Review: Microsoft AutoRoute

I have just loaded the trial version of AutoRoute 2010 and it seems working all right, just like Streets & Trips 2009. Are there hot keys available yet? Does anybody know how much it costs?

Claude, the new 2010 version is scheduled to come to stores on December 30, 2009. In the UK, check the approximate price and availability here, and in the U.S. here. (As of today, December 19, 2009, the U.S. link only shows old versions, while the UK link already accepts pre-orders for the new version.)

What I have found is if you are planning a route go into options at the bottom of the pane, and onto roads Like/Dislike, for when I am in the truck I advance the sliders on the major roads / motorways / A roads, and reduce it on the small roads. It seems to work. I also have all the bridge heights on my 2007 version for the UK. You can get the weight limits as well off the net.

Must agree that this is a welcome issue.

So far had no problems but I would wish that route speed options could be entered as mph or kmph instead of average ( average to whom?)

[IMG]file:///C:/Users/Keith/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG]

I have always had a problem using Bluetooth GPS with Autoroute 2007. Will I have the same problem, or can anyone post a list of compatible Bluetooth GPS receivers.

Most modern Bluetooth GPS receivers will work fine with AutoRoute. A couple of older ones designed for PDA use were 9600 bps only but I haven't seen one recently. AutoRoute requires 4800 bps at a refresh rate of 1 Hz which is pretty standard for BT GPS these days.

Terry

Hi sinbad,

There are no Bluetooth receivers compatible with Streets&Trips or Autoroute. Both programs only know how to get their data from a COM port that is set to 4800bps. So your Bluetooth receiver needs to come with a Bluetooth stack that will provide a virtual COM port output at 4800bps. Any Bluetooth receiver that comes with that ability will work fine with Autoroute 2010.

I think Terry (tcassidy) has been doing some testing with Bluetooth stacks and I think his recommendation is to ignore the ones that come with some Bluetooth devices and just let Windows install the Microsoft Bluetooth stuff. I did that by accident on my laptop and Bluetooth stuff seems to work fine that way.

...ken...

The Bluetooth stack is not a part of the GPS receiver, doesn't ship with it and does not always control what the GPS is capable of doing.

The important point is Microsoft has been including a stripped down Broadcom Bluetooth stack since XP SP2 and it is perfect for GPS. Some smaller devices such as my ASUS R2h come with a Toshiba Bluetooth stack which is ok.

Add-on Bluetooth USB dongles use a variety of Bluetooth stacks. Most recent ones will work with the Microsoft version already available on the computer but some need a full Broadcom installation (messy but workable) or IVT BlueSoleil (a total waste of time in my opinion).

Does your computer already have built in Bluetooth or are using/ considering a dongle?

Terry

Just to clarify. There are bluetooth receivers that work with S&T and AR. And as K in R suggested using the stack supplied by Microsoft probably the best configuration.

Yes, Larry, that's technically correct, so let me amend my statement:

- Streets&Trips and Autoroute have no idea how to find and connect directly to a Bluetooth GPS receiver or a USB receiver.

- Streets&Trips and Autoroute only know how to connect to a COM port. They will only connect to it and work properly if the COM port is running at 4800bps.

- If you want to connect Streets&Trips or Autoroute to either a Bluetooth GPS receiver or a USB receiver you must first make sure that the software they are supplied with, or that Windows installs when the device is connected the first time, includes a feature that produces a virtual COM port output at 4800bps.

...ken...

I don't think the Bluetooth stack (regardless of who produces it) makes any decision regarding the data rate of the GPS signal. That must be a negotiating function between the GPS firmware and the navigation software.

Although every Bluetooth GPS I have tested works with S&T, 2 older (pre 2006) BT GPS were discussed on this site which do not scale to 4800 bps and won't work with AR /S&T. Therefore, I would tend to believe that any modern Bluetooth GPS will work with AR /S&T provided that the computer has some sort of Bluetooth receiver, regardless of the stack used.

Terry

Terry, my point is that Streets&Trips and Autoroute will not work with anything but a COM port running at 4800bps. If they don't see exactly that, whether it's virtual or real, they won't work.

...ken...

Hi
This is my first post on this site, and I read with interest your comments on the new Autoroute 2010. I am still using 2006 with a GPS. That's great if Autoroute 2010 is better, and from what I see here it is. I am looking forward to using it in UK and Europe. The 2006 version has worked well for me in the UK, and I have always said if its not broke don't fix it, but I may with 2010.

Hi John,

Welcome to the forum.

I always say, If it ain't broke it must be time to tinker with something.

...ken...

Your English is excellent john-a but didn't your mother tell you about punctuation.

Terry