Microsoft Streets & Trips 2005: GPS Navigation Dirt Cheap

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002DODZ8/qid=1093311041/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i5_xgl65/104-6959923-2567928?v=glance&s=software&n=507846' target='_blank'>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...ftware&n=507846</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Microsoft Streets and Trips 2005 GPS is the GPS-enabled trip planning and mapping software with a GPS hardware solution that lets you know exactly where you are by giving you precise GPS functionality, plus a comprehensive and current array of maps, driving directions, route options, and points of interest to help you make the most of your trip."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040823_streetsandtrips.jpg" /> <br /><br />Have you got the GPS itch but don't have enough cash to scratch it? If so, Microsoft and Amazon have got a deal for you! For only <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002DODZ8/qid=1093311041/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i5_xgl65/104-6959923-2567928?v=glance&amp;s=software&amp;n=507846">$94.99 after rebate,</a> you can get a copy of Streets and Trips 2005 <b>and</b> GPS hardware. For this price, there's no fancy bluetooth, but it'll get the job done just fine. Pocket Streets is included for use with your Pocket PC. [Affiliate]

[Dave Conger]

Whose GPS unit is included? It likely isn't MS Hardware but do we know who is making it for MS?

[radioflyer7]

I got too excited on my first read... But this, as you pointed out, is NOT bluetooth, therefore can it be hooked up to my PPC? And does the software come with a PPC version as well?

It's still a great deal for laptop users -- however klunky it is.

The hardware looks like a Pharos.

[SeanH]

I checked out the site and the GPS is only USB so it will not work with a PPC unless someone has PPC with USB Host capability and they wrote there own drivers for the device for the PPC OS.

It looks like they improved Pocket Streets and trips. Pocket Streets 2004 did not support routing. If they added routing it would be a great improvement.

For someone that travels a lot Streets and Tips is a great product for your laptop. It would be nice to have updated street info from the 2004 version.

Sean

[johncruise]

I checked out the site and the GPS is only USB so it will not work with a PPC unless someone has PPC with USB Host capability and they wrote there own drivers for the device for the PPC OS.


Just an FYI... there was this Holux GPS with USB connector that works well with Casio E-200. Of course, it's a long shot to wish that this driver will work with S&T 2k5. At least we know that those kind of solutions are not that impossible to hook up on a PPC.

[johncruise]

Also.... I am curious, has somebody did a review on this yet?

[Dave Conger]

Holux has a number of GPS unit compatible with PDA's....it is to bad MS decided to include a USB unit that is only compatible with a couple Pocket PC's.

[Jimmy Dodd]

From the MS S&T Site (http://www.microsoft.com/streets/more/10Reasons.mspx)

Adding GPS tracking functionality to your Pocket PC or Smartphone is literally a snap; you just plug the GPS device into a Bluetooth or CF expansion sled, and you're ready to go. For even more power and flexibility in connecting to mobile devices, the Streets & Trips GPS receiver is compatible with Pharos GPS 360 accessories, so it can easily expand into a wireless Bluetooth® receiver or a CompactFlash/PCMCIA connected receiver.

So no, you can't connect it to a PPC without some additional hardware, but it is compatible with the Pharos GPS 360 so the hardware is available.

[JimPAQ]

Did some one say that Pocket Streets 2005 will support routing? I was under the impression that like PS 2004, it would not. I know that MS Streets and Trips supports routing, which it also did in 2004, but Pocket Streets did not in 2004 and the last I heard it will not in 2005.

That was the last thing I read about it. But if I’m wrong and it does, it would be very exciting.

--Jim

[SeanH]

So no, you can't connect it to a PPC without some additional hardware, but it is compatible with the Pharos GPS 360 so the hardware is available.
Thanks!! I did not notice that on the MS site. It looks like MS is using the Pharos 360 GPS. http://pharosgps.com/products/bluetooth/PT300.htm but only shipping the USB version. I could not find pricing on the Bluetooth sled or a the CF adapter. If your PDA has Bluetooth I would strongly recommend the BT sled. A CF GPS has to do a cold start every time the PPC is turned off.

Sean

[Sven Johannsen]

Since there is certainly going to be some interest

http://www.shopharmony.com/product.asp?i=PXT09

Didn't look for the CF sled price, nobody uses those things any more.

[cmorris]

Did some one say that Pocket Streets 2005 will support routing?

As far as I can tell, Pocket Streets 2005 does not support routing. :(

[JimPAQ]

So does anyone know if/when Pocket Streets will show up on Handango? I see 2004 for on the site now. I don't really want to go buy Streets and Trips since I don't use it that much.

--Jim

[mhowie]

Sam's Club has the non-GPS version for $23 and some change... no rebate from MS or from Sam's Club (the lack of a rebate from Sam's is different than in past years).

Any other reports on pricing for this software package?

Thanks,

[Sven Johannsen]

So does anyone know if/when Pocket Streets will show up on Handango? I see 2004 for on the site now. I don't really want to go buy Streets and Trips since I don't use it that much.

--Jim

I wouldn't. The full package is usually minimally more than just Pocket Streets. With just Pocket Streets you are limited to the maps MS has for download (legally). With the full package you can cut what ever maps you need when you need them.

[mfields]

I'm curious. Does anyone know what the GPS update rate is on the new S&T? The last version I got it would only update once every 15 seconds. That is hardly fast enough to navigate by. :evil: My little eTrex on NEMA out gives a position every second; so why can't MS allow their software to update that fast.

[Sven Johannsen]

I'm curious. Does anyone know what the GPS update rate is on the new S&T? The last version I got it would only update once every 15 seconds. That is hardly fast enough to navigate by. :evil: My little eTrex on NEMA out gives a position every second; so why can't MS allow their software to update that fast.

Even the current (2004) version was giving one second updates. It was actually some legal issues with the map data providers that kept it at a slower rate. Sounds odd, but it would be similiar to those free for personal use but pay for commercial use software deals. Using the map data for navigation I guess cost more than using it for location. That's been resolved apparently.

[Cybrid]

Sven,
I tried once to hook up a laptop w/ ms st&t to CF/pcmcia and it didn't work, my research led to a help file that said cf/pcmcia gps was not supported because that solution created a "virtual" serial port that St&T did not support. Honestly I haven't tried since....any thoughts? This was in 2003. Did 2004,2005 change this?
BTW nice to see you kicking around post ppcpassion woes.

[SeanH]

cf/pcmcia gps was not supported because that solution created a "virtual" serial port that St&T did not support
There are a lot of issues with CF GPS units. I would recommend a serial or Bluetooth version.

Sean

[gregh2000]

it is on sale at compusa right now, until saturday, i believe it is a $50 instant rebate.