoPilot Laptop 11 (and everything else as far as I can tell) works still just fine !

__________________
Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics