Review: Microsoft AutoRoute

I have assembled an alternative set of POIs for AutoRoute 2010 that I am to share, see attached.

Attached Files

Euro-Pins2.axe (2.26 MB, 216 views)

SpadesFlush, I'm glad you've saved the file with all the pushpins hidden. I love the new version 2010. I open the file and I see not a single pushpin, no clutter, I see just the map.

If I wish to for example look up the nearest WiFi hotspot in your database (shown above), all I have to do is open the Legend & Overview pane, right-click WiFi, and click "Show". When I'm done, I can just "Hide" the WiFi POIs again. How could we ever live without the new pushpin management features in older Microsoft AutoRoute version???

As a radio ham, earlier this year, I bought MapPoint Europe 2004 with APRSPoint, which is an add-on to link to my radio to send my location and receive that of others.

I bought MP 2004, as it has less clutter than the current version.

As newer GPSrs are now inferior to older ones (my Garmins 2610 & 765T), I am now looking for navigation software to run on Windows XP for use in my car.

Has anyone any experience of running an older version of MapPoint with a newer version of AutoRoute. (2004 - 2010)

[ AR2010 downloading now.]

Reg

There should be no issues. When you install new versions of Microsoft's nav products, they tell you you can leave older versions installed. There are many on here who have described keeping older versions (for various reasons) along with the newer versions and there have not been any reports of problems doing that.

I currently have Streets&Trips 2010 and Mappoint 2009 installed at the same time with no problem. I just ran them both and they are up in seperate windows without any complaining. (XP Pro SP3)

...ken...

An Autoroute niggle.

If you use the AR Tool "Show in Bing Maps" you always get the same Bing Maps view, East London, regardless of what AR is showing as a map view. It does not automatically pull up your current map view the way S&T 2010 does.

The following is a problem with both Streets & Trips 2010 and AutoRoute 2010.

If you have selected a Pushpin, or just imported one, or somehow inadvertently selected a Pushpin, and then use the arrow keys on the keyboard, the Pushpin will be moved. This can be annoying because the Pushpin may not be in the open map view. You then have to figure out what happened or where the Pushpin was meant to be.

It would be better if there were a separate keyboard protocol for moving Pushpins, like [Ctrl-Arrow] or something. I very rarely want to move a Pushpin so it should not default to just an arrow key operation. You can always drag them, too.

Looking here:-

MapPoint Information & Updates <http://wa8lmf.net/aprs/MapPoint_Info.htm>

Towards the bottom, under:-

"Save Huge Amounts of Hard Disk Space"

it suggests installing both to the same folder, to reduce duplication.

It would also appear that both programs can use the latest map data files.

Reg

Thanks for the pointer, Reg.

One word of caution, Streets&Trips and Mappoint are not noted for being particularly compatible with files saved from older versions. So it's worth making absolutely certain that files for the older version(s) are stored somewhere you can't accidentally mess them up with the newer version.

Poor backwards compatibility is the main reason people retain older versions so it's worth taking care not to mix up the files. And to have backup copies.

...ken...

It looks like the UK MS Store is now happily accepting orders for AutoRoute 2010.

• AutoRoute Standard Version
• AutoRoute with GPS Locator

I have been having fun with the trial version here in the UK, although I have clocked less than 1,000 miles on it and I have not tested it off this island. As I have observed above, it is a great advance on AR 2007. I may be imagining this, but AR 2010 seems to be more realistic about roundabouts than was my old AR 2007 which sometimes seemed to ignore their presence. I have 'looked' at some European roads that I know reasonably well and it seems fine. Also, I was glad to have the downloaded POIs especially at the rate my car consumes Shell V-Power petrol.

Of course, there are some oddities. The UK is going through a massive pedestrianization of its town centres and I am afraid no mapping program can keep up to date with this phenomenon, including AR. I was in Oxford today and AR sent me down a few streets that were newly-made dead ends or no-entries. Such is life. On the other hand, I was a bit surprised that the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford does not show as a built-in POI even though it is clearly on the map and many more-minor museums are.

I noticed a bit of a disconnect between the Navigation instructions and the map in that, even where the road name is clearly visible on the map, the Navigation instruction will 'punt' and call out "Local Road" or the route number (such as "A4000") rather than the more-recognizable road or street name. But this is a minor niggle only.

But overall, well done, Microsoft!

Another blog to follow: Microsoft AutoRoute Team Blog

Any chance to get a French version? Or at least trial files?

Thanks in advance

Hi GarminGuy,

to Laptop GPS World.

On November 2nd, Larry said that other languages will be released "over the next several weeks". Let's wait for further announcement(s).

I like the fact that Microsoft makes the products available through it's own store, yet it doesn't compete on price with its various distributors. For better price it is possible to order it from the links bellow, and I'm sure other online stores will have it soon, too.

• Buy Microsoft AutoRoute 2010 - Buy this one if you already have a compatible laptop GPS receiver, or if you use AutoRoute for trip-planning only (without GPS receiver).
  

• Buy Microsoft AutoRoute 2010 with GPS Locator - This package includes a USB GPS receiver.

Hi Marvin,

thanks for the answer and welcoming

Win one of two free Microsoft AutoRoute 2010 with GPS Locator

More info here