Good...then you understand that it's best to have more rather than less tools at your disposal.

 

Just my 2 cents, but they did a study and found MapQuest to be the worst mapping program on the net. I use DeLorme LT20 GPS, and use my atlas as a backup. I do have the ability to modify, and restrict certain routes on the programming, but like I said, just my 2 cents.

 

I just purchased Microsoft Street & Trips 2007. I'm waiting on 2007 Rand McNally Large Scale Motor Carriers' Road Atlas to be released. I'll start playing with S&T now. If any of you have any practical exercises you want to challenge me on... start off easy.

 

OK, I have the software installed. I cannot figure out how to install the GPS. Some one in a previous post said it could be installed directly into a USB slot, how? I also have a cable, it will go into the USB slot, but it will not go into the GPS unit itself. What am I missing here?

Never mind, I figured it out!

 

Hmmm, I just ran Rochester, NY to Albany, GA and it came out to quickest 1142.2 miles or shortest 1111.6 on my brand new 2007 Streets & Tripps. Maybe MapQuest isn't as far off as some believe.

 

Take a few trips around town to test it out and familiarize yourself with some of the navigation features.

When in navigation mode I always check, “rotate map to follow travel direction.” That way when you look at the display the arrow is always pointed up in the direction that you are traveling, making it easy to see at just a glance which direction your next turn will be, without actually having to read your next instruction.

Another thing I do is anytime I’m within 30 miles of my next turn I toggle on the “use dynamic turn view” feature, which increases the level of magnification automatically as you approach your next turn, making it easier for you to keep your eyes on the road and to concentrate on your driving. I never use the voice feature, by the way, because I always have the satellite radio broadcasting away.

Also, anytime the magnification level is more than 30 miles, I toggle to “keep position centered” and then set the magnification level out 15 to 20 miles. That way I can see out at least 15 miles and still see enough detail to see any truck stops, rest areas, parking areas, and weigh stations that I loaded in for at least 15 miles ahead as I approach them.

Finally, another thing I do is park my curser on top of the “create GPS trail” check box as I travel. That way if I see something like a truck stop, parking area, weigh station, or etc. I can instantly mark its location as I go by simply by clicking the button once to toggle on the feature and then clicking the button once again to toggle off the feature. Another thing I do is always toggle on this feature anytime I enter a truck stop or a shipper or consignee’s location so that I can mark those spots precisely, because at the end of the day, I always pushpin all those locations with relevant information into my default map for future reference.

Hell…if you are feeling a little ambitious and have a lot of time on your hands, you can even go in and mark all the low clearance locations and restricted routes in your default map so that you want have to even check the MCRA any longer.

 

With my Delorme on Shortest I get 1041.1 miles including several "unnamed" roads. :lol:
With my Delorme on Quickest I get 1045.32 miles.
I imagine I matters where in Rochester or Albany the software picks to start.